That's wonderful

Hinata's eyes lit up as she listened, genuinely happy for Toru Kujyo. "That's wonderful, Toru! You've gotten stronger!"

Toru Kujyo smiled faintly and checked his system panel again. The vivid, striking label [kekkei genkai · Tenseigan (red)] had replaced the Byakugan, becoming his highest-level bloodline ability.

New power, a new beginning. Feeling the power surging in his eyes, Toru Kujyo brimmed with anticipation for the future.

Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Toru Kujyo's Tenseigan had stabilized completely. The tearing agony had vanished without a trace, replaced by a sense of overflowing power. He could clearly sense that these eyes were fundamentally different from Otsutsuki Toneri's Tenseigan, which could only be activated by extracting energy from the Byakugan. His felt more like a natural awakening of his own bloodline, stable and powerful. He could even faintly sense that the next "stirring" of his power would take much longer. This almost unfair power filled him with confidence in the future.

Early that morning, Team 8 gathered at the training ground. Looking at the three energetic youngsters before her, Kurenai Yuhi felt a swirl of emotions. Toru Kujyo in particular carried himself with greater composure and restraint, yet there was an elusive depth to his presence.

"Toru, you're back!" Hinata jogged over to Toru Kujyo, undisguised joy in her eyes.

"Yeah." Toru Kujyo gently patted her head, then turned his gaze toward Shino Aburame.

Shino was as quiet as ever, merely adjusting his sunglasses slightly. However, the few insects in his sleeves that usually lay dormant were now restless. They squirmed uneasily, seemingly trying to crawl out of his body, only to be held back by some invisible force, emitting faint buzzing sounds. Shino's body stiffened for a moment as well. He could feel what the insects inside him were conveying: a fear rooted in the very instinct to survive. They feared the inexplicable, powerful presence emanating from Toru Kujyo.

Kurenai Yuhi keenly noticed Shino's unusual reaction. Her gaze swept over Toru Kujyo, and her puzzlement deepened. What exactly happened to this kid in just two weeks?

"Toru Kujyo," Kurenai Yuhi cleared her throat, trying to break the delicate silence. "Did you take these two weeks off for some secret training? It feels like your Chakra Control has improved considerably again."

The corners of Toru Kujyo's mouth curved upward. "Secrets make a man more attractive."

A vein twitched at Kurenai Yuhi's temple. This kid really is a smooth talker! She felt exasperated, but there was nothing she could do about him. It seemed all three youngsters had their own paths to follow.

In the days that followed, Team 8 continued carrying out D-rank missions. Clearing rubbish, finding lost pets, even helping look after unruly children... In Team 8's hands, these seemingly trivial tasks were handled with efficiency and precision. With the extraordinary perception granted by his Tenseigan and fine control akin to a "Wireless Puppet," Toru Kujyo always solved problems in unexpected ways; Hinata's Byakugan and Gentle Fist made finding and subduing targets effortless; Shino's insects played a unique role in reconnaissance and cleanup.

"Oh! Thank you, little ninjas! My Huahua is finally back!" An elderly woman held her recovered cat, tears of gratitude filling her eyes.

"Team 8 is amazing! The water channels you cleaned are much cleaner than before!" The villagers offered their praise as well.

Glowing reviews poured in from their clients, steadily improving Team 8's reputation in the village.

One day, after training ended, Kurenai Yuhi gathered the three of them.

"As a Genjutsu specialist, I originally planned to teach you some basic Genjutsu," Kurenai Yuhi began. "Genjutsu is very useful on the battlefield. It can catch enemies off guard and bring them under your control..."

"Teacher Kurenai," Hinata interrupted softly, "I'd like to devote more of my energy to the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist and secret Byakugan techniques, so I can master the essence of our clan's arts as soon as possible." Her gaze was firm. Though her voice remained gentle, it carried an unmistakable resolve.

"My insects are my companions, and they're also how I fight." Shino Aburame pushed up his sunglasses, expressing his refusal in a few concise words.

Kurenai Yuhi looked at Toru Kujyo without much hope. This kid was probably even less likely to follow the conventional path.

"Teacher Kurenai, thank you for the kind offer," Toru Kujyo said with a smile. "I've gained some unusual insights lately, and I'd rather explore a training path of my own. Genjutsu might divide my attention." He wasn't lying. The new abilities his Tenseigan had brought him would take a long time to fully assimilate. Besides, even without using the Tenseigan, his strength had already reached Kage Level. Ordinary Genjutsu meant little to him.

Kurenai Yuhi was speechless. She pressed a hand to her forehead. Just as I thought, this batch of students really is hard to teach! She had expected to give them proper instruction, only to find that each was a "treasure" of their clan, with a training direction of their own. As their Elite Jonin, it seemed she could mostly serve as a guide, or perhaps... a babysitter?

Even so, Kurenai Yuhi didn't give up. Instead, she taught the three how to coordinate better, analyze missions, and draw on practical combat experience. She discovered that although these youngsters wouldn't let her teach them Ninjutsu, they showed astonishing talent and rapport in teamwork and mission analysis. Toru Kujyo in particular always offered precise, effective suggestions that let them achieve twice the results with half the effort.

May 1 soon arrived. The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze blew.

Kurenai Yuhi stood in the center of the training ground, looking at the three Genin before her with a faint smile of satisfaction.

"Congratulations, everyone!" She clapped her hands to draw their attention. "Team 8 performed exceptionally well last month, completing every D-rank mission and earning unanimous praise from our clients. To reward your hard work and help you grow further, I've decided to take you to the Hokage Office today to accept a higher-rank mission!"

Hinata's eyes instantly lit up. Although Shino remained expressionless, his eyes flickered slightly behind his sunglasses. Toru Kujyo looked calm, but a hint of anticipation stirred within him as well. A C-rank mission meant a real challenge was on its way.

The Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind a desk piled high with scrolls, wisps of smoke curling from the pipe in his hand. When Kurenai Yuhi entered the office with Team 8, his kindly gaze settled on the three youngsters.

"Kurenai Yuhi, I've heard about Team 8's performance." Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and smiled. "You three youngsters truly are outstanding. You've completed your D-rank missions quickly and well, and every letter we've received has been full of praise. That's quite rare among newly formed Genin teams."