Since it was still early in the day, Team 8 didn’t disband imdiately after the celebratory al that Kurenai treated them to. Instead, they headed to the Hokage’s office to officially begin their mission schedule.
Naturally, Team 8’s very first assignnt was a D-rank mission. At first, Hinata and Shino showed interest. But after they saw Kurenai lead them to a foul-slling drainage ditch and instruct them to figure out how to remove the trash floating on the water’s surface, their enthusiasm vanished instantly.
This task wasn’t difficult at all for Hinata and Izayoi, who could already walk on water. The sa went for Shino. He had, in fact, learned both tree climbing and water walking in his third year.
Those techniques, not taught at the Academy, were basic skills most major ninja clans required their children to master. Even if Izayoi hadn’t taught Hinata to climb trees and walk on water, her father, Hiashi, would have eventually done so—once her Gentle Fist reached a certain level. Being able to multitask with chakra control not only strengthened her Gentle Fist but also made learning the Hyuga’s fighting style easier.
Watching all three of them handle water-walking with ease, Kurenai seed briefly surprised. Then, recalling Hinata and Shino’s family backgrounds—plus Izayoi’s feats and connection to Hinata—she realized it made sense. For them, sothing like this was trivial.
Soon, Kurenai found herself more troubled than pleased. She had intended to use this mission as a chance to teach them advanced chakra-control thods. Since they already knew all that, what was left for her to teach?
Izayoi, of course, had no idea about Kurenai’s thoughts and worries. Otherwise he’d definitely be grateful. Although they addressed her as "sensei," a Jonin instructor was not necessarily a teacher of jutsu.
The relationship was as much commander-subordinate as it was ntor-student.
A Jonin instructor’s primary job was to guide fresh graduates on how to undertake missions and beco reliable Genin. If they happened to really like a particular student, they might teach them additional skills. Otherwise, once soone in the team got promoted to Chunin (team leader), the Jonin might step back and only assemble the squad when the village assigned advanced missions. They weren’t obligated to teach any ninjutsu at all.
A teacher like Kurenai—who was already thinking about what to teach them on day two—was basically a dream co true. If mbers of Team 7 saw this, they’d probably cry from envy. Their own sensei, Kakashi, used to lie around reading his favorite books, leaving them to do nial tasks with tools—and didn’t bother teaching them tree or water walking for the longest ti.
Once they completed that first mission and received their pay, Team 8 broke up outside the Hokage’s office.
"Hinata, let’s treat ourselves tonight," Izayoi said.
"Sure!" Hinata answered promptly.
Clutching their first paycheck, Izayoi and Hinata headed to the market to buy ingredients, planning a proper feast. But upon returning to Izayoi’s house—and intending to prep a al before inviting Hanabi—they were interrupted.
"Ugh..."
Just as Izayoi stepped into the entryway to switch shoes, his eyes squeezed shut, and he sucked in a pained breath. The grocery bags tumbled from his hands.
"Izayoi-kun, what’s wrong?" Hinata asked anxiously.
"Hinata, m–my Kekkei Genkai... It’s awakening!"
Izayoi covered his eyes, leaning against the wall, wincing yet strangely excited.
Hinata, rushing to support him, froze mid-step, her mouth open in surprise. "Really? Izayoi-kun, you...you also have a Kekkei Genkai?"
"Yeah, but you’re the only one who knows," Izayoi said, resting a hand on her shoulder with a smile. "Help upstairs—there’s sothing I need you to do."
"Got it," Hinata said, her face going serious. She forgot all about the groceries and helped him up the stairs.
Once in his bedroom, Izayoi lay down, eyes closed. "Hinata, go grab a roll of bandages, please."
"Sure."
She left the room and returned with a first-aid kit. She pulled out a roll of bandages and handed it to Izayoi, who then wrapped it around his eyes. "And now," he continued, "there’s an eye patch in my nightstand. Bring it over."
"Okay."
Hinata nodded again, opened the drawer, found a black eye patch, and placed it in Izayoi’s hand. After he slid it on, Izayoi ford a quick seal with both hands. A surge of intense sensing chakra spread outward over Konoha’s center. A few seconds later, he released the seal, face grim.
"Hinata, make sure no one hears about this—about my skip-a-generation Kekkei Genkai, not even Hanabi right now."
"I understand, Izayoi-kun," she said with a grave expression. In truth, Hinata wouldn’t have told anyone anyway. If word got out that Izayoi—a so-called "orphan" with no surna—possessed a Kekkei Genkai, a lot of people might take interest. If it turned out the Kekkei Genkai was from sowhere outside the Land of Fire, for instance, trust in him would drop, and his future in the village would be compromised. And if he fell from the village’s favor, she and Izayoi would have no future together either.
"I have a feeling my Kekkei Genkai will need a few days to fully awaken," Izayoi said. "During that ti, if Team 8 gets any missions, send a Shadow Clone disguised as . Rember you have to wear my clothes; otherwise, Shino might catch on. Also, the clone should tell them it’s only a clone—my real body’s busy perfecting so new jutsu."
"Got it."
"And also, try to keep Hanabi from coming over too. If I can’t see for a few days, you’ll need to bring my als. But I might hide using the Invisibility Technique. If you don’t see , just call out, but don’t activate your Byakugan."
"Understood," Hinata said.
"Thanks, Hinata. Really, I owe you one," Izayoi murmured with a gentle smile.
"Mhm..." Hinata nodded, cheeks flushing with a mix of worry and happiness. Izayoi had looked after her since childhood—now it was finally her turn to take care of him. Hinata felt a kind of excited anticipation, even wanting to go ho and plan out a daily routine for these next few days.
~~~
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