"What is this?" Kaguya asked.
"This is the Scroll of Seals, it contains many powerful jutsu," Naruto said excitedly.
"Really?" Kaguya walked over. "Can I take a look?"
Seeing Kaguya approach, Naruto blushed and stammered, "Sure, of course." He clumsily handed the scroll to Kaguya.
Kaguya took the heavy scroll and opened it. It was filled with dense writing, the first jutsu being the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. It detailed how to channel chakra, form the seals, and how to dispel the technique.
She had a photographic memory and quickly committed the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to memory. As for the other jutsu, she wanted to learn them too, but there wasn't enough time. She sensed someone approaching—probably Iruka.
"Well, I have some things to do, so I'll be going now." Kaguya waved her hand and disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
"Hey, hey!" Naruto looked around, disappointed. "Why did she leave so quickly? I wanted to learn jutsu with Kaguya-chan."
From behind a nearby tree, Kaguya exhaled quietly, finally obtaining the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Unbeknownst to them, the Third Hokage was watching them remotely through his crystal ball.
"Kaguya, huh?" The Third Hokage murmured as he observed the scene.
The next morning.
Unfortunately, after obtaining the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Kaguya realized that it couldn't speed up chakra refinement. It only helped accumulate experience and skill proficiency, and accelerated the absorption of senjutsu chakra. It was useless for increasing chakra capacity, which greatly disappointed her.
However, this was reasonable. If it could increase chakra capacity, many people would have used it to level up, and someone like Kakashi wouldn't have struggled so much.
Despite this shortcoming, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was still a valuable jutsu.
At that moment, a boy with a bowl haircut, thick eyebrows, and a green jumpsuit approached her, saying, "My name is Rock Lee. You're Kaguya, right?"
"Huh?" Kaguya was puzzled.
"Please go out with me," Lee said, giving her a thumbs-up and flashing a smile with shining white teeth. "I will protect you with my life."
"Absolutely not," Kaguya responded, black lines forming on her forehead.
"Huh?" Lee's smile froze.
"I don't like bowl cuts and thick eyebrows," Kaguya said expressionlessly.
"So disappointing," Lee said, leaning against the wall, looking deeply hurt.
Are kids these days all this mature? Kaguya thought with exasperation. When I was in elementary school, I couldn't even tell what was beautiful or ugly. Times have changed.
Kaguya arrived at the ninja academy again, but this time it was for the genin team assignments. When she got there, the classroom was already full, and she recognized most of her classmates.
As Kaguya walked in, she immediately drew everyone's attention.
"So pretty."
"Her hair is so long, it almost touches the ground."
"Not only is she beautiful, but she's also very strong."
"Truly enviable."
"If I could, I'd love to pinch her cheeks."
Kaguya ignored the whispers around her and took her seat. She was used to this and acted like she didn't hear anything.
"What's the big deal? She's just a little pretty," Sakura huffed.
"Exactly, just because she's a bit good-looking, she's attracting all this attention. It's infuriating," Ino agreed.
"It's better than being plain," Kaguya said, having overheard their conversation, and gave them a slight smile.
"Jerk!"
"Annoying!"
Sakura and Ino were immediately enraged and shouted angrily.
At that moment, Iruka-sensei walked in.
"Starting today, you are officially ninja," Iruka-sensei said with a smile. "But you are just rookie genin. The real tests lie ahead. You will be divided into teams of three, under the guidance of a jonin sensei, to complete missions. Now, I'll announce the teams."
"Next is Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi. That concludes the team assignments."
"Iruka-sensei, why haven't I been assigned to a team?" After the team assignments ended, Kaguya suddenly realized her name hadn't been called. Could she have been left out? That was impossible.
"Oh, Kaguya, you'll be in a special team under the direct supervision of the Third Hokage," Iruka replied with a smile. "You can go see the Hokage now."
"What?" Kaguya was confused by the sudden development.
A special team? What was that about?
Nevertheless, Kaguya followed Iruka's instructions and went to see the Third Hokage.
The Hokage's office was exceptionally spacious, probably over a hundred square meters, with minimal furnishings—just simple tables and chairs. It was plain and unadorned, reflecting a straightforward style.
"Hello, Lord Hokage," Kaguya said politely as she entered.
"Kaguya, come in and sit," the Third Hokage said, sitting by his desk.
The Third Hokage looked much like he did in the anime, wearing a red and white hat with the kanji for "fire" written on it. He appeared quite aged, with a face full of wrinkles, gray beard, and liver spots. His frame was slightly thin, making it hard to believe he was known as the "Ninja Professor."
"I have a question," Kaguya said as she sat down.
"Is it about your team assignment?" The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, the smoke curling upwards.
"Yes, why wasn't I assigned to a team?" Kaguya asked.
"Because you are exceptionally talented, I think there's a place better suited for your development," the Third Hokage replied, tapping his pipe leisurely.
"Where is that?"
"The Anbu."
"The Anbu?"
"Yes."
"The Anbu are responsible for protecting the Hokage, preventing foreign intrusions into the village, conducting reconnaissance, and performing assassinations. It presents greater challenges and opportunities for training."
"Do I have any other options?"
"You do."
"What are they?"
"You can wait another year at the ninja academy and be reassigned to a jonin next year."
The Third Hokage appeared kind and benevolent, but in reality, he was quite crafty.
Isn't this clearly setting me up?
Waiting another year means the main events will have started while I'll still be stuck in the academy watching others. While staying in school is leisurely, it's also boring.
Additionally, why does this feel like I'm being tricked into joining a pirate crew?
But there's no choice. This old man is the Hokage of Konoha, so I have to comply.
In the end, Kaguya found herself unexpectedly beginning her journey with the Anbu.
"Hello everyone, I'm new here. My name is Kaguya. Please take care of me," Kaguya said, bowing slightly.
"So beautiful."
"This is the Kaguya reputed to be Konoha's number one beauty?"
"She lives up to her name."
"If she's this pretty now, imagine when she grows up..."
"What are you all doing? Have you finished your patrol duties? Act like seniors and don't scare her."
A pleasant voice spoke up, and Kaguya turned to see a girl with long, flowing purple hair and a delicate yet spirited face.
"Hello, my name is Yugao Uzuki. You can call me Yugao-senpai," the girl said, tilting her head with a gentle smile.