Feeling the rough pressure of that hand on his neck, Kiba Inuzuka froze.The warmth of Kazehaya Hayate's grip was frighteningly real—and so was the strength behind it.
Kiba didn't doubt for a second that if Hayate even twitched, he could end up unconscious on the ground… or worse.
(This guy… has he been pretending all along?!)
That thought flickered through Kiba's mind, and even Hinata, standing nearby, seemed to come to the same conclusion.
"Brother Hayate… you're incredible…" she murmured softly, eyes wide with awe.
A gentle breeze swept between them, stirring fallen leaves at their feet.Then, before anyone could react, a flash of crimson appeared between the two boys—swift and fluid as a flame.
A pair of slender hands reached out, stopping both Hayate and Kiba at once.A warm, teasing voice followed.
"It looks like the match is already decided."
"Hmm?" Hayate blinked and turned his gaze toward the newcomer.
A woman stood there with long, fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders and deep, calm eyes.Her beauty was both serene and fierce—the kind that burned quietly.
Hayate recognized her instantly.So this is her…The jōnin instructor of Team 8—Kurenai Yūhi, the "Crimson Sunset" of Konoha.
Hayate quickly released Kiba, stepped back, and bowed slightly."Good afternoon, Lady Kurenai."
"Ah? Lady Kurenai?" Kiba and Hinata both snapped out of their shock, hastily bowing as well."Teacher Kurenai!"
Kurenai raised an eyebrow, a faint smile touching her lips. "You know me already?"
Hayate smiled politely. "Your name came up once at Ichiraku Ramen. The other shinobi said you were a gentle and beautiful kunoichi with hair like fire. I recognized you right away."
Kurenai's lips curved faintly, a hint of pink touching her cheeks.Even a calm and composed jōnin like her wasn't immune to a bit of well-placed flattery.
(This boy… he's a smooth talker.)
"I didn't expect you to be so eloquent for your age," she said lightly. "Well then, let's make it official. I'm Kurenai Yūhi, your new jōnin instructor."
Her expression softened for a moment before her eyes grew serious again."The world of shinobi is not gentle. You'll need strength—both of body and heart. So from today onward… work hard."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Their voices rang out together, firm and full of resolve.
Even Hayate responded with uncharacteristic seriousness.Deep down, as he thought back to his use of the Clone Technique, a realization took shape.
(So I can learn real ninjutsu in this world—not just through the system. That means… I can survive on my own strength.)
"Now," Kurenai said, folding her arms with an encouraging smile, "introduce yourselves. Tell us your names, your dreams, and what kind of ninja you want to be. We'll be comrades from now on—it's important to understand one another. Kiba, you first."
Kiba grinned confidently. "Name's Kiba Inuzuka! I'm twelve, and my dream is to become the Hokage someday!"
His partner, Akamaru, barked enthusiastically beside him.
Hinata spoke next, voice small but sincere. "My name is Hinata Hyūga… I'm twelve years old too. My dream is… to become a kind and gentle ninja, like my mother."
Her cheeks flushed pink as she finished, glancing shyly toward Hayate.
When his turn came, Hayate looked up at the sky, his tone quiet but steady."My name is Kazehaya Hayate. I'm sixteen. My dream…"—he paused for a breath—"is to become strong enough to protect the people I want to protect. To live, to find my way back to where I came from… and to keep my loved ones safe."
The others fell silent for a moment, feeling the quiet weight in his words.
Kurenai nodded thoughtfully, her eyes soft. "That's a good dream, Hayate."
After a short lecture on the mindset a shinobi must have, she gave them a simple field test, then dismissed the team with a wave."We'll meet again tomorrow morning. Be on time—we start real missions then."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Hayate parted ways with his teammates. His home—at least, the one assigned to him by the system—wasn't far from the Hyūga compound.After agreeing to meet Hinata and Kiba the next morning, he waited for the street to empty, then whispered, "Instant Step," and vanished.
When he reappeared inside his house, a hoarse, aged voice struck him like a thunderclap.
"You're back, Hayate."
"Who?!" Hayate spun around, heart pounding.
An elderly man stood behind him, hands folded behind his back, pipe hanging from his lips. His eyes, deep and knowing, seemed to pierce straight through Hayate's thoughts.
"Lord Hokage…" Hayate breathed.
It was none other than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Well now," Hiruzen said calmly, exhaling a ring of smoke that drifted lazily through the air, "Hayate… it's been ten years since you came to this village, hasn't it?"
Hayate stiffened. The system had told him that his background in this world was that of an orphan rescued from a small border village by Konoha shinobi. But he'd never paid much attention to the timeline.
"Ah—yes, Lord Hokage," he answered quickly.
The old man nodded. "In that time, I imagine you've endured some hardship… perhaps even cold stares or indifference from others."
Hayate blinked, not sure where this was going. Still, he followed his lead.
"There may have been difficult times," he said carefully, "but… thanks to the village, I was able to grow up. In my heart, I've always thought of everyone here as family."
For the first time, Hiruzen's half-closed eyes opened slightly, glinting with approval.He drew on his pipe again, then spoke in a low, steady tone.
"I'm glad you think that way. You see, some villagers who treat you coldly aren't acting out of cruelty. Many of them lost family in the wars… so they struggle to trust outsiders."
He turned toward the window, watching the orange light of the setting sun spill across the rooftops of Konoha.
"But you've lived here ten years now. To most, you're already one of us. What frustrates them, perhaps, is that you seem… unmotivated."
Hiruzen looked back at him, a small smile tugging at his lips."From now on, train diligently under Kurenai's guidance. Complete your missions well. In time, the village will see your true worth."
Hayate bowed deeply. "Understood, Lord Hokage. I'll give it my all."
The old man smiled faintly—but then, his tone shifted."By the way… that technique you used earlier, in the woods—the one that let you move so quickly. Where did you learn it?"
(So that's what this is about.)
Hiruzen turned to the window again, pipe smoke curling through the sunlight."As Hokage," he said softly, "I must ensure the safety of the village. That means removing any potential threats."
Hayate followed his gaze. The sunset's glow painted the room gold—the same light that protected Konoha each evening, like a gentle guardian.
"Protect the village… remove the threats…" he murmured.
Then, meeting Hiruzen's eyes, he replied calmly, "That technique is something I awakened myself—an ocular jutsu I call the Eye of the Moment."
The Hokage's expression was unreadable as the light fell across his face. After a long pause, he exhaled a slow plume of smoke.
"…I see."
Then, turning back toward Hayate, he added quietly, "If you ever face trouble, my door is always open."
With that, he headed for the door—but just before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder, the faintest hint of warmth in his eyes.
"Oh, and Hayate—" he said with a kind smile, "congratulations. You're officially a ninja now."
As the Hokage disappeared down the hall, the last rays of sunlight faded from the window.Hayate stood there for a long moment, staring at the quiet golden glow, feeling something stir in his chest.
A mix of warmth… and resolve.