Keiichi's Squad

"The three of you! All passed!"

A rare smile appeared on Aburame Keiichi's usually stern face.

"They are all very good children..."

Saying this, Aburame Keiichi ruffled their hair vigorously.

"Huh? What do you mean!?" Hyuga Rei was stunned, her almond-shaped eyes wide open.

"Hah?! What?!! Then I suffered for nothing!" Morino Kei looked dejected, his train of thought surprisingly clear.

"Are you an idiot?! Is this the time to care about that!?" Hyuga Rei punched Morino Kei on the head.

"Ah... that's not right, so he's still our instructor..." Morino Kei stiffly turned his head, looking at the smiling Aburame Keiichi, and a chill ran down his spine.

"Gulp~ Then I just complained for so long..." The young man swallowed hard, his expression stiff.

"Haha, you're Morino Kei-kun, right... I hope we can get along well." Aburame Keiichi said kindly.

But in Morino Kei's eyes, the man's figure was constantly growing and distorting, as if he had transformed into a monstrous beast, looking at his own fat with salivating eyes.

"Um... Teacher, if I said I was possessed just now when I said those things, would you believe me..." Morino Kei chuckled awkwardly.

"I believe you, of course I believe you, I believe in my students, just like you believe in me." Aburame Keiichi patted the young man's head, his eyes narrowing.

"You agree, don't you."

"Gah! Don't bite!" A wail came from Kei's location.

Seeing the scene before him, Uchiha Kai, who had long anticipated everything, couldn't help but curl his lips.

[Quest: Bonds Complete]

[Rewards: Body x0.2, Spirit x0.1, Illusion Technique: Mirror World Reversal]

[Alas, you are gone, and do not live with me. Alas, you are far away, and do not believe me. So-called bonds, they should be like this.]

The cold voice of the panel sounded, and seeing the rewards credited, the young man's already pleasant mood improved by two points.

"I've messed with you all for long enough, there's nothing else for today. Meet here again at the same time tomorrow."

Aburame Keiichi straightened his expression and said solemnly.

"Starting tomorrow, you will be carrying out missions with me. Of course, in the beginning, I won't and can't assign you overly dangerous missions. You don't need to worry, it's mainly to familiarize you with the process and adapt to the changes."

"Yay! That's great! Tomorrow I'll be able to unleash my might and take my first step to fame in the Ninja World!" Morino Kei was full of enthusiasm.

"Heh heh... We genin who just graduated will most likely be assigned tasks like catching cats and dogs or helping people plow fields..." Hyuga Rei mercilessly dampened his spirits.

"Ah?!"

"Alright, we'll talk about these tomorrow, now"

"Dismissed!"

Half an hour later, in the Hokage's office in the Hokage Building in the center of Konoha.

"How is it, Keiichi? How does it feel to be a teacher..."

In front of the desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding his pipe, spoke softly.

"Well~ How should I put it." Aburame Keiichi scratched his head, a barely perceptible smile on his lips.

"It's not bad."

"Oh?" Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, seemingly a little surprised.

"It's rare, I thought you'd be stubborn about it." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

"I didn't expect you to admit it directly. It seems these children have left a very good impression on you." The old man showed a kind smile.

"Yes, it's a familiar feeling." Aburame Keiichi replied casually.

"Speaking of which, Third Hokage-sama, you really trust me, don't you? Members of the two strongest clans in the village, a Hyuga and an Uchiha, and you're entrusting them to an unreliable retired soldier like me."

Aburame Keiichi said with a very strange expression.

"You know me, if they don't meet my standards, I'll really return them and make them all repeat their studies at the Ninja Academy..."

"Aren't you afraid of causing some unpleasantness with these two clans because of it?"

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi froze, then let out a hearty laugh.

"Uh? Hahahaha! Keiichi."

"I have to say, you really live up to your reputation, returning them? I don't even give these good prospects to other instructors who are vying for them, and you want to find fault? And there's a possibility of returning them?" The old man wiped the corners of his eyes and continued.

Aburame Keiichi looked embarrassed and glanced around.

"Well, there aren't any..."

"Besides, these little guys really surprised me. Young people are getting stronger and stronger. The future of Konoha... is right before our eyes."

Aburame Keiichi sighed, his gaze seeming to see into the distant future.

"Heh heh... naturally, otherwise how could I be sure you absolutely couldn't refuse them," Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

"Especially that child Uchiha Kai, even Orochimaru praised him highly."

"Kai? That kid is indeed different. Not only is his strength unbelievably high, but his mindset also far surpasses his peers," Aburame Keiichi rubbed his chin, recalling the young man's performance during the bell-grabbing exercise.

"Kai isn't just hardworking; his mindset is top-notch too. Everyone who's interacted with him praises him, and you're no exception," Hiruzen Sarutobi teased with a smile.

"On the other hand, that Morino Kei kid, did you sense anything from him?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked meaningfully.

"That silly kid?" Aburame Keiichi blinked in surprise.

"He's carefree, and his personality is fine, but he's just too reckless."

"As for strength... he's so-so. But his physique and Chakra are excessively strong. Is he really ten years old?!"

Recalling Morino Kei's performance, Aburame Keiichi's face darkened considerably.

"Heh heh, that's only natural... after all, that child carries the blood of that clan," Hiruzen Sarutobi kept him in suspense, not revealing it directly.

"That clan? What do you mean?" Aburame Keiichi was very confused.

After all, in the current Konoha, the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans were the undisputed strongest, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi's words implied that Morino Kei possessed a bloodline not inferior to theirs.

"Could it be? No way!?"

Seeing the old man smiling without speaking, a bold idea suddenly popped into Aburame Keiichi's mind.

"That's right, it's just as you're thinking," the old man confirmed with a smile.

"Morino Kei is a descendant of Lady Momoka's lineage."

"Lady Momoka? The one who followed the First Hokage since the Warring States period?!" Aburame Keiichi's eyes widened in shock, finding it hard to believe.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"Then it makes sense..." Aburame Keiichi showed a look of understanding.

"What a grand gesture. The three most powerful ninja clans since Konoha's founding are all gathered in my class," Aburame Keiichi paused.

"I am deeply honored."

"Alright, stop joking around. Take good care of your class and curb your temper," Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed with a serious tone.

"Teaching students isn't the same as carrying out missions. Change the bad habits you developed in the Anbu. Don't always push the children to risk their lives..."

With that, the old man stared at Aburame Keiichi with a stern expression, making the latter's scalp tingle.

"Okay~ I'll try my best..." Aburame Keiichi replied helplessly.

"For now, take them on some ordinary missions to get them accustomed," Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.

"Also, I might assign you some temporary missions in a few days. Arrange your schedule and find someone to cover for you then."

"Missions? Are they related to the Stone Ninja?" Aburame Keiichi asked.

"That's right. You should be well aware of the village's current situation. One thing after another, we can't afford any delays."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.