When Hyuga Satoru received the team roster, he barely had time to process it before a mission notice arrived the very next day.
It wasn't an official assignment—just a summons from their new captain, Aburame Shibi, who wanted the team to meet and get acquainted before real missions began.
Shibi was a man of action, calm and methodical. When Namikaze Minato had appointed him to lead this squad, he had also given him some guidance—what kinds of missions they would likely undertake and the reasoning behind their formation.
Frontline combat was unlikely. Their main focus would be reconnaissance support—high-mobility operations that required tracking, intelligence-gathering, and ambush avoidance.
That didn't make the job safe, of course. Recon teams often faced the enemy's most elite ninja. To survive such work, a team needed versatility, speed, sensory range, and lethal precision.
Minato had chosen the members carefully. From his perspective, Hiashi's plan for Satoru aligned perfectly with his own.
As someone who had once been called a prodigy himself, Minato knew all too well—labels like "genin" or "chunin" could only hinder someone like Satoru.
If the boy was already a Special jonin, he needed to start building real experience as soon as possible.
Minato trusted Shibi deeply—he was one of his closest comrades, unburdened by the political baggage of the "Third Hokage's faction."
As an Insect User, Shibi's detection range was vast, and few enemies could effectively counter his methods. With him as captain, the squad's chances of survival were maximized.
Adding Uchiha Shisui to the roster was another deliberate choice.
Minato hoped this team would grow into one of his core units in the future.
Shisui, a gentle-hearted orphan with exceptional talent, had already reached chunin at the age of ten. Minato had met the boy and been impressed by his calm, mature demeanor and warmth.
He believed Shisui would be a perfect influence on the younger Satoru—someone close enough in age to inspire him, but wise enough to guide him.
As for Might Guy, Minato valued both his formidable taijutsu and his burning enthusiasm. As a rising young jonin, Guy's energy would strengthen the team's overall power—and his sunny personality might balance Satoru's more serious temperament.
To safeguard the Hyuga heir and help him grow, Minato had put considerable thought into this lineup.
Konoha Training Ground No.1
Aburame Shibi arrived early. Ever meticulous, he stood quietly in the clearing, a folder of his new teammates' profiles in hand.
Three teammates. Of them, he was only familiar with one—Might Guy, the ever-energetic rival of Kakashi, famous for his relentless taijutsu training and bright green jumpsuit.
As for Uchiha Shisui, Shibi had heard the name but never met the boy.
And Hyuga Satoru—the so-called "treasure of the Hyuga Main Family"—he knew only from rumor.
He sighed softly behind his high collar.
"An Uchiha prodigy, the Hyuga clan's little genius, and an overexcited green beast… Minato really knows how to make my life difficult."
Sensing someone approaching, Shibi tucked the papers away and muttered to himself.
"Just reading their profiles is giving me a headache. Even before our first mission, this team feels like S-rank difficulty…"
"Are you Captain Aburame Shibi?"
A clear, youthful voice broke his thoughts.
"Hello, I'm Uchiha Shisui. It's a pleasure to meet you—please take care of me."
Shibi looked up.
Before him stood a slender boy with short black hair and a short sword strapped to his back. His face was delicate, his expression open and sincere. Though small and soft-spoken, his smile radiated warmth that instantly disarmed Shibi.
"Oh!"
"So you're Shisui. Let's skip the formality, shall we? We're teammates now—friends as well as comrades."
"Just call me Shibi-nii. No need for 'Captain.'"
The Aburame were often quiet and aloof, but Shibi was different—level-headed and easy to talk to.
Even at their first meeting, his tone was friendly. Shisui, perceptive and considerate, immediately understood his captain's personality.
"Then please take care of me, Shibi-nii," he said, smiling softly.
Before they could continue chatting, both of them turned their heads toward the forest path nearby.
"…Such powerful chakra," Shisui murmured.
Shibi nodded slightly, the insects on his shoulders suddenly restless, buzzing into the air to form a protective ring.
Moments later, a small figure emerged from the trees—a boy in training attire, walking calmly toward them.
Hyuga Satoru.
His pale pale, pearly eyes met theirs from afar, an unreadable mixture of focus and hesitation flashing across them.
For a moment, he hesitated—but then, with a faint exhale, his steps grew steady.
Being teamed with Uchiha Shisui had made him uneasy at first, but he quickly reasoned it through.
They were just teammates. Nothing more.
And Shisui wasn't someone who would ever harm his comrades—his personality, his reputation, even his eyes proved that much.
That was enough.
If external danger could take his life, then it wouldn't matter who his teammates were. Whether his ally was Uchiha or not, death was death.
From that perspective, having Shisui as a teammate might even be an advantage—because at least Shisui was competent.
Better a skilled comrade than an unknown liability.
In the end, what mattered most was strength—and fate.
Those who hesitated too long would never become true shinobi.
"Hyuga Satoru, right?"
"So the rumors were true—you're really young."
"I'm Aburame Shibi, and this is Uchiha Shisui. It's good to have you with us."
Shibi greeted him warmly, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. His tone was friendly and even, treating Satoru as an equal rather than a child.
"Thank you, Captain," Satoru said politely, bowing slightly. Then, with a small smile, "Hello, Shisui-nii."
Both older shinobi felt an instant sense of ease—the Hyuga heir's manners were impeccable, yet his presence carried quiet confidence rather than arrogance.
Before they could talk further, a loud, unmistakable yell echoed from above.
"The Blue Beast of Konoha—Might Guy—has arrived!!!"
A gust of wind struck the clearing as a green blur dropped from the sky, landing in a dramatic pose, teeth gleaming, thumbs upraised.
Shibi's coat fluttered in the wake of the impact. Shisui and Satoru exchanged a look.
Their fourth teammate had made his entrance.
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