Shinobi Academy.
On the training field, rows of students lined up for drills while two figures watched from the second-floor office in the nearby building.
"That one—is he the kid you mentioned?" Kakashi asked, eyes following one specific student in the crowd.
"Yep! 'Hot-blooded Dragging-the-Team-Backwards'—what a great nickname!" Gai laughed heartily.
"He reminds me of someone…" Kakashi murmured.
"Hm?"
"Especially with those eyebrows."
"Mm." Gai chuckled, grinning wide.
"But only you would be interested in a kid like him," Kakashi added.
"He's definitely special," Gai said, laughing again.
When he finally stopped, he asked, "By the way, Kakashi, have you checked out the students you'll be assigned this year?"
"No."
"What? Aren't you curious?" Gai looked at him, puzzled.
"What difference would it make? If they don't meet my standards, I won't let them graduate," Kakashi replied calmly.
"You've been a Jonin Instructor for three or four years now, and you haven't let a single team pass," Gai pointed out.
"If they're not fit to be shinobi, why would I let them through?" Kakashi retorted.
Gai shook his head, chuckling. "So strict, as always."
Kakashi ignored the remark. "I heard there's a kid from the Hyuga clan in your team this year."
"Yeah, he's this year's top student," Gai nodded.
"A top student and the lowest-ranked paired together… Guess it's a tradition that never dies." Kakashi mused, leaving Gai to observe the students below with a sigh.
...
In the Classroom.
As graduation drew near, most students had lost interest in the current lessons. During break, the room was filled with chatter and excitement about their upcoming lives as shinobi, though those with lower grades were still anxious about the graduation exam.
"Tenten, we're almost graduating! Who do you hope to be teamed with?" asked Tenten's desk mate, pulling her out of her daydream by the window.
"Oh, I'm fine with anyone, as long as we get along," Tenten replied absentmindedly.
"Not me—I hope I get paired with Lord Neji," her classmate sighed dreamily.
Lord Neji…? Really? Tenten held back a laugh at her friend's infatuation.
"Well, good luck!" she said, smiling politely.
"I heard there's another test after we graduate," her classmate continued. "And if we don't pass, we'll get sent back to the academy."
"No way! That's terrible!" Tenten exclaimed.
"Yeah, and there's this one Jonin who's supposedly really strict. None of his students have ever passed the test," her friend replied.
"Well, if you're skilled enough, that shouldn't be a problem, right?" Tenten said. "Those kids must have just been unlucky, I guess."
"Apparently, he always says there's 'something more precious than strength' that a shinobi must have," her friend remarked.
Something… more precious?
"That sounds like his personal opinion. It seems unfair to the students," Tenten said with a frown.
"I know, right? I hope I don't get him," her friend agreed, nodding emphatically.
A Jonin Instructor… Tenten's thoughts drifted as she gazed out the window.
If only Ren were a Jonin Instructor. That way, he'd be my teacher…
She had asked Ren about it once, but he had simply told her he wasn't an instructor and couldn't teach Genin.
The rest of the afternoon passed without incident. Once classes were over, Tenten raced home, calling out a quick greeting to her mom before running to Ren's place.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Ren!" Tenten banged on the door, calling out loudly.
The door opened after a moment, revealing Ren's calm face.
"You're going to break my door."
"Hehe, no, I won't!" Tenten giggled, sticking out her tongue playfully as she walked in, quickly making herself comfortable by sitting on the bed.
"Ren, I'm graduating soon! Do you have a graduation present for me?" she asked with a grin.
"No."
"Ren, you're so stingy!" Tenten pouted.
"It's just a graduation. Why would you need a present?" Ren replied, noticing her casually sitting on his bed and taking the chair nearby.
"Hey, I heard there's a super-strict Jonin instructor. His students always end up back at the academy for retraining. What if I get him?" Tenten asked with concern.
"How do you know you'll end up with him?"
"It's just a 'what if,'" Tenten said, exasperated.
"Don't worry. You'll have a very skilled instructor," Ren assured her.
"Huh? Do you know who it is?" Tenten's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"No idea."
"Then why did you even say that?" Tenten scoffed.
"Just a feeling," he replied calmly.
She rolled her eyes, glancing at the green shinobi uniform hanging neatly on his wall.
"No missions today?" she asked.
"No."
"You seem to have a lot of free time these days."
"When you become a Jonin, you'll have free time, too."
"Jonin, huh…" Tenten sighed, flopping back onto the bed. "Wonder how long that'll take."
The room grew quiet, with the clock giving a soft chime marking 6 PM.
"Ren, why don't you want to be a Jonin Instructor?" Tenten asked, still lying on the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Why should I?" he replied.
"Because…" Tenten hesitated.
That way, we'd be able to spend time together every day…
...
Hokage's Office.
"You called?" Ren asked, looking at Hiruzen.
"I have something that might be good news for you," Hiruzen replied.
"What is it?"
Hiruzen sorted through a pile of papers on his desk, pulling out a file and handing it to Ren.
Ren opened it to see three student profiles: Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka.
"These three are due to graduate in the next academy class. Their parents form Konoha's Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka, each heads of their respective clans," Hiruzen explained. "If you were to become their instructor, it would be quite beneficial for you in the future."
Ren fell silent, considering the proposal. "…A Jonin Instructor, you say?"
"Precisely," Hiruzen confirmed.
"Ino-Shika-Cho holds significant influence in Konoha. Shikaku Nara, the Nara clan head, is also the leader of the Jonin unit."
"And what about Asuma?" Ren asked.
"He's currently the vice-captain of the police force; the instructor role wouldn't suit him," Hiruzen shook his head.
"…"
"If you're interested, I'll begin preparing the arrangements," Hiruzen continued. "But since you have something of a... complicated reputation, the clan heads may be reluctant to have you as their children's teacher. Even as Hokage, it could be difficult to manage if they object."
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