181 Chapter 181: Jonin Sensei?

"Would you like to become Jonin Sensei next year, or would you prefer to remain as teachers at the Academy, meant to guide the younger generations en masse instead of having a more... direct impact on a few youngsters?"

Kurenai and I exchanged a glance on the couch, sharing our thoughts as best we could silently before turning back towards the Hokage and head of the Nara Clan, our answer the same.

"Yes, it'd be an honor and a pleasure to continue teaching these students when they graduate and become Genin. Showing them how to progress and become valuable and respectable Chunin would be a privilege that we wish to make reality, if possible."

Lord Third smiled softly as he took another hit from his pipe, flicking the remaining ash out and storing it away as he gathered his thoughts, eventually saying "Excellent... That is excellent news, Kurenai, Kokoro. Few Jonin are willing to teach the younger generation for a myriad of reasons, and finding those that are good at teaching is a rarity indeed. It's refreshing and soothing to know that you will accompany three of these bright Shinobi hopefuls each."

Shikaku nodded, still looking through the binders as he added "Like Lord Third said, having qualified Jonin Sensei is a rarity to any village, and we here in Konoha are blessed to have two more join those ranks. And with the examples that you have set over the years, Kokoro, the future generations will benefit from a richer curriculum as well. Now, the next logical set of questions that we have for you is this: who amongst your classes do you wish to take under your wing? Why those three in particular, and what do you hope to impart unto them?"

We remained quiet, pursing our lips and thinking it over as we leaned back into the couch, mulling over the words of the Nara Head and giving it some serious thought, though it only took me a few moments to come up with a list.

"If I was allowed to pick from the entire class, I would chose to teach Ami, Tenten, and Fuki. Whilst there is the worry that the feelings between Ami and Tenten might inhibit their ability to work together - and with Fuki - smoothly and without issue, I believe that the three are more than willing to overcome that.

Ami has an incredible skillset that might land her in the ANBU one day if she wishes to join their ranks, and her hotter head and more direct thinking can be of much use to the group. Additionally, she is a natural leader and rather devoted to keeping her friends protected. On the flip side... I want to keep an eye on her due to her medical history, since I was present when she first... 'slipped'. 

Tenten is talented with blades, cool headed and sharp witted, and with how Ami currently listens to her wholeheartedly and without question, she would be an excellent supporter for the budding Ami. Besides that, she is also really determined to learn medical jutsu, which I would appreciate being inside of any Genin Squad.

Fuki is quiet and colder compared to Tenten, rarely speaking and suggesting ideas, but compared to her peers she seems to have a... more realistic view on the world, accepting and understanding what being a Shinobi means. Stealthy and eagle eyed with her ranged weapons, she makes an excellent scout.

All three of these girls offer a unique 'flavor' to a squad, and I believe that the relationship between the three would only grow deeper if they were placed together, whilst the chemistry is already present. I have a broad skillset on my own, and I could guide them properly on each of their paths; bladework, stealth, jutsu, healing, scouting, disguises, I can do it all to a high degree."

The two older men nodded, with the Hokage stroking his beard and accepting the papers that Shikaku offered him, looking them over and saying "Yes, that would be an admirable cluster of youngsters... Especially if Ami and Tenten maintain their current friendship; it's nice to have these groups based on friendship as well, since the bonds will deepen far quicker and strengthen just as much. It makes those squads far tougher in the end... though the risk of a fallout is possible there as well. What about you, Kurenai? Anyone in mind?"

I looked towards my wife and waited for the answer, being rather curious myself at her decision.

"Amongst the entire class, there are... few suitable for Genjutsu sadly enough. Sasuke doesn't count, due to the nature of the Sharingan, whilst the next talented user of Genjutsu inside the class is Ino, but I don't think I would do well with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio... no offense, Lord Nara.

So, with that in mind, I do think the next suitable bunch for me inside the class would be the trackers and scouts. Thankfully this year the students are wonderfully balanced in terms of strength, so I can focus on cultivating a group of only trackers.

Shino Aburame is clearly the best tracker we have at the moment, his natural affinity with the Aburame techniques and ability to utilize a wider array of insects giving him the ability to survey hundreds of feet of land in mere moments, whilst giving him stealthy capabilities as well, since few ever anticipate insects as threats.

Kiba Inuzuka is another excellent tracker, and whilst he is hot headed and rather... simple sometimes, his Taijutsu and connection with Akamaru make him rather dangerous up close. His nose compliments the senses of Shino from afar, and he would be capable of taking the lead of this group.

As for the final member, I think Hinata Hyuga would round out the squad quite well. The Byakugan would compliment the group excellently, giving them the perfect suite of sensory skills whilst her fighting style makes them an efficient close quarters unit as well. 

Since my forte for the longest time was infiltration and tracking, I would prefer imparting those skills onto the next generation if possible, while my ability in close quarters combat is also good, though I am not the greatest teacher on that front. All in all, having the three best trackers in the class under my wing would better them for when they become Chunin, allowing them to reliably guide their own squads wherever they need to go without risk."

We all nodded at her assessment, and the Hokage took the papers from Shikaku again, studying them as we began to go into greater detail in regards to the future.