When Working, Use Titles!

"I cannot go because I haven't finished handling my work handover."

After Yuhi Shinku's voice fell, Yuhi Kurenai fell silent.

It was as if she had been dealt a massive blow, leaving her dejected and listless as she swayed back to her room.

"Uncle Shinku, who are Yuhi Kurenai's teammates?"

Akiyama Shun knew Yuhi Kurenai would be fine after a while, so he turned to ask Yuhi Shinku.

"Uzuki Yugao and Shizune."

Hm? They are all acquaintances?

Akiyama Shun raised an eyebrow. Of these two, one was a student, and the other, like him, was a guardian for Tsunade.

Wait a minute...

Wouldn't Shizune be exhausted?

She had to participate in the Konoha class system, find time to study Tsunade's medical arts, and be responsible for taking care of Tsunade's daily life.

Just thinking about it made Akiyama Shun feel suffocated. He could help share the burden of taking care of Tsunade, but he really couldn't help with studying medical arts; he couldn't exactly learn them in her place.

Time quickly reached the afternoon.

Yuhi Kurenai arrived at the meeting point first, sitting on a large rock and looking at the sky above, her mind feeling nothing but a chaotic blur.

However, after Uzuki Yugao and Shizune arrived, the previously gloomy look on Yuhi Kurenai's face was immediately replaced by a smile, and she hurried over with a light jog.

Not only had they been classmates studying together for three years, but they were all people who frequently interacted with Akiyama Shun; over these three years, the three girls had become very familiar with one another.

"Why hasn't our instructor arrived yet?"

After gathering, Yuhi Kurenai suddenly asked. Before the other two girls could answer, they heard a voice from behind them.

"No, I arrived long ago."

Hearing the voice, the three turned their heads in unison.

"Teacher Akiyama Shun?"

"Why is it you?" X2

The three of them looked at Akiyama Shun in surprise, their faces full of disbelief.

"Well, Uncle Shinku had some issues with his work handover, so he asked me to help you complete the test in his place."

Akiyama Shun explained.

"Test?"

The three girls looked at each other, none of them having heard of any such test.

"Alright, let's put that topic aside for now. You should start by introducing yourselves. We'll start with you."

Akiyama Shun said, jumping onto the large rock.

Uzuki Yugao, who was pointed at, showed no change in expression. She stepped forward two paces and began her introduction: "My name is Uzuki Yugao. My hobby is flower viewing, and as for things I dislike..."

She paused here for a moment before continuing: "There is nothing I particularly dislike. My dream is to become stronger!"

"Very good, next." Akiyama Shun pointed at Shizune.

"My name is Shizune. I like cultural heritage and brown rice, and the things I dislike most are pork and people who get drunk every day and always need me to take care of them."

What a clear target!

Akiyama Shun complained internally before pointing at Yuhi Kurenai, whose self-introduction hadn't changed since enrollment.

Soon, all three had finished their introductions.

"Shun, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

At this moment, Yuhi Kurenai looked at Akiyama Shun, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"Use my title while at work!" Akiyama Shun said with a stern face.

Yuhi Kurenai was startled by Akiyama Shun's serious demeanor. After hesitating for a moment, she said: "...Alright, Teacher Akiyama Shun, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

Akiyama Shun waved his hand: "I am not your teacher. Why are you so curious about me? Let Uncle Shinku introduce himself when he arrives."

The three of them: "..."

Akiyama Shun clapped his hands, drawing their attention to him.

"Alright, let's begin the official test. The content is very simple. Do you see the two bells in my hand?"

Akiyama Shun said, shaking the two bells in his hand, which emitted a crisp "jingle" sound.

"The three of you will compete to grab the bells. Within the time limit, those who grab a bell pass the test; those who don't fail, will be kicked out of the team, and won't get any dinner tonight."

As his words fell, the expressions of the three girls changed significantly.

With three people and only two bells, didn't that mean one person would definitely fail the test and be eliminated?

Akiyama Shun scanned the three of them: "Any more questions?"

Yuhi Kurenai raised her hand: "Present!"

"Good, no questions allowed."

The three of them: "..."

Akiyama Shun jumped off the rock and tied the bells to his waist.

"Are you ready? Then, the test officially begins!"

The moment Akiyama Shun's voice fell, he had already used the Body Flicker Technique to distance himself rapidly from the three.

At this moment, even though they felt something was wrong with this test, Yuhi Kurenai and the others exchanged glances and hurriedly gave chase.

Akiyama Shun did not flee at full speed; otherwise, the three wouldn't even be able to smell his exhaust, which would defeat the purpose of the test.

He simply maintained a subtle distance, dodging the three while observing their movements.

Not a single one of them was slacking off.

Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao, one specializing in genjutsu and the other in close-quarters combat, performed the best, and because they often trained together, their coordination was remarkably tacit.

By comparison, Shizune was a step behind; she had been learning medical ninjutsu, so she naturally couldn't keep up with their pace, but she was working hard in her own way, such as using poison to block Akiyama Shun's path forward.

Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao also intentionally coordinated with Shizune, and soon, Akiyama Shun was completely surrounded by Shizune's poisonous gas.

Seeing this, smiles appeared on their faces as they charged toward Akiyama Shun simultaneously.

In the end, before the time limit was reached, Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao, who possessed better physical fitness, successfully snatched the bells.

"Shizune, I'll give mine to you."

Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao spoke at the same time, offering the bells in their hands to Shizune.

"It's alright, even if I'm eliminated, I can still learn from Lady Tsunade."

Shizune hurriedly waved her hands, her face full of emotion.

While the three were pushing the bells onto each other, a steady voice rang out from the side.

"All three of you have passed the test."

Yuhi Shinku stood beside Akiyama Shun and announced the results of the test.

"Father? Why?"

Yuhi Kurenai looked at Yuhi Shinku in confusion.

"Use my title while on duty!"

Yuhi Kurenai: "..."

Such a familiar line.

"Teacher Shinku?"

Hearing this address, Yuhi Shinku nodded and began to explain the true intention behind the test.

After Yuhi Shinku finished explaining, the three finally realized the truth and looked at Akiyama Shun, their eyes filled with a trace of resentment.

Facing this resentment, Akiyama Shun could only let out a dry, awkward laugh.

Inside the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the reports coming in from the border, took a puff of his pipe, and frowned.

The friction is growing more and more intense; if this continues...

Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples and leaned back in the Hokage's chair, his face full of worry.

"Old man, what are you thinking about?"

Jiraiya glanced casually at the reports and sat down carelessly beside Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"I'm thinking about those children. If a war starts, it won't be easy for them, especially Akiyama Shun. He is already a Chunin; if war breaks out, he might be sent to the front lines earlier than other academy students. But how old is he? He's a year younger than those who graduate normally! He's only eight years old!"

Speaking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed: "Sigh~ You know, factors like policy and public sentiment are not things that can be decided by the personal will of a Hokage or anyone else."

After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, Jiraiya's expression also shifted.

"Didn't you ask me to go to the Land of Grass to find that undercover agent? How about I take Akiyama Shun with me to let him get a feel for things? It's only at the friction stage for now anyway."