A breeze ruffled Shank's red hair as he stood at the top of the Hokage monument that overlooked the village. The first rays of the sun completely immersed Konoha, making it a sight to behold. Birds chirped in the forests, a more pleasant alternative to the usual buzz of the village.
The beginning of his ninja carrier awaited him in the Academy. Today is the day they will be sorted in a 3-man squad and will be allocated a Jonin sensei. Hopefully a competent one.
He was given a day off today by his mentor. He wanted him to be fresh for today. Well he was happy. He has been training really hard for these past years and truth be told he grew leaps and bounds. Enough contemplating! Time to go. And then he disappeared in a whirl of wind.
Shanks entered the classroom. Shit! I am late. He completely forgot to keep track of time. Iruka saw him and said,
"You are late Shanks!"
Shanks slightly bowed and replied" I am sorry sensei, I saw this old lady carrying a heavy bag, so I decided to help."
Iruka's eyes softened. He smiled and said "No problem. Now go and sit."
" Hai, sensei and sorry."
Shanks suddenly saw Sakura waving her hand. Shanks smiled, as usual she has kept the seat beside her for him. Well he was delighted. So he started walking before a blonde boy hold his arm and said
"That's totally a lie isn't it?"
Shanks looked at his blue eyes intently, Completely like his father huh? and said," Absolutely not. I never make excuses"
Naruto's eye twitched. "That's totally a lame excuse, believe it!"
Shanks was getting frustrated. "Well believe what you will. Now if you would release my hand I would like to seat, Believe it!"
Naruto didn't like that someone said the word exactly like him. It's his own. He released his hand and went back to his seat.
Shanks turned around and left for his seat as well.
"Shanks- Kun do you think we will be on the same team?", Sakura asked hopefully.
" Well I have no idea about that Sakura. what do you think?"
Sakura thought for a while and sighed." No idea either."
Shanks chuckled." Well we just have to wait and see then."
Sakura nodded. She was about to carry on the conversation when Iruka's voice suddenly interrupted'
"Attention Everyone!"
Everyone became quiet and serious.
Iruka was quite pleased with the attitude. He continued," Now I will tell you which team you all are being allocated to and your Jonin sensei's names as well."
" Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, Team 7 led by Jonin Kakashi Hatake."
Sasuke smirked. He was excited. He has heard about Kakshi Hatake from his brother. If his brother respects someone he must be good. Naruto was happy as well. He has known him from his childhood. Sakura on the other hand was a little disappointed. She really wanted to be in the same team as Shanks. Shanks flicked her forehead. Sakura blushed. He smiled and said " Good luck, Sakura. I am sure you will do well." Sakura nodded and replied" Thank You".
Iruka continued
" Team 8, Kiba Inazuka, Hinata Hyuga, Shino aburame, led by Jonin Kurenai Yuhi."
"Team 9, Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi ,led by Jonin Asuma Sarutobi".
"Team 10, Yami Uchiha, Shanks, Erina Namikaze, led by Jonin Yamato Iburi".
Sakura was a little bitter. She faced Shanks and said" Goodluck Shanks-Kun".
Shanks nodded and smiled.
"Everyone wait till your Sensei comes and then you can leave". Iruka stood up and left.
Shanks have heard about every one of the Jonin except for his own. He has no idea who he is. Well if he is a jonin he must be good. We'll just have to wait and see. Erina was having similar thought as well. Why didn't Dad assigned Kakashi to her? Not that she was complaining but a no name new jonin didn't fit well in her eyes. Yami was not bothered in the slightest. He kept his eyes closed and kept brooding like a typical Uchiha.
10 minutes later
Suddenly the door sided open and a man with a short brown hair and a weird shinobi headband entered the classroom.
"Team 10, meet me in the Training ground 8 within 5 minutes. And don't be late.". He then disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Shadow clone. How fitting. Shanks smirked inwardly.
Shanks stood up to find his teammates only to be disappointed as they already left. Shanks sighed. Talk about egos. Shanks gave one last goodbye to Sakura and he left as well.
Training Ground 8.
Yamato was standing still with his arms crossed. He was a little tensed as well as excited. Tensed because he has never taken any students. Excited because he was given Hokage's daughter to teach and that reflects the trust Lord fourth has in him. Additionally there was an Uchiha as well. But the most surprising revelation was this wonderkid Shanks who is the rookie of the year. He has to be a genius otherwise it doesn't make sense how he can come out on top in a class consisting of these enormous talents. Well I just have to see. Hokage has strictly ordered him to make this a formidable team. They are here.
Erina arrived first and then Yami. Yamato looked for the other one. When he saw he didn't came he asked" Where's the other one?".
Erina shrugged her shoulder indicating she didn't know. Yami looked around for a bit before Yamato spoke" No need he is here."
Shanks came in the training ground. It was big no doubt but the thing that caught his attention was how gloomy this place was. Sunlight was almost non existent even though it's morning. The leaves completely overshadowed it and in turn made this place a little cooler. Not that he was complaining.
"You are 1 minute late", Yamato spoke in a strict manner.
Erina smirked. Yami as usual had a poker face.
Shanks replied" I am sorry Sensei. I didn't know where this ground was. I had to ask quite a few people before coming. I will be early from the next day."
Yamato nodded before replying" I hope so"
"Now let's start with introduction. Shall we?"
Everyone was confused. They thought he already knew who they were. Besides what the hell they are supposed to say..
Yamato sighed. "Alright I will start. My name is Yamato Iburi. I am an elite Jonin. I love my village. My hobbies you don't need to know. And my dream is to protect this village till my last breadth."
"Now Yami. Why don't you start."
Yami nodded. " My name is Yami Uchiha. I love reading books. My hobby is to visit and interact with patients. My dream is to break the stereotypes of my clan and become the best medic ninja surpassing Tsunade Senju"
Shanks and Erina were shocked. An Uchiha wanted to become medic nin? It's unheard of. Isn't it a total waste of Sharingan?
Yamato smiled. He was surprised as well. But he knew once in a while this type of Uchiha comes. Someone who couldn't be bothered by fighting. He cleared his throat"Next"
Erina spoke," My name is Erina Namikaze. I love training. My hobby is to train a lot. My dream is to become a shinobi that is even greater than my father and then take the hat for myself."
Yamato smiled and nodded. He has heard from Lord fourth, how obsessed she is with being stronger than him."Next"
Shanks cleared his throat before speaking," My name is Shanks. I love training. I don't have any hobbies. As for my dream....". He paused for a second. His eyes narrowed and it felt like the air became somewhat heavy. Erina and Yami shivered. He continued" My dream is to stand at the top of the shinobi world with no equal.".
Erina and Yami were speechless. What was that? What kind of dream is that? They realized then and there he is not what he shows outside. He is different.
Yamato has seen those eyes before. Eyes that can make opponent tremble in fear. Very few shinobi possess that. He was in Anbu before and truth be told he has come face to face with death countless times. He had crossed blades with elite shinobis within and out of Konoha. He could tell if one is meant to go at the top or not. And this kid is meant to go at the top. He was excited. Just you wait Kakashi senpai.
Yamato cleared his throat." Alright everyone of you are unique and great in your own ways. So today our session is completed. Meet me here tomorrow sharp 5 am. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
"Good, then I am off". And then he disappeared via sunshin.
Yami yawned" Well I am off guys. See ya tomorrow." He started walking as well.
Erina was contemplating what Shanks said before. It didn't fit well in her mind that someone is having that ridiculous ambition. She decided to pursue the matter. So she turned to speak to him." Listen I.....". Her voice stopped. There was no one. When the hell did he leave?I didn't even sensed anything. Erina was absolutely taken back by the stealth. She was now even more sure that this teammate of her is not so simple. Erina stood up and begin walking as well.