Since it was still early in the day, after enjoying a lavish meal courtesy of Kurenai Yuhi, Team 8 didn't disband immediately. Instead, they headed to the Hokage Building to officially begin their mission.
Team 8's first mission was, naturally, a D-rank mission.
At first, Hinata and Aburame Shino were quite interested in the mission. However, when Kurenai led them to a foul-smelling ditch and asked them to figure out how to clean the garbage floating on the water's surface, their enthusiasm quickly waned.
This mission was no challenge at all for Hinata and Izayoi, who had both mastered Water Walking. Shino was no exception—he had learned tree climbing and Water Walking back in his third year at the academy. These techniques, which weren't taught in the ninja academy, were considered basic skills that every major ninja clan required their members to master.
Even if Izayoi hadn't taught Hinata tree climbing and Water Walking, Hiashi Hyuga would have taught her once her Pressure Point Strike reached a certain level. After all, this level of Chakra Control required multitasking. Mastering this stage of Chakra Control not only significantly increased the power of the Pressure Point Strike but also made learning the Gentle Fist much easier.
Seeing that all three members of Team 8 had already mastered Chakra Control techniques not taught in the academy, Kurenai was slightly surprised. But when she considered Hinata and Shino's backgrounds, Izayoi's strength, and his relationship with Hinata, it all made sense. For them, these techniques were indeed nothing special.
Soon, Kurenai found herself troubled. She had originally planned to use this mission as an opportunity to teach Izayoi and the others more advanced Chakra Control techniques. But now that they already knew them, what should she teach them next? Izayoi had no idea what Kurenai was thinking, nor was he aware of her dilemma. If he had known, he would have surely felt a deep sense of gratitude toward her.
Although they addressed her as "sensei," a Jonin Instructor wasn't exactly a teacher in the traditional sense. The relationship between a Jonin Instructor and their Genin was not just that of teacher and student but also that of superior and subordinate. The Jonin Instructor's job was simply to guide the newly graduated Genin on how to carry out missions and become competent ninjas. If they took a liking to a particular subordinate, they might deepen the teacher-student relationship and pass on their skills. If not, once someone in the team was promoted to Chuunin and became the team leader, the Jonin Instructor would step back and only reassemble the team if the village assigned them a high-rank mission.
Therefore, a Jonin Instructor wasn't obligated to teach their subordinates ninja techniques. Genin had other ways to learn techniques besides their Jonin Instructor—they could earn merits by completing missions and exchange them with the village for techniques. Of course, the Five Elements Release Techniques available to Genin were relatively low-level and had long been widespread in the Shinobi World. Only advanced ninjas who had mastered Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation could exchange for higher-level techniques.
It was only their second day together, and Kurenai was already thinking about teaching Izayoi and the others her techniques. Such a sense of responsibility was truly commendable. Team 7 would have been moved to tears if they had seen this. After all, while they were still using tools to clean up garbage, Kakashi Hatake, who was lounging in a tree reading his adult book, couldn't even be bothered to teach them tree climbing or Water Walking.
After completing their first mission and splitting the reward, Team 8 disbanded at the entrance of the Hokage Building.
"Hinata, let's treat ourselves to a good meal today."
"Yes!"
Izayoi and Hinata took their first paycheck and went to the market to buy ingredients, planning to enjoy themselves thoroughly.
However, as they carried their bags back to Izayoi's house, ready to cook and then call Hanabi over, something unexpected happened.
"Hiss..."
Just as Izayoi was changing his shoes at the entrance, he suddenly furrowed his brows and let out a sharp intake of breath.
The bags in his hands fell to the ground. "Izayoi-kun, what's wrong?" Hinata immediately asked with a worried expression.
"Hinata, my Kekkei Genkai... it's about to awaken!"
Izayoi covered his eyes, leaning against the wall. His expression was pained, but the corners of his mouth curled up in excitement.
Hearing this, Hinata, who had come over to support him, widened her eyes in both surprise and joy. "Really? Izayoi-kun, you... you also have a Kekkei Genkai?"
"Yes, this is a secret only you know."
Izayoi placed his hand on Hinata's shoulder and smiled. "Hinata, help me upstairs. There's something I need your help with."
"Understood."
Hinata immediately nodded with a serious expression, disregarding the ingredients, and helped Izayoi upstairs.
Once they reached the room and Izayoi lay down on the bed, he closed his eyes and said, "Hinata, first, go get a roll of bandages."
"Alright."
Hinata left the room and returned with a medical kit. She took out a roll of bandages and handed it to Izayoi.
Izayoi used the bandages to cover his eyes and then said, "Open the drawer by my bed and take out an eye patch for me."
"Understood."
Hinata nodded again, opened the drawer, and took out a black eye patch, placing it in Izayoi's hand.
After putting on the eye patch, Izayoi formed a hand seal, and an astonishing perception instantly enveloped the entire central street of the Leaf Village.
A few seconds later, Izayoi lowered his hands and spoke with a serious expression, "Hinata, remember, you must never reveal that my Kekkei Genkai has awakened across generations. Not even Hanabi can know about this now."
"I understand, Izayoi-kun," Hinata nodded solemnly.
Even without Izayoi's reminder, she wouldn't have told anyone.
After all, Izayoi-kun was just a commoner without a family name, and he was all alone. If it were revealed that he had a Kekkei Genkai, it could attract a lot of attention.
If this Kekkei Genkai belonged to the Land of Fire and his Ninja Clan still existed, he might be able to reclaim his heritage.
But if it was a Kekkei Genkai from another country, it would mean that Izayoi's ancestors had moved to the Land of Fire from elsewhere. Even if they had settled in the Land of Fire before the Leaf Village was established and his background was clean, Izayoi would not gain the village's trust, and his future would be effectively over.
Their future together would also be doomed.
Therefore, this secret must not be revealed to anyone, not even the still-young Hanabi.
"I have a feeling that it will take a few days for my Kekkei Genkai to fully awaken," Izayoi continued to instruct. "During this time, if Team 8 has a mission, use a Shadow Clone to take my place. Remember, before going, you must come here and wear my clothes, or Shino will notice something's off. Also, make sure the Shadow Clone tells them that it's my Shadow Clone and that I'm currently perfecting a Ninja Technique I developed."
"Understood."
"During this time, find an excuse to keep Hanabi from coming over here."
"Alright."
"I won't be able to see for the next few days, so I'll have to trouble you to bring me meals. However, I might use the Invisibility Technique to hide. If you notice I'm not around, just call out to me. Remember not to activate your Byakugan."
"Understood."
Hinata took note of everything.
"Then, for the next few days, I'll be counting on you, Hinata," Izayoi said with a smile.
"Mhm, mhm…"
Hinata nodded repeatedly, her small face flushed with excitement.
Ever since she was young, it had always been Izayoi taking care of her. Now, it was finally her turn to take care of him.
Hinata suddenly felt a surge of anticipation for the days ahead.
She even thought about going home to prepare a daily routine.
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