[A/N: Ryumo-> Ryuma]
"Why are we still here? Didn't we already graduate?" muttered Kuro, irritation dripping from every word as he slumped into his seat in the almost-empty classroom.
Mogi snorted. "We still need a team , you brain-dead gorilla."
"I don't need a team," Kuro growled, fists clenching as he turned halfway toward Mogi. "Especially not with an idiot."
Before tensions could erupt, Ryuma adjusted his forehead protector with visible annoyance."Both of you shut the hell up. You're giving me a headache."
Raito observed quietly.
Team composition… Daiki, Himejima, and Mogi are Uchiha, so they'll probably be grouped together. Which means I'll be stuck with these two.Not exactly reassuring logic, but acceptable.
Having revealed his Ten Shadows technique to Hiruzen, he felt strangely lighter, as though the weight of secrecy had been lifted.
The classroom door slid open.
Kenta entered, followed by two jōnin. One was a woman with inky black hair and deep, observant eyes, dressed in the Konoha Police uniform. The other was a tall man with vivid orange hair, wearing a white cape draped casually over his standard jōnin outfit.
Kenta smiled proudly."This is Uchiha Mikoto. She'll be the jōnin instructor for Mogi, Himejima, and Daiki. Together, you form Team One. Respect her, she's exceptionally skilled."
Mogi's eyes lit up."Aunt Mikoto?! You're gonna be our sensei? I thought you retired!"
Mikoto sighed and promptly smacked him on the head."It's Sensei, Mogi."
Uchiha Mikoto… Fugaku's wife? She used to be a jōnin? Interesting.Raito noted the information but didn't dwell. His attention shifted to the orange-haired jōnin instead.
Team One left the room, leaving only the remaining students.
Kenta inhaled deeply, his expression softening.
"Ryuma Hatake. Kuro. Raito Yagami. You will form Team Two, under the guidance of Sengoku." He paused, voice thickening with pride. "Your journey as genin begins today. Make me proud. Make Konoha proud."
The Will of Fire burns brightly in this one, Raito mused dryly.
Sengoku stepped forward, studying his new students briefly."Report to Training Ground Eight. I've already cleared access for you."
And with a single flicker of movement, he vanished.
Ryuma let out a resigned breath. "Well. Let's go."
The three of them shared a glance.
Then silently, without further argument, they followed.
______________________________________________________________
Sengoku stood before his new genin squad, posture straight, expression unreadable.
"Let's begin with introductions," he said calmly.
"I'll go first. I am Sengoku—Elite Jōnin. I specialize in Kenjutsu and Fire Release. My hobbies include studying sword styles and meditation. As for notable achievements…" His gaze sharpened slightly. "During the Third Great Ninja War, I dismantled eight bases of Sunagakure."
Kuro blinked, unfazed. "So you're Flame Sword Sengoku, huh? Thought it was just a rumor."
Sengoku gave the barest nod. "That name has followed me."
Ryuma glanced sideways at Kuro. "Surprised?"
"Yeah," Ryuma replied casually. "Didn't expect you to know anything about someone who isn't selling adult magazines."
Raito snorted.
Kuro glared. "You find something funny?"
"Enough," Sengoku cut in, tone cold. "Hatake. You first."
Ryuma straightened."I am Ryuma Hatake, youngest son of Sakumo Hatake. I specialize in Lightning and Water Release. My hobby is training, and my goal is to surpass my father. I have no tolerance for those who disobey their superiors."
That reverence toward authority borders on fetishistic, Sengoku mused quietly.
His eyes then shifted to Raito. The one with the kekkei genkai Lord Third mentioned. I'll need to keep an eye on him.
Raito spoke calmly."I'm Raito Yagami. I don't specialize in any elemental release yet, though I'm competent with Wind Release. My strength lies in taijutsu. I'm also confident in strategy and quick decision-making."
"Hobbies?" asked Sengoku.
"Sleeping."
"…Alright," Sengoku said with a slow blink.
Finally, he turned to Kuro.
Kuro brightened and spoke in one breath:"I'm Kuro. My parents named me that because I was born during the darkest time of their lives. They later died during the Demon attack, so the name still fits. I like food. I've tasted 128 types of noodles and 34 types of ramen. I can cook perfect steak, so if you ever want good steak, ask me!"
Sengoku stared. He said all of that without breathing.
"Oh, and I specialize in Wind Release. I know several wind jutsu passed down from my parents, and I'm a genius who learns fast. Ha!" He winked.
One worships authority, one hides a powerful secret, and one is an unstoppable mouth… fascinating, thought Sengoku.
He clapped once. "Let's assess your skills. Your first task: Defeat me. Work together. And come at me with killing intent."
"Say no more!" Kuro yelled, charging ahead immediately.
"HE SAID AS A TEAM, YOU MORON!" Ryuma shouted after him.
Raito looked at Sengoku. "Can I use my kekkei genkai?"
Already revealing it? I expected more caution… oh right—he's still a kid, Sengoku thought.
"Go all out," he allowed, casually pinning Kuro to the ground with one hand.
Ryuma stared at Raito. Kekkei genkai?
Raito formed rapid hand seals, shadows pooling beneath him like ink.
"Try not to kill them, Sensei."
His shadow expanded. Two spectral hounds burst forth and lunged toward Sengoku.
"No need to worry," Sengoku replied calmly, tossing Kuro aside before evading the claws of the manifested beasts.
Kuro gaped. "Since when can he do that?"
"We're a team," Raito replied simply. "I don't keep secrets from comrades."
"I can manipulate shadows… and sense them," Raito added.
Ryuma's eyes narrowed. "At first, it looked like Nara-style Shadow Possession—but this feels completely different."
"Useful enough," Raito said.
Sengoku danced between the hounds' strikes and calmly kicked them back. "Knocking them unconscious is fine, right?"
Raito nodded. "Now listen. We strike simultaneously from opposite angles. Also, use clones."
Ryuma obliged, forming two clones and flickering into position.
Kuro created six wind clones, while Raito stood exposed in the open.
He dismissed the hounds. They're not meant for sustained combat.
"Planning in front of your enemy?" Sengoku asked mildly. "Questionable tactic."
Ryuma created three more. Kuro multiplied his further. Nine figures launched at Sengoku from all sides. At the same moment, Raito attacked from the front.
Surrounded, Sengoku finally smiled.
A flash of steel.
One sword stroke.
Silence.
The dust settled. Every clone dispersed. All three genin lay unconscious.
Sengoku sheathed his blade with indifferent grace.
"I win," he said simply, looking down at the fallen trio.
He exhaled softly.
"Well… that was easy."