"I'm heading home," Chiba said as he stepped out of the classroom, glancing toward Uchiha Hirohiko and Hyuga Yukina.
They were a team now, after all—there was no harm in getting a bit more familiar. Both of them were undeniably powerful, and honestly, Chiba felt relieved to be teamed up with people of their caliber. Especially Yukina—he had once fought side-by-side with her, and she had even risked her life to shield him from an explosion.
In the shinobi world, trust mattered.
What's more, neither of them seemed to care about his status as the son of a traitor. That alone gave him peace of mind. Should they ever be caught in a desperate situation—where a sacrifice had to be made—he wouldn't be the one they threw away first just because of his background.
Hirohiko gave a nod. "Let's do our best," he said in his usual flat tone, before turning and walking off—taking a path that clearly wasn't toward his home.
Yukina also offered a polite, "See you tomorrow."
"See you," Chiba replied over his shoulder, already walking off with eagerness in his steps.
Behind him, Hirohiko paused mid-step when he heard them exchanging farewells. After a brief silence, he muttered a belated,
"See you tomorrow."
…To no one in particular.
Meanwhile, at the gates of Konoha, two shinobi stood side-by-side.
The man was tall and radiant, with golden hair and a warm smile that gave off an almost calming glow. The young woman beside him had vivid crimson red hair, her face as beautiful as it was expressive. Together, they looked like the perfect pair.
The woman stretched lazily, looking at the Konoha crest on the village gate and smiling playfully.
"We're home! Konoha village!"
Hearing that, the golden-haired man gave a gentle smile and said,
"Let's go report in first, Kushina."
"Mm!" Uzumaki Kushina nodded cheerfully.
Of course, these two were none other than Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, just returning from a mission.
In the Hokage's office, a knock preceded a quiet voice.
"Lord Third, Namikaze Minato and Kushina have returned from their mission."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was seated at his desk, a pipe clenched between his teeth as he reviewed the files of three academy graduates with a furrowed brow. At the news, he looked up, pleased.
"Excellent—let them in at once."
"They're alre—"
Before the aide could finish, the office doors burst open.
"Sandaime! We're back! Dattebane!" Kushina beamed with a wide grin as she barged in.
"Ah! Kushina!" The Third laughed, even as his hand reflexively went to his hairline—as if to check that his hair and beard were still intact.
Whew… at least my facial hair survived this time.
Seconds later, Minato entered with his usual calm demeanor.
"Lord Third," he greeted, nodding.
"Welcome back," said the Hokage.
"How's the situation?"
Minato's expression sobered. "Iwagakure has begun to move. Based on what we learned seven years ago from that captured shinobi… I'd say it'll happen soon."
The Third's brow creased. "No chance it's something else?"
Kushina's smile faded.
"No way to be sure," Minato admitted. "But we should start preparing. The signs are all there."
"Another war…" the Third muttered, exhaling a long puff of smoke.
A moment of silence settled in the room. Kushina glanced around—and spotted the three academy files on the desk.
"Huh? What's this?" she asked, picking them up curiously.
Three photos. Three names.
Takikawa Chiba, Uchiha Hirohiko, Hyūga Yukina.
"They're the three academy students approved for early graduation," the Hokage explained. "All very promising."
"Let me see… High-speed taijutsu, Shadow Clone Technique, and Vacuum Palm at age seven? Daaaamn! These kids are monsters!" Kushina exclaimed.
Minato looked over, eyebrows raised. "That's quite impressive."
"I was planning to have one of the Sannin—Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Orochimaru—take them as a team," said Hiruzen, "but they're still on missions. What do you think, Minato?"
Minato shook his head.
"I'm already mentoring Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. My hands are full."
"Pity…" The Third sighed, tapping his pipe. "In that case, help me look over the available jōnin. We need someone very capable to guide three geniuses like these."
Minato smiled wryly. "A team like that would be tough on any jōnin."
"Exactly," the Hokage said. "But with proper guidance, they'll all grow into legendary shinobi."
"Then give them to me."
Kushina's voice rang out.
"What?" the Third blinked.
Minato looked surprised too.
"Kushina… you're still a chūnin," he reminded her. "You can't take a team yet."
Kushina pouted. "That's only because you guys won't let me take more missions. I've got the strength of a jōnin already!"
And truth be told, she wasn't wrong.
As the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, combined with her Uzumaki clan's enormous chakra reserves and advanced sealing jutsu, Kushina was no less powerful than most jōnin.
In fact, outside of her restricted mobility, she could overpower most jōnin outright.
Besides… assigning her this team of three could be a convenient excuse to keep her active but within village bounds. With how talented these kids were, they'd also double as bodyguards for the Nine-Tails' vessel.
The only concern was whether they were good enough to keep up with her. Without a strong mentor, even a team of prodigies would go to waste.
The Third Hokage fell into thought, glancing at Kushina again.
She and Minato were now arguing—well, mostly she was arguing. Minato could only smile helplessly under the onslaught of her logic. Her fiery red hair practically flared as she puffed up with righteous indignation.
"I want to be their teacher!" she shouted suddenly, eyes blazing as she turned to the Hokage.
"I'll turn them into the strongest ninja ever! Besides, you're not planning to send me on any more missions, right?"
The Third could only sigh in exasperation.
She's right. I can't send her out anymore—not without catching heat from the Council. This last mission already drew too much fire...
He looked at Minato, who caught the signal and nodded silently, clearly not eager to argue anymore.
"Fine," said the Third at last. "You'll take over as their jōnin instructor. Summon them tomorrow."
Kushina's entire face lit up.
"Yay! Thanks, Sandaime—dattebane!"
Watching her beam like a child, the Third could only smile wryly.
The real test… was about to begin.