Shibi Aburame's squad assembled at Konoha's gates. After the guards registered their information, they were allowed through.
As Shibi led Shinichi and the others farther away, the ninja standing watch at the village entrance gradually withdrew their gazes and began chatting.
"That kid is the Hyuga Clan's genius, right?"
"Going out on a mission?"
Kotetsu Hagane was only sixteen, an age when he loved gossip. He patted his same-aged buddy Izumo Kamizuki, who had registered Shinichi's group, and asked curiously.
"Yeah. His name is Shinichi Hyuga."
"Starting with a B-rank mission right off the bat. Just what you'd expect from a Hyuga."
Izumo had more detailed registration information and did not hide it from his companion.
"B-rank?"
Hearing the mission rank, Kotetsu was visibly stunned. He had only recently become a Chunin. Since graduating from the Ninja Academy, he had carried out only D-rank and even E-rank missions. Only after more than a year of training had he gradually begun taking on C-rank missions and above.
Shinichi Hyuga was clearly so young, yet his very first mission was B-rank. That was rather beyond his expectations.
Izumo, on the other hand, seemed to have an inexplicable filter when it came to major clans like the Hyuga. The surprise on his face was not especially pronounced.
"Hope they can complete the mission safely and return to Konoha."
Kotetsu sighed softly and silently offered his blessings to his fellow villagers.
After leaving the village, the squad picked up the pace.
Figures darted swiftly through the dense forest. Might Guy served as the squad's spearhead, young Shinichi Hyuga was positioned in the middle, while Shibi Aburame and Shisui Uchiha guarded the rear flanks.
They had temporarily put away their Konoha forehead protectors. The plan was to enter Jalan City first, meet with the