week after the whole Scroll of Seals incident and incidentally six days since I cleared the rank E dungeon, it was finally time for the genin team announcement and formation. After the intense Hidden Boss fight that left a gaping hole on my shirt from where the doppelganger had sunk its teeth in, I had to replace them. I cleverly avoided wearing the Rogue's Hoodie during the boss fights, knowing that any further damage to the jacket might render it unusable.
I was now spotting, from the feet up, the Soldier's Swift Boots, the pair of black Rogue's Pants and a tight fitting long sleeved navy blue shirt paired with the Rogue's Hoodie. I had on two rings; the Uncommon Silver Ring and the Rare grade Arcane Ring. Other accessories included a pair of +3 DEX fingerless gloves, the Rare grade Soldier's Dog Tags, the 'cool' Earring and Elastic Hairtie which gave me +5 CHA each.
My hair which had been grown out was now styled in a loose manbun at the back of my head, tied together by the Elastic Hairtie. Sheathed diagonally across my back was the Uncommon grade Wakizashi. It was the first time I was openly carrying a weapon, albeit sheathed, into the Academy. But I figured that now that I was an official genin of Konohagakure, it was a suitable look.
The moment I stepped on to the Academy grounds, a system notification appeared.
Quest [Graduation] Completed!
Graduate and become an official genin of Konoha!
Pass the graduation exams (√)
(Bonus) Receive Rookie of the Year achievement (√)
(Hidden) Reach level 25 before graduation (√)
(Hidden) Help Naruto out of deadlast position (X)
Rewards:
+5000 EXP
New Title: [Konoha Genin]
(Bonus) New Title: [Rookie of the Year]
(Hidden) New Perk: [Monstrous Talent]
(Hidden) New Perk: [Jinchuuriki's Companion] (X)
Titles:
[Konoha Genin]: Increased REP gain with Hi no Kuni citizens. Decreased REP gain with everyone else.
[Rookie of the Year]: +10 to all stats
Perk:
[Monstrous Talent]: Receives 7 free stat points every level up instead of 5.
Finally! I was wondering when that quest was going to be completed. I had received it at the start of my last year in the Shinobi Academy and had become worried when it showed no signs of completion even after I graduated last week. But it seemed like it the system was just waiting for me to be assigned a genin team or something.
I had to hold back a whistle after reading through the new titles and perks I received. The +10 to all stats from the [Rookie of the Year] title was simple yet impressive. It was the equivalent of 8 level ups worth of stat points all at once. The Monstrous Talent perk seemed even more potent. With two additional free stat points whenever I levelled up, in another 21 levels which seemed so far away, it would surpass the stat boost from the previous title.
Soon, I made my way to the classroom, not before being greeted and congratulated by various people, other students and teachers alike, on the way there. These past 4 years I had meticulously crafted the persona of a popular yet affable star pupil. It took more effort than I had expected, being seen as the charming and amiable student that I designed myself to appear. But the effort had paid off and its results more than satisfactory.
Opening the sliding door, I was met with a cacophony of "Shinji-kun!" or "Yo, Shinji!" by my classmates, and I quickly found myself as the center of attention while being surrounded by them.
Adopting a warm smile and a general congeniality, I went to take a seat while responding to their questions and assorted statements. It truly was troublesome being this popular.
Some of the students, now newly minted genins, were pushed aside as I heard a familiar bark. I turned my head to a side and saw Kiba shoving his way through the crowd.
"Outta my way you punks!" He snapped, as the gathered genins parted way to let the aggressive Inuzuka through. "Oi Shinji!"
"Sup." I greeted.
"Hey, some scary lookin' ANBU came by to ask my sister some questions yesterday. It was about you learnin' medical jutsu or something. What's up with that?" Kiba asked, while I reached out to pet Akamaru, who was now familiar with my scent and presence.
They must have been checking up on my story about learning from Hana. The Hokage's agents sure are meticulous. Yet I didn't get why they would pay so much attention to little old me.
"Ah it's nothing. They were just wondering where I learned medical ninjutsu from." I answered, though I was formulating my response with some degree of caution. There was some stuff I wasn't allowed to reveal, the Scroll of Seals incident being one of them .
"They!? You mean the ANBU? Why the heck do they know or even care about you learnin' medical ninjutsu?" Kiba asked, baffled.
Before I could answer however, one of the other kids exclaimed, "Woah, ANBU? They must be trying to recruit Shinji-kun! Makes sense, he's a genius after all."
That prompted the rest to gasp in amazement and some whispers among themselves.
"Hey, hey, don't get carried away and go around spreading rumors." I said, trying to calm them down.
The very same kid had a face of realization, "Ah, ANBU recruitment is all done hush-hush on the down low. It must be a secret right, Shinji-kun?"
"That's not what I-"
"Ah don't be humble Shinji-kun! Wow, ANBU at age twelve huh? Don't forget us when you get famous!"
"Yeah, yeah! Don't worry Shinji, we'll keep your secret!"
"You guys, seriously, like I said-"
Before I could finish my sentence however, the sliding door opened once more and thankfully Naruto walked in spotting his brand new forehead protector before they could come up with even more ridiculous ideas. The blonde sauntered in with smiling brightly and proudly displaying the forehead protector.
Next to me, Kiba spotted Naruto walking in and mockingly spoke, " What are you doing here, Naruto? This isn't for dropouts. You can't be here unless you graduate, baka."
Naruto's good mood soured immediately before he defiantly pointed to his forehead protector, "Oh yeah? Do you see this? Do you see? Open your eyes dogbreath. It's an official Konoha forehead protector! I passed the graduation, dattebayo!"
"Heh, you can't fool me with a fake ass imitation forehead protector you deadlast!" Kiba chortled.
"This bastard, hey I'm not lying to you!" Naruto yelled back, before turning towards me, "Ask Shinji! He knows!"
Caught off guard at the sudden attention turned towards me, I turned to the rest and nodded, "He's telling the truth. He had a special graduation exam and he passed it. So Naruto's an official Konoha genin just like us."
Kiba and the rest looked taken aback by my declaration, but they didn't put up much of a fight, although the Inuzuka scion still looked slightly dissatisfied, "Heh, special graduation exam for Naruto? Yeah sounds about right, he needs all the help he can get after all."
Naruto beamed proudly, "That's right, I'm a special genin! …wait, was that an insult?"
Kiba laughed, "HAH! Yeah you're real special alright, real special."
The blonde's eyebrow twitched, "What's that supposed to mean!"
I rolled my eyes and gestured at the Inuzuka, "Lay off him Kiba, we're all here to graduate together."
Kiba shrugged, "Fine, fine. I'll let you off for Shinji's sake, Naruto-baka."
"Oh yeah? Well I'm letting you off for Shinji's sake, dogbreath!"
"Sure, whatever."
"Arf arf!"
"Don't turn your back on me bastard! You too, Akamaru!?"
Tired of the exchange, I interjected, "Calm down Naruto. Just sit down. We're going to get our genin teams soon, so just think about that."
Naruto folded his arms defiantly, "Hmph, fine. Ooh I hope I get in a team with Sakura-chan! Oh and you too, Shinji!"
I smiled in response, "You bet." Definitely not Sakura though. I was thankful the girl was not one of those who followed the trend and developed a crush on me instead of Sasuke like the others. I didn't particular dislike the girl, but she was definitely one who took her fangirling to another level. Sasuke had told me before that he once found her snooping around outside the Uchiha Clan compound before he chased her away. That sort of behavior was worrying, especially for me who had plenty of secrets that I would prefer to stay secret.
After some time, as more and more students started streaming in and taking their seats, Iruka finally entered the classroom, holding a clipboard with what I assumed to be a list of our names and team assignments. I was tempted to activate my Sharingan to catch just a glimpse of my team assignment, but ultimately rationality won over excitement. Besides, I already knew what team I was getting. If all went as it did, I should be on the same team as Hinata and Naruto.
"Settle down, class!" Iruka shouted and the fresh genins complied. Though we had all already graduated and became official genins, no longer students of his, there were still a degree of respect and esteem afforded to the man who had taught us for four years.
Iruka stood at the front of the class and looked upon his gathered genins with pride. "As of today, you are all official shinobi. To get here, you have faced difficult trials and hardship. And for that I commend you. But that is nothing compared to what you will face from today onwards. What comes next will be far more difficult. You are only genin, the lowest level of ninjas. Don't start getting a big head and thinking you're some big deal, got it!?"
"Hai Iruka-sensei!" We chorused.
Satisfied with our response, Iruka nodded. "All of you will be grouped into three man squads. Each squad led by a jounin, an elite shinobi."
Some of the less informed genins widened their eyes at the news, and I felt an instant piercing gaze on my back from several of them.
"Shinji-kun's team…"
"I will definitely…"
"Please Kami!"
I rolled my eyes at the mutterings of some fangirls behind me and caught Sasuke's glance. Heh, too bad Sasuke, you won't be able to get on my team. Our scores were just too high, there's no way they would put us together.
Iruka glared at the noisy class, "Quiet! I know some of you probably have people you want to be grouped with, but don't bother making a fuss. These team assignments are final, no matter how much you beg. I will now announce the squads."
I quickly tuned out the team formations, only perking up when I heard a familiar name.
"…and now Team Six. Haruno Sakura, Kawasaki Taro and Kaori. Your squad leader will be Tamaki Jun."
Oh, how unexpected. Sakura was in the same team as Kaori? Hm I guessed that made sense. Since Hinata stepped up to become top kunoichi, Sakura naturally got bumped down a notch. But that other guy, I had zero impression of him, nor their jounin sensei. Honestly, I wasn't that confident of their team's chances to pass the 'real' graduation test.
Without Sasuke and Naruto, Sakura would've had no chance in Kakashi's bell test. Kaori too wasn't exactly blessed with talent. Their team was sure to face some hardship.
"Team Seven…" Iruka began.
I straightened up in my seat. This was it, the start of everything.
"…Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Nara Shikamaru. Your squad leader is Hatake Kakashi."
Wait, what did he say? He made a mistake, right? He had to. This wasn't how this was supposed to go! Sasuke and Naruto on the same team? That's just terrible! In the anime, they were nearly on the same level with Naruto's Kage Bunshin technique massively making up for his lack of training and even up the odds. And thus they were able to build a shaky friendship, fierce rivalry and even an understanding between kindred spirits.
But this time round, Sasuke was just way too far ahead of the jinchuuriki. There was no way their clashing personalities would be able to coexist peacefully. If Naruto wanted to compete with the Uchiha, I had to be the one to train the kid, imparting to him the Kage Bunshin training method and let him catch up! But instead… AHHH THIS IS TERRIBLE! I MADE A MISTAKE! My future knowledge, how could you have failed me?
While I was experiencing an inner turmoil, Naruto had jumped up and pointed towards Sasuke, "Iruka-sensei! Why does a great ninja like me have to be in the same team as someone like Sasuke-teme!"
Iruka shook his head, "Sasuke had the second best scores of all the graduating students. Naruto, you had the worst scores. We put you two together to create a balanced group."
Sasuke lazily glanced at the blonde, "Just don't get in my way, dobe."
In response, Naruto clenched his fist and glared back, "Kgh, what did you say!? That's my line, teme!"
Sakura piped in from the other side of class, "Knock it off Naruto-baka! Sasuke-kun is ten times, no a hundred times better than you! Neh, Iruka-sensei, if Naruto doesn't want to be in the same team as Sasuke-kun, can I take his place?"
Iruka cleared his throat, "Didn't I say before? The team assignments are final. Keep quiet and sit down, Naruto!"
Shikamaru buried his head in to the desk, already anticipating the future troubles his team was going to have, "Hahhh, I should have just failed the graduation exam."
"Now, Team 8. Inuzuka Kiba, Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Choji. Your squad leader will be Yuhi Kurenai."
I perked up from my inner turmoil, confused. It's different. It's all different! How? Why?
"HUH? Dog boy and fat boy? How is this even possible!" Ino shrieked.
"Oi, you think I'm happy with that, you harpy! Choji's cool though." Kiba shouted back before nodding at the Akimichi who was just happily munching away at some potato chips.
"Hey stop interrupting, damn brats! Ahem, Team 10. Hyuuga Hinata, Aburame Shino and Shinji Ikari. Your squad leader will be Sarutobi Asuma." Iruka continued.
I glanced at who were supposed to be my teammates, Shino who looked back impassively before nodding, and Hinata who was blushing madly as usual. Well, I could definitely have worst teammates, but I was still too flabbergasted at the complete chaos that was the team formations. Was my existence that much of a disturbance that what I knew completely fell apart?
I tuned out as Iruka continued rattling off the teams, falling back into depression while maintaining my cool and collected expression outwardly.
Some time after Iruka finished listing the team allocations, the door slid open and a few grizzled looking shinobi entered the classroom before beginning to call out their respective squads.
I spotted Asuma, wearing the traditional jounin vest as well as the prominent white sash with a black and red kanji for fire emblazoned on it, symbolizing his tenure as one of the Shugonin Junishi, the Twelve Guardian Shinobi that acted as bodyguards for the Land of Fire's royal family.
He nonchalantly looked over the crowd of genins who were starting to slowly stream out after their respective jounin senseis, before calling out, "Team 10, follow me."
I broke out of my unrest and stood up along with Hinata and Shino, following after who was to be our jounin instructor.
As we walked along the hallway of the Academy, he turned back and smiled, "You guys haven't had lunch yet right?" Upon seeing us shake our heads, he nodded, "Alright, let's go get some food then. We can talk more later."
Soon enough, we found ourselves in a Yakiniku restaurant, the three of us genins sat facing our jounin instructor. I sat sandwiched between Shino and Hinata who was oddly twitching and blushing faintly. She must have been devastated to not be in the same team as Naruto. Understandable; so was I.
As the meat sizzled deliciously on the grill, the mouth watering scent of grilled beef wafting throughout the restaurant, Asuma started speaking.
"Hmm, this is kind of awkward, y'all don't have to be so serious. Let's lighten up the mood a little. How about we go around introducing ourselves. I read your profiles, but since I am to be your jounin squad leader, I'd like to get to know you better. So things like what you like, dislike, hobbies and maybe your dreams for the future. Things like that."
Seeing no objection, he continued. "I'll start. My name is Sarutobi Asuma, but you can just call me Asuma-sensei. I only recently returned to Konoha after serving eight years as one of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi – basically bodyguards for the Land of Fire's daimyo. I chose to become a jounin sensei cause I thought it was time to impart my skills to a new generation, and also cause I wanted a slower-paced lifestyle haha. As you can tell, I'm a pretty laid back guy, so you guys can relax a little."
"I like relaxing in a hot spring bath and going for a cold refreshing beer at the end of a long day. I dislike crowded places and people who get all pompous and arrogant just cause they got money or something. I met tons of people like that back at the capital city and they annoyed the crap out of me. If I weren't one of the Guardian Shinobi I would have punched them in their stupid faces!"
"My hobby is… hmm, I never really had much time for hobbies the past few years so I can't think of one right now. My dream for the future is to retire in a few years' time and to have raised a new generation of excellent disciples for Konoha. That means you three, haha, but no pressure."
As he finished introducing himself, I took the initiative to go next upon sensing a lull in the conversation. Shino was a quiet person by nature, and only spoke when spoken to. And do I even need to go on about Hinata. It seemed it would fall on me to be the de facto mouth piece for this team's genins.
"I'll go next then. My name is Shinji Ikari. I like training and cooking. My dislikes are, hmm I don't have all that many things I don't like, but if I had to choose then maybe eating badly made food? My hobbies are, again, training and cooking. And my dream for the future is to become as strong as I possibly can, something like that?"
Asuma nodded satisfactorily at my introduction, "Oh a chef? You must have a picky palette huh. Next?"
Hinata seemingly found her confidence after hearing me speak and volunteered to go next, "My name is Hyuuga Hinata. I like training and cooking too. Ah, but I'm sure I'm not as good a cook as you, Shinji-kun. I dislike bullies and people who look down on others based on how they look or their backgrounds. My hobby is flower arrangement and tea ceremonies, oh and training and cooking too! My dream for the future is to… become a worthy heiress and inherit the mantle of the Hyuuga clan head." She decisively declared at the end.
I nodded my head along as she spoke, realizing that much of what she said was somewhat related to Naruto. "You must know how to make great ramen, eh?" I teased.
Hinata titled her head with what seemed like some excitement, "Do you like ramen, Shinji-kun?"
I looked back quizzically, "Huh? Uh, not particularly?"
She looked even more confused at that, but before I could clarify, Shino spoke up next.
"I guess I have to go next. My name is Aburame Shino, I'm a member of the Aburame clan. As you all should know, my clan utilizes a variety of insects as part of our clan techniques for different purposes. Consider this a heads up so you won't be surprised when you see them, although Hinata-san and Shinji-san should be familiar with them by now. I have no particular likes nor hobbies, but I strongly abhor people who kill or injure insects wantonly. My dream for the future… for now I hope our team will be able to get along well. That is all."
Asuma smiled at that, "A good dream. Now that we're all more familiar with each other, let me talk business for a minute." Upon saying that, his previously laid back and jovial attitude was now replaced with a stern demeanour.
"Are you aware of the unofficial genin corp?" He asked seriously.
All three of us shared looks before nodding. These were matters that those in a shinobi clan or who had shinobi upbringing were well aware of since the 'real' graduation exam was one that would basically dictate the trajectory of your shinobi career. Whether you would soar into the sky under the tutelage of an experienced, elite jounin, or fall by the wayside as a mediocre shinobi. It was objectively more important than the basic Academy exam we had to pass in order to be qualified to undertake the 'real' test.
"Good. Then I don't have to explain much. You should also be aware that only three or four teams every year who pass the 'real' graduation exam are selected to be actively groomed. The village's resources and manpower are not limitless, so we are forced to cherry pick those we think have the most potential to become excellent shinobi and give more attention to them. I consider myself quite lucky to have gotten the Rookie of the Year, the top Kunoichi who is also the Hyuuga heiress as well as an Aburame who received the third highest score overall. It is a great team. You can basically consider yourself to be one of those three teams that have the highest potential already."
"However, I'm not so easy going as to pass the three of you without a test. I might be pretty laid back, but I still have a job to do, and that is to decide whether the three of you deserve to be groomed with my own eyes. So, we're going to have a test to see if what they said about you in those Academy reports are true."
The three of us exchanged glances before resolutely staring back at Asuma.
He smiled, "Hoh, there's some fire in you. Good, good. But we can leave that for later, for now eat your fill. This might be our last meal together after all, haha. Ah crap, I talked too long, the meat is burning!"