[MC POV]
We were training at our usual spot in Training Ground 10 when all of us sensed someone approaching. You guessed it—Kenbunshoku Haki at work. I've already mastered the basics up to 100%. Now it's just about constant practice, but reaching Katakuri's level feels like a far-off dream. Still, I have hope.
As we waited, Daikoku-sensei entered the training ground.
"So, Sensei, what's the verdict?" I asked, sensing something was up.
Daikoku: "You all graduated from the academy. Go to Hokage-sama's office at 10 a.m. tomorrow to register as Genin. Congratulations, the three of you are now official Genin."
I started coughing from the shock. *What the hell?!* I looked over at Chikako and Hinari, who seemed equally stunned.
Chikako: "What about our graduation exams?"
Daikoku averted his eyes. "You all passed."
I narrowed my eyes. "No one wanted to examine us, huh?"
Daikoku scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Technically, yes."
I sighed. "Heh. So we're registering as Genin tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. then."
Daikoku: "Yes."
I bowed to him in appreciation. "Thank you for taking care of us until now, Sensei." Chikako and Hinari followed suit.
Daikoku looked a bit emotional. "You three are my pride. You caused your fair share of trouble, but you're the best students I've ever taught. Just... make sure you come back alive, alright?"
"We will, Sensei."
Daikoku: "Goodbye, kids." He waved and left the training ground.
I stretched. "Well, that's that. Let's have a party at my place tonight! Invite your parents. I'll get Naruto—he could use a good meal."
Hinari raised an eyebrow. "Your house is small. It can't accommodate that many people. Let's have it at my place."
"Alright, fine. Just make sure your mom makes those veggie dices for me."
Hinari smiled. "Yes, yes, I know."
"Okay, go tell your parents. We'll meet in the evening. Disperse."
---
Later that evening, I headed to the Hyuga compound with Naruto in tow.
Naruto: "Where are we going, big brother?"
"We're going to the Hyuga compound. Me, Chikako, and Hinari graduated, so we're having a party. You're coming with me."
Naruto cheered. "Yay!"
When we arrived and knocked on the door, Hinari's mother, Shashaki-san, opened it.
Shashaki: "Come in, darling. We were waiting for you. Chikako and his parents are already here. And you must be Naruto. Welcome!"
As I walked in, I sensed something strange—a spike of hate from a nearby rooftop. Not from Shashaki-san, but somewhere close.
I excused myself. "Shashaki-san, could you bring Naruto inside? I need to check something."
Shashaki nodded, looking a bit concerned. "Of course, darling. Come along, Naruto."
After they went inside, I focused and pinpointed the source of the negative energy. It didn't take long before I found someone in a tree nearby.
"You must be the ANBU watching Naruto, right?" I asked.
The masked figure nodded. "Yes."
"I sensed some hostility from that rooftop," I pointed, "check it out. And don't worry about Naruto's safety—we're more than capable of protecting him here."
The ANBU hesitated but then disappeared toward the rooftop.
*Must be a Root ANBU,* I thought as I headed back inside.
Shashaki-san led me to the dining table where everyone was already seated and eating. The mood lightened as I joined them.
Chinatsu, Chikako's mother, leaned over. "What happened, Ikki? Why were you late?"
"I felt something off on the roof, so I had the ANBU check it out."
Naruto looked confused. "But no one came with us, right?"
Chinatsu-san quickly shifted the conversation to keep Naruto at ease. "Let's eat, Naruto! Shashaki-san made all your favorite dishes. Don't forget to thank her first."
Naruto grinned and said, "Thank you, Aunty!" before diving into his food.
Shashaki-san smiled warmly and turned to me. "These are for you, Ikki," she said, placing a special dish in front of me.
I bowed slightly. "Thank you, Shashaki-san. Sorry for the trouble."
Shashaki waved it off. "No trouble at all, darling."
Chikako's mom, Okako, chimed in with a grin. "You've been such a help with our troublesome kids."
Shashaki chuckled. "Yes, I never imagined my daughter would graduate so early."
Chikako muttered quietly to Hinari, "Don't you think our moms love Ikki more?"
Hinari whispered back, "Why can't they see his devilish side?"
Chikako: "He gave a whole group of shop owners diarrhea last month, and no one even knows it was his prank!"
Hinari sighed, "Let's just give up. He's... crazy."
Chinatsu-san, overhearing, added with a smirk, "You could learn a thing or two from him. He's a menace, but he makes friends all the same."
Umeda, Hinari's dad, looked over, curious. "What are you all whispering about?"
Chikako quickly covered, "Oh, nothing."
The night passed with laughter, food, and warm conversation as two families and two orphan kids celebrated together. It felt like a glimpse of something rare—peace amidst the chaos.
-----
The next day, we arrived at the Hokage's office at 10 a.m. sharp. When we stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised to see Jiji—Tatsumo—already there, chatting with Hokage-sama.
"Jiji, what are you doing here?"
Tatsumo smirked. "You're graduating, aren't you? Of course, I'm here."
"Thanks for coming." I turned to Chikako and Hinari. "This is Tatsumo, the orphanage director where I used to live. He taught me the basics of swordsmanship."
Chikako and Hinari introduced themselves politely.
Tatsumo grinned. "Good to meet you two. Now, Sandaime, don't keep us waiting—let's get these kids registered so I can play the doting grandpa."
Sandaime chuckled. "Alright, alright. Come on, kids."
We followed him to the office where Genin are registered—where Naruto first met Konohamaru in the original timeline. After filling in the paperwork, taking our photos, and registering our names, Hokage-sama handed us each a shiny new hitai-ate, the symbol of our new rank.
When we returned to the Hokage's office, Tatsumo stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "Now that the official business is done, it's my turn."
He laid out a storage scroll, channeled chakra into it, and from the scroll came one katana and two tantos.
Tatsumo: "The tanto are for you two," he said, nodding at Chikako and Hinari. "And the sword is for Ikki."
I picked up the katana and inspected it. The white saya had the name *Tsubame* inscribed on it. The length was about two feet—perfect for my current size. I already had *Intetsu*, but that sword was something I wanted to keep in reserve for now. This katana felt right. I drew the blade. The steel had a wavy pattern, and the tsuka was wrapped in red, creating a striking visual. It was simple, yet elegant.
Tatsumo looked at me with a proud glint in his eyes. "That's my first sword. As promised, I'm passing it on to you. Use it until you outgrow it. When that time comes, I want it back."
I grinned, sheathing the blade. "I promise I'll return it, but I can't guarantee it'll be in one piece."
Tatsumo chuckled. "I figured as much. But promise me, broken or not, you'll return it with your own two hands."
The weight of his words hit me, and I smiled back. "I promise, Jiji. Whether it's whole or shattered, I'll return it to you myself."
Tatsumo gave a nod before turning to Chikako and Hinari. "The tanto and katana are chakra-inductive. Use them well. As for you two, since you've never used tantos before, wait until your Jonin instructor shows you how. Don't use them carelessly."
Chikako and Hinari bowed. "Thank you, Sir."
Tatsumo waved it off. "No need for 'sir.' Call me Grandpa. These tantos were just collecting dust in my warehouse anyway."
Sandaime cleared his throat and said, "Now, from me—"
He pulled out another storage scroll and summoned three sets of kunai and ten shuriken each. "Consider this an early graduation gift from me."
We all bowed. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
At that moment, a knock echoed through the room.
Sandaime: "Enter."
The door opened, and a familiar figure walked in—Hayate Gekko.
Sandaime gestured towards him. "Hayate, right on time. These three—Ikki, Chikako Nara, and Hinari Hyuga—are your new Genin team. You'll be their Jonin instructor. Team 15, meet your captain."
I gave Hayate a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you, Hayate-san."
Hayate smiled, though he still looked a bit weary from his chronic cough. "You three use Training Ground 10, right? Meet me there in 15 minutes."
With that, he left the office, probably thinking we'd need that time to get there.
I raised an eyebrow. "He seriously thinks we need 15 minutes to reach the training ground?"
Hinari grinned mischievously. "Wanna race?"
Chikako sighed. "So troublesome…"
Sandaime, amused by our antics, clapped his hands. "Team 15—GO!"
Before we left,
Ikki: "Don't call us Team 15. We named our team something else. "Orca""
Without another word, we took off like a whirlwind, racing toward Training Ground 10, ready for whatever Hayate had planned.