The First Fetal Movement

Since it was still early.

After enjoying the feast Red Yuhi had treated them to, Eighth Squad did not disband on the spot. Instead, they headed to the Hokage Building to officially begin carrying out missions.

Eighth Squad's first mission was naturally a D-Rank Mission.

At first, Hinata and Shino Aburame had been quite interested in the mission.

However, when they saw Red Yuhi lead them to a foul-smelling ditch and tell them to figure out a way to clear the trash floating on its surface, they instantly lost interest.

This mission posed no difficulty at all for Hinata and Izayoi-kun, both of whom could walk on water.

The same went for Shino Aburame.

He had already learned Tree Climbing and Water Surface Walking back in his third year.

These techniques, which the Ninja Academy did not teach, were basic skills that every major Ninja Clan required its children to master.

Even if Izayoi-kun had not taught Hinata Tree Climbing and Water Surface Walking, once her Pressure Point Strike reached a certain level, Hyuga Hiashi would have taught her the same.

After all, this was Chakra Control that required multitasking.

Mastering Chakra Control at this stage would not only greatly increase the power of the Pressure Point Strike, but also make learning the Gentle Fist much easier.

Red Yuhi was slightly surprised to see that all three of them had already mastered Chakra Control that the Ninja Academy did not teach.

But when she considered Hinata and Shino Aburame's backgrounds, Izayoi-kun's strength, and his relationship with Hinata, she understood.

Such techniques truly meant nothing to them.

Before long, Red Yuhi found herself troubled again.

She had originally planned to use this mission as an opportunity to teach Izayoi-kun and the others more advanced Chakra Control.

Now that they already knew it, what was she supposed to teach them next?

Izayoi-kun did not know what Red Yuhi was thinking, much less what was troubling her.

Otherwise, he would certainly have been filled with goodwill toward her.

Though they called them teachers, Guidance Jonin were not instructors in the usual sense.

Beyond the teacher-student relationship, Guidance Jonin and Genin also had the relationship of superior and subordinate.

A Guidance Jonin's job was merely to guide newly graduated Genin in how to carry out missions and become qualified Genin.

If they took a liking to a subordinate, they could deepen that teacher-student relationship and pass on their own skills.

If they did not like them, then once someone on the team was promoted to Chunin team leader, the Guidance Jonin would wash their hands of them. Unless the village assigned them an advanced mission, they would not gather again.

Thus, Guidance Jonin did not necessarily have to teach their subordinates ninjutsu.

Nor could Genin only learn ninjutsu from their Guidance Jonin. They could also earn merit by grinding missions, then exchange it with the village.

Of course, the Five Elements Release techniques Genin could exchange for were all fairly low-level things that had long since become widespread throughout the Ninja World.

Only advanced ninja who had mastered Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation could exchange for more advanced ninjutsu.

They had only known each other for two days, yet Red Yuhi was already thinking of teaching Izayoi-kun and the others her skills.

That was truly a remarkably dedicated teacher.

If Seventh Squad saw this, they would definitely be reduced to tears.

After all, they even needed tools to clear trash, while Kakashi Hatake, who lay atop a tree reading an adult book, could not even be bothered to teach them Tree Climbing and Water Surface Walking.

After completing their first mission, collecting and splitting the reward, Eighth Squad disbanded in front of the Hokage Building.

"Hinata, let's have something good today."

"Mm!"

With their first paycheck in hand, Izayoi-kun and Hinata went to the market to buy ingredients, intending to treat themselves to a good meal.

However, when they returned to Izayoi-kun's home carrying their bags, planning to prepare most of the meal before going to get Hanabi—

"Hiss..."

As Izayoi-kun was changing his shoes in the entryway, his brows suddenly furrowed tightly, and he drew a sharp breath.

The bags in his hands fell to the floor as well.

"Izayoi-kun, what's wrong?" Hinata immediately asked worriedly.

"Hinata, my Kekkei Genkai... is about to awaken!"

Izayoi-kun covered his eyes and leaned against the wall. He looked somewhat pained, but his lips had curled into a grin, and his voice was full of excitement.

Hearing that, Hinata, who had moved to support him, opened her rosy lips wide in shock and delight. "Really? Izayoi-kun, you... you have a Kekkei Genkai too?"

"Mm. It's a secret that only you know."

Izayoi-kun raised a hand and placed it on Hinata's shoulder, smiling. "Hinata, help me upstairs. There's something I need your help with."

"Yes."

Hinata immediately nodded with a serious expression. She no longer cared about the ingredients and supported Izayoi-kun upstairs.

Lying down on the bed after entering the room, Izayoi-kun closed his eyes and said, "Hinata, go get a roll of bandages first."

"Okay."

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Hinata left the room, brought back a first-aid kit, took out a roll of bandages, and placed it in Izayoi-kun's hand.

Izayoi-kun wrapped the bandages around his eyes, then said, "Open the drawer by my bed and take out an eye mask for me."

"Yes."

Hinata nodded again, pulled open the drawer, took out a black eye mask, and put it into Izayoi-kun's hand.

After putting on the eye mask, Izayoi-kun formed a hand seal. His astonishing senses instantly spread across the entirety of Hidden Leaf Village's Central Street.

A few seconds later, Izayoi-kun lowered his hands and solemnly instructed, "Hinata, remember not to reveal that my Kekkei Genkai awakened across generations. You can't tell even Hanabi right now."

"I understand, Izayoi-kun." Hinata nodded with a serious expression.

Even without Izayoi-kun's reminder, she would not have told anyone.

After all, Izayoi-kun was merely a commoner without a surname and was now all alone. If it became known that he possessed a Kekkei Genkai, it would likely draw the attention of many people.

If this Kekkei Genkai belonged to the Land of Fire, and the Ninja Clan still existed, then he could return to his ancestral clan.

But if it was a Kekkei Genkai from another country, that would mean Izayoi-kun's ancestors had moved to the Land of Fire from elsewhere. Even if they had settled in the Land of Fire before Hidden Leaf Village was established, and there was nothing wrong with his background, Izayoi-kun would not gain the village's trust. His future would basically be over.

There would be no future for her and Izayoi-kun, either.

Therefore, this secret could not be revealed to anyone, including the still-young Hanabi.

"I have a feeling that my Kekkei Genkai will need several days to fully awaken."

Izayoi-kun continued, "If Eighth Squad gets a mission during this time, have a Shadow Clone transform into me and go in my place. Remember, before going, it must come here and put on my clothes, or Shino will spot the flaw. Also, have the Shadow Clone tell them that it's my Shadow Clone, and that I've been refining a ninjutsu I developed."

"Yes."

"During this time, find an excuse to keep Hanabi from coming here."

"All right."

"I won't be able to see for the next few days, so I'll have to trouble you to bring me meals. But I might hide using the Invisibility Technique. If you find that I'm not here, you can call out to me. Just remember not to activate your Byakugan."

"I understand."

Hinata committed everything to memory.

"Then I'll be relying on you for the next few days, Hinata." Izayoi-kun smiled.

"Mhm..."

Hinata nodded repeatedly, her little face flushed with excitement.

Ever since she was little, Izayoi-kun had always taken care of her. Now, it was finally her turn to take care of him.

Hinata suddenly found herself full of anticipation for the days ahead.

She even wanted to go home and prepare a daily routine.