A Jonin's Responsibilities

A Jonin assigned to a team wasn't necessarily a teacher.

The position simply meant that the Jonin was capable of leading a team of newly graduated Genin on missions.

There was no requirement for a team's Jonin to teach the Genin, though it depended on the circumstances.

Most Jonin grew attached to their Genin over the course of their missions and passed on their skills. In fact, that often helped the team carry out its missions.

But it was unusual for a Jonin to treat the Genin as students from the very beginning.

Nara Shikaku had a reason for introducing the three of them as his students right away.

It was because none of them had ordinary backgrounds.

Uchiha Toru was Konoha's most brilliant young talent and the hope of the Uchiha Clan, so Nara Shikaku naturally had to take him seriously.

Yuhi Kurenai was Yuhi Shinku's only daughter. Shinku was a senior Jonin and an instructor of Konoha's Genin. When Shikaku was a young Jonin, he had served under Shinku for a time, so of course he would give his senior's daughter special consideration.

Sarutobi Asuma was an even bigger deal. His father was the current Hokage, the Professor of the Shinobi World, and the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was known as "the strongest Hokage in history."

Shikaku sighed inwardly. What a headache. Not one of these three is easy to handle.

But as a Jonin, Shikaku wouldn't let his thoughts show so easily.

So he added, "Your introductions should include your likes and strengths. That'll help us work better together."

Toru spoke first. "I'm Uchiha Toru. I like grilled meat and White Sugar. Fighting, hunting, and playing the shamisen are the three great joys of my life. I'm good at a lot of things—you could say I can do a little of everything."

Toru had already given the same introduction when he'd transferred into the class.

Next, Kurenai said, "I'm Yuhi Kurenai. I like seafood, especially octopus. I don't like cake; it feels too rich. I'm good at genjutsu."

Finally, it was Asuma's turn. "My surname is Sarutobi, and my name is Asuma. What I like... I'd rather not say. I'm good at Wind Release and Fire Release."

Shikaku glanced at Asuma. He was clearly in a bad mood. And it wasn't hard to see the dynamic between the three: Toru and Kurenai were obviously close, while Asuma looked awkward standing beside them.

Shikaku didn't dwell on it. He believed that after they'd had some time to work together, they'd at least get along better, even if they didn't become close.

After all, relationships between people weren't only about romance. And once people matured, they usually kept certain feelings to themselves.

For now, Shikaku was using their introductions to analyze their personalities from the little details they'd revealed.

"Uchiha Toru: mature and level-headed beyond his years, but with arrogance and recklessness deep down. A complicated boy."

"Yuhi Kurenai: she looks like a well-behaved girl on the surface, but there's clearly more to her than meets the eye."

"Sarutobi Asuma: the Hokage's young son. He's grown up with a rebellious streak, but at heart he's a good kid. He should be able to straighten out eventually."

The Nara Clan produced many highly intelligent shinobi, and Shikaku was one of the clan's finest. His ability to read people was almost frighteningly accurate.

"Now it's my turn to introduce myself."

"I'm Nara Shikaku. I like smoking and drinking. I like anything my wife cooks—and I wouldn't dare say otherwise. My hobby is playing Shogi, and I'm good at the Nara Clan Secret Technique."

Toru's lips curled slightly. Even Jonin are afraid of their wives? Still, the clan secret technique sounds interesting. A technique passed down through a clan for generations can't be weak.

He was clearly interested in the secret technique Shikaku had mentioned. It wasn't as if he'd never copied a secret technique before.

Back then, he'd used his Six Eyes to copy the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. He was afraid of being found out, so he hadn't dared use it in its entirety, but he'd still managed to incorporate it into his Taijutsu, greatly improving his strength.

Shikaku had no idea that the boy in front of him was already eyeing his secret technique. He continued, "As is customary, I'll be testing you. The test will be a combat exercise, but it's getting late, so we'll do it another day."

They agreed on a time and place for the following day, then went their separate ways.

The next day, Toru first went to Kurenai's house, and they headed to the agreed-upon location together.

Asuma came alone, a little later than the two of them but still before the appointed time.

Shikaku arrived right on the dot. "You're pretty punctual. I like that."

It was morning, and the Training Ground was empty, making it an ideal place for a combat exercise.

Shikaku got straight to the point and began explaining the rules of the exercise.

"Your mission is an escort."

As he spoke, Shikaku pulled a small straw doll from his pocket. It was crudely made, as if he'd thrown it together himself in just a few minutes.

Shikaku explained the mission's background with a straight face. "This is your client, Sakamoto Ichiro, a famous merchant from the Land of Fire. He's traveling alone to the Land of Lightning to attend a meeting. He has many enemies, so he came to Konoha to request an escort. The three of you have accepted the mission."

Toru listened intently to the background Shikaku had laid out.

At first, Kurenai thought Shikaku was taking things a little too seriously and found it amusing. But seeing how seriously Toru was taking the exercise, she began to take it seriously herself.

Asuma still thought it was just an exercise, and there was no need to make the background so detailed.

Shikaku handed the straw doll to Toru, then continued, "Uchiha Toru, the leader of your three-man team, is responsible for protecting the client at close range."

"You've already entered the Land of Lightning, and you're only a few hundred meters from the city where you're supposed to complete the mission." Shikaku pointed to a wooded area in the middle of the Training Ground. "Once you pass through those woods, you'll see a river. Cross it, and you'll reach your destination."

"One thing to keep in mind: the Land of Lightning has many gorges and mountains. There are towering mountains on both sides of this forest. The client is afraid of heights, so you can't take him around the forest along either side."

"According to the information we have, there may be enemies in the forest, so proceed with extreme caution."

"The client is exhausted and has asked to rest for 15 minutes. Once that time is up, set out with him immediately. The mission will be a success if you reach your destination."

When he finished, Shikaku slipped into the woods and disappeared, leaving the three of them waiting in silence.