Class Assignment, Engraving the Caged Bird

To prevent the Dragon Blood from arriving too suddenly and powerfully, Yayoi had even prepared a Gene Fluid from the Uzumaki Clan.

The Uzumaki Clan were distant relatives of the Senju Clan, extremely similar in genetic makeup, and even the special gene sequences deep within their cells closely resembled the Senju that Yayoi had been researching.

However, there were also structural differences that determined the divergence between the two clans; otherwise, the Uzumaki would have long since changed their surname to Senju.

With the experience of crafting Uchiha Gene Fluid, she quickly produced a batch of Uzumaki Gene Fluid as a backup.

If the Uchiha bloodline couldn't suppress the Dragon Blood, she would inject the Uzumaki Gene Fluid instead.

Accumulating steadily and bursting forth, this year was undoubtedly a massive harvest for Yayoi.

"Let's go."

Carrying the important documents from the room with her, Yayoi stepped out the door, and the first thing that met her eyes was Yan's gentle smile.

"Today is the graduation ceremony—can't be late."

Yan grabbed Yayoi's hand, pushed open the door, and pulled him toward the Ninja Academy.

Late March.

This was the announcement for the sixth-year graduates, a ceremony belonging to this year's students.

The classroom, usually bustling with noise, was now dead silent.

None of the children present were causing a ruckus; they simply sat quietly.

Sixth year, twelve years old.

In this world where people matured early, they had already grown up, and those who made it into this class were all elites.

They knew that what came next would decide their fate, especially their survival.

Of course, not everyone was worried about this.

Some were simply caught up in the atmosphere and unconsciously stayed quiet; judging by their grinning faces, they didn't understand the cruelty of war.

The sound of footsteps came, and Teacher Sakurai Utsugi walked into the classroom.

Looking at the familiar classroom and students, he seemed both gratified and somewhat sorrowful.

He wondered how many of these students would survive and how many would die on the battlefield.

"I will now announce the team assignments issued by the Hokage."

In an instant, Yayoi noticed many in the class instinctively straighten their backs.

"Team 1: Hyuga Raikou, Ginkawa Shuichi, Kimura Hasugi. Jonin instructor: Igawa Keimei."

When Yayoi heard Hyuga Raikou's name, he noticed the other let out a sigh of relief upon learning it was a Jonin instructor.

That was normal. Jonin were scarce resources, especially now when battlefield casualties made them even more precious.

At this point, Konoha had been at war with Sunagakure for two years.

During that time, not to mention supplies and Genin, even the loss of Chunin had been severe, and the number of ninjas had already dropped by thirty percent.

Let alone the high-end combat power of Jonin; now, teams that would have originally been assigned a Jonin leader might only get a Chunin.

And having a Jonin lead a team meant a much higher chance of survival when danger struck.

The teacher began calling names one by one, assigning Jonin instructors. Some were sad, some were upset, and others suppressed their excitement.

Until he called Yayoi's name.

"Team 10: Uesugi Yayoi, Uchiha Yan, Hyuga Rin."

Hearing that the three were assigned to the same team, a flicker of joy passed through Rin's eyes, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

But the movement was too subtle; no one present noticed.

"No surprises there. I wonder who the Jonin instructor will be."

"Jonin instructor: Hatake Sakumo."

When Teacher Utsugi read this name, even his eyes widened in disbelief.

Some might not recognize the name Hatake Sakumo, but mention Konoha White Fang, and he was universally acknowledged as the strongest beneath the Hokage.

That name carried too much weight.

A single White Fang blade, striking fear into enemies at the mere mention.

No one expected that this year, he would serve as the Jonin instructor for a few kids.

"Congratulations! From today, you are all Genin!"

Under Teacher Suzuki's congratulations, the room erupted in thunderous applause and noise.

Of course, Yayoi just found them noisy.

Choosing Hatake Sakumo as their Jonin instructor might be a good thing for ordinary ninjas, even those from major clans, but for them, it was a mix of joy and worry.

The upside was that Hatake Sakumo was a master of swordsmanship, and both Yan and Rin could learn under his guidance.

Blades and swords were not divided here; he was the number one swordsman in Konoha.

His ability was beyond question; his blade was forged from the blood of his enemies.

Miyoshi himself could learn a great deal of combat experience and jutsu by following along.

But the downside was that if they ever encountered an enemy they couldn't defeat on a mission, it would be very difficult for the three of them to escape.

After all, Konoha was severely short on combat power right now; they couldn't afford to leave a strategic-level ninja like Hatake Sakumo idle.

And since they were assigned to follow Sakumo, they would inevitably be taken on dangerous missions.

If they happened to run into a pair of Shadow Rank powerhouses or got surrounded by a squad of ninja, even with their Jonin-level strength, escape would be impossible.

Unless Miyoshi had a sudden surge of power and fled, but even then, there was a high chance they'd be surrounded and killed.

After all, ninjutsu came in all shapes and forms—if they ran into a technique specifically designed to counter them, it was over.

In summary, there were both pros and cons.

The advantage was that it would accelerate their growth; the disadvantage was that they might die so thoroughly there wouldn't even be a box left.

Still, their current team composition was actually quite reasonable.

Miyoshi was a medical ninja, while Yan was a traditional Uchiha, skilled in both ninjutsu and genjutsu.

Rin's Byakugan allowed for ultra-long-range reconnaissance, and she was also a twin-blade assassin enhanced by Miyoshi.

She could wield her Twin Swords, activate the Heaven-Returning Sword Dance, and mow down enemies like grass.

On the front lines, as long as she coordinated with Yan's genjutsu and ninjutsu, Rin could quickly go on a rampage and finish the fight.

If even the full power of their squad couldn't handle an enemy, it was probably only a Shadow Rank.

At that point, they could only hope for Hatake Sakumo to put on a show.

And being assigned to a strategic ninja like Hatake Sakumo made Miyoshi suspect someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.

It might be his teacher, Tsunade, or perhaps the Hokage considered his abilities and wanted to make the best use of him.

"What luck, being placed in the same squad as Miyoshi-kun."

Yan clapped along with the rest of the class, but her eyes were always fixed on Miyoshi.

"Didn't you hear the news already?"

"Knowing a bit of news is different from hearing the teacher announce it."

Yan was as gentle as ever.

"The squad assembles tomorrow. We have no classes this afternoon—let's celebrate. I'll treat you all to a meal."

Miyoshi suggested.

Over the years, he'd never had a chance to spend his own money, so this was a good opportunity to celebrate the formation of their squad.

"Mm, agreed."

Yan raised her fair little hand.

"Rin, what about you?"

Miyoshi looked toward Rin.

"Not today. After graduation, I have to go back to my clan to have the Caged Bird seal carved."

Rin wasn't sad, as if it wasn't her own fate being sealed—the tragic mission of the Branch Family didn't move her.

She narrated her impending miserable destiny in an utterly flat tone.

There was no resentment or unease in her, because she knew he would save her.

That was their deal, their contract.

Rin looked at Miyoshi, her pure white eyes filled with dependence and reassurance.

Thanks to Shouchi Jifeng Taqianxing for the votes.

Thanks to Liushi Fanghuanian for the two votes.

Thanks to Dadao Linghuang for the two votes.

Thanks to reader 20180820161910013 for the votes.