Konoha’s Black Plague

Team Formation

The next day at noon.

"Why hasn't Bai Ye, that bastard, arrived yet? I'm starving over here."

Yuyan kicked at the stones near her feet in boredom, her whole demeanor lazy and impatient.

"Look, he's already on his way. We just showed up too early," Yue said calmly.

"You always have something nice to say about that guy," Yuyan huffed.

Bai Ye was seen running from a distance, soaked through and leaving wet footprints wherever he stepped.

"Have you made up your mind?" Hizashi asked, casting a glance toward Yue and Yuyan. "There's still time to change it."

"Oh, Uncle Hizashi, you're so annoying! It's bad enough I'm back at the Academy—do you have to keep nagging?"

Yuyan groaned and clamped her hands over her ears, as if Hizashi's voice were some jarring Genjutsu technique.

"Sorry I'm late," Bai Ye said, finally arriving at the school gate, panting and dripping water.

"Let's go," Hizashi said sternly, turning to lead the way.

"Hey, Uncle Hizashi, the Academy's that way!" Yuyan pointed in confusion. "Aren't we going inside?"

Yue and Bai Ye exchanged puzzled glances. They had specifically gathered at the Academy gates—why were they heading off elsewhere?

"Just follow me. You'll find out soon enough," Hizashi replied without slowing down.

The three Genin-to-be glanced at one another again but said nothing. They figured maybe the team assignment procedures weren't being held at the school after all—but then why summon them there in the first place?

"Do you think we're going to the Hokage's office?" Yuyan asked in a low voice, casting a suspicious look toward Hizashi to make sure he wasn't listening.

"No idea," Yue said, shaking her head. Her father had died in the war, leaving only wealth and a quiet household behind. The other Uchiha clan members treated her well, but no one discussed village operations with a child.

Bai Ye simply shrugged. Despite knowing details from the original series, he hadn't memorized every bureaucratic nuance of the village's inner workings. The manga had skipped over a lot of minor logistics.

After a few more turns, Hizashi stopped outside a store.

"We're here. Let's go in."

He turned and opened the door. Above it, a large sign read "BBQ Q."

The three teens blinked.

A barbecue restaurant?

The trio looked at each other, now more confused than ever. Was this some kind of disguised intel office?

There was no point standing around. Bai Ye took the lead and walked in, with Yue and Yuyan following, their expressions filled with curiosity. Ironically, the girls had just eaten here the day before.

"Alright," Hizashi said suddenly, sitting down with a serious face. The students instinctively sat up straighter, bracing for something heavy.

"Congratulations—you've all passed."

His expression immediately melted into a grin.

"Yeah! I love you, Uncle Hizashi!"

Yuyan launched herself at him, nearly toppling him over. Luckily, no food had arrived yet, or it would have been a disaster.

Yue, sitting on Bai Ye's left, squealed in delight and grabbed his hand, momentarily forgetting her usual calm demeanor.

Bai Ye had considered this outcome during his daydreams yesterday, but hadn't dared believe it. He wasn't the protagonist of this world, after all, and instructors normally ran proper Genin assessments.

"Alright, settle down. You don't look like kunoichi at all," Hizashi said, ruffling Yuyan's hair fondly and gently pushing her back into her seat.

"From today onward, I'm officially your jōnin-sensei. Unless something unexpected happens, you'll be under my guidance for the foreseeable future. This meal is to celebrate—order whatever you want. My treat."

He slid the menu across the table with a smile.

"Wait—Uncle Hizashi, were you planning to pass us no matter what?" Yuyan asked, her mouth already full of grilled meat. Her question echoed what Bai Ye and Yue were thinking.

"Not exactly," Hizashi said, shaking his head. "Yesterday, I just wanted to evaluate Bai Ye's potential firsthand. You may have passed on your first attempt, but Bai Ye's progress has been exceptional. I suspect he even trained this morning."

Bai Ye rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"And what about your final decision?" Yuyan pressed, not satisfied.

"Yue may seem gentle, but she's firm when it counts. A reliable comrade in combat," Hizashi said, nodding toward the Uchiha girl.

"And you—" he looked at Yuyan directly, "—you're impulsive. That's why I pushed you. If you had made the wrong decision again, I would have sent you back to the Academy for more training. Being a ninja isn't just about strength."

Yuyan deflated immediately. She had been smiling moments ago but now pouted, clearly sulking.

"And from now on, you'll address me as sensei in public."

He sighed, looking at his niece with a trace of helpless fondness. She was family, yes—but more than anyone, he wanted her to grow in the ways he hadn't been able to.

All in all, the meal was lively and joyful.

After eating, Hizashi suggested they go take a team photo. But Yuyan insisted on touching up her appearance and dragged Yue along, leaving Bai Ye and Hizashi to walk ahead.

"Bai Ye," Hizashi said, "you've probably realized by now that yesterday's assessment wasn't arbitrary. Do you have any guesses about my true intention?"

"I'm not sure," Bai Ye admitted. "I understand that fine chakra control helps with ninjutsu, but I can't even perform jutsu yet. I don't see why it's relevant to me."

"That's where you're wrong," Hizashi said, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "I've seen the technique you've developed—it's not as simple as you think."

"My technique?" Bai Ye blinked in confusion. His abilities came directly from his Zanpakutō—nothing too flashy, and certainly not strong by his standards.

Hizashi didn't elaborate further. "Think it through. I'll let you figure it out on your own."