The plan

Shino shared his insects' scouting, offensive, and defensive capabilities, along with some little-known details of his secret techniques. As they took turns speaking, the atmosphere gradually grew lively and focused.

Not far away, Kurenai Yuhi appeared among the trees once more. Leaning against a trunk, she quietly watched the three discussing below through gaps in the leaves, her eyes narrowed. Seeing how quickly they had understood her intentions and begun cooperating in an orderly fashion, she couldn't help a satisfied smile from curling her lips.

"Looks like I made the right choice this time," Kurenai Yuhi murmured to herself. She recalled how, before the teams were assigned, Kakashi and Asuma had been full of "concern" about Team 8, which she would be leading.

"Kurenai, are you really going to take those brats? A little girl from the Hyuga Main Family, a bug freak, and... well, that Toru Kujyo. He's got some potential, but he doesn't look like much of a team player." That had been Asuma, a cigarette between his lips and a dismissive look on his face.

Kakashi had lazily flipped through Icha Icha Paradise and said offhandedly, "Well, Kurenai, your genjutsu is impressive, but teaching genin takes more than that. Team 8's coordination could be a real problem."

Kurenai Yuhi had only smiled without answering, but a fierce determination to prove herself had flared within her. She was no mere decorative jonin. Her mastery of genjutsu could rival any expert's, and her approach to training genin would be second to none.

"Just you wait." Kurenai Yuhi's smile deepened, confidence gleaming in her eyes. She would make those who underestimated her pay, and she would make Team 8 one of Konoha's finest genin squads.

Toru Kujyo's words were like a command, instantly igniting Hinata and Shino's enthusiasm for the discussion. The three formed a small circle and began carefully analyzing one another's strengths and weaknesses.

"My Fire Release is powerful and covers a wide area, but it also consumes a lot of chakra. Wind Release can strengthen my Fire Release, and it can also provide support by cutting targets or creating wind pressure." Toru Kujyo spoke first, explaining the characteristics of his ninjutsu in detail before moving on to his sensory abilities. "My sensing range covers most of this Training Ground, and I can detect slight fluctuations in chakra. I'm still learning Medical Ninjutsu. Right now, I can only treat minor surface wounds."

Hinata's cheeks were slightly flushed, but her voice grew firm. "My Byakugan can see chakra flow and identify an opponent's weaknesses and attack trajectories. Gentle Fist can directly strike the chakra points inside an enemy's body, causing internal injuries. Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms is my strongest taijutsu technique, but I need to get close to use it." She added, "I can also create one Shadow Clone. Its Gentle Fist can deliver seventy to eighty percent of my power."

Shino Aburame adjusted his sunglasses, his voice low and steady. "My insects can scout and attack. They can absorb chakra and release toxins. Their scouting range is slightly smaller than yours, Toru, but they're harder to detect. I also have some clan secret techniques that let me create insect cocoons for defense or transfer chakra through my insects." Shino could sense that Toru Kujyo's chakra reserves far exceeded those of others their age, surpassing even many chunin. This surprised him a little and gave him a deeper understanding of Toru Kujyo's strength.

"Good." After hearing their explanations, Toru Kujyo considered for a moment, then posed a question. "Do you think we need to set traps beforehand?"

Hinata was somewhat puzzled. After all, that was a common tactic for dealing with jonin. Shino remained expressionless, waiting for Toru Kujyo's explanation.

Toru Kujyo shook his head. "Ordinary traps won't do much against a jonin. Their ability to sense chakra is far beyond a genin's, so they're almost impossible to catch that way. As for powerful, advanced traps, setting them takes a lot of chakra and time. If they fail, they'll only expose our position. It's not worth it."

He looked at the two, his eyes gleaming with insight. "Our advantages are teamwork and surprise. Kurenai Yuhi is a genjutsu expert, but she knows little about our abilities. We can't approach this with the usual genin mindset."

Shino nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Toru Kujyo's analysis. Hinata looked thoughtful as well, her admiration for Toru growing even stronger.

"Let's end today's tactical discussion here." Seeing that both understood, Toru Kujyo wrapped things up. "We'll meet here at nine tomorrow morning. Shino, you can head back first. Get some rest and make sure you're ready."

Shino Aburame nodded without another word, then turned and disappeared into the woods. Only a few tiny insects remained crawling through the grass, and they soon vanished as well.

Only Toru Kujyo and Hinata remained on the Training Ground. The fresh scent of grass and trees filled the air, and the last rays of the setting sun bathed them in a soft glow.

Toru Kujyo turned to Hinata beside him, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. "Hinata, since it's still early, how about we go cook by the river and have some grilled fish? Just like when we were little."

At his words, Hinata trembled slightly, and her cheeks instantly flushed bright red. She hadn't expected Toru to suggest something like that, leaving her both delighted and a little shy. When they were young, they had often gone to play by the river together. Toru Kujyo had always managed to catch plump fish and grill them for her. It was one of her fondest childhood memories.

"S-sure!" Hinata's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

They followed a woodland path and soon reached a clear little river. The water burbled along, the pebbles on the riverbed plainly visible, while a few small fish swam merrily through it.

"I'll catch the fish." As Toru Kujyo spoke, he formed hand seals. With a soft poof, two Shadow Clones appeared beside him. They deftly jumped into the river and began catching fish with nimble movements.

"Hinata, before we grill the fish, let's have a taijutsu spar." Toru Kujyo looked at her with encouragement in his eyes. "Think of it as a warm-up for tomorrow's test."

Hinata froze for a moment, then realized that Toru Kujyo wanted to help her relax while also improving her practical combat skills. She took a deep breath, her gaze gradually firming. "Yes, Toru!"

They chose a relatively broad stretch of the river, gathered chakra in the soles of their feet, and stood steadily on the surface. Gentle ripples spread across the water, reflecting their focused faces.

"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!" Hinata attacked first, moving nimbly as her palms struck at Toru Kujyo's vital points in an unbroken flurry. Though her movements possessed a young girl's grace, they carried the penetrating force unique to the Hyuga style.

Toru Kujyo dodged, sometimes turning sideways and sometimes ducking, neutralizing each of Hinata's attacks in turn.