shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 24: Sakumo Hatake's Test

One day later.

At the training ground in Konoha, Tsukiko met his new squad members—Yamanaka Chinatsu and Hyuga Ayane—for the first time.

Sunlight bathed the three of them. Tsukiko stood with his usual calm confidence, while Chinatsu and Ayane appeared a bit nervous.

As Tsukiko approached, Chinatsu's cheeks flushed red. She instinctively reached up to tidy her golden hair, her gaze flickering away as if too shy to meet his eyes.

Despite her efforts to remain composed, her blue eyes betrayed a hint of undisguised delight.

"Tsukiko-kun… hello," Chinatsu greeted, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to suppress her emotions.

Standing beside her, Ayane also had a faint blush on her face. However, her demeanor was more reserved and composed.

She kept her head lowered, nervously twisting her fingers together, as though hesitant to meet Tsukiko's gaze. Her voice, soft and delicate, barely rose above a whisper: "Tsukiko-kun… please take care of me."

Tsukiko sighed inwardly, slightly exasperated by their reactions. He was well aware of his popularity among his peers, but he didn't want his appearance or strength to create discomfort within the team.

"Chinatsu, Ayane, there's no need to be so formal," Tsukiko said with a gentle smile, keeping his tone light and approachable. "We're teammates now. Trust and cooperation are what matter most."

Chinatsu, blushing even more, quickly nodded. "Y-Yes, Tsukiko-kun, you're absolutely right."

Ayane quietly nodded as well. Though she still seemed a little uneasy, the tension in her eyes eased somewhat.

Since Sakumo Hatake had yet to arrive, Tsukiko decided to break the awkwardness by initiating some light training.

As they trained together, Tsukiko gradually realized that the girls' "interest" in him was far more intense than he'd initially assumed.

During a basic taijutsu demonstration, Tsukiko performed a set of swift, precise movements. Under the sunlight, the definition of his muscles stood out sharply.

Chinatsu and Ayane watched in awe, their eyes glued to him. Chinatsu, in particular, seemed unable to contain her admiration.

"Tsukiko-kun's physique is… incredible," Chinatsu whispered to Ayane, her voice laced with admiration.

Ayane said nothing, but the deepening blush on her cheeks spoke volumes.

Later, during ninjutsu practice, when Tsukiko flawlessly executed a Great Fireball Technique, Chinatsu clapped her hands excitedly. "That was amazing, Tsukiko-kun!"

The almost fangirl-like reactions left Tsukiko feeling awkward and a little helpless.

Just as Tsukiko, Chinatsu, and Ayane were starting to get acquainted, steady footsteps sounded from the distance.

The trio turned to see a tall man dressed in dark gray ninja attire approaching. His distinctive white hair gleamed under the sun, and a faint smile graced his lips. Though his demeanor was warm, the calm yet powerful aura radiating from him was unmistakable.

"I'm Sakumo Hatake," the man introduced himself as he stopped before them, his voice steady and composed. "From today onward, I'll be your Jonin instructor."

Tsukiko's eyes flickered with recognition.

He knew exactly who Sakumo Hatake was—the famed "White Fang of Konoha," renowned for his unparalleled kenjutsu and lightning-fast reflexes. Having such a legendary figure as their team leader was nothing short of an honor.

Sakumo's gaze swept across the three Genin, his smile reassuring. "Before we start our missions, let's begin with introductions. Understanding each other is crucial for future teamwork."

Tsukiko stepped forward first, speaking with calm confidence. "Uchiha Tsukiko. I specialize in Fire Release, Wood Release, taijutsu, and strategy. My goal is to become Hokage and protect the peace of Konoha."

His voice carried unwavering determination, reflecting both self-assurance and ambition.

Chinatsu, visibly nervous, followed suit. "Yamanaka Chinatsu. I specialize in the Mind Transfer Technique. My dream is to become an excellent medical ninja and support my village and teammates."

Though her voice trembled slightly, the conviction in her words was unmistakable.

Finally, Ayane lifted her head, her tone gentle but resolute. "Hyuga Ayane. I specialize in Gentle Fist and defensive techniques. I hope to become a ninja capable of protecting everyone."

Though spoken softly, her words carried a quiet strength.

Sakumo nodded approvingly, satisfied with their introductions. "Good. Each of you has unique strengths and clear goals. That's an excellent start. But remember, becoming true shinobi requires more than talent. Only through real combat can we truly understand one another."

Crossing his arms, his expression grew serious. "Next, I'll conduct a strength assessment. I want all three of you to attack me with everything you have. Your objective is simple—make me take this seriously."

Tsukiko, Chinatsu, and Ayane exchanged glances before adopting battle-ready stances.

Tsukiko narrowed his eyes, his Sharingan spinning to life as he analyzed every detail of Sakumo's posture.

Chinatsu formed a hand seal, preparing to use her Mind Transfer Technique, while Ayane activated her Byakugan, positioning herself to support Tsukiko's offense.

"Ready?" Sakumo asked, smiling faintly as he reached for the White Fang short sword strapped to his back.

The moment Sakumo's hand touched the hilt, Tsukiko sprang into action, his speed blurring as he closed the distance in an instant, launching a powerful strike toward Sakumo's side.

Sakumo, unfazed, shifted his stance effortlessly, allowing Tsukiko's punch to brush past him.

At the same moment, Chinatsu unleashed her Mind Transfer Technique, attempting to seize control of Sakumo's mind.

But with a subtle adjustment to his chakra flow, Sakumo easily neutralized her jutsu.

Seeing this, Ayane dashed forward, Gentle Fist strikes aimed precisely at Sakumo's chakra points. Though slower than Tsukiko, her precision and timing were impeccable, designed to restrict movement.

However, Sakumo's reflexes were extraordinary. Even as the trio attacked simultaneously, he maneuvered gracefully, evading their strikes with minimal effort. His hand flicked, and the White Fang short sword flashed out, signaling his intent to counter.

Recognizing the need for a shift in strategy, Tsukiko quickly coordinated with Chinatsu and Ayane.

This time, Tsukiko took the lead with unpredictable, flowing movements, pressing Sakumo with rapid strikes. Chinatsu circled behind, preparing another Mind Transfer, while Ayane flanked from the side, launching another precise Gentle Fist assault.

The seamless cooperation impressed Sakumo. His smile widened as he adjusted his grip on the short sword, increasing his chakra output to demonstrate that the challenge was, indeed, worthy of his attention.

Finally, under Tsukiko's relentless pressure, Chinatsu succeeded in landing her Mind Transfer Technique, momentarily locking Sakumo's movements. Seizing the opportunity, Ayane's Gentle Fist struck home, disrupting Sakumo's chakra flow.

Sakumo paused, raising a hand to signal the end of the test.

"Excellent," he praised, sheathing his short sword. "Your teamwork was impressive, especially you, Tsukiko. Your speed and tactical awareness are exceptional for your age. Chinatsu's Mind Transfer and Ayane's Gentle Fist were executed flawlessly. You've proven yourselves as a formidable team."

Stepping closer, Sakumo's expression softened, though his tone remained firm. "I'm pleased with your performance. From today onward, we are a team. In future missions, I expect you to maintain this level of coordination, leveraging each other's strengths to grow together."

The trio stood tall, voices clear and united. "Yes, Sakumo-sensei!"

Tsukiko felt a rare sense of satisfaction. They had passed the test and earned Sakumo's recognition. Now, the real journey as shinobi would begin, and with his new team by his side, Tsukiko was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.