Uchiha Aozora hurriedly raised his hand timidly and asked,"Sensei, what about me? I haven't shared my thoughts yet, and you haven't commented on my performance either."
Aburame Shiho picked up a few slices of meat and placed them on the grill before replying,"You're already an outstanding ninja. Whether it's seizing the right moment or your actual combat ability, you performed exceptionally well. Based on your kunai throwing skills alone, you already qualify to be a chunin."
Hearing the praise, Aozora laughed sheepishly."Not really… my performance wasn't that great. Sensei was clearly holding back against me."
The moment those words left his mouth, the private room fell into an awkward silence.
Inuzuka Aya and Moonlight Gale stared at the sizzling meat, suddenly feeling that it didn't look quite as appetizing anymore.
Aya thought bitterly, That counts as 'not performing well'? I nearly died without even seeing Sensei's face clearly!You blew up his shadow clone with a single kunai!
Gale was thinking the same thing. That's considered bad performance? I traded blows with Sensei and still lost—he destroyed a shadow clone with one throw!
Even Shiho was momentarily speechless. His shadow clone had been blown apart twice already—what more did this kid want?
After all, Shiho was a jonin with strong mental resilience. He recovered first and said calmly, as if nothing had happened,"Eat up. The meat's about to overcook."
Hearing this, Gale and Aya quickly grabbed their chopsticks and buried themselves in eating.
Thanks to Aozora's single sentence, Team Three's first meal together wasn't particularly lively.
Fortunately, although Shiho's fashion sense was questionable, his taste in food was perfectly normal.
The barbecue restaurant used fresh ingredients and generous portions, and before long, all three youngsters were eating until their mouths were shiny with grease.
After the meal, Shiho said,"Next, we'll head to the Hokage Tower to register your ninja information and collect your ninja identification."
The registration process was very simple.
For academy graduates like Aozora and the others, they only needed to submit a recent photograph. After six years at the Ninja Academy, all their basic information had long been recorded in Konoha's database.
None of them cared for artistic photos. After stopping by a decent photo studio to get pictures taken, Team Three headed together to the Hokage Tower.
Upon arrival, Shiho said,"Once you're done registering, you're dismissed. Meet here again tomorrow morning at eight."
With that, he went upstairs alone, while Aozora and the other two went to the first floor, where new ninja registrations were handled.
The administrative clerk was gentle and efficient, quickly completing the paperwork for all three.
Aozora opened his ninja identification card.
Ninja IdentificationName: Uchiha AozoraGender: MaleDate of Birth: June 12, Konoha Year 37Registration Number: 011672Assigned Jonin: Aburame ShihoPersonal Profile: Skilled in ninja tool throwing and fire-style ninjutsu. Enjoys researching flashy techniques. Dislikes close-quarters combat.
A photograph was attached as well. In it, Aozora wore dark combat attire, his gaze sharp and intense, as if sword light might pierce straight through the image.
The personal profile was written by the ninja themselves.
Aozora knew very well that ninja information would inevitably leak—and to many people.
But he had filled everything in truthfully.
He truly was skilled in ninja tools and fire-style techniques, and he genuinely disliked close-quarters combat.
In his previous life, Aozora had heard a saying: The highest form of lying is telling nothing but the truth.
Yes—everything he wrote was true.
Yet he wasn't afraid of information leakage. Anyone who saw his ninja ID would likely assume taijutsu was his weakness.
But who said disliking something meant being bad at it?
After years of practicing "Guided Qi Cultivation," his physical condition now rivaled that of Uzumaki or Senju clansmen.
His mental strength and sharpened senses made close combat even more dangerous for his opponents.
It was just that he cherished his good looks and preferred not to get his hands dirty unless absolutely necessary.
Compared to fist-to-fist brawling, he simply enjoyed wielding the elements more. After all, anyone could throw punches—but mastering fire, earth, water, and wind was something only ninjas could do.
Watching Aozora grin foolishly at his ninja ID, Aya felt her heart clog up with frustration.
Am I really inferior to this narcissist?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She slapped Aozora awake and declared,"Just you wait—I'll surpass you one day!"
Aozora turned to Gale beside him and asked,"What's wrong with her? How did I offend her this time?"
Gale shook his head hurriedly."I have no idea."
"Well then—Gale, I'm heading home. See you tomorrow!"
"Alright. See you tomorrow!"
After saying goodbye, the two parted ways in front of the Hokage Tower and returned to their homes.
On the third floor of the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage's seat, listening to Shiho's report.
"Mm," the Third Hokage nodded, repeating,"Inuzuka Aya has good combat instincts, but her chakra reserves are insufficient. It would be best to guide her toward reconnaissance or logistics in the future."
Shiho nodded."Yes."
"And Moonlight Gale?" Hiruzen asked.
Shiho thought for a moment before replying,"His swordsmanship talent is outstanding, but his body limits him. If not for illness, he has the potential to reach jonin."
Hiruzen tapped his desk lightly, considering it for a moment, but ultimately decided not to summon his former student, Tsunade.
"Now tell me about Uchiha Aozora."
Shiho could clearly sense that the Third Hokage had grown much more serious.
"Genius," Shiho said without hesitation."His ninja tool throwing may already be the best in Konoha. His talent in ninjutsu is also remarkable."
"The best?" Hiruzen repeated instinctively.
"Yes," Shiho affirmed. "During the assessment, he threw kunai twice. I failed to evade either time."
Cough!
Hiruzen couldn't help coughing.
He knew Shiho's strength well. Even a shadow clone of his wasn't something an ordinary ninja could defeat.
After taking a sip of water, Hiruzen calmed himself.
Ninja tool throwing is still a lesser path, he thought. It's only truly effective among genin and chunin.
Not dwelling on it further, he asked,"And what about his personality? His attitude toward the village?"
"I don't know him well yet," Shiho replied, shaking his head slightly. "He's somewhat proud, but I haven't seen hostility toward the village or disdain for his teammates."
Hearing this, Hiruzen leaned back and lit his pipe.
Smoke curled upward, forming a hazy wall between the two men.
After a while, Hiruzen spoke again."Very well. Team Three is now your responsibility. Take good care of them. You must be attentive—none of the three can be neglected."
"Especially Uchiha Aozora. The village's relationship with the Uchiha clan is tense right now. Shisui is a key figure, and Aozora is his only younger brother…"
At that point, Hiruzen stopped speaking and fixed Shiho with a sharp gaze.
"Understood," Shiho replied.
With that, he turned and left the Hokage's office.
Watching Shiho's retreating figure, Hiruzen felt a trace of concern.
Shiho wasn't an ideal mentor—but Konoha was severely understaffed.
More important than assigning a gentle teacher was ensuring Uchiha Aozora's safety.
Right now, the stability of Konoha outweighed everything else.