CHAPTER 14

c14 - The Dance King Who Can't Wait to Dance

Sure enough, the time had come.

Students from the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades had already graduated early to reinforce Konoha's forces on the battlefield. Now, it was their turn.

Yoshino Masada stood before the class, his face unreadable. "As of today, the third years will also be graduating early. You will begin accepting missions issued by the village, effective immediately."

A wave of commotion surged through the classroom. Similar scenes were unfolding in other grades as well—this entire generation was being pushed into service.

"Don't slack off after graduation…" Masada's voice carried an almost fatherly concern. He knew the grim reality: within a few years, many of these students wouldn't return. But in the face of such an unexpected surprise, few were listening.

"I'm officially a Konoha Genin!" one student shouted.

Others echoed the sentiment, their excitement drowning out the harsh truth of war.

"Cough, cough… These guys are too naïve," Gekkou Hayate muttered, his persistent cough making him look as if he'd collapse at any moment. "If we go to the battlefield at our current level, a lot of us are going to die."

"Ah, don't be so pessimistic," Yuuji yawned, leaning back lazily. "There are at least a few of us who will survive, right, Hayate?"

Of course, Konoha's leadership wasn't so foolish as to throw all their young shinobi into the frontlines blindly. The formation of teams ensured some level of protection and guidance.

---

Team Assignments

Soon, Masada began reading out the three-man squads.

"Morino Ibiki, Tokara, Yamashiro Aoba."

"Gekkou Hayate, Shiranui Genma, Ebisu."

"Uchiha Kazue, Shiranui Yuuji—your team is currently incomplete. Another Genin will be assigned to you later."

A murmur ran through the class. Some teams had already been paired with experienced jōnin instructors, but due to the ongoing war, many squads—Kazue and Yuuji's included—would be left without one for the time being.

That meant these Genin teams would be handling missions on their own, relying only on each other to survive.

Kazue frowned slightly, turning to Yuuji. "The clan elders told me they'd make sure we ended up on the same team… but they didn't mention adding a third member from outside. I would've preferred Hayate, at least he's someone we know."

Yuuji chuckled. "I already have an idea who it'll be. If I'm right, then it looks like the village has high expectations for us."

Kazue eyed him warily. "Oh? And who would that be?"

Before Yuuji could respond, the door slid open, and a tall figure in a dark robe stepped inside.

"Uchiha Kazue, Shiranui Yuuji—follow me."

The classroom fell silent as the man in round sunglasses and a high-collared coat made his way forward. The scent of earth and something faintly organic lingered around him.

"I, Aburame Shibi, will be your jōnin leader."

---

Training Ground Meeting

Kazue and Yuuji followed Aburame Shibi in silence, moving swiftly across the rooftops toward the village's training grounds.

Shibi barely spoke, but Yuuji could feel the man's sharp gaze analyzing them.

'So this is our team leader…'

Shibi was well-known among the Aburame clan. His mastery over insect-based techniques was unparalleled, and even within Anbu, he was rumored to be one of the most well-rounded shinobi. The fact that the village had assigned him as their instructor was proof of their potential.

As they arrived at the training field, a familiar figure was already waiting for them—standing with his arms crossed, a grin plastered across his face.

"Yuuji-san! Are you surprised to see me?! Hahaha! I knew all along, so I got here early!"

Might Guy punctuated his words by launching into a Konoha Tornado, the sheer force of his kick sending a gust of wind through the area.

Kazue's expression twitched. "...It's this idiot?"

Yuuji, on the other hand, looked completely satisfied. "It's you, huh? Well, I feel much safer now."

Kazue, watching Yuuji's reaction, suddenly recalled something—how Dai had stood against the Legendary Stupid Brothers without hesitation. Could it be…? Was there more to the Might family than met the eye?

"It seems you're already acquainted." Shibi adjusted his sunglasses. "That will make things easier."

---

First Impressions

"Let's introduce ourselves properly," Shibi instructed. "I'll start. My name is Aburame Shibi. I specialize in insect-based techniques. I like insects. I dislike anyone who harms insects."

He turned toward the trio expectantly.

"Sensei! I, Might Guy, am best at taijutsu! My favorite things are training and following Yuuji-san! As for things I dislike—there's nothing worth hating in life!"

"I am Uchiha Kazue. I specialize in genjutsu and taijutsu. I dislike an unchangeable fate."

Finally, all eyes turned to Yuuji.

He smiled faintly. "I am Shiranui Yuuji. I specialize in ninjutsu. What I like is the process of fulfilling my dream. What I dislike is this turbulent world… because it stands in the way of my dream."

"And what dream is that?" Shibi asked.

"World peace. I will forge ahead for peace."

Shibi paused. After a moment, he nodded approvingly. "An ambitious goal… As expected of someone recognized by the Hokage."

Kazue's gaze flickered. The Hokage recognizes Yuuji?

Yuuji himself raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Shibi-sensei, it sounds like you know a lot about me?"

"I've been in Anbu for a while," Shibi admitted. "Your actions have drawn attention. Few among your generation embody the Will of Fire so deeply."

After a brief silence, Shibi continued, "Prepare yourselves. We will have our first team exercise tonight at six. Your opponents will be my insect clones. Based on your performance, I will determine your training plan."

Without another word, Shibi's body disintegrated into a swarm of kikaichū beetles, vanishing into the wind.

"...A bug clone," Kazue muttered, furrowing her brow. "Even if he's an elite jōnin, he won't defeat us with just that."

Her words were confident, but her expression remained tense.

Aburame Shibi was rumored to have no weaknesses—a perfect balance of intelligence, adaptability, and strength. That Konoha had assigned him to their team was both an opportunity and a warning.

---

Meanwhile, in the Shadows…

Deep within an underground chamber, the massive form of the Gedo Statue loomed in the darkness, casting eerie shadows against the damp stone walls.

A frail figure sat motionless, his body thin and withered, yet his single visible eye gleamed with quiet intensity.

"So, Konoha has made its move…"

He let out a low chuckle, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning ever so slightly.

"Sending an entire generation of shinobi to the battlefield? Such a desperate and foolish world…"

The voice, though soft, carried an undeniable weight.

"But no matter. Soon, they will all come to see the truth."

The old man slowly raised his gaze toward the towering statue, the shadows wrapping around him like an endless abyss.

"Now… it is time to set my will in motion."

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