Forming a Ninja Squad

"Father, is there something you need me for?" Hyuga Riko bowed to the middle-aged man before him.

"Kori, you're here! Sit! The war is ending soon, and the clan wants you to graduate early so you can gain some renown on the battlefield."

The Third Elder of the Hyuga spoke to Hyuga Riko about the clan's arrangements.

"The clan will assign a Jonin squad to protect you, so you don't need to worry about safety."

Hyuga Riko fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke to the man in front of him.

"Father! I can graduate early and go to the battlefield, but I want my own ninja squad, not to be escorted by the clan's Jonin and 'play' on the battlefield."

"Hmm? Who do you want to team up with? And why are you unwilling to accept protection from the clan's ninja?"

Hyuga Valley didn't immediately refuse his daughter's idea, but instead asked for the specific reason.

"Well, I want to team up with classmate Haku. I want to catch up to his footsteps."

Listening to his daughter's answer, Hyuga Valley fell silent. He thought about his daughter's changes over the past two years. She used to be such a delicate girl who hated training. For the past two years, she had been practicing Jujutsu, never complaining about pain or exhaustion even when injured. It turned out it was all because of that boy.

Hyuga Valley grew more and more angry the more he thought about it.

"You can team up with him if you want! But after you form your squad, you will have to undergo my test. If you fail the test, you will obediently go with the clan's Jonin for training, and don't think about forming your own squad anymore."

"Alright, you can go now."

Seeing his child who still wanted to say something, Hyuga Valley impatiently sent his daughter away.

Thinking about the boy he had met two years ago, Hyuga Valley grew angrier and angrier. He called in his subordinate, gave a few instructions, and after the subordinate left to make arrangements, he revealed a satisfied smile.

Haku was completely unaware of everything that was happening within the Hyuga clan.

Yu arrived at the Ninja Academy later than usual today. Upon entering the classroom, Yu sat directly next to Haku.

"Hyuga Riko just invited me to form a team. He also wants to graduate early. Do you think we can team up with her?"

"Oh. She's also applying for early graduation? I was called back by my clan today, and they also talked to me about early graduation."

"Hmm?" Haku instantly felt that things were not that simple. Two major clans in the village were arranging for their disciples studying at the Ninja Academy to graduate early. It seemed there was some hidden reason that Haku didn't know about.

"Young Clan Head Fugaku called me back this morning to talk. I'm the only one from my clan studying at the village's Ninja Academy this term. He hopes I can graduate early and form a ninja squad with ninjas from other clans. He also mentioned that he will be joining the village's next batch of reinforcements to the front lines. However, he didn't say why I should team up with ninjas from other clans."

Before Haku could say anything, Yu continued to recount what happened when she was called back by her clan today.

"The Young Clan Head also said he would support me with some ninjutsu and ninja tools, and told me to perform well."

"Hmm, then it doesn't conflict with our plan. We can also get some material support, which is good. As for Hyuga Riko, her performance so far has already reached the level of an Elite Genin."

"Moreover, I think since her clan is willing to let her graduate early, her actual strength should be close to or even at Chunin level. Teaming up with her should be fine."

"Her Byakugan can also help us with reconnaissance, making things easier for us."

After listening to what Yu said, Haku analyzed the matter of teaming up with Hyuga Riko.

"Hyuga Riko is also a member of the Hyuga Main Family. The village shouldn't assign dangerous individuals to her. We should be relatively safe."

"If you have no objections, I'll go tell her, and then we'll submit the early graduation application to Teacher Hamu this afternoon."

Yu had no requirements regarding who she teamed up with. After listening to Haku's analysis, she felt that teaming up with Hyuga Riko would indeed help in concealing her Byakugan. Thus, she did not refuse Haku's proposal.

At noon, Haku told Riko that he could team up with her, but Yu had to be included as well, forming a three-person ninja squad. Hyuga Riko only wanted to team up with Haku, and she didn't care who the third person was, so she readily agreed to go find Teacher Hamu together after school to submit the early graduation application.

Hokage's Office.

Looking at Hamu before him, and then at the early graduation application in his hand, the Third Hokage sighed helplessly.

"I've approved their application. As for who will be their Jonin leader, I'll consider it before deciding. You can go back and inform them first."

"Understood, Lord Hokage."

After speaking, Hamu retreated.

"Old man, leave it to me."

A cold voice echoed from a corner of the room.

"Orochimaru, you? Is it okay now? After all, Nawaki's incident hasn't passed that long."