At 2 p.m., Setsuna arrived at the classroom exactly on time as notified. Two people were already waiting inside.
One of them was very excited to see Setsuna. It was Guy, who did ten backflips on the spot before stopping to cheer: "Great! Setsuna-san, we're in the same team!"
The other was a girl about the same age as Guy, who greeted him timidly: "Setsuna-senpai."
Setsuna naturally knew her. She was Shizune, who, in the future timeline, would be taken under Tsunade's wing because of Kato Dan.
"I'll be in your care from now on." Setsuna responded with a smile, then looked at Guy, "I thought you would be assigned to one of the formal Ninja Teams."
Shizune nearby secretly pricked up her ears, as she found it strange, 'Didn't Guy graduate two years early? Why was he assigned with me?'
Guy scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "Just like I told you last time, Setsuna-san, my original team leader died in battle, and my teammate was seriously injured and hasn't recovered yet. The team was disbanded. Other teams might not think much of a pure Taijutsu specialist like me."
As if worried the two would think he was here to drag them down, Guy quickly assured them: "Although I can't compare to Setsuna-san, my strength should be considered decent among Genin. Plus, I have two years of mission experience. I definitely won't hold everyone back."
Setsuna naturally didn't think that way. Shizune, however, was worried about herself. She had watched the entire fight between Setsuna and Asuma and knew how strong Setsuna was.
And although Guy spoke modestly, he was also a genius who graduated at age seven. Compared to the two of them, she seemed rather ordinary.
Just then, a young Ninja with a cold expression walked in. He had long, loose hair, and his pure white pupils were striking.
His gaze swept over the three of them, and he spoke methodically: "I am your assigned team leader, Hyuga Hizashi. I specialize in Taijutsu. Now, all of you introduce yourselves and tell me your dreams."
"Ah? Sensei is a Taijutsu expert from the Hyuga Clan?" Guy cheered excitedly, "With me and Setsuna-san added, our team is a bona fide Taijutsu Team!"
Then he looked at Shizune as if preaching: "Shizune, why don't you practice Taijutsu with us too?"
"Ah? Me?" Shizune was somewhat tempted. Before entering the Ninja Academy, she had always been under Tsunade's care.
Tsunade had asked her if she would be willing to learn Medical Ninjutsu and Taijutsu from her in the future.
Back then, she only wanted to learn Medical Ninjutsu. But now, it seemed that if both her teammates and sensei were Taijutsu experts, wouldn't it be odd if she didn't practice Taijutsu? Would she be bullied?
Hizashi saw that his first order was being ignored. The veins around his eyes, already prominent, bulged even more, 'What's wrong with these brats? They have no respect!'
Fortunately, Setsuna didn't let him wait in awkwardness for too long and spoke up: "My name is Chiaki Setsuna. I specialize in Taijutsu. My dream is to become a Martial Artist, spread Taijutsu throughout the Ninja World, and make Taijutsu an existence like the Ninshu!"
Hizashi was slightly shocked inwardly. Although it was his first time hearing the term 'Martial Artist', he could roughly guess its meaning from the context.
'This child actually wanted to become a figure who establishes a school and founds a religion like the legendary Sage of Six Paths, to make Taijutsu into a [Taishu]?'
This dream was simply enormous. He thought Setsuna's dream would at most be to become Hokage.
"Senpai's dream is that big?" Shizune was very surprised inside. When she glanced at Guy out of the corner of her eye, she was startled by his reaction.
Guy was so excited that tears and snot were flowing, his eyes blazing with an intensity that scared her.
Shizune couldn't help but wonder, 'Is Guy's reaction really necessary?'
"This is the springtime of Youth! Youth blooms, endless! Setsuna-san, I feel the heat and firmness of your conviction! Let us create an era belonging to Taijutsu together!"
Guy waved his arms and legs, shouting loudly, which startled even Hizashi, who couldn't help but think, 'Why is this kid so excitable?'
"Cough, it's your turn to introduce yourself." Hizashi looked at Guy, trying to steer the topic back on track.
"My name is Might Guy. I am a Taijutsu specialist. My dream is to sprinkle youth, burn youth, to live every day from now on without regrets. It would be even better if I could build the Taishu together with Setsuna-san." Guy said, grinning and giving Hizashi a thumbs-up.
Hizashi nodded slightly and looked at Shizune.
Shizune took a deep breath and clenched her fists: "My name is Shizune. My dream is to become a Medical-Nin like Tsunade-sama... Well, but I'm not against practicing Taijutsu either. Tsunade-sama once said that a Medical-Nin who cannot protect themselves is not a good Medical Ninja. Medical-Nin can also fight."
Hizashi nodded and said clearly: "I only have a preliminary understanding of you now. To better break in in the future, I will test you later, mainly to assess your strength and coordination."
Hearing that Hizashi wanted to test their strength, Guy instinctively remembered Jiraiya's miserable state and asked: "Will Setsuna-san participate too?"
Hizashi was puzzled by Guy's question: "You are all members of the same team. Of course he will participate."
Guy hesitated, thought it over carefully, and then said seriously: "Then, Sensei, you must be careful of your own safety."
Hizashi found this amusing: "It seems you still don't understand the gap between a Genin and a Jonin. Fight without worry, go all out. Don't worry about hurting me."
Guy thought thoughtfully, 'Hizashi-sensei must have heard about Setsuna's strength from the Hokage-sama. If he dares to let Setsuna go all out, perhaps he is an even stronger powerhouse than Jiraiya-sama.'
Thinking this, Guy felt relieved and nodded seriously: "We will definitely go all out!"
"Let's go. We're heading to the forest behind the mountain now."
Hizashi was efficient and soon brought the three to a quiet forest. The birds were chirping, and cicadas were buzzing… it was very peaceful.
"My test is simple: no matter what methods you use, hold out under my attack for three minutes. If you can't even last that long, you should go back to the Ninja Academy early." Hizashi said with a cold face, "Now, I'll give you two minutes to discuss tactics."
After speaking, he turned and left, seemingly indicating he wouldn't eavesdrop on their discussion.
Shizune was very nervous, as she didn't want to be sent back to the Ninja Academy: "Senpai, Guy, do you have any good ideas?"
"I've got one!" Guy raised his hand and said, "You and I will be responsible for the feint attack, to attract the sensei's attention. Setsuna-san will be the main attacker, seizing the opportunity to ambush."
"Ah? We're going on the offensive?" Shizune couldn't help but say, "The test is to hold out under Hizashi-sensei for three minutes. Shouldn't we try to hide and defend as much as possible?"
Guy grinned: "The best defense is a good offense. Even you didn't think of it, so Hizashi-sensei definitely won't expect us to take the initiative to attack."
Shizune looked at Setsuna with hopeful eyes, wishing the mature and steady Senpai would stop Guy's radical idea.
However, Setsuna nodded slightly: "I agree with Guy's proposal."
Looking at Guy's beaming face, Shizune couldn't help but doubt herself: 'Could it be that I'm the one who's out of step?'