Chapter 34

Ninja School Rooftop.

Wearing a Jōnin uniform, a man in his late twenties with silver-white long hair stood there. He had a red triangular armband on his left shoulder and a short chakra blade on his back.

He sat on the edge of the rooftop railing, his hands naturally spread out, and his face wore a bright and confident smile, giving off an easy-going and approachable vibe.

At first glance, he looked like an ordinary person, with not a hint of the sharpness of a Jōnin.

He introduced himself like this:

"My name is Hatake Sakumo. Starting today, I will be your Jōnin instructor. I specialize in using the chakra blade. That's about it. Since we will be forming a four-man team, I think it's better for us to get to know each other."

After Sakumo finished introducing himself, Shiraishi took the lead:

"Um, I'm Chiba Shiraishi. I'm not very good at taijutsu or genjutsu. The only jutsu I'm relatively good at is medical ninjutsu. Yeah, that's it."

"I'm Hyūga Ayame. I can use the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan and the Gentle Fist technique that goes with it."

"Uchiha Ruri, I specialize in using the Sharingan and Fire Release."

After briefly explaining their specialties, and given that the Byakugan and Sharingan are two of the most important bloodline traits in Konoha, Sakumo nodded in satisfaction.

Although he had led genin teams before, this one was different.

A medical ninja, the Byakugan, and the Sharingan—this was a nearly perfect team composition.

Sakumo could also feel the heavy responsibility that lay ahead.

Just as Sakumo was about to continue speaking, Ruri suddenly lunged forward without warning, holding a kunai and ruthlessly stabbing at Sakumo's body.

"Ruri!"

Shiraishi and Ayame shouted from behind.

But Ruri showed no signs of stopping.

However, the next moment left everyone stunned.

Sakumo had somehow appeared behind Ruri, pressing her head down with his broad hand and bending her arm holding the kunai behind her back, rendering her immobile.

Not only were Shiraishi and Ayame in shock, but even Ruri was momentarily stunned, not immediately realizing she had failed.

Her dual-tomoe Sharingan was fully activated, but she hadn't expected Sakumo to not only avoid her genjutsu but also subdue her from behind without her noticing.

Sakumo's Body Flicker Technique was incredibly fast, so fast that even her Sharingan had difficulty tracking it.

"How about it, can you listen to me now?"

Sakumo released Ruri, his smile warm and gentle, showing no anger at her impulsive action.

Ruri put away her kunai, her aura subsiding, and said seriously:

"Indeed, you are the ninja known as the 'White Fang.' If you are our captain, I have no objections."

A simple exchange had made Ruri realize the gap between her and Sakumo.

She acknowledged his strength.

"It seems our team will get along very well."

Sakumo made this judgment after hearing Ruri's words.

Ruri returned to her seat, and Shiraishi and Ayame breathed a sigh of relief.

They couldn't help but be worried.

The man before them, Hatake Sakumo, was a Konoha Jōnin known as the 'White Fang,' whose reputation was feared throughout the ninja world.

Even the Three Great Sannin would pale in comparison to him.

Calling him the strongest Konoha Jōnin was not an exaggeration.

And the way he subdued Ruri only made Shiraishi and Ayame feel that he was unfathomable.

"Um, Sakumo-sensei, I heard that Jōnin instructors usually test the strength of newly graduated genin through survival exercises..."

Shiraishi, seeing the somewhat silent atmosphere, brought up the survival exercise.

"No need. I am very satisfied with your abilities. There's nothing that needs improvement, so you all pass."

Sakumo announced this in a casual tone.

Don't be so casual, you're the White Fang, Shiraishi thought to himself.

He had expected a very brutal and serious survival exercise, but Sakumo casually declared them all qualified.

"So, what should we do now?" Shiraishi asked.

"Hmm..." Sakumo rubbed his chin, looked up at the sky, and suddenly smiled. "It's about lunchtime. How about we go for some barbecue? I'll treat you."

Ayame's eyes lit up.

Shiraishi and Ruri seemed to recall distant memories.

"Sakumo-sensei, I think it's better if we pay for ourselves..."

"What, worried about my money? Don't worry, eat as much as you want. No need to worry about my wallet."

Seeing Sakumo's determination to treat them to barbecue, Shiraishi sighed.

"Sakumo-sensei, I warned you. Whatever happens, stay calm and don't get too excited."

After Shiraishi said this, Sakumo looked at him with a puzzled expression.

...

An hour and a half later, in the barbecue restaurant, the owner smiled and extended his hand to Sakumo.

"Thank you for your patronage. After rounding down, the total is 300,000."

He quoted a price that made Sakumo's heart sink.

"..."

Sakumo glanced back at Ayame, who was smiling serenely, and then at the pile of over a hundred plates behind her, most of which had ended up in her stomach.

He finally understood what Shiraishi had meant earlier.

"Um, Ayame, were you maybe switched at birth? Are you actually from the Akimichi clan?"

"Sakumo-sensei, you really like to joke. Just look at my eyes; I'm a pure Hyūga clan ninja."

Ayame blinked her pure white eyes.

That's exactly why it's so strange.

Sakumo didn't remember Hyūga clan ninjas having appetites comparable to those of the Akimichi clan.

No, even for a Hyūga of the same age, it was unlikely they would have such a large appetite.

Sakumo shook his head and had to take out his wallet to pay.

Then, he froze, standing there awkwardly.

"What's wrong, Sakumo-sensei?"

"Ah, um, could you wait here for a moment? I don't seem to have enough money in my wallet. I'll go home to get it. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Shiraishi, Ruri, and Ayame: "..."

Ruri let out a light sigh. Before Sakumo could go home to get money, she took out her wallet and slapped thirty crisp 10,000 ryō bills on the counter.

"Looks like the so-called Konoha White Fang isn't that great after all."

Ruri, still harboring resentment from being subdued by Sakumo earlier, had finally found her chance to turn the tables.

"He isn't that great."

"Indeed, he isn't that great."

Shiraishi and Ayame chimed in one after another.

"You three..."

Sakumo laughed bitterly. Just because he didn't have enough money, did they have to tease him like this?