Chapter 55: Squad

The next morning.

On the eastern horizon, a thread of red light appeared, gently suffusing the azure sky, as a new day gradually approached from afar.

A figure walked toward the largest training ground within the Uchiha clan. The person was none other than Uchiha Dongshilang.

His attire was hardly different from yesterday's; the only difference was a small katana over two feet long hanging at his waist.

Because their situation was somewhat special, they didn't need to attend the ninja school's class-assignment briefing; they received the news last night. Today they came directly to the training ground to assemble, whereupon his squad leader and teammates would become clear.

At this moment the sky had just lightened; when he arrived, the training ground was empty. He wasn't discouraged. He leapt onto a large tree, sat cross-legged on the treetop, and began today's meditative cultivation.

Meanwhile, he waited for his companions.

Time passed slowly~

"Hey! Am I the first one here?"

After about an hour and a half, a seven- or eight-year-old girl walked over.

She had a sweet, round little face with cute dimples, and her big, watery eyes kept darting about, showing a lively, mischievous spirit.

Below her high nose bridge sat a cherry‑small mouth; she wore a purple cotton Uchiha long‑sleeve, matched with ninja trousers and sandals.

"I didn't expect my teammate to be you!"

"Hey! Is that Dongshilang?"

Hearing the voice, the person immediately looked up and asked uncertainly.

"Ah! It's me! Another teammate has also arrived!"

Glancing at the training ground's entrance, Dongshilang leapt down from the treetop and stood beside the newcomer—none other than the genius girl Yuzhibo Yan, who graduated in the same class as him.

At the same time, another teammate revealed himself. Dongshilang and Yan knew him: a boy about ten years old named Yuzhibo Zhe, who was in the fifth year of ninja school; Dongshilang and Yan were two years older than him.

Seeing the newcomer, Yan's eyes lit up; she hopped over, linked her arm with his right arm, and said with a coy, adorable expression:

"Zhe, I didn't expect my teammate to be you—I'm really happy!"

Seeing her expression, Dongshilang involuntarily shuddered. He knew too well that although Yuzhibo Yan appeared cute and adorable on the surface,

she was actually a cunning little devil.

When they used to play Werewolf together, she could always, without changing expression, lead the others around in circles, and often she'd come up with nasty tricks that left her companions miserable.

That is, Dongshilang, with his adult mindset, had managed to avoid her schemes several times; thus they sometimes disliked each other, yet when they teamed up to prank others, they unexpectedly worked well together.

Furthermore, Yuzhibo Zhe's background was not ordinary either, according to rumors among their peers. It was said that Zhe's and Yan's parents knew each other, and that they had once been comrades in the same squad.

They also didn't object to the two of them playing together.

【Could this be an arranged marriage in the ninja world?】

However, such things are not uncommon among bloodline-limit clans.

"It's Yan and Dongshilang! Hahaha! I never expected it to be you two!"

While saying this, Yuzhibo Zhe also scratched the back of his head, wearing a rather surprised expression.

【I feel a bit silly—is this just my imagination?】

He glanced at Yan and silently thought:

Before they could exchange more words, a figure suddenly appeared before them.

The newcomer was tall, with broad shoulders. His bronzed face bore a pair of shining eyes, and his slightly pointed chin sported a neatly trimmed whisker.

His appearance was very handsome, not soft but with a touch of masculine vigor; he wore a green ninja vest. As soon as he arrived, he reached out and ruffled Yuzhibo Yan's little head.

"Uncle Chongzheng, are you our instructor? That's wonderful!"

Seeing the newcomer, Yuzhibo Yan's eyes crinkled with joy, the corners of her mouth forming two little dimples. Obviously, she was extremely pleased that this Uncle Chongzheng would be their instructor.

Dongshilang had also heard of this person: he was the younger brother of the current clan head, Uchiha Chongshan, namely Uchiha Chongzheng. He held an important post in the Guard Unit, apparently belonging to the First Squad, specializing in high‑difficulty missions assigned by the Hokage.

"Well, a ninja ought to look like a ninja; you can't keep being as mischievous as before."

"I understand!"

He replied unwillingly.

Yan, Dongshilang, and Zhe stood together in a row before the newcomer, as if undergoing inspection.

He never imagined he would one day serve as a Jonin; even though they were all younger clan members, he silently vowed to protect these children well.

"Although you may already know each other, let's still do a self‑introduction. Who wants to go first?"

"I'll go first! I'll go first!"

Hearing that, Yuzhibo Zhe was the first to jump out, raising his hand and saying:

"My name is Yuzhibo Zhe; I'm ten years old. I like sukiyaki, I dislike seeing others cry, and my dream is to become the first Uchiha Hokage!"

"Oh, you have ambition, but to become Hokage you still need to work harder, Zhe!"

Regarding his student's dream, he offered no comment, nor did he spread any negative talk about the still‑child Zhe; instead he encouraged him like a true teacher.

"My name is Yuzhibo Yan; I'm eight years old. I like flower arranging, I dislike being teased, and my dream…… is to become a beautiful bride! Then to be a good mother!"

While saying this, she glanced shyly at the nearby Yuzhibo Zhe with a flushed face.

She wore an expression of longing and yearning.

【Are kids in the ninja world all this precocious? She's only just eight and already fantasizing about being a bride!】

【Besides, the way she just looked at Zhe isn't right—how could she look like she's falling in love? That doesn't match your character setting!】

Thinking of Zhe's recent passionate speech, Dongshilang wondered in surprise. The little girl usually appears clever and cunning—could she actually like this hot‑blooded blockhead?

"Yan's dream isn't bad either, but to be a good mother you should be more ladylike."

Regarding Yuzhibo Yan's somewhat realistic, girl‑like dream, he was not disappointed; instead he teased, saying:

"Is it my turn? My name is Uchiha Dongshilang; I'm eight years old. I like to read quietly and soak in hot springs, I dislike trouble. My dream is to experience the world's varied scenery, to taste all kinds of delicacies, and to meet and befriend many beautiful young ladies!"