Chapter 2, Team 5
The classroom of the Ninja Academy buzzed with restless energy.
Freshly graduated genin, their new forehead protectors still gleaming, whispered excitedly about team assignments. In this era of war, a team was more than companionship — it could mean life or death. A skilled jōnin instructor, a gifted teammate, or a kekkei genkai user could raise survival odds dramatically on real battlefields.
Nishikawa Tetsu sat by the rain-streaked window, idly spinning a pen between his fingers. He watched the grey sky, but his ears sifted through every conversation around him.
"I heard some jōnin from the front are coming back to take teams," someone muttered.
"If only it's Lord Hatake… or Lord Jiraiya…"
"Idiot. Jiraiya-sama is fighting in the Land of Rain. He won't waste time training rookies."
Tetsu's eyes narrowed slightly.
So it matched his memories — the Second Shinobi World War was in full swing. Jiraiya commanding at the Rain front. If that was true, then whoever received his team would likely be sent toward the battlefield immediately.
"Quiet."
Daikoku-sensei entered, holding the assignment scroll. The room fell silent at once.
"Because of the ongoing war," he announced, "your first missions may involve escort and supply routes near the border. You will follow your jōnin instructor's orders without delay."
The excitement in the room chilled instantly. This was no training exercise. This was war service.
Daikoku-sensei began reading.
Teams were called. Cheers, sighs, and mutters followed each name.
Finally:
"Team Five… Nishikawa Tetsu. Namikaze Minato."
A stir rippled through the class.
One was an average student with weak chakra reserves but perfect written scores. The other had shattered every Academy record — the golden prodigy whispered to be the next great shinobi of the village.
Minato turned, smiling warmly at his new teammate. Calm, confident, polite — exactly as the rumors said.
Tetsu returned the nod, though his thoughts were less optimistic.
Being assigned beside the future hero of the village was rarely coincidence.
Daikoku-sensei hesitated before continuing.
"Your jōnin instructor is… Jiraiya-sama."
The classroom erupted.
"The Sannin?!"
"Jiraiya-sama's team?!"
"Why does that guy get dragged along with Minato?!"
Jealous glares shot toward Tetsu.
But Daikoku raised a hand.
"However, Jiraiya-sama remains stationed at the Rain front. Until you reach his camp, an acting jōnin will escort you."
At that moment, the classroom door slid open.
Cold rain air swept in — along with the scent of steel and blood.
A tall man stood in the doorway, soaked cloak draped over a flak jacket scarred by battle. Black hair, sharp eyes, a presence that quieted the room without a word.
For a brief instant, crimson Sharingan glowed — three tomoe rotating slowly — then faded back to dark calm.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Not yet clan head. Already feared.
His gaze passed over the class, then settled on Minato and Tetsu.
"Team Five. Follow me."
No warmth. No explanation. Only command.
The academy rooftop echoed with rain.
Fugaku leaned against the railing, arms crossed.
"No introductions. Waste of time."
His voice was level — not loud, yet impossible to ignore.
"I am Uchiha Fugaku. I will escort you to Jiraiya-sama's unit."
His eyes moved to Minato.
"Namikaze Minato. Your reputation precedes you. Do not disappoint it in real combat."
Minato straightened.
"Yes, Fugaku-senpai."
Then Fugaku turned to Tetsu.
A colder look.
"Nishikawa Tetsu. Low chakra. Average taijutsu. Only theory and shuriken proficiency stand out. You are a liability on a battlefield."
No insult in his tone — merely fact, as he saw it.
Tetsu met his gaze evenly.
"On a battlefield, not everyone needs to charge forward. I can handle intelligence work, traps, and field first aid. That should improve team survival."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow.
"First aid? A fresh genin?"
"I know enough to keep someone alive until a medic arrives."
A pause. Rain hissed between them.
Fugaku studied the boy's calm eyes, then gave a short nod.
"See that it's true."
He pulled a small orange toad from his pouch and tossed it to Minato.
"Jiraiya-sama's contact toad. Orders: cross the Fire Country border immediately and proceed to the Rain front. Do exactly as instructed."
His killing intent flickered — sharp, controlled, unmistakably real.
"Out there, I will not slow down for you. If you cannot keep up…"
His eyes hardened.
"…you will be left behind. The battlefield does not forgive weakness."
Minato nodded solemnly.
Tetsu merely tightened his grip on his pouch, feeling the outline of prepared smoke bombs.
Underestimating him would be a mistake — but that lesson could wait.
"Move."
Fugaku vanished in a blur of shunshin.
Minato followed in a flash of yellow.
Tetsu gathered chakra to his feet and leapt after them — slower, but steady, into the rain and toward war.