Yuhi Kurenai Is Definitely Hiding Something

Aoba nodded and briefly recounted the conversation he had had on the training ground. "I'm a little hesitant. I'm afraid I'm not strong enough."

After hearing this, Yuhi Shinku fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Aoba, your talent may not be the most outstanding, but I think highly of your character.

"The path of a ninja isn't just about strength. It's also about conviction and responsibility.

"Kakashi chose you because he believes you have that potential."

Aoba felt a warmth in his heart at those words, but then he frowned again. "But sir, Sunagakure is so far away, and the mission is dangerous. I'm afraid..."

"Afraid you'll hold everyone back?"

Yuhi Shinku picked up where he left off and smiled. "That kind of thinking is perfectly normal, but a ninja grows through challenge after challenge.

"You're still young. You have plenty of time to make mistakes and learn from them."

Aoba lowered his head in thought. Yuhi Shinku's words gave him a measure of encouragement, but the unease in his heart had not completely faded.

He looked toward Yuhi Kurenai and saw her quietly watching him, a faintly encouraging smile in her eyes.

"Big Brother Aoba, go."

Yuhi Kurenai said softly, "I believe you can do it."

Aoba froze for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you, Kurenai."

Over the next few days, Aoba began preparing for the mission.

Every morning, he rose early to practice taijutsu. In the afternoons, he went to the Ninja Academy to learn the basics of intelligence gathering. At night, he helped his mother brew medicine and cook.

Kakashi and Might Guy often came to see him as well, and the three of them discussed the details of the mission together.

Kakashi brought a map of Sunagakure's terrain and some known intelligence, while