With Uchiha Shisui's strength, he could have easily been an ANBU captain and maybe even head of a division.
In terms of raw ability, he was fully qualified.
But leadership in ANBU wasn't just about strength. Rank, merit, political awareness, and one's background also mattered.
For now, under Minato's leadership, large-scale changes hadn't been made.
Every man kept his role, and Shisui remained a team leader.
Still, as the Hokage's disciple, his position was secure, and no one dared trip him up.
Although Minato's reign had only just begun, there was a refreshing new atmosphere in Konoha.
To celebrate the birth of his new team, Gen decided to invite Kurenai, Anko, and Yugao to his home for hotpot.
They shopped together, prepped the food together, and Gen personally made the broth base, after all, the three girls had never even heard of hotpot.
That evening, the four gathered in Gen's small backyard.
A garden lay to the left, a pond to the right. It was the dead of winter; grass and lotus withered, wintersweet blooming faintly fragrant, bamboo swaying green against snow.
A low wooden corridor stretched out, with a long table occupying the aisle. Four cushions, neatly placed. At the center, the steaming pot bubbled, aromas curling in the frosty air. Plates of meat, vegetables, and tofu covered the table, along with dipping sauces, bowls, chopsticks, and drinks.
It was crowded, but lively.
Gen sat beside Anko, while Kurenai and Yugao took the other side. Cross-legged, relaxed, they cooked and fished food out of the bubbling broth. Each mouthful was so hot they had to blow rapidly before chewing—but no one was willing to spit it out.
"Mmm… delicious. Just as good as barbecue," Anko said happily, chewing on mutton.
"Fresh and rich," Yugao added in awe.
"In this freezing weather, eating something hot like this feels perfect," Kurenai smiled, eyes narrowing into crescents. "Gen, you really know how to enjoy life."
Gen laughed. "This isn't about being rich. It's about being fulfilled. Ninjas walk on the edge of life and death. We deserve to treat ourselves well."
The three nodded in agreement. Backgrounds aside, a little comfort was always worth it.
"Gen," Yugao leaned forward, eyes hopeful, "now that you're our leader, can we take A-rank missions?"
Her situation was different. Her father had died in the Third War, leaving only her mother at home. She longed to earn more money, to ease her family's burden.
Normally, A-rank missions went to jōnin, though special jōnin could sometimes join. Without Gen, they wouldn't even qualify.
"Yes, but not right away," Gen said firmly. "We need to build teamwork first. Coordination comes before ambition. A-rank missions are dangerous so we must be careful."
Kurenai nodded. "He's right. We should start with C- and B-rank missions first."
"Mm… I was impatient," Yugao admitted, smiling faintly. She was still only a genin, the weakest link. Taking on A-rank missions recklessly would put her in the most danger.
She resolved to train harder, to reach chūnin soon.
"When I'm not around, one of you will need to lead," Gen continued. "Kurenai is the oldest, already a chūnin, steady and capable. She'll act as substitute leader. Any objections?"
"No problem."
"Fine by me," Anko mumbled through a mouthful of food.
The decision was accepted without dispute.
Gen was about to reach for more food when a thought struck him; his hand froze mid-air.
He had changed their fates. What if something happened to them because of him? Losing even one of them… he couldn't bear it.
"Gen? What's wrong?" Kurenai asked, noticing. The others looked up too.
Gen slowly lowered his chopsticks, his expression solemn.
"As your leader, classmate, and friend, your safety is my responsibility. If anything were to happen to you after joining me… I'd never forgive myself."
"So I'll give you each a life-saving trump card."
Their eyes lit up immediately.
"Is it a powerful jutsu?" they asked together, eager.
Gen smirked. "Something like that. Look into my eyes."
The three girls leaned closer. His Sharingan spun into triple tomoe, whirling hypnotically. Their expressions turned hazy.
Transcription Seal.
A secret Uchiha art—sealing illusions into another's eyes, to be released automatically under preset conditions. Difficult to master, requiring precise chakra control. But Gen, one of the clan's twin stars and Orochimaru's student, had already inherited such knowledge.
A snap of his fingers, and the girls blinked back to themselves.
"Feel anything?" he asked.
"No."
"Nothing at all."
Gen chuckled. "Of course you can't. What I gave you are sealed genjutsu. Kurenai, you carry the A-rank Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, robbing enemies of sight. Anko, you have A-rank Shiranui, setting foes ablaze. Yugao, yours is the A-rank Demonic Shackles Technique, binding targets in place. Instant release. No hand seals needed."
The three were stunned. Three A-rank illusions, gifted freely.
Their hearts warmed. He truly worried for their safety.
"But," Gen added slyly, "chakra and spirit drain a lot when I do this. Don't you think I deserve a reward?"
"Reward?" Yugao tilted her head.
Gen grinned. "Nothing big. How about… feeding me tonight?"
The girls glanced at one another. Compared to what he'd just given them, such a request was trivial.
They nodded.
"But what's the trigger condition for the seal?" Anko asked suspiciously.
"Two things," Gen said with a straight face. "First, make eye contact with your enemy. Second… say: Gen is a handsome guy."
The three: "???"
Their expressions twisted between disbelief and embarrassment.
"What's with those looks? Am I not handsome?" Gen pressed seriously. "This jutsu will save your life. Doesn't that make it even cooler?"
Cornered, the three finally muttered together, cheeks red: "…Handsome."
"Good. Now let's eat. The soup's drying up."
Gen pushed his sauce bowl into the center, opened his mouth calmly. "Kurenai first. Then counterclockwise."
Blushing faintly, Kurenai dipped a slice of mutton into the sauce and gently placed it into his waiting mouth.
Chewing happily, Gen thought, Ah, just a matter of time now. Clothes when I stretch out my hand, food when I open my mouth… warmth in the same quilt. Life will be perfect.
Soon, Yugao and Anko followed, their faces equally pink in the dim corridor light.
The meal was warm, noisy, and sweet. The only regret for Gen was that his hands stayed idle, no opportunity yet to test a more… daring skill.
By nine o'clock, the three girls helped tidy up before heading home together.