Yamada Jumoku asked curiously, "Even Asuma-sensei doesn't know? Could it be that our sensei is a complete nobody?"
Yamada Jumoku looked a bit disappointed.
After all, he thought that Kihon Tōichi seemed to possess formidable strength and should be a very powerful shinobi.
Noticing Yamada Jumoku's mood, Asuma quickly said, "That shouldn't be the case. As far as I know, every instructor who leads a team of genin is at least a jonin."
"Your sensei must be as well. It's just that I don't know every shinobi in the Hidden Leaf Village."
Hearing this, Yamada Jumoku felt less disappointed.
Even though he had been quite intimidated by Kihon Tōichi during their earlier test, he was still glad to have such a powerful shinobi as their teacher.
To Yamada Jumoku, having a strong teacher meant he could become a strong shinobi faster.
At that moment, Shikamaru asked, "You mentioned earlier that your sensei's test almost got you killed. What exactly happened?"
Shikamaru was curious. After all, it was just a test—how could it have been that extreme?
Asuma also looked toward Yamada Jumoku.
He didn't approve of overly harsh methods being used on students.
Even Kakashi wouldn't put his students in genuine danger.
Asuma was worried that Kihon Tōichi had used brutal tactics on his students.
Such things had happened before, but they were strictly forbidden in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Yamada Jumoku glanced at Yoruha and said, "It wasn't anything too special, really. It's just that our sensei seemed to use some kind of genjutsu on us, and it nearly broke our spirits."
"If not for Yoruha, both Tanako and I might have actually died."
Yamada Jumoku now realized that during Kihon Tōichi's test, most of the oppressive pressure had been aimed at Yoruha.
Otherwise, Kihon Tōichi wouldn't have treated Yoruha differently afterward.
It seemed that the majority of the pressure back then had been directed at Yoruha, while he and Tanako had only endured a fraction of it.
Yoruha was just about to pop a piece of grilled meat into his mouth when he suddenly noticed Asuma, Shikamaru, and Ino all staring at him.
Yoruha blinked in confusion. "What's wrong?"
While Yamada Jumoku had been talking with Asuma and Shikamaru, Yoruha hadn't been paying attention at all.
For him, the array of grilled meats on the table was far more enticing.
Having lived in this world for 12 years, Yoruha hadn't made many friends.
Most of his time was spent either training or enjoying all kinds of delicious food.
Noticing their gazes, Yoruha was puzzled.
Asuma, on the other hand, was even more intrigued. He had reviewed Yoruha's records before and knew that Yoruha hadn't stood out at the ninja academy.
But from the way Yamada Jumoku described him, he seemed to be quite capable.
Asuma thought for a moment and asked Yamada Jumoku, "What did it feel like when your sensei used genjutsu on you?"
Yamada Jumoku pondered for a bit and then said, "It felt like I was trapped in a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, with countless shinobi charging at me. It felt like I got stabbed dozens of times, and I couldn't escape that setting at all."
After Yamada Jumoku finished speaking, Tanako shrank back in fear, clearly still haunted by the experience.
Kihon Tōichi's oppressive pressure had left a deep scar on her mind.
She would probably never forget it for the rest of her life.
Based on Yamada Jumoku's description, Asuma could roughly guess what kind of genjutsu Kihon Tōichi had used.
And he could also roughly deduce Kihon Tōichi's identity.
"No wonder I haven't heard of him," Asuma muttered.
"I'd bet he came from the Anbu."
"The Anbu?"
Aside from Yoruha, everyone else looked at Asuma in confusion.
Taking a puff of his cigarette, Asuma explained slowly, "Yeah, the Anbu. It's a special division in the Hidden Leaf Village, a group that protects the village from the shadows. It's made up of highly skilled shinobi."
This was the first time most of them, including Shikamaru, had heard of the Anbu.
Even though Shikamaru came from a prominent family, he had never paid attention to such matters.
Shikamaru shot a deep look at Yoruha.
From Asuma's description, Shikamaru could sense the caliber of the Anbu.
The fact that Yoruha had been able to withstand the mental pressure of such a shinobi was remarkable.
Asuma thought the same as he looked at Yoruha, who was still focused on eating grilled meat.
While the others had stopped eating, Yoruha remained entirely absorbed in his food.
Asuma knew better than anyone how formidable Anbu jonin were.
For Yoruha to endure their mental pressure and come out seemingly unscathed was proof of something extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Yamada Jumoku, oblivious to Shikamaru and Asuma's expressions, was completely shocked by Asuma's words.
"The Anbu? It sounds like Kihon-sensei must be incredibly strong," Yamada Jumoku said in awe.
"That's our sensei for you."
What Yamada Jumoku cared about most was whether Kihon Tōichi could teach him powerful jutsu and make him a strong shinobi.
And for that to happen, Kihon Tōichi needed to be exceptionally skilled.
Shikamaru glanced at Asuma.
Asuma shook his head, signaling not to probe Yoruha further.
Understanding his sensei's cue, Shikamaru decided against asking any more questions.
Asuma also refrained from delving further into Yamada Jumoku's test story.
Still, he made a mental note to discuss this matter with Kakashi later.
A genin fresh out of the academy, able to endure an Anbu jonin's genjutsu?
That was highly unusual.
Especially considering Yoruha's otherwise average performance at the academy.
Could it simply be that his mental fortitude was exceptionally strong?
Asuma knew he'd have to look into it.
Yoruha, unaware of Asuma's thoughts, wouldn't have cared even if he knew.
He didn't think he had done anything extraordinary.
It was just that his mental energy was slightly above average.
After finishing their meal, Yoruha became better acquainted with Team 10 and his own teammates, Yamada Jumoku and Tanako.
When it was time to head home, Yamada Jumoku said to Yoruha, "Our houses are in different directions, so why don't you walk Tanako home?"
Without giving Yoruha a chance to refuse, he darted off.
Yoruha was left stunned.
Meanwhile, Tanako's pale cheeks turned bright red.
Yoruha frowned slightly. "What's with that guy?"
He thought Yamada Jumoku might have some urgent matter at home.
Tanako, too embarrassed to look up, shyly stared at the ground, kicking at it with her foot and remaining silent.
Glancing at Tanako, Yoruha smiled. "I'll walk you home."
After all, it was nighttime. Even though Tanako had graduated from the academy and was technically a shinobi, she was still a young girl from a prominent family. There was always the risk of someone targeting her.
Tanako nodded bashfully.
She had harbored a crush on Yoruha ever since witnessing him fearlessly endure Kihon Tōichi's oppressive pressure during the test.
Moreover, Yoruha was undeniably good-looking.
At their age, it was natural to start developing feelings for the opposite sex.
Yoruha, however, didn't see Tanako as a peer.
Instead, he viewed her as a kid.
Although there were moments when he thought Tanako was pretty, he regarded her more like a younger sister.
Walking down the brightly lit streets side by side, Yoruha and Tanako looked like a perfect pair to passersby.
Their striking looks even turned a few heads.
Some people assumed they were a couple.
In this world, it wasn't uncommon for people to mature early.
Relationships often started at their age.
With Tanako's shy demeanor and flushed face, it was hard not to misunderstand.
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