The slightly crisp morning air, carrying the unique scent of Star City, a mix of cooking smoke and the freshness of distant forests, drifted into Chino's twitching nostrils.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting slanted patches of light on the quilt.
"Mm..." Chino rubbed her eyes sleepily, habitually reaching for the bear-patterned alarm clock on her bedside table.
Her fingertips touched the cold plastic casing. She squinted, bringing it closer to see: "Wah! 7:50!"
The girl shot up from her warm bed as if pricked by a needle, all sleepiness instantly vanishing.
"I'm done for, I'm done for, I'm done for! I'm already late on the first day of team assembly! The Jonin-sensei will kill me!" Chino scrambled frantically to pull on her clothes.
The distinctive deep red clan attire of the Chinoike Clan had been swapped out three months ago for dark-colored casual wear more suited for daily activities, now being tugged into wrinkles.
She charged into the small bathroom like a wind, hastily brushed her teeth, splashed cold water on her face, and didn't even bother to properly comb her damp, wild white short hair before immediately rushing down the narrow wooden stairs.
The scent of slightly burnt toast and the sweet warmth of hot milk filled the living room downstairs.
Her father, Oyashiro En, sat leisurely on a wooden chair by the window, a copy of the [Star Daily] spread open in his hands.
The front page seemed to feature news about the official opening of a border trade route between the Land of Stars and the Land of Swamps.
Sunlight fell on his sharply defined profile, dispelling the lingering gloom that had once clouded his brow back in Hell Valley, leaving behind a sense of peace and contentment.
He wore a pair of narrow-framed, diamond-shaped sunglasses that hid the Ketsuryugan which had once struck fear into countless enemies, leaving only a trace of a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth.
On the table, a slice of toast spread with jam and a cup of steaming hot milk waited quietly for her.
"Chino, slow down!" Her mother's gentle, laughing voice came from the kitchen doorway. She wore a plain apron and held a soup spoon, "You're a Ninja now, how are you still so reckless? Like a little kitten."
"I'm going to be late, Mom!" Chino, like a small beast pouncing on its prey, rushed to the table, grabbed the two perfectly toasted slices of bread, and took a huge bite, her cheeks instantly puffing out.
She mumbled indistinctly, picking up the warm milk glass with her other hand and gulping down several mouthfuls. The liquid soothed her throat, finally calming some of the feverish heat from her frantic run.
"I'm off!" she shouted through a full mouth, snatching up the brand new ninja tool pouch from the low cabinet by the door. Its weighty feel brought her a sense of steadiness and excitement.
The glint of metal tools was faintly visible in the pouch's side pocket.
"Be careful on your way." Oyashiro En finally looked up from his newspaper, adjusted his sunglasses, and watched his daughter's figure bounce out the door like a young deer, his eyes full of affection and a trace of imperceptible emotion.
He smiled at his wife in the kitchen doorway: "Let her go. Children have their own paths to walk. It's good like this now."
He picked up his own cup of hot tea, took a small sip, and enjoyed this hard-won peaceful morning.
Free from the cage of Hell Valley, far from Kumogakure's butchering blades, on this unfamiliar land of Star City, their Chinoike Clan had truly put down roots and welcomed a new life.
…
Chino jogged the whole way. The chilly morning wind stung her face but couldn't blow away the excitement in her heart.
Three months ago, when that earth-shattering explosion lit up Hell Valley and clan blood stained the canyon, she was just a child shielded behind her father, dazed and confused from the extreme shock.
It was that Shura-sama wearing the white fox mask who descended like a deity tearing through the darkness, giving their clan a chance to live.
After migrating to Star City, under the careful nursing of the Star Village's Medical-Nins, her body gradually recovered, allowing her to move about normally.
The gates of the Star Ninja Academy also opened to her and the other Chinoike Clan's children!
Though she had only studied for a mere three months, relying on the Chinoike Clan's excellent talent for Chakra Control and a fierce, unwilling-to-lose drive, she managed to pass the rigorous graduation exam early, becoming a true Star Ninja! (T/N: Changing Hoshinin to Star Ninja.)
The main building of the Star Ninja Academy looked particularly solemn in the morning light.
Chino took a deep breath, calming her rapid breathing from the run, straightened her crooked collar, and gently knocked on the heavy wooden door bearing a plate that read [Principal's Office].
"Come in." A gentle, scholarly voice replied.
Chino pushed the door open.
The room was spacious and bright, with huge bookshelves filled with scrolls and books.
Behind the desk, Yakushi Nono was setting down her pen and looking up.
She wore an elegant, tasteful dark blue nun's habit, a pair of thin-framed glasses perched on her nose. Her gaze behind the lenses was clear and full of wisdom,
her entire being exuding a calm and reliable aura.
As the vice-principal of the Star Ninja Academy, this former [Wandering Miko] was now a respected and admired elder in the eyes of countless children. The nominal principal, Shura, was always elusive, seen only occasionally.
"Principal!" Chino stood straight, her voice clear and crisp, unable to hide her excitement.
"Good morning, Chino-kun." A gentle smile appeared on Nono's face. She stood up and walked around the large desk.
Her movements were graceful and composed. In her hands, she held a dark-colored Ninja's forehead protector.
"Congratulations on graduating early with excellent grades."
Nono walked up to Chino and solemnly presented the forehead protector with both hands.
The cold metal plate touched her palm, carrying a weighty heaviness.
In the center of the headband was a red five-pointed star design.
The symbol of Star Village gleamed with a subdued luster in the light from the window. (T/N: Hoshigakure changed into Star Village.)
"Thank you, Principal!" Chino accepted it with both hands, clutching it tightly, her knuckles turning white. She could clearly hear her own heart pounding.
This was the symbol of identity she had dreamed of!
Nono looked at the burning light shining in the girl's eyes and sighed softly, her tone carrying the concern of an elder: "Actually…"
"As principal, I would prefer a talented child like you to stay in school a few more years, build a solid foundation, and enjoy a carefree period of learning. The path of a Ninja... is far more difficult than the classroom."
She thought of that child, Kabuto, who is also exceptionally talented yet burdened too early with weights that should never have been his.
After their mother-son reunion last time, Kabuto had been specially transferred to the Medical Department for more advanced study and a certain kind of 'special' training.
She only hoped Chino could walk a steadier path.
"Thank you, Principal!" Chino said with a smile. "But I was born into a Ninja Clan. I'll have to experience these things sooner or later. The Chinoike Clan also needs to offer the power of our Ketsuryugan to Shura-sama, to the Land of Stars!"
Chino's smile and eagerness reminded Nono of the children in the Ninja Academy.
Most of them, due to natural disasters or war, had become orphans. They were accustomed to life and death, accustomed to the cruelty of this world, and pursued power more fervently than ninjas from many other villages.
If the Ninja Academy hadn't established strict graduation exams, these students would probably clamor to graduate every year.
Even so, in the nearly two years of Star Ninja Academy's education, only three war orphans had been approved for early graduation because their learning ability and talent were so strong the academy had nothing left to teach them.
One of them was the spy, Kabuto Yakushi.
The others approved for early graduation were children who had awakened Kekkei Genkai, like Kimimaro, Haku, and Yukimi.
Even Yukimi, the weakest in combat, was a Chunin, lacking only more practical experience.
They were all led and instructed by Jonin, performing D-Rank and C-Rank Missions, and gradually exposed to bandit suppression B-Rank Missions under safe conditions.
They did not actively participate in Ninja Combat.
As for Chino, she wanted to advance too much, too eager to awaken her Kekkei Genkai.
Nono looked at the determined little girl before her, sighed, then her eyes filled with affirmation and encouragement: "I respect your choice and effort. Since you are determined to walk this path, then, Oyashiro Chino, on behalf of the Star Ninja Academy, I formally bestow upon you the Star Ninja's forehead protector."
"May you uphold the way of the Star Ninja, protect the peace and tranquility of the Land of Stars, and become an outstanding Ninja!"
"Yes! Principal! I definitely will!" Chino nodded excitedly and vigorously.
She couldn't wait to tie the forehead protector around her head. The cool metal pressed against her skin, giving rise to a strong sense of belonging and mission.
Just then, the office door was knocked on again.
"Come in." Nono responded.
The door opened, and a tall, capable-looking Kunoichi walked in.
She wore the standard Star Village's flak jacket over a black, form-fitting combat suit suitable for movement.
Her deep red hair was tied into a practical ponytail that hung down her back. A Star Ninja's forehead protector was also tied around her forehead.
Her sharp eyes held a touch of gentleness as they scanned the room.
"Natsuhi-san, you're here." Nono said with a smile, introducing her. "This is the new member assigned to your team today, Oyashiro Chino. She just graduated."
Natsuhi's gaze fell on Chino, looking her up and down. It lingered for a moment on the forehead protector and her youthful yet determined face before she nodded slightly, her words brief and to the point: "I'm Natsuhi. Starting today, I am your Jonin Instructor."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a gentle, big-sister-like quality.
"Yes! Natsuhi-sensei! Pleased to meet you!" Chino immediately straightened her back and responded loudly.
She could sense a faint pressure beneath this teacher's gentleness… the aura of someone who had truly experienced life-and-death battles.
"Alright, Chino, go with Natsuhi-sensei," Nono said, giving Chino one last encouraging look.
"Thank you, Principal! I won't let you down!" Chino bowed deeply, then turned to Natsuhi, her eyes full of expectation, "Sensei, shall we go?"
"Nono-sama, we take our leave." Natsuhi gave a slight nod to Nono and then turned to leave.
Chino hurriedly jogged to keep up.
…
Star Village's second training ground was located on the outskirts of the military district. The ground was packed and flattened earth, surrounded by tall trees.
When Natsuhi brought Chino here, two other figures were already waiting in the field.
One was a boy with a tall, straight posture, wearing a Star Village's flak jacket similar to Natsuhi's. He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against a wooden post at the edge of the field, a look of slight impatience on his face.
He had spiky black hair and thick eyebrows. This was Morishita Shunji.
The other was a girl with shoulder-length, light tea-colored hair and delicate features. She wore well-fitting casual clothes under her standard flak jacket, looking very spirited. She was idly kicking small stones on the ground. This was Murakashi Hazuki.
Seeing Natsuhi arrive, they both immediately stood straight: "Natsuhi-sensei!"
Their gazes then fell on Chino, who was following closely behind Natsuhi.
Shunji's thick eyebrows immediately furrowed. He looked the little girl up and down. Seeing she was a head shorter than him and her face still carrying a bit of baby fat, his eyes filled with undisguised doubt and displeasure.
"Tch," He clicked his tongue rudely, looking directly at Natsuhi, "Sensei, is this the newbie replacing Kabuto? You've got to be kidding me? A little pipsqueak?"
He thought of that bespectacled boy, Kabuto, who always smiled gently but was unfathomably deep. Although they hadn't worked together long, the maturity and steadiness Kabuto displayed on missions, far exceeding that of a normal Genin, made him seem very reliable.
Now they were getting this little runt?
Morishita just felt irritated.
Hazuki blinked curiously, her eyes roaming over Chino. When she saw the brand new Star Ninja's forehead protector on her forehead, a friendly smile appeared on her face: "Hello there, new teammate! I'm Murakashi Hazuki."
Chino's cheeks flushed red from Shunji's disdainful look and words. A surge of anger whooshed up inside her.
She took a bold step forward, puffing out her small chest, and glared back at Shunji without backing down, her voice clear and sharp. "Hey! Big guy! Who are you calling a pipsqueak? Don't look down on me! I'm a Ninja of the Chinoike Clan! Don't underestimate Oyashiro Chino!"
"Chinoike?" Shunji was momentarily stunned. The surname was somewhat famous in Star City, after all, it was a clan personally brought back by Shura.
But the disdain on his face didn't completely fade. Instead, with a bit of the arrogance common among clan children, he laughed, "Oh? A young lady from a Ninja Clan? A flower from a greenhouse? Have you ever seen blood? Do you know what a real mission is like?"
He didn't have much fondness for clan children, always feeling they relied on their halo and were prone to holding the team back.
"You!" Chino's face turned red with anger, her fists clenching.
"Enough!" Natsuhi's usually gentle voice instantly froze the tense atmosphere between the two with its chilling tone.
Her stern gaze swept over Shunji and Chino: "Shunji, put away your prejudice. Chino, control your temper. Remember, from today onward, the three of you are a team, comrades who can entrust your backs to each other! Internal conflict is the most foolish behavior!"
Her stern gaze swept over Morishita Shunto and Chino. "Shunto, rein in your prejudice. Chino, control your temper. Remember, from today onward, the three of you are a team, comrades who can entrust your backs to each other! Internal strife is the most foolish behavior!"
Shunji curled his lip and reluctantly turned his head away.
Chino also puffed out her cheeks, glaring angrily at the ground, but didn't say anything more.
Natsuhi then took a scroll from her tool pouch. With a flick of her wrist and a soft snap, the scroll unfurled.
Her gaze swept over the three young Genin, her voice serious and solemn:
"This mission's rank is B-Rank."
"The objective is to clear out a remnant force of bandits entrenched in the snowy forest area around Awa Town."
Shunji and Hazuki's expressions immediately turned grave.
A B-Rank Mission was already quite a challenging level for a Genin Team like theirs.
Chino also sensed the change in atmosphere, temporarily suppressing her displeasure with Shunji, her ears perking up with curiosity and nervousness.
Natsuhi pointed to the crude map on the scroll and began explaining in detail: "This bandit group was initially active in the northern border of the Land of Demons, which is now the northern region of the Land of Stars. Their numbers once reached over three hundred. They burned, killed, plundered, and committed every atrocity imaginable. After the Land of Stars was established, several sweeeping operations were launched against them."
"They are extremely cunning. Whenever faced with a strong encirclement and suppression, they would flee north into the Land of Snow to hide. After several operations, their main force has been wiped out, but around ten core members remain at large. Intelligence indicates they have recently infiltrated back into the snowy forest area near Awa Town, harassing passing merchant caravans and logging camps."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the three of them: "Don't let your guard down just because there are less than ten of them left! These are the most ferocious and cunning backbone of the bandit group… experienced, ruthless, and vicious. According to reliable intelligence, at least three of them possess a certain level of Chakra."
"Their combat skills and experience are comparable to regular Genin. Moreover, they are familiar with every inch of that complex, cold, snowy terrain and are adept at using the environment for ambushes and guerrilla warfare. This mission is a severe test of your team's coordinated combat ability and practical experience!"
"Understood, sensei!" Hazuki nodded seriously, her hand unconsciously resting on the tool pouch at her waist.
Although Shunji still had a stern expression, a fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. The previous disdain was somewhat diluted by the pressure of the mission, "Hmph, good timing to stretch my limbs."
Chino nodded vigorously, her small face full of eagerness, her voice clear: "Leave it to us, Natsuhi-sensei!"
She seemed to have completely forgotten the earlier unpleasantness, only wanting to prove herself.
"Move out!" Natsuhi put away the scroll, turned around cleanly, and took the lead, walking towards the road leading north out of the village.
Shunji and Hazuki immediately followed.
Chino took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and jogged after them.
The brand new forehead protector swayed gently on her forehead as she ran.
Just as the team of four were leaving the edge of the training ground, a figure wearing the deep blue Uchiha Clan's attire happened to walk past from another small path,
brushing shoulders with them.
It was Shisui.
The Konoha's forehead protector tied around his head seemed somewhat out of place within the bounds of Star City.
Natsuhi's eyes met his, then they nodded at each other politely without further words.
Shisui's gaze swept over the three young Genin behind Natsuhi, especially the white-haired girl who still looked a bit pouty and the clearly disgruntled spiky-haired boy.
Watching them follow their sensei towards their mission, a faint, pure sense of envy involuntarily surfaced in Shisui's gentle black eyes.
The peace here was real.
Between the Ninja Clans and the village, there was none of the invisible, suffocating wall of suspicion found in Konoha.
'The Chinoike Clan, the Kaguya Clan, the Yuki Clan, the Iburi Clan... these clans, either extinct or seen as freaks in the outside world, lived here peacefully. Their children could study together, form teams, carry out missions, and strive for the same goal.'
'There was no lingering clan hatred from the Warring States Period, no deep-rooted estrangement, no ever-present chain of suspicion hanging overhead.'
'If only the Uchiha Clan in Konoha could be like this...'
A bitter ripple stirred in Shisui's heart.
His time living in Star City had been so peaceful he had almost forgotten the unease he felt when first 'kidnapped' and his mission to gather intelligence. He had even begun to indulge in this rare tranquility.