Disclaimer:
Naruto and all of its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
Chapter 17: The Future of Konoha
This restaurant was always busy on weekends, so it was a good thing she had reserved a private room so she could have a pleasant evening talking with her colleague.
Kurenai Yuhi sat on a comfortable cushion while holding a warm cup of tea in her hands.
The aroma of grilled fish and miso soup hung in the air, mingling with the murmur of conversation from the other patrons.
Across from her, Asuma Sarutobi leaned back in his seat, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
“You’re going to burn the place down one of these days,” Kurenai said, eyeing the cigarette with mild disapproval.
“Also… It’s difficult to enjoy the aroma of the food with all that smoke.”
Asuma grinned, taking a long drag.
“Relax.
I know it’s a bad habit, but I need to smoke before eating something.
It opens my appetite.”
“It usually goes the other way…” She pointed out.
“And you said you were working on quitting.”
“And I’ll keep working on it for years more.” He exhaled a stream of smoke, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“So.
You wanted to talk about team assignments?.
I already settled on mine.
The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi heirs.”
Kurenai nodded.
“Yes, that is quite the legendary combination you have there.”
“Their parents made it legendary.
Now is the time for the children to continue that legacy.” Asuma grinned, pride evident in his voice.
“If I can get them to work together as their parents did, they’ll be unstoppable.”
Kurenai smiled.
“But I think they’ll manage.
Shikamaru is brilliant, Ino is determined, and Choji has more potential than he gives himself credit for.”
“They do have a lot of potential, but…” Asuma shook his head.
“Getting that lazy genius to actually apply himself is going to be the real challenge.
And Yamanaka is only thinking of boys…particularly the Uchiha one.”
Kurenai chuckled.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
You always do.” She set down her tea.
“It’s great that you have already selected your new students, but I still have one important decision left.
I’ve been observing the academy students for weeks now.
I think I’ve finally settled on most of my choices.”
“Let me guess.” Asuma tapped ash into a small tray.
“The first one is the Hyuga heiress?”
“Hinata Hyuga.” Kurenai’s expression softened.
“She’s been on my radar for a long time.
She has incredible potential, even if she doesn’t see it herself.
She just needs…some encouragement and to work on her insecurities.”
“And the Inuzuka boy?
Kiba?”
“Yes.
He’s loud, brash, and lacks discipline.
But his instincts are sharp, and his bond with his partner is remarkable.
He’ll make an excellent tracker.”
Asuma nodded slowly.
“A Hyuga and an Inuzuka.
That’s a solid foundation for a tracking team.
But you need a third.”
Kurenai reached into her bag and pulled out two files, placing them on the table between them.
“I’ve been debating between these two.”
Asuma glanced at the files, his eyebrows rising slightly.
“Aburame Shino.
Makes sense.
Those insects of theirs are incredibly versatile.” His eyes moved.
“And…” He picked up the second file, studying the name.
“Hyuga Shokuh?”
“Yes.”
“The Hyuga spare.” Asuma’s expression was thoughtful.
“I’ve heard about him.
He was born with a weak constitution.
Always getting sick.
His father…” He paused, choosing his words carefully.
“Well, the Hyuga clan isn’t exactly known for being merciful to those who dont reach their high standard.”
Kurenai’s jaw tightened.
“No.
They’re not.”
“Poor boy…” Asuma shook his head.
“And you’re considering him for your team?” He set the file down.
“No offense, Kurenai, but he probably won’t even graduate.
Someone with a weak constitution is not fit to become a ninja.”
“That’s what I thought too.
At first.” Kurenai’s fingers traced the edge of Sho’s file.
“But something’s changed very recently.
In the last two months, that boy has gone through a massive transformation.”
Asuma’s eyes narrowed with interest.
“Oh?.
How can that be?”
“I’ve been keeping an eye on the Hyuga clan.
Their affairs, their politics.
And I’ve been watching him.
He’s no longer sick.
His recovery was…” She paused, searching for the right word.
“Miraculous.
And his improvement since then has been meteoric.”
“Meteoric?
That’s a strong word.”
“I’ve seen him train, Asuma.
I’ve watched him push himself past limits that would have broken him just months ago.
He’s determined.
Driven.
And he’s getting stronger every day.
He progresses at a ridiculous pace.
He even became training friends with that boy who always follows Maito Gai.”
Asuma leaned forward, his cigarette forgotten.
“You really think he’ll graduate?”
Kurenai met his gaze.
“My instincts tell me he’ll not only graduate…but that he’ll surpass everyone’s expectations.”
Asuma was silent for a long moment.
Then he let out a low whistle.
“Your instincts are rarely wrong, Kurenai.
I’ve learned that over the years.” He finished his cigarette and picked up his tea, taking a sip.
“But are you sure about this?
Two Hyugas on the same team?
That’s…
unusual.”
“Unusual, yes.
But not unprecedented.” Kurenai picked up her rice bowl and began to eat.
“And what about the Aburame boy?
He would be a better tactical fit.
The combination of Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame would be unmatched for tracking and reconnaissance.”
Kurenai nodded slowly.
“I know.
I’ve considered that.”
“But?”
Kurenai smiled softly.
“I know Hinata.
I’ve known her for years.
She’s been through so much…her difficult family, her training, her constant struggle to prove herself to her father.
And the one person who’s always been there for her is her brother.
And it also works the other way around.
Those two are extremely close.”
Asuma raised an eyebrow.
“So you’re doing this for the girl?.
I knew you had a soft spot for her, but…”
“Well, that is partly true.” Kurenai’s expression turned serious.
“But I’ve also watched Shokuhi.
I’ve seen how he looks at his sister.
The way he protects her.
The way he fights for her.
If I put him on a different team, he’ll spend every waking moment worried about her.
But if they’re together…”
“They’ll push each other.”
“Exactly.” Kurenai’s eyes gleamed with conviction.
“They’ll be stronger together.
I know it.”
Asuma studied his old friend, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
“Well then…it looks to me that you’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?”
Kurenai laughed softly.
“I suppose I have.”
“Then why did you bring me here?”
“Because I wanted your opinion.
You’re the most level-headed person I know.” She paused.
“Well, besides Kakashi.
But he’s…”
“Kakashi is Kakashi,” Asuma finished with a grin.
“What about him?
Has he chosen his team yet?”
Kurenai smirked.
“He has his eye on the Uchiha boy.
And Naruto Uzumaki.”
“Uzu…hold on, when did you talk with Kakashi?.
It’s been a month since I saw him.”
Kurenai blinked.
“I saw him last night.
We went for ramen…” She paused, enjoying the change of expression on Asuma’s face.
“You…you went for dinner with Kakashi…at night?…alone?” Asuma muttered.
“We did.” Kurenai pretended not to notice his reaction and went to take a bite of her fish.
“Why do you ask?…you are not getting jealous, are you?”
“Jealous?” Asuma’s face reddened slightly, and he quickly looked away.
“I’m not jealous.
I just…
thought you didn’t like ramen.”
“I don’t.
But Kakashi insisted.
He said the new place had excellent miso.” She paused, a playful smile forming on her lips.
“You know, you could have joined us.
If you weren’t so busy.”
“I wasn’t busy.
I was…” He trailed off, clearly flustered.
“You were what?”
“I was…
training.” He coughed, clearly embarrassed.
“Important training.”
Kurenai’s smile widened.
“Of course.
Important training.”
Asuma cleared his throat, changing the subject.
“So…Kakashi wants the jinchuriki in his team?.
That’s another one that may or may not graduate.
I have seen his grades; it’s not looking good.
“He’s been watching him for months.
I think he sees something in the boy that others don’t.” Kurenai paused.
“And you should call the boy by his name, not by the burden he carries.”
“Right, sorry…” Asuma said, ” But I suppose Kakashi has always had a soft spot for strays.”
“I’m not sure that’s the right word for it.” Kurenai shrugged.
“But it works for me.
I didn’t want to compete with him for the Hyuga boy.”
“It’s settled then.” Asuma ground out his cigarette.
“You’re going to request both Hyuga siblings for your team.”
Kurenai nodded, her expression resolute.
“If Shokuhi graduates.”
“And you think he will?”
“I don’t know.
The graduation exam is in a few days.
He’ll have to master the three basic jutsus.
It won’t be easy since he started so late.” She paused, a small smile playing on her lips.
“But something tells me he’ll manage.”
The conversation drifted to other topics, their last missions, politics, the ever-present threat of the Akatsuki.
But Kurenai’s mind kept drifting back to the file on the table.
To her future students and…to Hyuga Shokuhi.
She’d watched him train in the clearing, hidden in the shadows, observing his every move without being noticed.
She’d seen his determination, his refusal to give up even when his body was screaming in protest.
She’d also seen the bond between him and his sister.
The way they pushed each other, supported each other, believed in each other.
It was beautiful and very rare.
‘He’s not weak,’ she thought.
‘He’s never been weak.
He just needed the right opportunity….I can give him that.’
<><>
Several days later, Kurenai stood in the shadows of the academy courtyard, watching the students go through their final preparations before the examination began.
Her eyes found Sho almost immediately as he walked into the academy.
She could detect a look of confidence in his eyes, and even at a single glance, it became obvious that he had grown stronger again.
It’s only been two weeks since I last saw him… How come he is so different every time I see him?.
She wondered about his hidden talents.
‘Perhaps his illness had been hiding a true genius until now.’
And then she saw him talking to Hinata, his sister’s face bright with pride.
She saw the way Sho looked at her…the affection, the protectiveness, the unbreakable bond between them.
‘Yes, I’m making the right choice.’ She turned and walked away, her decision made.
‘Hyuga Shokuhi.
Hyuga Hinata.
Inuzuka Kiba.
That will be her team.
‘
She smiled.
‘Team 8 is going to become the future of Konoha.’
A.N: