"...I've told you so many times before—the title of 'Ino-Shika-Cho' is only inherited by the main family line."
(T/N: In Japanese, Ino means wild boar.)
Yamanaka Shinno looked at Uzumaki Kushina with an exasperated expression.
'Piggy'—what kind of ridiculous nickname was that?
He was a full-grown man, male through and through, with a clear preference for women. He wasn't part of the Yamanaka Clan's main lineage, nor was he some boar-riding warrior.
How did he end up with a nickname like 'Piggy'?
"Well, it's your fault for being so cute when you were little! You looked just like a girl—it was an easy mistake to make!"
Kushina giggled as she recalled the amusing memory, her laughter growing even brighter.
"Yeah, and I bet you were the only one who ever made that mistake."
Shinno rolled his eyes, looking utterly speechless.
Back when Kushina transferred into the Academy, he had been one of the few students who didn't mock her for her bright red hair during introductions.
But by the time their first class had ended, she had already run up to him, asking where the girls' restroom was and whether he could go with her.
Clearly, she had mistaken his overly delicate features as a child for those of a girl.
Seeing the eight-year-old Kushina standing there, embarrassed and flustered, Shinno—who had the mind of an adult—couldn't bear to let her suffer any further humiliation. So, without a word, he got up and led the way.
Thinking back now, their first meeting was nothing short of fate playing tricks on them.
"Hehe~ Shinno, what brings you to the Jonin standby station today?"
Kushina clasped her hands behind her back, a hint of anticipation on her face.
"Ahem... I've been transferred to the regular forces as a squad leader."
Shinno retrieved a scroll from his ninja pouch, containing his reassignment orders. Noticing that today's officer on duty, Nara Suzaku, was looking in his direction, he casually tossed the scroll over.
"Huh? That's great! That means we'll be seeing each other more often!"
"Yeah. We'll catch up later? My three poor subordinates have been waiting for me all morning."
"You just got here, and you're already leaving? Hmph~ Fine, I'll let you off this time. But you'd better report in early tomorrow~"
"Report in? Uh... sure, sure. See you tomorrow!"
Taking in the sight of the standby station, now reduced to rubble, Shinno noticed Kushina suddenly stiffening, counting on her fingers, probably calculating how much she would have to pay in damages.
Not wanting to stick around for that conversation, he quickly waved to Akimichi Chōza before vanishing in a flicker.
...
Konohagakure's Fourth Training Ground.
The autumn sun cast a gentle warmth over the training field, illuminating the sweat-drenched figures of Might Guy and Shiranui Genma as they tirelessly honed their taijutsu and shuriken skills.
Nearby, ten-year-old Yūhi Kurenai sat atop a tree stump used for kunai practice, swinging her legs idly.
Listening to the grunts of her new teammates as they trained, along with the distant sounds of explosions from the Third Training Ground's combat exercises, she let out a long sigh.
Her first year after graduation had been a disaster. One of her teammates had quit being a ninja, forcing her into a dull role in logistics.
Now, she was finally reassigned to a new team, relieved that her new teammates were not only familiar faces but also determined and strong-willed—people who wouldn't give up on being shinobi so easily.
But just as she thought things were looking up, their assigned Jonin leader turned out to be a no-show, leaving them waiting all morning for their first team meeting.
Sure, the orders only stated to gather at the Fourth Training Ground in the morning, without a specific time.
But it was already noon!
Why did her ninja career have to be so full of misfortune?
As she was lost in thought, a faint fragrance drifted in on the autumn breeze—light and delicate, like an orchid's scent.
Before she could figure out what kind of flower it was, the ground beneath them suddenly began to rise.
Might Guy and Shiranui Genma, ever alert, immediately noticed the disturbance and leaped back.
But before Kurenai could jump down from the stump, a monstrous serpent with a head at least three meters wide burst through the earth, slithering up from underground!
The sheer size of the creature, like a living mountain, sent waves of terror crashing over Kurenai.
A deep, primal fear gripped her body, paralyzing her completely.
Her every nerve screamed at her to move, but she couldn't. She didn't even dare to breathe for fear of drawing the serpent's attention.
Unfortunately, fate was unkind.
The massive head of the snake lifted slightly, its cold, slit-pupiled eyes locking onto her.
Then, in an instant, it lunged.
The overwhelming stench from its gaping maw filled her nostrils, and for a split second, she could almost taste death itself.
"Move! Move, dammit!"
Kurenai's mind screamed at her, and at the last possible moment, she broke free from her paralysis, her limbs surging with desperate strength.
But the snake was too fast.
The gaping maw was upon her before she could dodge.
Just as she braced for the inevitable, a loud battle cry rang out—
"AH-DAA!"
A green blur shot in from the side, slamming into the snake's head with a powerful kick, knocking it two feet off course.
Kurenai barely escaped by a hair's breadth, the giant mouth snapping shut just beside her.
Boom!
The missed attack sent a cloud of dust billowing into the air as the serpent hissed in frustration, its tail lashing the ground without any sign of injury.
Genma knew they had no chance against such a monster. Without hesitation, he grabbed Kurenai and sprinted away, hurling a series of smoke bombs behind him.
"Guy! RUN!"
Might Guy, seeing Genma's retreat, wasted no time following after them.
Kurenai, still dazed from the brush with death, suddenly found her mind clearer than ever.
"Head for the Third Training Ground! There are Jonin conducting exams there! Does anyone have a red signal flare? Quick!"
"Got it!"
Guy reached for his ninja pouch.
But before he could even pull the flare out, the scene around them shattered like glass.
The three of them, still running full tilt, nearly crashed headfirst into a massive tree.
Regaining their balance, they looked around in utter confusion. The snake was gone. The training ground showed no signs of damage.
Then—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause echoed from the shadows.
Stepping out from beneath a tree, clad in a black combat suit and Jonin vest, was Yamanaka Shinno.
"Patience, courage, teamwork, and sound judgment under pressure—congratulations, you've passed the test. I'm your new squad leader, Yamanaka Shinno. I look forward to working with you."
"Youth truly rewards those who give it their all! I am Might Guy, and I will give my all to you, Sensei!"
Despite the terrifyingly real illusion, Guy grinned, flashing his signature sparkling white teeth.
"I'm Shiranui Genma. Pleased to meet you."
Genma dusted himself off and bowed respectfully.
"Yūhi Kurenai. Please guide us well, Sensei."
As she greeted her new mentor, Kurenai mentally screamed—
Springing a test on them without warning like this? That was just cruel!
She had genuinely thought she was going to die!
But… what an incredible genjutsu!