The sun had barely begun to set when I found myself standing in front of Hokage Tower, my nerves almost getting the better of me. Word had spread quickly that Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, and Kakashi Hatake, the famous Copy Ninja, were personally recruiting new ninjas. And somehow, against all odds, I had been chosen. I took a deep breath and stepped inside. The corridors were quiet, the air thick with the weight of history. As I reached Tsunade’s office, the door swung open before I even had a chance to knock. "You're late," Tsunade said, her gaze sharp and unamused, but I could see a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Apologies, Hokage-sama," I stammered, bowing respectfully. Kakashi, standing in the corner with his signature lazy posture, looked over at me, his visible eye crinkling into what I could swear was a smile. "Don't worry. She's just testing your reflexes." Tsunade didn’t look convinced but nodded. "I have no patience for weak ninjas. But I can see something in you. You’re going to need a lot of work, but you're here for a reason." I felt a lump form in my throat. Tsunade didn’t waste words; if she saw something in me, I had to be prepared to live up to it. Kakashi’s calm voice cut through my thoughts. "Tsunade’s right, you know. The path of a ninja isn’t easy, but we’re all a little scarred from our experiences. And sometimes, those scars make us stronger." He paused, pulling a small book from his pouch. "This is for you." It was a copy of *Icha Icha Paradise*. "Consider it a gift from me. If you can’t laugh through the hard times, you won’t survive." Tsunade smirked at Kakashi’s gesture, but I could tell she appreciated the sentiment. "Now," Tsunade continued, leaning forward, "Kakashi and I both see potential in you. But potential doesn’t get you far without action. We’re assigning you to a special training team under both our supervision. You’ll train with some of the best, and you’ll face some of the toughest challenges. If you prove yourse

so you're the new recruit