Team 2 Assembled

Uchiha Itachi, the prodigal son of the Uchiha clan, was the next remarkable individual in this year batch. He had unlocked his Sharingan at the tender age of seven, showcasing exceptional talent in Genjutsu and Katon-based jutsu. However, his true expertise lay in his impressive prowess with Kenjutsu, boasting a stellar record in swordsmanship. Itachi's personality could be described as aloof, quiet, and calm, though he could also be friendly when engaged. Nevertheless, he often tended to ignore things that didn't capture his interest.

Hyuuga Natsu, on the other hand, possessed an average record and aptitude. She was considered a typical member of her clan, displaying proficiency in the Gentle Fist techniques. However, she also showed a keen interest in Iryōjutsu, likely influenced by her upbringing in the main branch caretaker family. Natsu's personality was mild-mannered and polite, yet she had a hidden explosive side that emerged when something or someone managed to irritate her.

As for the last one, Nobuyuki, an orphan who didn't possess a surname, he carried a stellar record and burden of expectation. The Hokage had invested considerable resources into his training. His aptitude spanned various fields, including Fūinjutsu, Iryōjutsu, Genjutsu, Fūton-based jutsu, and Konoha-style Taijutsu. He also had some experience with Kenjutsu and utilizing ninja wire. In terms of personality, he was generally reserved, occasionally clumsy, but always mild-mannered and supportive.

These were the descriptions provided in the files the Hokage had given him. It seemed that molding their attitudes wouldn't be too challenging, but he wanted to see it for himself.

He retrieved a kunai from his pouch, infused it with wind chakra, and with a swift motion, he threw it as the kunai soared through the air, leaving behind a faint trail of wind as it sliced through the atmosphere, before finally slipping through one of the windows in Ninja Academy.

.

We waited for what felt like an eternity, as our classmates were gradually whisked away by their respective Jonin sensei. The numbers dwindled until only a few of us remained, growing restless with each passing minute. I contemplated pulling out my seal crafting supplies to make good use of the time, but something caught my attention, snapping me out of my drowsiness.

Itachi's eyes followed the trajectory of a kunai as it suddenly embedded itself into the wooden table before him. With caution, he inspected the blade, ensuring it wasn't booby-trapped or the result of a prank. He retrieved the kunai, discovering a small scroll tied to its handle.

He began to read aloud from the scroll, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief, "Team 2, gather at the highest point just above the dawn where it always watched. You have four minutes, or you'll fail and repeat another year."

"Four minutes? Are they kidding?" A bead of sweat trickled down my cheek as a sense of urgency washed over me.

A voice from the front row echoed my thoughts, breaking the silence, "Forget that, where exactly is the highest point above the dawn where it always watched?"

It was the reserved Hyuuga girl, her dark green hair framing her face in a bob-cut. The konoha headband adorning her forehead made me wonder if she hailed from the main family or the branch clan. Her attire, a dark kimono neatly adorned with a white apron, sometimes gave me the impression that she had mistaken the Ninja Academy for a kitchen.

"Highest point... hmm," I pondered, trying to recall the geography of the village. "Could it be the Hokage Tower?"

"Not high enough... above the dawn implies something early, something first," Itachi interjected.

"I know!" Natsu's voice rang out, picking up where Itachi left off. "It's the Hokage Rock. 'Dawn' refers to the First Hokage, Shodai. It's the place where the sun shines first every morning."

"Ah, so we should gather above the Hokage Rock, maybe on the flat ground above?" I suggested, thinking it would be disrespectful to hold a meeting atop the First Hokage's forehead.

In unanimous agreement, we exchanged nods, aware that time was rapidly slipping away, threatening to sabotage our chance of becoming true shinobi. Without a moment's hesitation, we leaped out of the window, earning astonished gazes from the students and teachers below as we made a beeline for our destination.

The Ninja Academy was conveniently located adjacent to the Hokage Tower, placing us just beneath the colossal Hokage Rushmore. However, scaling the towering structure using the stairs would consume precious minutes. With no other choice, we opted for the unconventional route—scaling the walls.

"What kind of test is this?" I couldn't help but mutter under my breath. "Making fresh academy graduates scale these towering walls is quite the challenge, don't you think?"

"Can you climb?" I asked Natsu as we raced across the rooftops, heading towards the spot just below the First Hokage's rock.

She shook her head. "No, not for long." I appreciated her honesty. Maybe this team wouldn't be so bad after all.

We ran until we reached the wall, our faces pressed against the rough surface. With a hop, we planted our feet and infused them with chakra, propelling ourselves upwards. Itachi led the way, occasionally glancing back to ensure I was keeping up.

Midway through the ascent, Natsu started to struggle, her foothold slipping out of control. "H-hy-?"

Just as she was about to lose her balance, I grabbed her hand and pulled her up, my other hand resting on her back to support her. "Are you alright?" I asked, concern lacing my voice.

"Yes..." Her cheeks flushed, perhaps from embarrassment at not being able to keep up. Well, it was understandable, really.

I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about our new Jonin sensei. I had a hunch that he would be a strict disciplinarian and an overachiever. Time was ticking against us as we swiftly bypassed the visage of the First Hokage sculpted into the wall. Itachi signaled to me with a hand gesture.

I nodded in response, channeling more chakra to my feet. On the count of three, we leaped, utilizing shunshin to teleport mid-air, and landed above the mountain.

The vibrant greenery and refreshing breeze welcomed us to this elevated ground. The sight of Konoha stretched out before us, momentarily taking my breath away, if not for the presence of a shinobi with a set of shuriken in his hands.

He hurled the shuriken, but Itachi swiftly positioned himself in front of us, his hands a blur as he intercepted the incoming projectiles. I released my hold on Natsu, and together we formed a standard wedge formation, just as we had been taught at the academy.

"Congratulations. You kids have exceeded my expectations," the shinobi said with a hint of approval.

"Are you our new Jonin sensei?" Natsu inquired.

"That's correct. Any issues so far?" he responded.

"No, sensei," Itachi replied, shaking his head. "We haven't encountered any problems."

The sensei smirked. "It's bold of you to assume the role of team leader, Uchiha Itachi. Does your teammate agree with your assumption?"

This irritated me for some reason. "Enough with the chatter, Sensei. With the limited information and time frame you've provided, Itachi has assumed leadership because he is the most capable, and I trust his judgment. Isn't that right, Hyuuga-san?"

Natsu hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the question. I inwardly sighed, hoping she would respond in our favor. "Um... based on his academic record, I don't think I trust myself with such responsibility. Nobuyuki-kun has deferred his judgment to Itachi, and as the least experienced member, is it wrong for me to go along with that?"

"Your answer is good, though not perfect. I'll allow it," the sensei nodded. "With this, Team 2 is assembled."

Was that all? I had expected another test or perhaps a probation period before being deemed worthy. But I supposed things didn't always go as expected, and I was grateful for that. It would have been tiresome otherwise.

"Is that all, Sensei?" Itachi asked.

"Nope. How about we have lunch and introduce ourselves?" the sensei suggested.

The three of us nodded in agreement, ready to get to know each other better.

.

I had hoped we would be indulging in some delicious yakiniku, but our sensei whisked us away to a quaint tea shop instead. The round table arrangement made our seating less awkward, a thoughtful consideration on our sensei's part to eliminate any sense of seating hierarchy.

I quietly sipped my iced-cold tea, while Itachi had added a hint of lemon to his, and Natsu preferred hers with milk. Our sensei, on the other hand, seemed more preoccupied with his cigarette than his tea.

"Tell us your name, hobbies, dislikes, dreams, and aspirations. I'll start first," Sensei said, breaking the silence. "My name is Shirakumo Hayama. I enjoy the exhilaration of achieving my goals, and I dislike the taste of failure. My dream is to retire peacefully."

"Uchiha, you're next," Sensei continued, shifting his focus to Itachi.

"I'm Uchiha Itachi," Itachi introduced himself. "I have an interest in history, but I can't pinpoint something I specifically dislike. For now, my aspiration is to achieve the rank of Jonin."

"Tempered and realistic, I see," Sensei nodded approvingly, then turned his attention to Natsu. "How about you, young lady?"

Natsu hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Um, my name is Hyuuga Natsu. I find joy in taking care of others, doing household chores, and sewing... as for dislikes, it's when someone messes something up. And for now, I am content with the path I am on."

"Fair and modest," Sensei remarked, his gaze then shifting to me. "And you, what about you?"

"Me?" I pondered for a moment, unsure of my true aspiration. Did I want to become stronger? Acquire vast knowledge? There were so many desires swirling within me, but I could only express one. My thoughts became jumbled, and without thinking, I blurted out my deepest desire.

"I am Nobuyuki, without a surname that I wish to rectify. I find fulfillment in practicing Fūinjutsu, and I detest it when someone wastes my time. But my true wish... is to build my own clan!"

My mind screamed internally, overwhelmed by the audacity of my confession. Sensei Hayama smirked knowingly, Itachi regarded me with a curious expression, and Natsu's cheeks reddened at the implications.

"A great ninja must have an equally great ambition, wouldn't you agree, Nobuyuki?" Sensei teased, stoking more logs to the fire.

My eyes welled up with moisture, my face burning with embarrassment. I turned away from their piercing gazes, feeling as if I might faint from the overwhelming shame. Why did I blurt out such a foolish desire in the first place?

I wanted to disappear, kill me and bury me in the deepest depths of the earth. I didn't want to live through this humiliation. My mind was still reeling, struggling to make sense of the chaos within.

"Well, before Nobuyuki commits harakiri out of embarrassment," Sensei interjected, his tone laced with humor, "let me announce our plan going forward. Feel free to interject if there's something you'd like to add, perhaps a particular skill you wish to further develop. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sensei!" Itachi and Natsu replied in unison.

I stammered, my voice barely audible, "Y-yes..."

"Starting tomorrow, from seven to twelve, we'll be assigned D-rank missions as a team. I expect all of you to gather in front of the Hokage Tower at that time. In the afternoon, from one to five, I'll dedicate my time to training you, either as a team or individually. Now, does anyone have anything they'd like to add?"

Itachi spoke up first, his voice steady, "Will this schedule be the same every day?"

"Consider it our regular schedule, but there may be exceptions if we receive higher-ranked missions or if I'm unavailable. In such cases, I trust you to exercise your own judgment," Sensei explained. "Any other questions?"

Natsu raised her hand, her voice polite, "Sensei, what if we have different teachers for specific subjects?"

"In that case, you'll need to consult with me and your respective teachers. We can discuss this further once I assess your abilities tomorrow. Not every field of expertise will align with my skill set, so accommodations will need to be made accordingly."

Sensei scanned our faces, ensuring that no one else had any further inquiries. "Any other questions?"

Silence fell upon the table as we shook our heads in response.

"Very well then. Team 2 is officially formed. You're dismissed," Sensei concluded, giving us a nod.