Chapter 76: Bonds Before the Dawn
In the early morning, the sun shone brightly, illuminating a world full of vitality.
In the northern training grounds of Konoha, five figures had gathered early, reuniting with palpable joy.
Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Hyūga Hinata, Yūhi Kurenai, and Aizen Sōsuke.
The complete Team 8, reunited at last.
After a month of intense, focused training, everyone's bearing had changed in subtle ways.
Kiba's spirit seemed more contained, his demeanor calmer. During this period, his impulsive nature had often earned him reprimands from Kurenai. It was precisely through this process that his temperament had gradually begun to mature. He was still full of fire, but he was finally off to a good start.
Aburame Shino remained as stoic as ever. Though he spoke little, his words were always precise and to the point.
Hinata had grown even more beautiful, her youthful charm blossoming further. Her Byakugan made her role within the team more defined and crucial. She was a delicate flower cherished by all; though she appeared fragile on the outside, she possessed a surprising inner strength. Intangibly, she had become an indispensable part of Team 8.
Under Kurenai's meticulous guidance, the trio's teamwork had become seamless, and their efficiency in completing missions had skyrocketed. Despite their perfect coordination, Kiba, Shino, and Hinata always felt a tinge of regret—the absence of Aizen.
From the moment Team 8 was formed, the four of them had been an inseparable unit. After a month of living and training together, their bond had only deepened. All three of them had poured their trust into Aizen, seeing him as a comrade they could entrust their backs to. This bond had taken root and could not be easily severed.
Due to the rules of the Chunin Exams, they had been forced to temporarily disband. Both Kurenai and Hinata held high hopes for Aizen, believing he could achieve great things in the finals.
Fortunately, Aizen had not disappointed them. He had made a stunning display in the preliminaries, calmly and decisively defeating Yakushi Kabuto, securing his spot in the main tournament.
"Aizen! Haven't seen you in a month! You look even better than before!" Kiba was as boisterous as ever, the first to greet Aizen enthusiastically. Though he was eager to compete, his strength wasn't top-tier, and he hadn't qualified for the finals.
Aizen responded with his characteristic gentle smile, greeting each of the other three in turn.
Watching this scene of harmonious unity, Kurenai, standing to the side, revealed a crescent-moon smile, charming and heartwarming.
She looked at Aizen silently, her beautiful eyes filled with a sense of relief and accomplishment. Allowing Aizen to train alone a month ago had not been an act of neglect, but a decision to give the genius the freedom to fully unleash his unparalleled talent.
The results on both sides had now exceeded Kurenai's expectations, and both were perfect. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino had achieved an excellent understanding of each other. While their individual combat strength might not be the highest, as a team, their coordinated power was among the best of the new genin.
"Very good, everyone," Kurenai began, her voice warm with pride. "Your progress is beyond what I imagined. Tomorrow is the long-awaited Chunin Exams finals. Seeing you all in this state, I can finally rest easy."
She let out a sigh of relief. Over the past month, she had practically forgotten sleep and food, dedicating herself wholly to helping them improve.
The Chunin Exams were a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seizing this chance could allow one to soar to great heights and make a name for themselves throughout the shinobi world.
"Don't worry, Kurenai-sensei," Kiba said, his confidence brimming over as he continued to encourage the two finalists. "With the strength Shino and Aizen have, getting a good ranking will be easy!" His excitement made it seem as if he were the one who had advanced.
"Thank you for your auspicious words," Shino responded, a rare occurrence of him initiating conversation. "Over the past month, I have studied my opponent's weaknesses and made full preparations. As long as I go all out, defeating him should not be a problem."
"Gaara is strong," Aizen added, his tone as plain as ever, yet carrying an undeniable air of certainty that made his words feel like an immutable truth. "But I will defeat him."
"Good. I believe in you," Kurenai said, her voice firm. "Team 8 will always be Konoha's pride!"
She raised her hand high. The four genin—Aizen, Hinata, Kiba, and Shino—each placed one of their hands on top of her flawless, jade-like one.
In that moment, the bond between them felt eternal, a connection that would last forever.