To be precise, when Mitarai was in the hospital, everything was already settled.

However, the middle ninja assessment came to a complete end, but it was not until after the relevant procedures that the three of them officially became the backbone of Konoha at that time.

~~~~~~

Big changes are always hidden in many small changes.

Calling the other party as [senior], [senior], how long has it been?

Naturally, they attributed such fickleness to their own mistakes, and accepted the two people as a matter of course.

will not deny the reality that they have changed.

Therefore.

They can understand it, too!

That person changed, that person also changed? No, I guess it's just a reversal of the impression.

~~~~~~

In the course of several missions after returning to the team, Mitarai and Hinata Yuki did notice that from vague to clear, from close to vaguely estranged, the teammate named Winter Night, began to exude a subtle aura of rejection.

But!

Such a strangeness makes people feel familiar, familiar strangeness, this is the true face of everything!

What I am used to is not the other's hypocrisy that integrates into me, what I am accustomed to is just the distance between the other party and myself, and the difference between what I have now and what I have in the past is just that the distance has been lengthened!

So!

It's okay.

He thinks so, and Mitarai and Hinata seem to affirm this fact.

~~~~~~

From the perspective of a bystander, you can often see more and more interesting things.

The training ground where the mission returned to practice, Orochimaru, who was watching from afar, encompassed everything in his eyes.

Naturally, Orochimaru was aware of the subtle changes between the three of them, but he didn't make the same choices as other mentors would have been, and he was so obvious that he didn't intend to pay attention to such a phenomenon, and instead let it be.

A man like a snake, a cold heart like a snake, and indifferent values. This is Orochimaru.

But what is this determined by his own cold character? Or can he really understand it?

For the Rukawa Winter Nights, they are three people with distinct personalities and independents, all with the qualities of gifted ninjas, and such people are often not suitable to stay together.

Any one of them can go to another squad and become a leader.

So from the very beginning, they weren't meant to be a squad.

But!

The problem is that they've become a squad.

This is a difficult subject for all instructors.

So.

Truly wise decision.

From Orochimaru's self-awareness, but also from the past case references.

From the very beginning, it is not a strong connection between the three of them with hypocritical friendliness, but plays the role of a guide who does not have much presence, and will only participate appropriately at the right time.

He has done this in a sufficient way, so in a sense, he is already a qualified instructor.

And!

Personality? Talented?

Are you kidding!

The former three ninjas!

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade!

How could they not be like this in the past? Even in comparison, it was a winter night, and the three of them are far from comparable now.

Team!

Konoha, no, all the ninja villages divide the ninja into three-person squads, isn't what they are after as a team?

The so-called team spirit!

The so-called unity triumphs over the individual, and the majority triumphs over the minority.

But!

What exactly is team spirit? Is it okay to help each other and protect each other? Someone, no, most people think so!

But that's just bluffing! The so-called unity!

It should be everyone who is determined to die and do their own thing!

I've done my thing, and then it's your turn, and if I can't do it, I'll beat you up!

In that case, Tsunade that woman would definitely say it, but rather, she would definitely do it!

It's like this tough demand, forced, even if you die.

This kind of determination is the minimum team spirit!

So from this point of view, even if the partners are mavericks, it is not a big deal!

~~~~~~

"Have you reached your limit?"

Orochimaru's eyes looked at the boy who had stopped attacking not far away, and compared to before, the sweat was not yet soaked, so he had doubts.

It's not the first time I've been alone with the little guy in front of me, and when there's no task, time is always occupied by him for the same reason.

Of course!

When I don't have time, I seem to be used to saving some time to spend with him.

There are too many things to be busy, but it seems that I have gotten used to it, so I rarely refuse.

Such a self may be a little strange for the other two people who are familiar with him.

But!

When you get along with the little ghost in front of you.

Seems interesting, like now.

"You mean, two hands?"

"That's right."

The dull response, the short tone only existed for a moment, and if you didn't listen carefully, you might quickly ignore it.

"Twin Knife Flow?"

"Yes."

The fact that he didn't look away from his eyes shows that he thought deeply about it.

"Handedness?"

"Nope."

"That is, are you used to both hands?"

"Habit."

"Have you practiced before?"

"Nope."

The cold aura in Orochimaru's words was forgotten, and he focused on answering his question.

"Why did you suddenly think of such a method?"

"I want to be strong."

Orochimaru's gaze surveyed the young man in front of him, his true thoughts, not the answers he simply gave.

"You can learn more powerful ninjutsu."

"For me, the ninjutsu I have in control now is enough at this stage."

In the face of Orochimaru's other, more realistic way to become stronger, Winter Night only responded humbly.

"What a template answer."

It didn't seem to surprise the choice made by Winter Night, and he changed the subject without hesitation.

"Does it make a difference?"

"I don't know yet."

Orochimaru was not a master of the use of short knives, but he knew that the use of a simple short knife was completely different from the use of two short knives together.

Concentrating on one knife is undoubtedly more difficult than distracting from the control of two knives.

Not to mention the time required to re-study, the most dangerous thing is the trouble that arises in the short term!

Whether it's ninjutsu, physical arts, or illusions, the most important thing for a ninja is not pure effort, but concentrated dedication.

Only a focused mind can push your skills to the limit.

Contrarily.

A scattered heart, even if it can be distracted.

The achievements are generally not too high!

Therefore, if Winter Night deliberately pursues the latter, the existence of the so-called obsession will make the original strength unstable.

And this kind of instability, manifested in the battle, can be the difference between life and death.

Most of the ninja's missions are full of dangers and require the ninja to perform them with all their might, so Winter Nights is not a good practice.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Still answering as expected, the things he decided couldn't be easily changed, obviously just a mentor Shangnin, but Orochimaru seemed to know his student better than he imagined.