Shibi Aburame

"Then follow me." Shibi Aburame was the first to leave the classroom, and the three hurried after him. They went all the way up to the Academy rooftop. "As usual, introduce yourselves. What you're good at, what you're not good at, and what you like. You start." Pointing at Hana, Shibi slipped his hands back into his pockets.

"Ah, yes." Hana, who had been nervously wondering whether she had offended her instructor, snapped back to her senses and quickly replied, "I'm Hana Inuzuka, seven years old. I'm good at close combat and tracking, but not good at throwing ninja tools. I like beef jerky and chicken meatballs. My ninja hound partners are the Grey Maru Brothers, who are already six years old."

"Then me. Hyuga Yuun, also seven years old. I'm good at close combat and reconnaissance. I like quietly practicing Gentle Fist by myself. I hate all spicy food. That's all," Yuun said next.

"Itachi Uchiha, seven years old. I'm good at Fire Release and throwing ninja tools, but not good at close combat..." Halfway through, Itachi glanced at Yuun and Hana, then sighed inwardly. "I like sweets, three-color dango, and natto. I dislike grilled meat. That's all."

Yuun froze briefly during Itachi's introduction. Others might not know, but how could he not? Itachi was skilled in far more than that. He was a true genius when it came to Genjutsu; even without the Sharingan, Itachi's Genjutsu alone was first-rate. Not to mention that his Water Release was quite good as well.

"My turn." After listening to Yuun and the others introduce themselves, Shibi Aburame nodded. All three were quite outstanding. Shibi had been somewhat unwilling when he was assigned to lead them ahead of time. His child was not even a year old yet, and if possible, he would have preferred staying by his son's side. Unfortunately, this time the Hokage and the two great clans had specifically named him as their leader. Who could blame him for performing so outstandingly during the previous Ninja World War? "Shibi Aburame, Jonin. My ability is insect control. That's all."

Shibi Aburame fell silent for a moment as he looked at the three before him. "Gather at the Hokage Building at eight tomorrow morning. Dismissed."

"Yes." The three nodded hurriedly and ran off.

"..." Watching the three leave together, Shibi Aburame lifted his sunglasses slightly, nodded, and disappeared.

"Hana, what was wrong with you today?" The three did not immediately part ways after leaving. Hana's unusual behavior today had both Yuun and Itachi somewhat worried.

"Bugs! They're bugs!" Hana, pale-faced, grabbed Yuun by the collar and shook him vigorously. "He definitely wants us to carry a whole bunch of bugs around like he does! What are we going to do?!"

"So you're afraid of bugs..." Yuun helplessly patted Hana's head, which was nearly level with his own. "They're just bugs. What's there to be afraid of? It's not like they'll come bite you."

"Hana probably smelled the insects on Shibi Aburame," Itachi said. "The Aburame Clan raises a kind of insect called Kikaichū inside their bodies. If you use your Byakugan, you should be able to see them. They feed the insects with chakra and command them in battle, so they inevitably carry the scent of insects on them. We can't smell it, but Hana's sense of smell is extremely sharp, so she did. And Hana seems especially sensitive to insects, so..." After speaking, Itachi looked at Yuun, clearly leaving him to deal with it.

After considering how difficult it would be to ask the village to replace their instructor, Yuun could only helplessly comfort Hana and hope she could accept this bug-raising teacher. In any case, they did not have to raise insects like Shibi Aburame did.

"No, no, no! I'm not listening, not listening, not listening!" Hana covered her ears and shook her head hard. Just as Yuun was beginning to lose heart, the little girl tugged at the corner of his clothes with tear-filled eyes. "Yuun, can we not graduate? I'm scared."

"I'll leave this to you. I need to head back first." Itachi looked at the teary-eyed Hana and spoke to Yuun. "It's up to you. Try your best to convince her. Even among Jonin, Shibi Aburame is one of the very best. This time, the people behind us must have pulled strings for him to become our instructor. It would be such a shame to miss this opportunity."

"Yeah, I know. You should go first." Yuun also had a headache, but this really had little to do with Itachi. Of the three, Yuun was closer to Hana. "Eight tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

As Itachi turned to leave, he gave Yuun a reassuring gesture. Watching Itachi go, Yuun sighed helplessly. Who knew how to make a little girl stop being afraid of bugs?

After exhausting every means at his disposal, Yuun finally got Hana to agree to accept this instructor for now. Even if he had to sign countless unequal treaties to do so, it was worth it. Anyone who could make both the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha clan step forward was definitely no ordinary person.

At seven thirty the next morning, Yuun put on his forehead protector and left home. He had been punctual in his previous life, but he did not want to wait too long either, so he left after calculating the timing. Given the distance between his home and the Hokage Building, it would take about fifteen minutes to get there.

When he left through the clan gates wearing his forehead protector, several youths were still there waiting for others to arrive. The Ninja Academy's three-year curriculum had ended after only one year. Those who had already graduated naturally would not return to class, while those who had not graduated were sent back to their respective grades. Having fallen behind on too many lessons, they had been working hard to catch up during this time.

Seeing that Yuun, who had been waiting here for class just like them a few months ago, was already wearing a forehead protector, the youths would be lying if they said they felt no jealousy. Yet most of the looks they gave Yuun were filled with envy and admiration. After all, in some respects, Yuun now represented the Hyuga Clan's honor. Offending him might not bring disaster, but it certainly would not bring anything good.

Receiving all those envious and admiring looks, Yuun felt secretly pleased. Fortunately, he had not forgotten that he needed to hurry. After saying a word to the clan member guarding the gate, Yuun left. Now that he had become a ninja, his movements were no longer restricted. There would certainly still be adult clan members following him from behind, but once the clan determined in a few years that Yuun had sufficient ability to protect himself, those assigned to watch and protect him would be withdrawn.

When Yuun reached the Hokage Building, he found that Itachi was already waiting there. He greeted him, "Morning, Itachi."

"Good morning." Itachi nodded, his gaze falling on Yuun's forehead protector. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "What did Hana say?"

"She promised me she'd come today." Yuun could only smile wryly. He had truly been a little afraid that Hana would simply not show up. Fortunately, reality proved his worries unnecessary. While he and Itachi were talking, Hana had already arrived. She looked as though she had cried, and her eyes were a little red.

"Are you okay?" Yuun looked at Hana worriedly, feeling somewhat frustrated as well. Was this girl really so sensitive to bugs?

Usually lively, Hana shook her head hard but said nothing.

"Sensei is here," Itachi suddenly said. Shibi Aburame, carrying a large jar on his back, was slowly approaching from the street corner. There were still five minutes until eight.

"Everyone here?" Shibi Aburame glanced at Hana, whose condition was somewhat off, but said nothing more. "Let's go. Time to pick up a mission."

"Yes." The three answered together.