It was evening.
The students of the Ninja Academy all walked joyfully out of school.
Most people were satisfied with their team assignments today.
Except for Shino Aburame.
Of course, he hadn't actually been forgotten.
It was just that, after careful consideration, they had decided to assign him to Anbu.
When he heard the news, Shino felt as though his entire world had collapsed.
His presence was already frustratingly easy to overlook, and now they were sending him to Anbu.
Would Konoha even remember he existed anymore?
————
Hinata Hyuga returned home and found Hiashi Hyuga and Hanabi Hyuga waiting at the door.
As she approached, both hurried over immediately.
Hiashi spoke first. "Hinata, I heard you've been accepted as Mirai's disciple. Is that true?"
Seeing her usually composed father show such excitement, Hinata herself became emotional.
Smiling, she replied, "Yes, Father, it's true."
"Excellent!"
A relieved smile spread across Hiashi's face.
The ninja world changes with each passing day. If they remained stagnant like before, they could easily fall behind.
For years, Hiashi had worked tirelessly to uphold the Hyuga Clan's prestigious standing among the great ninja clans.
But now, his daughter becoming Mirai's apprentice changed everything completely.
Even if he chose to retire completely, the Hyuga Clan would surely continue to thrive.
Seeing Hiashi's and Hinata's happy expressions, Hanabi couldn't help but ask, "Father, is it really that important for Onee-chan to become Mirai's disciple?"
Upon hearing this, Hiashi gently patted Hanabi's head and softly said, "Hanabi, when you grow up, you'll understand."
Hanabi nodded. "Okay! Sister, when I grow up, you have to introduce me to Mirai. I want to see what kind of person Mirai truly is."
Hearing Hanabi's request, Hinata agreed with a nod. "Hanabi, then you must work hard cultivating yourself."
Hanabi sweetly smiled. "I know, sister."
As the three talked, Neji appeared from around the corner looking extremely disheveled.
Seeing his dirty appearance, Hiashi, Hinata, and Hanabi couldn't help but feel surprised.
Neji always cared greatly about personal cleanliness—how did he end up in such a state?
Feeling their stares, Neji gave a strained look as he gazed at Hiashi and asked, "Clan Leader-sama, do we absolutely have to follow the orders from our Supervising Jōnin?"
Hiashi Hyūga frowned. "In most cases, team members should follow the orders of the supervising jonin."
"What's going on?"
Neji Hyuga pulled out a green spandex suit and said helplessly, "But I really don't want to wear something like this..."
Seeing the iconic outfit, Hiashi immediately understood.
He couldn't help but smile and said, "Neji, you really should discuss this matter directly with your supervising jonin."
"However, don't worry. No matter what decision you ultimately make, the clan won't interfere."
After hearing Hiashi's response, Neji felt somewhat disappointed.
He had originally expected Hiashi to firmly forbid him from wearing such attire to uphold the dignity of the Hyuga Clan.
Thinking about that eccentric Might Guy who wore his ridiculous outfit so proudly, Neji couldn't help muttering to himself.
Was someone like that really capable?
It was so enviable that Hinata got to become Mirai's disciple too. He wished he could train under Mirai as well.
---
The next day.
Before sunrise, Inoichi Yamanaka was awakened by clinking sounds.
He nudged his sleeping wife, Ino Yamanaka, and asked curiously, "Is that Ino?"
"What is she doing so early?"
Ino turned over, "Not sure. It seems to be coming from the kitchen, maybe she's preparing breakfast?"
"Is that right?"
Upon hearing this, Inoichi's face lit up with surprise.
Could it be? Had his daughter really matured and wanted to prepare a surprise for her graduation day?
Thinking about this, Inoichi's face wrinkled into a big smile as he lay back down on the bed.
Since his daughter was being so thoughtful, he'd pretend not to know anything.
He wasn't the kind of old stick-in-the-mud who would spoil other people's carefully prepared surprises.
Seeing Inoichi's expression, Ino couldn't help feeling somewhat puzzled.
Why did this guy suddenly seem so happy?
When the alarm clock finally rang, Inoichi got dressed at an unusually quick pace.
Arriving at the living room, he indeed found Ino Yamanaka busily working in the kitchen.
Smelling the delicious aroma, Inoichi couldn't help clearing his throat, "Ino, what are you doing?"
Without looking up, Ino replied, "Cooking."
Just as I thought!
Inoichi walked to the door, picked up the newspaper, and started reading contentedly.
After a while longer, Ino, with a piece of toast hanging from her mouth, packed the prepared lunch into her bag.
"No time anymore, I'm leaving first."
Inoichi Yamanaka looked up in surprise and asked, "Ino, is that your lunchbox..."
"Oh, this is for my supervising Jonin," Ino replied with a smile. "I won't be coming back home for lunch today."
Watching her dash out the door energetically, Inoichi's smile immediately froze.
So all this time he'd been looking forward to it, but the lunch wasn't even prepared for him?!
In an instant, Inoichi felt his heart twitch painfully.
His little cotton jacket had started letting the cold wind in!
Seeing Inoichi's expression, Ino Yamanaka couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle softly.
"So what? It's just a lunchbox. Don't make such a face about it!"
"Hmph!" Inoichi snorted. "You wouldn't understand."
"By the way, I came back late last night. Haven't asked you yet..."
"Who exactly is our daughter's supervising Jonin?"
Ino Yamanaka raised an eyebrow. "What? You planning to pick a fight with him?"
"Hmph!" Inoichi muttered, "If it were a female Jonin, fine, but I absolutely won't allow my daughter cooking for some other man!"
He had always treated their only daughter like the pearl of his eye.
And now she's waking up early just to cook for another man—that's practically heartbreak!
No way, he definitely needed to go have a 'talk' with that guy.
Seeing Inoichi getting worked up, Ino Yamanaka chuckled, "Her supervising Jonin is Mirai Uchiha. Go ahead if you dare."
"Mirai Uchiha?!"
Inoichi froze on the spot.
He knew very well how his daughter Ino Yamanaka had performed academically. How could she possibly become a disciple of Mirai Uchiha?
Thinking about it, Inoichi asked, "Are you sure you got this right?"
"Absolutely not wrong." Ino Yamanaka tied on her apron and walked toward the kitchen. "Well then, are you still gonna go pick a fight with him?"
Inoichi fell silent.
Go against Mirai Uchiha?
Forget about it! He still wanted to live a few more years.
But...
Now that Ino had become Mirai Uchiha's disciple, didn't that mean the Yamanaka clan might finally have a chance to rise in power?
At the very least, the Yamanaka clan's position within Hidden Leaf Village would never again be easily shaken by others!
Thinking this, Inoichi's mood suddenly brightened again.
Making lunchboxes was great.
After all, being a supervising Jonin must be exhausting. Of course she should prepare a lunch for him.
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