Always Provoking Me

"Brat, don't look down on people too much! You're only relying on your Bloodline talent. Ninja battles aren't just about Genjutsu. I'm a Special Jonin, after all—more than qualified to teach you!"

Hearing Xiu's words, Kurenai Yuhi finally lost her composure, her face faintly flushing red.

Xiu gave her a detached glance. "You're still as confident as ever."

Kurenai snapped, "You..."

"Well... even if you say that, rules are rules. If the required number isn't met, the village won't assign any missions."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly and waved a hand, trying to mediate. "And whether you graduate early or normally, you need a Jonin appointed by the village to lead your team."

"Wouldn't a Chunin do?" Xiu asked curiously. "Every team needs a Jonin leader. Does the village have that many Jonin?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment. "If we count Special Jonin, then barely. Special Jonin also have the authority to lead teams. The village has been severely short-handed lately, which is why I hope your generation can grow up as quickly as possible."

"A ninja's work isn't limited to fighting. Escorting, infiltration, intelligence gathering, and disguise are all situations you may face. Although Kurenai's Genjutsu is countered by the Sharingan, she has extensive mission experience. She's a genuine Special Jonin with experience in ten S-Rank Missions, and she can help you quickly adapt to mission work."

At the Third Hokage's praise, Kurenai's expression softened slightly.

"Mm... fine." Xiu nodded.

He could guess the Third Hokage's intentions. All that talk about rules and experience was nothing more than planting a pair of eyes beside him.

If that was the case, he might as well grant him his wish. With Kurenai Yuhi's strength, she couldn't stir up much trouble anyway.

Genjutsu ninja could only be countered when facing the Sharingan, let alone their three pairs of Sharingan.

Uchiha Izumi had awakened her Sharingan when she witnessed her father's death during the Nine-Tails' attack on the village. She had only been five at the time, even earlier than Itachi.

However, her talent for Genjutsu was average, and her use of the Sharingan leaned more toward Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.

Since her daughter's talent was so outstanding, Uchiha Hazuki was naturally no slouch either.

Though it sounded rather grim, aside from the two children at home, everyone Uchiha Hazuki cared about had already died. She had awakened her Three Tomoe long ago.

So although she was only a Chunin, that didn't mean her strength was limited to that of a Chunin.

According to Konoha's rules, advancing to Jonin required joint recommendation and endorsement from several Jonin.

From Xiu's perception of Hazuki's chakra reserves, she had at least one Kakashi's worth. Without considering whether she had trained in nature transformation, her Three Tomoe alone put her at least at the level of a Special Jonin.

Seeing Xiu's reluctant expression, Kurenai Yuhi secretly gritted her teeth.

She, Kurenai Yuhi, was at least a famous beauty for miles around. The people pursuing her could line up from Ichiraku Ramen to Yakiniku Q. When had anyone ever shown her such disdain?

He really was just a little brat!

"You're up." Xiu looked at Izumi and tilted his head toward the field.

"Mm-hm. Xiu is so amazing, so I need to work hard too!" Izumi stepped into the field and politely nodded. "Teacher Kurenai, please guide me."

"Mm..." Izumi's gentle attitude gradually calmed Kurenai's emotions.

That's more like it!

This gentle, beautiful flower is the kind of child worth protecting and teaching with all my heart!

Though she thought that, Kurenai did not dare let down her guard in the slightest.

She had already suffered a loss at Xiu's hands. If she lost again, she truly would be too ashamed to go on living.

Fortunately, she soon realized that a freak like Xiu was an exception.

Although Izumi also had the Sharingan and had even reached Two Tomoe, her use of it was quite crude.

Testing her out, Kurenai cast several minor disruptive Genjutsu in succession. Though Izumi quickly saw through them, they were not completely useless as they had been against Xiu.

After a brief exchange, neutralizing Izumi's attacks one by one, Kurenai Yuhi had a rough grasp of her abilities.

Izumi's Shurikenjutsu was exceptionally refined, but that was basic Uchiha training. Pick any Uchiha who had awakened their eyes, and they would be competent.

Her Taijutsu had reached Chunin level, but her strength was lacking. Still, that was normal for a girl her age.

In terms of Ninjutsu, Izumi formed hand seals very quickly, was highly proficient with the Three Body Technique, and could use Shadow Clones in coordination.

Her combat experience was immature, but she had plenty of ideas. Although she was not skilled in Genjutsu, she knew how to exploit the Sharingan's advantage of not needing hand seals, using minor Genjutsu to interfere with Kurenai's judgment.

"Very good. You can stop now."

Easily blocking Izumi's kick, Kurenai put a little force into her arm and deftly pushed Izumi away. "You've passed."

"That's great!" A smile appeared on Izumi's face as she gave Kurenai Yuhi a slight bow. "Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Kurenai."

"You're welcome." Kurenai's lips curved upward, but the instant she saw Xiu approaching from the side, that small smile vanished.

"Not bad. Since you've passed the assessment, that means that starting today, you have officially become ninja."

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked forward with a cheerful smile. "I hope you can get along well. No matter what your relationship is like normally, once you're carrying out missions, you will be comrades who entrust your backs to one another."

"A person's life is far too short, especially for ninja. A chance meeting by the roadside may be the last time you ever see someone. That is precisely why bonds are so precious."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, his gaze swept across their faces.

Kurenai Yuhi and Uchiha Izumi both looked like they were humbly taking his words to heart. But when he looked at Uchiha Xiu, his eyelids were already drooping, and he appeared as though he could fall asleep at any moment.

What was absurd was that, judging by Hiruzen Sarutobi's decades of experience reading people—he wasn't pretending! He was genuinely sleepy!

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately began doubting himself.

Was my speech really that sleep-inducing?

"Sigh, I'm getting old... We'll stop here for today. For the rest of the time, get to know each other. Kurenai, remember to take them for ninja registration tomorrow morning."

"Yes!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, stopping Iruka and the others from seeing him off, then turned and left.

The two homeroom teachers exchanged a glance and wisely said nothing further. After greeting Kurenai, they left as well.

The two had just witnessed Kurenai being humbled by Xiu, and Izumi's homeroom teacher had nearly had his balls crushed. Neither dared linger, afraid that Kurenai would take her anger out on them.

Only Kurenai Yuhi, Uchiha Izumi, and Uchiha Xiu remained in the field, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

Fortunately, considerate Uchiha Izumi stepped in to smooth things over.

Izumi raised her hand. "Um... since we'll be teammates from now on, how about we have a meal together and use the chance to get to know each other properly? My treat?"

Kurenai Yuhi smiled faintly. "All right, but this is our first meal together after forming a team. It should be me, the team-leading Jonin, who treats."

"Special Jonin."

Xiu corrected her out of nowhere.

Kurenai Yuhi: "(╬ಠ益ಠ)ｺﾞ"

He's been provoking me this whole time!