Chapter 87: Team Nine

'Yuto Hyuga, the Lone Lion of the Hyuga clan, is the most outstanding genius of the Hyuga family, a disciple of one of the Three Sannin, Lady Tsunade, and also my... sensei.'

Shisui Uchiha sheathed his shinobi blade, his eyes slowly returning to their black color.

"Yuto-Sensei." His tone was very respectful. The great clans had specialized people responsible for teaching etiquette. Although the Uchiha clan always had a high opinion of themselves, they often understood the rules better than shinobi from civilian backgrounds.

Knowing how to face teachers and elders was a compulsory course for Uchiha boys and girls.

Shisui thought for a while and then bowed his head, saying, "I'm sorry, sensei. I don't understand what you mean."

Yuto looked at the boy's pure black eyes and laughed lightly. "Why did you share the bell with your teammates? If they pass and you are eliminated... many years later, when you look back at everything that happened today, will you truly feel happy from the bottom of your heart?"

"Have you really thought through what you gain and what you might lose?"

"Shisui, is the future where you are killed truly the best future?"

"You are a genius, but in this era, geniuses die in unknown corners every day."

"Being eliminated and then sent to the battlefield, you have a high chance of dying."

"Because of your 'sacrifice,' the strong die young, and the weak survive... Shisui, in the moment you handed over the bell, did you see such a future in your eyes?"

"Now, I ask you, which future does the village need?"

The handsome Uchiha boy was stunned, lowering his head, carefully pondering Yuto's words.

"Sometimes, sacrifices are meaningless." Yuto's Byakugan reflected Shisui's face. "You are a very talented boy. The Body Flicker Technique you used just now was really fast, far beyond the scope of a genin. But an excellent shinobi is one who can make the right decision in an instant, even if that decision is not understood by others."

"You and I," Yuto said, pointing to his own eyes with a smile, "both have special eyes. What we can see should not be limited to the present."

Shisui's eyes widened.

Not to limit oneself to the shackles of being a mere 'tool,' but to think about the future from a grander perspective.

This was a way of thinking different from ordinary shinobi, focusing on the interests of everyone, deeply contemplating the 'rightness' of one's actions.

Shisui couldn't help but look up, gazing at his kind and gentle sensei.

A feeling named "admiration" spread in the boy's heart.

The name Lone Lion had become well-known in the village over the past few months. Naturally, Shisui knew his sensei's deeds.

In his heart, Yuto was an extremely outstanding shinobi.

As a Jonin of Konoha, he could make a name for himself on the battlefield, inflicting wounds on enemies. As a member of the Hyuga branch family, he also faithfully fulfilled his duties.

A shinobi who does his actions for the family and the village is an exceptional person in Shisui's eyes.

At just six years old, Shisui had already noticed the discord between the village and his clan. Although both sides tacitly avoided conflict during the war, through the clan's gossip, Shisui knew that an irreparable rift lay between the village and the Uchiha clan.

His sensei was both an excellent Jonin of the village and a loyal member of the Hyuga family. It was truly remarkable.

The Uchiha boy felt that what he could learn from his sensei in the future would not be limited to just ninjutsu and taijutsu.

Yuto did not favor anyone, turning to Muta Aburame, saying, "You did well. A few months ago, I performed a mission with Shibi-senpai, and the Aburame clan's secret techniques opened my eyes... Shibi-senpai is your...?"

"He is my cousin." Muta hid his mouth in the high collar of his windbreaker, maintaining his mysterious demeanor. "Yuto-Sensei, compared to my cousin, I am still very immature."

"You are too modest, Muta." Yuto nodded with his Byakugan. "In the vision of my Byakugan, I saw a body with great potential for controlling insects. You are excellent, not only in terms of combat power but also because, in your rage, you realized your opponent was a fellow villager and did not use your most lethal insects... Shibi-senpai is the same. His calm thinking and self-control are impressive."

Finally, Yuto jumped down from the treetop, walked in front of the white-haired girl, and stroked his chin, saying, "Ruri... long time no see. In the Senju clan's land, I was busy training and had no time to manage you... the use of your Shikotsumyaku is already very skilled... why were you running with both bells?"

Shisui and Muta looked at the two in surprise, realizing they had known each other for a long time.

Moreover... Shikotsumyaku? Wasn't that the unique kekkei genkai of the Kaguya clan of Kirigakure?

In front of outsiders, Ruri's acting was excellent. She smiled coldly and calmly said, "I wanted to try the parasitic insects and the Sharingan. I've always heard about them in the village but never experienced them firsthand. I felt it was a pity."

That explanation fit her persona... Yuto laughed inwardly but frowned outwardly, saying, "Don't let the power of your kekkei genkai influence you. The Kaguya are warlike, but the Mochizuki might have a different future."

"Yes, sensei."

"By the way, Ruri, what do you think of the insect-controlling secret technique and the Sharingan?"

"The former is very troublesome, and the latter..." The white-haired girl paused and then said a sentence only Yuto fully understood. "They are indeed a pair of incredibly beautiful eyes."

Yuto chuckled, gently tapping the foreheads of the three kids, and said warmly, "You three all pass."

"You are all excellent children. The insect-controlling secret technique, Shikotsumyaku, and the Sharingan are either hereditary techniques or unique kekkei genkai. Even if you went to the battlefield now, I believe you could survive and gain fame not less than mine."

"However, since the village has decided to form our team, it means Lord Hokage highly values you and wants to let three flowers grow a bit more before facing the storm."

"I can't interfere with your family secret techniques and kekkei genkai, but I also possess the Byakugan and have slightly deviated from the clan's traditional system. In developing these techniques, I have come up with my own little tricks."

"I will take you on missions and try to study new things during this process."

Two boys and one girl stood side by side, looking up at the young shinobi.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting warmth and light on the four, linking them like chains.

Like the cool night breeze when the Divine Tree descended on the earth a thousand years ago, or the clear, trickling river where Hashirama and Madara met seventy years ago.

At the beginning of the story, everything is so beautiful.

"I am your sensei and your superior... so I promise you, I will never abandon you. Just like today when grabbing the bells, a four-person team cannot lack even one person. I announce..."

Yuto paused and then continued, "Team Nine is officially formed today."

(End of Chapter)