"Captain, it's not right to badmouth someone behind their back." A clear voice carried across the training grounds.
Hayashi turned, spotting three figures approaching. Leading them was a girl with short black hair, dressed neatly in the standard Konoha uniform. She looked fifteen or sixteen, cheerful and bright as she gently pushed Himeji forward, almost as if presenting a future bride.
"Himeji is a quiet and well-behaved girl. How can you call her a problem child?"
Hayashi muttered softly, his expression calm as always. "Girls who enjoy fighting aren't exactly the quiet type."
Still, he rose politely to greet them. "Welcome to Squad 13. I am the captain, Uchiha Hayashi. This is my friend, Namikaze Minato. Please take care of us."
He instantly regretted the formality.
The three newcomers all stood taller than him. Himeji especially towered a full head above him. Minato noticed the height difference and, instead of standing, shamelessly stayed seated and simply waved.
Hayashi shot him a cold look. So this is how you betray our friendship?
"My name is Taki Toru. Please take care of us," the lively girl said, stepping forward confidently.
"Hyuga Himeji, long time no see. Please guide me well." Himeji bowed with formal grace, her pale eyes calm and composed.
Hayashi estimated it had been nearly a year since he last saw her. The once small girl had grown even taller and more slender, which honestly put some pressure on him.
"Hello Captain. My name is Taki Yuu. Please take care of me." The boy beside Tohru smiled gently, his face almost identical to hers, except he carried a calmer aura.
"Becoming a Special Jonin at ten years old, Captain, you're incredible," Yuu added.
Unlike his energetic sister, Yuu's voice carried confidence without arrogance. "Unlike my useless sister, who is still a Genin."
"Brother! How can you insult your adorable sister like that?" Tohru pouted before turning to inspect Hayashi.
"I didn't expect the cute kid from back then to become even more handsome."
"Have we met?" Hayashi blinked.
"You're really heartless. I was in the audience cheering during your match with Himeji in second year."
Hayashi internally sighed. The number of people cheering back then could line up from the Hokage Rock to the Naka River. How was he supposed to remember each one?
Still, as he watched the three, he felt satisfied.
They weren't troublemakers, and having teammates who were disciplined and battlefield-seasoned mattered more than raw strength. According to the documents, this squad had already spent two years fighting. They had been deployed the moment the Rain Country conflict began. Even if they weren't from the main front, their survival experience alone set them above most squads.
Perhaps Koharu-sama hadn't completely set him up after all.
"Hayashi, Minato!" someone called from afar.
Hayashi nodded to his new teammates. "Excuse me for a moment. My friends are here to see me off."
As Hayashi and Minato walked away, Tohru pulled Himeji toward the earthen bench Hayashi had shaped earlier. Yuu scanned the bench, realized his sister had taken all the space, and resigned himself to sitting on the ground.
"Wow, how did the captain even make this bench?" Tohru ran her hand over the smooth surface.
"Through precise chakra control. He used advanced manipulation with Earth Release," Himeji said thoughtfully.
"Those are technical words. I don't get it." Tohru scratched her head. "Then, Himeji, can you do the same?"
"Not as smooth and refined." Himeji shook her head.
"Wow, so our captain is really amazing."
Himeji nodded seriously. "Very strong. I am not his opponent."
"I know, you weren't his opponent even back in fifth grade!" Tohru teased, making a face.
Himeji didn't react. She was used to her friend's personality. The battlefield wasn't a place for socializing, and Himeji had only grown close to Tohru over the years.
Tohru looked toward the distance. "Look at how many people came to see him off. That guy with brown blond hair is Tsunade-sama's younger brother, right? And the Nara clan too. They're all big families."
There was a hint of envy in her voice. When she and her squad left for battle, not a single person had come to send them off.
"Mm." Himeji simply nodded.
Her own brothers had wanted to accompany her today. She appreciated it deeply, but she refused. They didn't need to worry about her.
"Himeji, hearing you talk, it sounds like you knew the captain before?"
"Yes. I met him a few times after our match." Himeji tapped her cheek as she thought.
"You're too sneaky. You didn't even tell me."
Tohru puffed her cheeks in mock offense.
"I heard the captain was only recently promoted to Jonin. He's also a really good person."
Himeji nodded lightly. Squad assignments weren't something she cared much about. As long as she could improve her strength, she was fine.
"Ahh, Himeji is so cold…" Tohru sighed dramatically.
She leaned closer. "The captain is handsome, talented, and strong. Himeji, aren't you planning on… something?"
"He is ten." Himeji looked baffled.
"So what? Love doesn't care about age," Tohru said proudly.
"Right, brother?"
Yuu nodded from the ground. "Yes, and it doesn't care about gender either."
""
"I've never considered such things." Himeji shook her head. "Instead of thinking about romance, you should improve your strength. You were in danger during the last mission."
"I know, I know. My talent is just like this…" Tohru drooped, then looked at Himeji with admiration. "But you're a Hyuga main family princess. Why come to the battlefield and suffer like this?"
"This is my choice." Himeji glanced toward Hayashi in the distance.
"Only on the battlefield can I improve quickly."
"That's why you refused the branch family members who were assigned to protect you," Tohru said, sighing. She admired Himeji's resolve.
"I don't know…" Tohru wanted to continue, but she suddenly paused.
"Brother, what are you staring at?"
"That little kid with brown hair next to the captain. Don't you think he looks a bit handsome?"
""