Cooperation

The outskirts of Konoha Forest.

A ninja wearing a shinobi cap, a black skintight combat uniform, and green jonin armor over it led three genin who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy here.

Leading them was Yuhi Shinku, the jonin known as the "Red Sunset."

The three behind him were Uchiha Yufeng, Yuhi Kurenai, and Uzuki Yugao, who had graduated a year early.

The atmosphere between Uchiha Yufeng, Yuhi Kurenai, and Uzuki Yugao was somewhat awkward.

Uchiha Yufeng lagged behind the group, deep in thought.

The Third Hokage had put Kurenai, Yugao, and him into one team. If he approached this with a team PK mindset...

He was probably the healer-support on the Third Hokage's side, Kurenai was support specializing in Genjutsu, perception, and disruption, so was Yugao the damage dealer?

Uchiha Yufeng glanced at his new teammate, Uzuki Yugao.

"What, are you going to accept my challenge?"

Uzuki Yugao had already been watching Uchiha Yufeng. When she caught him looking at her from the corner of his eye, she immediately turned her head.

Uchiha Yufeng shook his head.

"No, I refuse."

This little girl seemed a little slow in the head.

Why did she only know how to fight?

"This will do!"

Yuhi Shinku surveyed the surroundings, stopped walking, and turned his gaze toward the three of them.

"My name is Yuhi Shinku. Starting today, I will be your instructor."

After speaking seriously to the three of them, Yuhi Shinku's gaze settled on Uchiha Yufeng.

"We'll start with you. Introduce yourself first!"

Uchiha Yufeng looked at Yuhi Shinku, then at Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao.

"What are you looking at? We're starting with you!"

Yuhi Shinku said coldly as he looked at the boy.

Uchiha Yufeng was a little confused.

There seemed to be a trace of resentment in that voice.

What was with Yuhi Shinku? He had never offended him, had he?

Uchiha Yufeng pushed aside his stray thoughts, cleared his throat, and finally spoke.

"My name is Uchiha Yufeng. I just graduated from the Ninja Academy, and I want to become a qualified Medical Ninja... As for what I like? Braised Pork Ribs count as one!"

"What else?"

Yuhi Shinku prompted.

"My Ninja Way is to let every companion survive as much as possible during missions!"

Yuhi Shinku nodded, slowly matching Yufeng's words with the impression of Uchiha Yufeng that Kurenai had told him about at home.

He raised a hand and took out a small notebook.

He wrote something in it.

Once he finished writing, he looked at his daughter, Yuhi Kurenai.

"Kurenai, your turn."

"My name is Yuhi Kurenai. I want to become an outstanding Genjutsu ninja of Konoha. What I like... Braised Pork Ribs!"

As she said "Braised Pork Ribs," her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Uchiha Yufeng.

Yuhi Shinku's expression darkened, and he coughed.

A blush spread across Yuhi Kurenai's face.

"Continue!"

"My Ninja Way is to protect the village, protect the one I love, my family, my companions, and my friends..."

After saying that, Yuhi Kurenai lowered her head.

Yuhi Shinku's expression turned complicated, and a faint ache rose in his heart.

The one she loved came first, while family came second?

Whether he was overthinking it or not...

At that moment, Yuhi Shinku felt that his daughter had truly grown up.

Yuhi Shinku turned his gaze to the last person, Uzuki Yugao.

"Uzuki Yugao, introduce yourself!"

"My name is Uzuki Yugao. I want to become Konoha's strongest swordsman ninja! As for what I like, I like eating Three-Color Dango."

"My Ninja Way..."

Uzuki Yugao paused, looked toward Uchiha Yufeng, then spoke firmly.

"I will challenge every strong opponent and protect Konoha in the future!"

Yuhi Shinku nodded in satisfaction and put away the notebook containing their information.

"Alright, now that the team has been formed, we'll begin the first lesson!"

Yuhi Shinku looked toward a large open area in the distance.

Uchiha Yufeng was slightly stunned.

Could this be the usual Hokage class routine? Were they going to snatch bells?

"The three of you may attack me however you can. I don't care what methods you use. As long as you leave your mark on my clothes within three minutes, you pass!"

After saying that, Yuhi Shinku took three Red Ink Pads from his pocket and tossed them to the three of them.

"If two of you are caught by me, then you fail. Do you understand?"

Watching the three of them nod, Yuhi Shinku gave Uchiha Yufeng an especially pointed look.

"Understand?"

Uchiha Yufeng nodded.

"Good. Since you all understand, you may freely discuss your tactics. Once you've finished, raise your hands to signal me, and I'll count down from three to one!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Yufeng exchanged glances with Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao, then went to one side to discuss tactics.

After a while, once they had settled on a plan, the three raised their hands at Yuhi Shinku.

"Three, two, one!"

Yuhi Shinku began the countdown.

Uchiha Yufeng, Yuhi Kurenai, and Uzuki Yugao all darted into the forest.

"You hid yourselves well!"

Yuhi Shinku swept his gaze across the woods. Thinking of where the three had concealed themselves just now, a look of approval flashed across his face.

Then, he took out a watch from his pocket.

"But if you make no move after three minutes, you'll still fail!"

At that moment, a purple figure moved in an instant.

No one knew where she had drawn a Training Wooden Sword from, but she gripped it tightly and launched a straight thrust at the opening in Yuhi Shinku's back.

A careful look would reveal that the Training Wooden Sword had already been coated with Red Ink Pad.

Yuhi Shinku seemed unable to react in time and was struck directly by the wooden sword.

"That easy?"

Uzuki Yugao froze. Before she could react, the Yuhi Shinku she had struck turned into a puddle of mud.

Behind her, Yuhi Shinku appeared.

He casually punched Uzuki Yugao's wrist, sending the Training Wooden Sword flying from her hand.

As his hand was about to seize her wrist, her heart sank.

If he catches me, doesn't that mean I fail?

At that critical moment, a shuriken shot out from the forest toward Yuhi Shinku's waist.

"Not bad!"

As the words fell, the kunai pierced through Yuhi Shinku.

Yuhi Shinku, who had been standing in place, slowly vanished from the bottom up as though he were being erased by an eraser.

"This is... Genjutsu?"

Uzuki Yugao looked at the disappearing Yuhi Shinku. Just as she was about to get up, she sensed Chakra fluctuations beneath the ground.

Thud!

An arm shot out from the ground and grabbed her foot. Her footing slipped, and she instantly fell backward.

Whoosh!

Several kunai shot from another tricky angle toward the figure emerging from the earth.

Uchiha Yufeng followed right behind them, reaching Uzuki Yugao in the blink of an eye.

He scooped her up and was about to retreat.

"You fell for it! Come on, let me see where your limits are!"

Upon seeing Uchiha Yufeng reveal himself, Yuhi Shinku, who had seemingly been using Earth Release underground, immediately transformed into yellow mud.

A figure abruptly appeared before the two of them.

It was as though he had never moved at all!

Genjutsu again!

Uchiha Yufeng knew it clearly, but this was not the time to expose his Sharingan. With a flick of his hand—

He threw out three kunai, kicked off the ground, and leaped away in the opposite direction.

Yuhi Shinku dodged the kunai to either side, then rushed forward in relentless pursuit.

Uchiha Yufeng's figure was reflected in Yuhi Shinku's pupils.

He could not help but sneer inwardly. What a good opportunity!

You dared to court my daughter? Let's see if I don't teach you a lesson today!

It had not been easy to find an opportunity to teach Uchiha Yufeng a lesson.

Without hesitation, Yuhi Shinku threw punch after punch at Uchiha Yufeng's face.

Uchiha Yufeng, meanwhile, was unhappy as well.

They said not to hit people in the face. This was only a test.

What was with this old man? He had not stolen anything from his house, nor had he offended him.

Yuhi Shinku had already been giving him attitude during the introductions, and now he was directly aiming for his face. He was not even pretending anymore, was he?

Uchiha Yufeng was not slow.

Though he was still carrying Uzuki Yugao, he shifted her into a diagonal hold in his arms, freeing one hand and one foot to block the attacks.

Uchiha Yufeng forced Yuhi Shinku back for the moment. A smile curled at the corner of his lips as he raised a hand and tugged.

A Transparent Thread faintly appeared. Two kunai flew into the air, then suddenly turned back.

Yuhi Shinku's gaze sharpened. Just as he was about to dodge again, a Tree Vine extended from the ground.

It trapped him in place.

Genjutsu!

Yuhi Shinku instantly realized that this was the Genjutsu he had taught Yuhi Kurenai before. He had not expected her to activate it at such a sudden moment, and so silently at that!

His daughter had truly improved!

Unfortunately, Yuhi Kurenai's strength was still not enough in Yuhi Shinku's eyes.

He raised a hand and formed a seal, instantly breaking the Genjutsu.

Before he could make another move, a purple-haired girl had already arrived before him and slashed down with her sword.

This was?

Had Uchiha Yufeng taken advantage of the opening created by Kurenai's Genjutsu restraining him to throw Uzuki Yugao at him?

So this was their true killing move? Their attack rhythm was so tight; they were clearly experienced!

Yuhi Shinku was somewhat shocked. He pulled a kunai from his pouch and blocked the Wooden Sword.

He shifted his body aside, and two kunai struck the open ground before him.

This was the first time these three had worked together! Yet they coordinated so well! Truly not bad!

Whoosh!

Just as Yuhi Shinku relaxed, Uchiha Yufeng bit down and pulled forward. The final kunai, controlled by the Transparent Thread, changed direction again and flew back.

Before Yuhi Shinku could react, it grazed his vest and returned to Uchiha Yufeng's hand.

A bright red mark appeared on the vest.

Yuhi Shinku stared at the red mark on his vest, stunned for a moment. Then, he could no longer hide the smile on his face.

"You pass!!"