In one of the countless training grounds of Konoha, the blue-haired man stood before the three youngsters, his posture relaxed, hands tucked lazily into his pockets.
"So..." he began, dragging out the word with a tone that sounded far too indifferent for someone about to introduce himself. "I think it's time for us to present to each other..."
He let out a light sigh, as if even speaking was too much effort, before finally continuing.
"I am..." The man paused briefly, as though considering whether to actually say his name or just take a nap instead. "...Takigawa Tadao."
His tired gaze swept over the trio as he added, "I am a jonin specialized in Water Release, and I'll be your sensei from now on."
There was a beat of silence.
Then, as if to emphasize his lack of enthusiasm, he yawned.
Takigawa Tadao lazily scratched the back of his head before waving a hand. "Okay, now it's your turn to present yourselves."
The three youngsters remained dead silent, still processing just how unmotivated their "supposed" sensei was. For a moment, it felt like he might just fall asleep standing right there.
Only Ayaka managed to snap out of it.
"I am Mori Ayaka, a genin of Konoha, and I specialize in Fire Release!" she declared with energy, standing tall.
Takigawa Tadao barely reacted. He simply gave her a slow nod before shifting his gaze to Shin.
Shin hesitated, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that they had someone this lazy as their sensei. But he took a deep breath and began.
"I am Hamada Shin..." His voice carried a hint of frustration. "And I am a medical ninja."
For the first time since they'd met, something in the jonin's demeanor shifted. His eyes, previously dull with exhaustion, sparked with the tiniest glimmer of curiosity.
"Oh?" Tadao mused, tilting his head. "A medical ninja? A male medical ninja? So they exist, huh? I thought only females took up those roles."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Then, their jaws dropped to the ground.
"Is he being serious?" Ayaka muttered, her eye twitching.
"Sensei..." Shin started, his frustration growing. "Is this... supposed to be funny?"
"Ah? Don't tell me you got offended?" Takigawa Tadao drawled, his brief moment of interest vanishing as he slumped back into laziness. "Sigh... It was just an innocent joke. You youngsters really don't know what's fun these days."
Takigawa Tadao turned his gaze toward the last member of the team.
Ryuuji immediately straightened his posture, a proud smile spreading across his face.
"I am Shimura Ryuuji, the prodigy of the great Shimura Clan," he declared with confidence, his tone dripping with self-importance.
Tadao raised an eyebrow, his lips curling slightly.
"Oh? We even got ourselves a prodigy now?" His voice carried a distinct teasing edge. "We are so lucky."
At those words, a chuckle suddenly broke the moment of silence.
Ayaka.
She couldn't hold it in, a sly grin forming on her face as she stifled a laugh.
Tadao's mood immediately shifted, his interest piqued for the second time in mere minutes. He turned to Ayaka, an amused look in his lazy eyes.
"Seems like there's someone here who actually understands what's really funny."
Tadao lazily cleared his throat, as if trying to regain attention—though, in reality, there was no confusion, making the gesture completely unnecessary.
"Okay, now..." he drawled, his tone still as lazy as ever. "Since we've already introduced ourselves, I think it's time for a little test..."
"Huh?" The three youngsters exclaimed in unison.
"A little test?"
"Yeah..." Tadao simply replied, his expression unchanging. "If you guys can manage to touch me even once in a fight, you'll pass. If not, your journey as Konoha ninjas will end here..."
"What?" Ayaka gasped, her face paling slightly. "But that's impossible, sensei! You're a jonin while we're only three genin, so—"
She was abruptly cut off by a sudden chuckle—loud and confident.
"Hah! Just touching you?" Ryuuji smirked, crossing his arms. "Aren't you underestimating me a bit?"
Shin, who had remained quiet until now, narrowed his eyes slightly before speaking up.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Ryuuji." His voice was calm but firm. "You're strong, without a doubt, but have you ever fought a jonin before? They're on a whole other level."
Ryuuji's smirk immediately dropped as he shot a glare at Shin.
"You shut up!" he snapped.
Ryuuji scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're just scared that you won't be able to pass this stupid exam!"
"If you say so..." Shin simply let it slide. It wasn't worth arguing about.
"Well, if you act like this, you certainly won't be able to beat me," Tadao suddenly chimed in, his lazy tone unchanged.
"What do you mean if you act like this?!" Ryuuji snapped, frustration bubbling over.
"He means that if we keep fighting among ourselves, we won't stand a chance against him," Shin stated matter-of-factly.
"Who asked you anything, Shin?!" Ryuuji shot back, his irritation growing.
Tadao, however, seemed amused. His gaze shifted to Shin as he spoke. "Oh? You seem to be quite smart, Shin."
But Shin ignored him completely, keeping his focus on the situation at hand.
"We have to work together somehow to touch him at least once, Ryuuji," he continued, his tone unwavering.
"Working together? With you?" Ryuuji scoffed, as if Shin had just suggested the most absurd idea in existence. "Never! Just stay here, you two! I'll defeat this man's lazy ass all alone!"
Before anyone could stop him, Ryuuji lunged at Tadao with all his speed, his fist crackling with wind chakra. The air around his arm twisted violently, forming a powerful vortex.
"Gale Fist: Gale Strike!"
With a fierce battle cry, he swung his wind-enhanced punch straight at their so-called sensei, aiming to prove himself in one decisive blow.
To be continued...
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