Uchiha Aozora hesitantly raised his small hand and asked, "Teacher, what about me? I haven't shared my experience yet, and you haven't given any comments either!"
Shibi Aburame placed a few slices of meat on the grill and said, "You're already an excellent ninja. Whether it's seizing battle opportunities or actual combat skills, you're outstanding. Just with your kunai throwing alone, you're qualified to become a chunin."
Hearing the compliment, Uchiha Aozora chuckled happily, "Come on, actually I didn't perform well in the fight just now. It was only because Teacher let me win!"
His words instantly caused an awkward silence in the small private room.
Inuzuka Aya and Hayate Gekko looked at the sizzling meat, suddenly finding it less appetizing.
Inuzuka Aya thought to herself, You consider that poor performance? I almost died without even seeing the teacher's face! You threw a single kunai and blew up the teacher's Kage Bunshin!
Hayate Gekko was thinking, You call that poor performance? I fought the teacher head-on for quite a while before losing, but you destroyed his Kage Bunshin with just one kunai!
Even Shibi Aburame was left momentarily speechless by that comment. After all, his Kage Bunshin had been destroyed twice already. What more do you want?
As a jonin, Shibi Aburame maintained his composure and casually said, "Let's eat before the meat gets overcooked!"
Hayate Gekko and Inuzuka Aya hurriedly picked up some meat and focused on eating heartily.
Because of Uchiha Aozora's remarks, Team Three's first group meal ended up being rather unenthusiastic.
Fortunately, although Shibi Aburame wasn't particularly stylish in dress, his taste was normal enough.
This barbecue restaurant served fresh and generously portioned meat, so the three young ninjas were happily feasting with greasy mouths.
After finishing their meal, Shibi Aburame said, "Next, we'll go to the Hokage Tower (the seat of Konoha's leadership) to register our ninja information and receive our Ninja Licenses!"
The registration process was very simple.
Especially for graduates from the Ninja Academy like Uchiha Aozora, they only needed to submit recent photographs. After six years at the academy, their basic information had long been entered into Konoha's ninja database.
None of them wanted to take artistic portraits, so after finding a decent photography studio and taking their pictures, Team Three headed together to the Hokage Tower.
Upon arriving at the Hokage Tower, Shibi said, "Once you've registered, you're dismissed. Meet me tomorrow morning at eight o'clock on the first floor of the Hokage Tower!"
With that, he went upstairs alone while Uchiha Aozora and the others went to the first floor where new ninjas were registered.
A kind and gentle female clerk working in the administrative office handled all three of their registration procedures quickly.
Uchiha Aozora opened his newly issued Ninja License.
[Ninja License
Name: Uchiha Aozora Gender: Male
Date of Birth: June 12, Konoha Calendar Year 37
Registration Number: 0 Jonin Leader: Shibi Aburame
Personal Description: Skilled in Ninja Tool Throwing and Fire-style Ninjutsu, enjoys studying elaborate techniques, dislikes close-range melee combat.]
There was also a photo attached. In the picture, he wore dark training clothes with sharp eyes that seemed ready to pierce through the photograph itself.
The personal description section was left for the ninja to fill in themselves — standard procedure, but not exactly private.
He knew full well that his ninja information would eventually end up in the wrong hands — and probably quite a few of them.
But he filled out everything completely based on his real situation.
He was definitely skilled in ninja tool throwing and Fire-style Ninjutsu, but honestly hated close-range combat.
In a past life, Uchiha Aozora had once heard a principle: the highest level of lying was telling the complete truth.
Yes, everything he wrote was true.
But he didn't fear information leakage at all. Seeing his ninja license, many would assume his taijutsu was his weakness.
But who said you couldn't be good at something you disliked?
Years of training in [Dao Yin Lian Qi] had brought his physical strength to rival that of members from the Uzumaki and Senju clans.
Plus, his strong will and sharp senses gave him an extra edge in close combat.
Still, he valued his perfect physique highly, so he preferred not to fight without armor unless absolutely necessary.
Compared to hand-to-hand combat, he much preferred manipulating elemental forces. After all, anyone could throw punches, but controlling earth, fire, water, and wind wasn't something ordinary people could do.
Seeing Uchiha Aozora grinning foolishly at his ninja license, Inuzuka Aya felt completely stifled inside.
Was she actually inferior to this arrogant show-off?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She slapped Uchiha Aozora awake and declared, "You just wait—you'll see, I'll surpass you someday!"
Uchiha Aozora turned to Gekko Hayate beside him and asked, "What's her problem? What did I do this time?"
Gekko Hayate quickly shook his head. "I don't know either."
"Alright then—I'm heading home, Hayate! See you tomorrow!"
"Okay, see you tomorrow!"
After exchanging farewells, the two parted in front of the Hokage Tower, each going their separate way.
On the third floor of the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage's official chair, listening to a report from Aburame Shibi.
"Hmm," the Third Hokage nodded, repeating, "Inuzuka Aya has good battle awareness, but insufficient chakra. Recommend future reassignment to reconnaissance and logistics."
Aburame Shibi nodded. "Understood."
"What about Gekko Hayate?" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.
Aburame Shibi paused briefly before replying, "Exceptional talent in swordsmanship, but physically limited. Without illness, he could reach Jonin level."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the desk slightly. He hesitated for a moment, then chose not to recall his disciple Tsunade because of this.
"Now tell me about Uchiha Aozora."
Aburame Shibi clearly sensed the Hokage had grown more serious.
"A genius!"
Shibi gave his evaluation first, then continued, "His skill in throwing ninja tools might already be the best in Konoha. And he also shows great talent in ninjutsu."
"The best?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help echoing.
"Yes!" Shibi affirmed firmly. "During the test, Uchiha Aozora threw kunai twice, and I failed to dodge even once."
Cough!
Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively coughed.
He knew Shibi's strength—landing a hit on him, even with shadow clones, was no small feat.
After taking a sip of water, the Hokage calmed himself.
After all, ninja tool throwing was a basic technique—it wasn't too effective outside Genin or Chunin battles anyway.
Without further thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "What else? For example, his personality, his attitude toward the village."
"Not too familiar," Shibi slightly shook his head, then added after thinking, "Somewhat arrogant, but I saw no hostility toward the village nor contempt for teammates from his actions."
When he heard those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and took a puff from his water pipe.
The smoke drifted upward, forming a hazy veil between the two men.
After a moment, Hiruzen spoke. "Very well, from now on, Team Three will be under your care. I hope you'll look after them well. Don't let any of the three slip through the cracks."
"Especially Uchiha Aozora. With rising tensions between the village and the Uchiha clan, Shisui is a critical figure, and Aozora is his only younger brother…"
Hiruzen stopped there, his sharp eyes locking onto Shibi Aburame.
"I understand!"
Without another word, Shibi Aburame immediately left the Hokage's office.
Watching Shibi walk away, Hiruzen felt a twinge of concern.
Shibi wasn't the ideal choice for a mentor, but Konoha's resources were running dangerously low right now.
More important than finding a warm, approachable teacher was ensuring Uchiha Aozora's safety.
At this moment, maintaining Konoha's stability was the top priority.
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