The rooftop of the Ninja School.
A man in his late twenties, dressed in Jonin uniform, with long silver-white hair, a red triangular armband on his left shoulder, and a standard, very short Chakra short knife on his back.
He sat on the edge of the rooftop's railing, his hands casually spread, with a confident and infectious smile that made him seem approachable.
At first glance, he appeared to be an ordinary person, without a hint of a Jonin's sharpness.
He introduced himself this way:
"I'm Hatake Sakumo, from today on, I will be your Instructor Jonin, specializing in using the Chakra short knife. That's about it. Since we're forming a four-man squad, I think it's good for us to get to know each other."
After Sakumo finished his self-introduction, Hakushi was the first to set an example:
"Well, I'm Chiba Hakushi. I'm not very good at Taijutsu and Illusion Techniques, and the only Ninja Technique I'm somewhat proficient in is Medical Ninjutsu. That's it."
"I'm Hyuga Ayane, and I can use the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan, as well as Gentle Fist that works with the Byakugan."
"Uchiha Ruri, proficient in using the Sharingan and Fire Style."
They briefly explained their specialties, and since the Byakugan and Sharingan are Konoha's most important bloodline limits, Sakumo nodded in satisfaction.
Although he had previous experience leading a Genin team, this time was different.
A Medical Ninja, Byakugan, and Sharingan make for a very perfect team formation.
Sakumo also felt the weight of responsibility pressing on him.
Just as Sakumo was about to speak again, Ruri suddenly burst forward unexpectedly, rushing at Sakumo with a kunai in her hand, aiming to stab him ruthlessly.
"Ruri!"
Hakushi and Ayane shouted from behind.
But Ruri showed no sign of stopping.
The next moment, an astonishing scene unfolded for everyone.
Sakumo, somehow, was now behind Ruri, pressing her head with a broad palm and bending her hand holding the kunai behind her back, rendering her immobile.
Not only were Hakushi and Ayane shocked, but Ruri herself was momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend her failure.
At this point, her Double-Tomoe Sharingan was fully activated. She hadn't expected Sakumo not only to perfectly avoid her Illusion Technique but also to subdue her from behind without her noticing.
Sakumo's Instant Body Jutsu was so fast that even her Sharingan struggled to keep up.
"So, can you let me finish speaking now?"
Sakumo released Ruri, his smile gentle, showing no anger at Ruri's outburst.
Ruri put away the kunai, her aura retracting, and she said with utmost seriousness:
"As expected of the ninja known as 'White Fang.' If you're the captain, I have no objections."
A simple exchange made Ruri understand the gap between her and Sakumo.
She acknowledged Sakumo's strength.
"It seems we'll get along very well as a squad in the future."
Sakumo concluded, hearing Ruri's words.
Ruri returned to her seat, allowing Hakushi and Ayane to breathe a sigh of relief.
They couldn't help but worry.
The man named Hatake Sakumo before them was the Konoha Jonin renowned as 'White Fang' in the Ninja Realm.
Even the Sannin paled in comparison to him.
Calling him the strongest Konoha Jonin would not be an exaggeration.
And his move against Ruri only made Hakushi and Ayane realize how unfathomable he was.
"Um, Sakumo-sensei, I've heard that Instructor Jonin usually test new Genin's abilities through survival exercises..."
Hakushi, seeing the atmosphere turning silent, brought up the topic of survival exercises.
"No need, I'm quite satisfied with your abilities and see no need for further testing, so you all pass."
Sakumo announced his decision casually.
Didn't you have to be so casual? You are the White Fang, after all, Hakushi thought sarcastically.
He had expected a grueling and serious survival exercise, but Sakumo easily deemed them qualified.
"So, what should we do now?" Hakushi asked.
"Hmm..." Sakumo rubbed his chin, then looked up at the sky with a smile, "It's almost noon. How about we all go for Korean barbecue? My treat."
Ayane's eyes lit up immediately.
Hakushi and Ruri seemed to recall distant memories.
"Sakumo-sensei, I think it's better if we each pay for ourselves..."
"What, worried the teacher doesn't have enough money? Don't worry, eat as much as you like, no need to worry about my wallet."
Seeing Sakumo determined to treat them to barbecue, Hakushi sighed.
"Sakumo-sensei, I warned you, no matter what happens later, please stay calm and don't be surprised."
After Hakushi said this, Sakumo looked at him in puzzlement.
...
An hour and a half later, in the barbecue restaurant, the owner smilingly stretched out his hand to Sakumo for payment.
"Thank you for your patronage. After discounting, it comes to a total of three hundred thousand."
He quoted a price that made Sakumo's heart sink a little.
"..."
Sakumo looked back at Ayane, who was smiling with a serene demeanor, and then at the towering pile of over a hundred plates behind her, most of the food had gone into her stomach.
He finally understood what Hakushi's earlier words meant.
"Ayane, when you were born, was there a possibility of being mixed up at the hospital? Perhaps you're actually from the Akimichi Clan?"
"Sakumo-sensei, you really like to joke. Looking into my eyes, you can see that I'm a true ninja of the Hyuga Clan, right?"
Ayane blinked her pure white pupils.
That's exactly why it seemed so strange.
Sakumo didn't remember Hyuga Clan ninjas having appetites comparable to the Akimichi Clan.
No, at this age, not even ninjas of the same age from the Akimichi Clan might have such a large appetite.
Sakumo shook his head and had no choice but to pull out his wallet to pay.
Then, he suddenly froze and stood there awkwardly.
"What's the matter, Sakumo-sensei?"
"Uh, well, could you wait here for a moment? I seem to be short on cash in my wallet. I'll go home to get some. I'll be back soon, don't worry."
The three of them: "..."
Ruri exhaled lightly and, before Sakumo could go home to get the money, pulled out her wallet from her pocket and slapped thirty crisp bills of one hundred thousand Ryo on the counter.
"It seems the so-called Konoha White Fang isn't that impressive after all."
Ruri was still brooding over being subdued by Sakumo earlier, and now she finally found a chance to turn the tables.
"It's really not impressive."
"Indeed, not impressive at all."
Hakushi and Ayane added fuel to the fire.
"You three..."
Sakumo chuckled wryly, wondering if they really had to tease him so much just because he hadn't brought enough money.