Danzō kept his word. A week passed in the blink of an eye, and at the last mont, he sent soone to inform Yami that his teammates and Jōnin leader had been assigned. They were to gather at Training Ground 47 at 8 AM the next morning.
Curious, Yami arrived at Training Ground 47 on ti the next day.
He wasn't late, yet three people were already waiting—one man and two won.
The man had no visible pupils, his pure white eyes resembling those of a severe cataract patient.
The two girls stood in stark contrast, one had black hair, the other purple but they shared one similarity: both were strikingly beautiful.
Yami's expression beca strange.
These three… were all acquaintances.
The mont the man saw Yami, he imdiately understood that this was their final team mber. He smiled, but on his serious and old-fashioned face, paired with those blank white eyes, the expression was more eerie than welcoming.
"You must be Shimura Yami, correct? I'm Hyūga Hizashi, your Jōnin leader. These two are your future teammates."
"Hello, Hizashi-sensei."
[Host has established a master-disciple bond with Hyūga Hizashi. Reward: Enhanced Physical Fitness.]
Yami ignored the system prompt and instead recalled what he knew about Hyūga Hizashi.
Hyūga Hizashi—brother of the Hyūga Clan Head, Hyūga Hiashi.
Because he was born fifteen minutes later, he was relegated to the branch family and branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
Given his close relationship with Hiashi, Hizashi had little resentnt toward his status—until his son, Hyūga Neji, was born.
It was then that his mindset changed.
Because of him, his son was dood to be controlled. His descendants would never escape their fate.
Konoha had many tragic figures—Hizashi and Neji were among them.
Especially Neji. The only one among the Twelve who died in the Fourth Great Ninja War, and arguably the strongest of them outside the main protagonists.
Tsk…
---
"Now that everyone's here, let's introduce ourselves. This is a tradition—getting to know each other helps us beco better comrades and trust our teammates with our backs."
Hizashi had no idea that Yami was already sympathizing with his and Neji's fates. Instead, he followed standard protocol.
"I'll go first," Hizashi said casually, not putting on any airs despite being a Jōnin.
"My na is Hyūga Hizashi. I'm 34 years old, a Jōnin, and a mber of the Hyūga branch family."
As he ntioned his branch status, his white eyes dimd slightly before returning to normal.
"I specialize in reconnaissance using the Byakugan and close combat with Gentle Fist. I lack long-range techniques, so I prefer engaging enemies up close."
"My favorite food is sukiyaki, and I hate fried cutlassfish. As for my dream…"
Hizashi gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "I'm too old for dreams. I just want to live until I die."
"Alright, your turn," he said, looking at the black-haired girl. "You start, Kurenai."
The girl nodded slightly and introduced herself in a clear voice.
"My na is Yūhi Kurenai. I'm fifteen years old, a Chūnin of Konoha. I specialize in genjutsu. My taijutsu and ninjutsu are average, but I've reached the Chūnin level in both."
"My favorite food is shōchū and wasabi octopus. I dislike cake. My dream is to beco Konoha's foremost genjutsu master."
"Very good." Hizashi nodded approvingly. "Your turn, Yugao."
The purple-haired girl spoke in a cold, detached tone.
"My na is Uzuki Yugao. I'm fourteen years old, a Chūnin of Konoha. I specialize in Konoha-style kenjutsu and taijutsu, favoring close-quarters combat."
"My favorite food is sakura mochi, and I don't have any particular dislikes—I can eat anything."
"As for my dream…"
For the first ti, her usually expressionless face showed a glimr of ambition.
"I want to beco the strongest swordsman in Konoha."
"Then work hard," Hizashi said with a small smile. "I've heard of your father's prowess. His swordsmanship was truly remarkable. It's a pity…"
Hizashi shook his head regretfully.
Uzuki Yugao's father and a Jōnin from the Moonlight Clan had died on the battlefield near the Land of Earth. When their bodies were returned, only half remained.
The ambition on Yugao's face faded, and the atmosphere grew heavy.
"Alright, Yami, you're last," Hizashi said, quickly changing the subject.
Kurenai and Yugao also turned their attention to him.
They were no strangers to the na "Shimura Yami." As Danzō's grandson and a prodigy who graduated at seven, his reputation was well-known in Konoha.
Still, they had their doubts—perhaps even resentnt.
Even if he was a genius, they were all Chūnin. Why was such a young child assigned to their team?
But seeing Yami in person did make a difference. Faced with such an adorable-looking boy, neither girl showed open hostility or dissatisfaction.
Still, they silently questioned the higher-ups' decision.
Under their expectant gazes, Yami began his introduction.
"My na is Shimura Yami, grandson of Hokage Advisor Shimura Danzō."
He deliberately emphasized Hokage Advisor.
All three of them scowled.
Are you afraid people won't know you're a second-generation elite?
Yami ignored them and continued.
"I'm seven years old and a Genin of Konoha. I excel in both close combat and long-range attacks. I specialize in ninjutsu and taijutsu.
Oh, and I'm also a dical ninja."
He then turned to Yugao.
"My strongest skill is swordsmanship, so there's no way you'll beco the strongest swordsman in Konoha."
"You might want to reconsider your goal."
Yugao's expression twitched.
"I like a lot of foods. I dislike mustard, cabbage, bitter lon, sweet potatoes…"
Yami went on and on, listing foods he disliked. Hizashi and the others gradually beca numb.
How long is this list?
Finally, Yami clenched his fist and declared,
"My goal is to establish deep bonds with everyone in the ninja world."
There was a half-minute silence.
It wasn't that they had nothing to say, it was that there were too many things to criticize, and they didn't know where to start.
Eventually, Yugao broke the silence.
"You claim to be the best at swordsmanship. You also say you excel in—wait, no, you're saying you're good at everything?"
"Even the Hokage wouldn't boast like that."
"That just ans I'm better than the old man," Yami replied matter-of-factly. "I'm simply stating facts. If you can't accept them, that's your problem."
"You're slandering the Hokage?!"
Seeing the argunt about to escalate, Hizashi quickly intervened, stepping between them.
"Alright, that's enough. Yami is a very talented shinobi, but what he just said was quite bold."
"How about this, we conduct an evaluation to properly gauge his abilities?"
(To be continued.)
***
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