Mito looked at the three girls, her eyes filled with a gentle smile.
These children… they were the future of Konoha.
No—among them might be the one who would truly carry that future.
"So," Mito began softly, "now that you've all become my disciples, what is it you wish to learn?"
She added with a teasing smile, "Let me say this first—I'm not great at fighting."
Of course, that wasn't entirely true. Mito might not be known for her combat prowess, but if she pressed her shadow, she could hit hard enough to flatten anyone.
Hearing that, Hitomi looked a little disappointed. She had been hoping to go home and practice her sword techniques.
"Sealing techniques, barriers, and medical ninjutsu," Maki answered immediately.
"Oh?" Mito raised a brow, curious. "Why those?"
"Because I want to turn my bugs into true summoning beasts," Maki said plainly. "The insect pot doesn't hold nearly enough."
Mito blinked. That was the reason?
To be fair, the insect pot already allowed for massive swarms, and the Aburame clan's secret techniques could even breed more bugs in a short time…
But still, this child…
"I see," Mito nodded. "Summoning contracts do fall under sealing techniques, even though the jutsu itself is space-time ninjutsu. And what about medical ninjutsu?"
"It's essential for creating new types of bugs," Maki replied without hesitation.
So it's really about mastering Yang Release…
Mito reflected. Tsunade's medical ninjutsu hadn't come from nowhere. Konoha's hospital had many skilled medics, but their abilities were mostly limited to physical trauma. When it came to internal diseases or complex injuries, they fell short.
Medical ninjutsu couldn't be created out of thin air. It was the result of centuries of accumulated experience and experimentation.
Tsunade's techniques must have come from either the Uzumaki clan or the Senju clan—or both. Combined with her monstrous strength, it was likely a legacy from the Senju.
"And the barrier techniques?" Mito asked.
"Don't you know how to use them?" Maki replied bluntly.
Mito chuckled. "Of course I do."
She had, after all, overseen the design and activation of Konoha's barrier system.
"I just don't hear many kids ask for it—it's not something usually associated with combat."
"The Four Red Yang Formation would disagree," Maki said plainly.
"I want to build an enclosed lab," she continued, "to prevent my bugs from escaping and disrupting the natural ecosystem."
In truth, her insect swarms were always under perfect control. But a sealed lab would minimize external interference and allow her to build a controlled habitat—an ideal test environment.
Mito looked at her for a moment, thoughtful.
This girl really loves her insects.
But more than that—she was kind. She cared about the environment, the balance of nature.
A rare trait in a shinobi.
"I see." Mito smiled softly.
Then she turned to Naori and Hitomi.
"What about you two? Have you decided what you'd like to learn?"
"Sealing techniques," said Naori after some thought. It sounded interesting.
"Medical ninjutsu," Hitomi added. She had thought hard about it—if she got hurt while training, she'd be able to treat herself.
"Alright." Mito nodded. "That's the extent of what I can teach you in terms of ninjutsu. I'll give you everything I have—but it won't be easy, so be prepared."
"I'm not afraid!" Hitomi said brightly, eyes full of determination.
Naori tilted her head, wondering just how difficult it would be. She had already practiced a few basic sealing techniques—like the ones she used to store her twin swords.
It couldn't be that bad… right?
Maki looked up at Mito, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Can we start now?"
She had been thinking about it for a long time—eager, restless, and more than ready.
Mito chuckled softly. "No rush. There are a few things we need to settle first."
She folded her arms and looked at them seriously. "With your skills, you're already more than qualified to graduate from the Ninja Academy. As your instructor, I recognize you as both my disciples and my subordinates."
"In other words… I acknowledge you as genin of Konoha. From today onward, you can call yourselves official shinobi."
The girls' expressions lit up.
"But," Mito added, raising a hand, "becoming a ninja comes with responsibility. You'll need to contribute to the village and take on missions. That said, as your teacher, I can't leave the village easily. So under normal rules, you wouldn't be able to accept any missions."
"No missions for life?!" Hitomi burst out, horrified.
Mito smiled at her reaction. "Not quite. There are ways around it. One, you could be temporarily assigned to other teams for missions. Two, you could stay in school a little longer, build up knowledge and experience, and take on tasks when the time is right."
"So no early graduation..." Mito glanced at Maki.
She was mostly worried about this proud little one having... ideas. After all, Tsunade would almost certainly graduate early. The academy had nothing left to teach her, and Tsunade's impatient nature meant she'd never pass up the chance.
"But there's a silver lining," Mito continued. "You won't have to waste time on dull chores and low-level assignments. Instead, you can focus entirely on your studies and improve yourselves even more."
As for Tsunade, Mito was certain the Third Hokage wouldn't send her on missions so soon. As his personal disciple, she'd likely train under him for several years before venturing out. Mito herself wouldn't allow Tsunade to leave the village before she was at least eleven or twelve. That was non-negotiable.
Still, missions were part of shinobi life. Even Tsunade would have to deal with the basics—finding lost cats, cleaning sewers, helping with harvests.
A bit of suffering would be good for her. Builds character.
"So—what do you want to do?" Mito asked, letting them decide.
"No graduation," Maki said instantly.
Going on missions right now? It'd just be tracking lost pets or babysitting. Total waste of time. She'd rather nap in class.
Especially since Ogawa-sensei's lectures were the perfect lullaby. She always slept like a rock in school and woke up refreshed afterward.
"Same," Naori nodded.
"I... I was going to say I wanted to graduate..." Hitomi began, then glanced at the other two. Was this a setup? Was she being cornered?
Mito smiled gently. "Hitomi? What's your choice?"
After a long pause, Hitomi sighed. "I'm... not interested in graduating."
How could she compete with those two? They weren't normal—they were monsters.
"Then it's settled!" Mito clapped her hands, beaming. "From today, the Second Squad is officially formed."
They had graduated—but not officially. No registration, no ninja ID numbers.
Maki clapped her hands half-heartedly. "Yay. Congratulations to us."
Seeing this, Naori followed suit.
Hitomi, a beat late, also clapped her hands.
If she didn't join in, it would look weird—antisocial, even. And that's how people like Renji ended up getting bullied. She didn't want to end up like that.
Imagining Maki holding her down while Naori stuffed bugs into her mouth… terrifying.
Then she froze.
Wait… who's First Squad, then?
Oh. Of course. Tsunade's team.
Fifteen years since Konoha's founding, and this year's graduates hadn't even taken their final exams yet. Yet First Squad and Second Squad had already formed—both averaging six years of age.
They were currently the two most monstrous genin teams in Konoha.
Though... there was one oddball.
That husky among the wolves—Jiraiya.
At a training field deep in the Konoha forest, Jiraiya was currently tied to a wooden post, wearing a confused, dazed expression.
First Squad had just completed their bell test.
Jiraiya hadn't gotten the bell.
But he was lucky—somehow, still part of the team.
The Third Hokage rubbed his temples and sighed.
This kid… was hopeless.
He was beginning to have second thoughts.
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