Chapter 36: Bonds and Preparation
The spar between Team 8 and Team 10 became a fleeting, yet impactful, memory. After Asuma and his students departed, Team 8 threw themselves back into their training under Kurenai's watchful eye with renewed vigor.
For Hinata, Kiba, and Shino, the match had been a stark lesson. They had seen the strength of a well-coordinated team and, more importantly, their own individual shortcomings. A fire was lit within them, and their training sessions were filled with a fiercer, more determined energy.
Aizen, meanwhile, had cemented his status. His flawless and overwhelming victory over the Ino-Shika-Chō trio had made him the undisputed star of the team. In Kurenai's eyes, he had transformed from a promising student into a dazzling supernova, a genius whose light she found herself constantly drawn to.
The days fell into a rigorous routine, focusing on the four core shinobi arts: ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, and the Body Flicker Technique. As the sun traced its path across the sky, their skills grew sharper, their movements more synchronized.
When evening finally came and Kurenai dismissed them for the day, she called out to Aizen just as he was about to leave.
"Aizen," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Would you care to join me for a bowl of ramen? My treat."
At the Ichiraku Ramen stand, the warm, savory aroma filled the air.
"So, Aizen," Kurenai began, elegantly sipping her broth, "is this your first time at Ichiraku?"
"Not exactly," Aizen replied, chewing slowly as he appreciated the rich flavor. "Hinata brought me here once before. It's become a favorite of mine."
"Oh? Hinata?" Kurenai smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. It was easy to understand the shy Hyūga heiress's budding feelings. Aizen, with his prodigious talent, gentle demeanor, and handsome features, was precisely the type to capture a young girl's heart. Even she, his sensei, felt a strong pull of admiration. Having such a rare genius as her student felt like a great fortune.
"Hehe," Aizen chuckled softly, turning his gentle smile towards her. "While Hinata may appear timid, she has a truly kind heart and a pure character. It's a pleasant feeling, to be someone she trusts."
Looking at his youthful but already sharp-featured face, Kurenai felt a strange, unexpected twinge in her chest. It was a faint, irrational dissatisfaction that he was speaking so fondly of another girl.
Where did that come from? she thought, shaking her head slightly to dispel the notion. The idea of feeling competitive with one of her own students over a boy's attention was absurd. A light blush crept onto her cheeks, making her look even more beautiful in the evening light.
"Sensei? Why is your face red?" Aizen asked, his tone one of innocent curiosity.
"Ah, it's nothing!" Kurenai said, flustered. "The ramen is just... a bit too hot, that's all." Reaching out, she playfully flicked his forehead with her finger. "Just focus on your ramen, and don't worry about your sensei."
She quickly pulled her hand back and turned away, but the blush on her face deepened, revealing two charming dimples. She looked utterly captivating.
After they finished their meal and left the warm glow of the ramen stand, they paused at a crossroads to part ways.
Kurenai turned back to him, her expression warm and full of faith. "Do your best, Aizen. I believe you will astonish everyone at the Chunin Exams and become an outstanding chunin!"
Aizen returned her gaze with his usual gentle smile. "Of course. I will make sure the name of Team 8 echoes throughout the shinobi world."
They held each other's gaze for a long moment before finally turning to go their separate ways.
Their moods, however, were worlds apart. Aizen's heart remained a placid lake, its surface of warm enthusiasm perfectly masking the cold, deep waters beneath. Kurenai, meanwhile, felt a flutter in her chest, a nervous, youthful anticipation she hadn't felt in years.
Upon returning to his quarters, Aizen did not rest. He immediately sat in a meditative pose, devoting his entire focus to refining the seed of his spiritual power. He had already mastered every ninjutsu on Danzō's scroll; now, pure power accumulation was his goal.
A month passed in this fashion.
Each day was a cycle of team training and solitary, intense cultivation at night. Leveraging his innate genius and centuries of accumulated experience from his past life, his strength advanced by leaps and bounds.
Through countless missions and shared training, the bonds within Team 8 grew stronger and more harmonious. Aizen seamlessly integrated himself into the fabric of Konoha. He was widely admired as the village's humble genius, and the community's acceptance of him grew with each passing day.
While he only ever revealed a fraction of his true power during daylight hours, his recovery was rapid and profound. His mastery of Kidō had steadily returned, now encompassing the first eighty spells.
By the time the month had elapsed, Aizen Sōsuke had restored half of his former power, capable of wielding Kidō up to the formidable Number 80.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the Chunin Exams had arrived.