"How was your first day as a sensei, Masasane?" Hiruzen greeted him with a warm smile. Masasane had requested his counsel, and ever the helpful Hokage, Hiruzen obliged without hesitation.
The setting sun bathed the office in amber hues, casting long shadows that crept across the floor. Dusk settled, giving the room a solemn, reflective air.
Masasane scratched the back of his head with visible unease. "To be honest, I'm having trouble with my team—or rather, with a certain member. Minami Asami. I don't know what to do about her, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. "Tell me more, Masasane. What's the issue?"
Masasane sighed. "It's her attitude. Asami is... difficult. She's prideful, arrogant, and doesn't respect authority. She was clearly displeased with my choice for team leader."
"Let me guess," Hiruzen chuckled knowingly, "you didn't pick her, and she threw a tantrum?"
Masasane blinked, surprised. "How did you know?"
The old Hokage exhaled a long stream of smoke. "I know Asami. She reminds me of a former student of mine—talented, but stubborn. She shares some of his traits, though thankfully not all."
Masasane tilted his head. "I don't understand, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen laughed. "Tell me, Masasane, how much do you know about our little princess?"
"Not much. Just the basics. Her name, birth date, and the tragedy three years ago when she lost her entire family. Her academy file says she's talented, but there's not much else."
Hiruzen chuckled again. "Talented? That's an understatement. Don't trust those files—they barely scratch the surface. Asami isn't just talented; she's a prodigy. An exceptionally gifted kunoichi. But she lacks humility, which is why I assigned her to your team alongside Aritame and Yukihiro—two of the lowest-ranking graduates of the year. She needs to learn to work with others who are less naturally gifted. And who knows, with your guidance and her strength, maybe they'll all benefit. That's the hope, anyway."
Leaning back in his chair, Hiruzen's expression turned serious. "What I'm about to tell you is classified, but you deserve to know. Asami is now your responsibility. Three years ago, her family was killed during an attack. The perpetrators were believed to be foreign ANBU-level shinobi. Highly trained. In the end, they escaped, but here's the extraordinary part—Asami, at just nine years old, not only survived but fought back. She held her own against them until one of our ANBU squads arrived."
Masasane's face went pale. "She fought ANBU-level shinobi... at nine?"
Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Yes."
...
...
...
"I see," Masasane whispered, falling into thoughtful silence. "That explains a lot... No wonder she got the bells with ease. She's got real combat experience..."
He bowed deeply. "Thank you for your time, Hokage-sama. I'll take my leave now."
...
...
...
As night enveloped the village, an old acquaintance emerged from the darkness.
Hiruzen looked up from his papers. "Danzo. Eavesdropping again? That's rather rude, even for you. How much did you hear?"
Danzo stepped from the shadows. "Enough to know the girl is... intriguing. What was her name again? Asami?"
---
The steam from her morning bath still clung to her skin as Asami emerged, her towel wrapped snugly around her. The halls of her newly restored home felt both familiar and foreign. Rebuilding the estate had drained much of her inherited fortune, but the result was worth every ryo.
Her wardrobe stood organized but sparse. Many of her clothes had been lost the night of the attack—some survived, others perished in flames and blood. She rifled through hangers until a knock interrupted her.
She opened the door to find Aritame, scowling.
He made a habit of visiting to chastise her for her truancy. Asami typically ignored him or dismissed him outright. He was persistent, though—an admirable trait, if somewhat annoying.
"Asami," Aritame snapped, "you missed another mission."
Asami arched a brow. "So?"
"You can't keep abandoning us. We're a team!"
She scoffed. "Team? I'm not here to chase cats or deliver groceries. I'm overqualified for D-rank drivel. If Masasane has a real mission, he knows where to find me. Now disappear before I make you."
She slammed the door shut.
Aritame stood frozen. "She's terrifying when she's mad." He scurried off, retreating from her wrath.
---
The next day, Masasane led Aritame and Yukihiro through the district of Konoha's elite. Their destination: Asami's estate.
"Sensei, are you sure about this?" Aritame asked. "She wasn't exactly welcoming yesterday."
Masasane nodded. "All teams hit rough patches. The key is getting through them."
Yukihiro sighed. "I have to agree with Aritame. This might not go well."
The mansion loomed ahead—grand, intimidating, and well-maintained.
Masasane felt a twinge of anxiety. Compared to her, the three of them were practically peasants.
He tried to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, she won't toss us into a dungeon."
Aritame deadpanned, "She threatened to impale me on a spear last week."
Masasane scratched his cheek. "Probably a joke. Asami can be... grumpy."
A voice behind him cut in. "Grumpy? Is that what you think of me, sensei?"
Masasane froze. She was right behind him, wasn't she?
He turned slowly, forcing a smile. "Asami! What a surprise. Lovely home you have."
Asami folded her arms, expression unreadable. "Cut the flattery. What do you want?"
"I'm here to invite you to a team dinner."
"A meal?"
"Yes."
"What's the catch?"
"We'll discuss our next mission..."
Her eyes narrowed. "So you're bribing me with food?"
Masasane turned pale. "Kids like food, right?"
She frowned. "Not this kid. Try harder next time." She turned to shut the door, but Masasane stopped her.
"You should reconsider. It's not just dinner—it's a celebration. The Hokage informed me we've been assigned a C-rank mission."
The door cracked open again. "You have my attention, Masasane."