Nine. A sensei unlike any other.

Three moody Genin sat on the grass, second training ground of the village. Gai was shooting angry looks at his two teammates, the image of Obito having the time of his life blowing his mind. Damn you Kakashi, and damn me for trying to get better. If only I had known...

What the hell was in his mind now? He scrolled his thoughts and took another view of Akina. She had picked a weed and was chomping at it with such a calm style any Nara would've envied. Her purple-rimmed eyes sent him a glare full of sufficence and disdain.

What's the deal with you, anyway? Below average, lazy,cooler than cool ... never even answered a question in class!

The kunoichi bit her lip to refrain her smile. Her eyes over Ikinari, full of malice, her mind on Gai, venomous as a coral snake.

He considers me human, but as a shinobi, he's craptastic! Zero plus zero amounts to more than you ever were worth!

Ikinari himself wasn't amused at all.

Dobe... Akki... why do I have to endure this shit?

- You three must be the team I was assigned to.

Three noses shot up. An inverted figure was standing under a tree branch, smirking. In a backflip, he stood in front of them, one hand on his hips, the other hanging loosely towards his waist.

The man in front of them had flame-like, brownish hair, cut short at the sides, a long ponytail concealed behind his back, a goatee, calm lazy hazel eyes. He was chomping on a stem with a big, strong-smelling leaf. He wore an unzipped Chûnin vest, under which the short sleeves of a shirt poked out. The sleeves were decorated with rectangular motives, as his pant legs.

His hitai-ate partially covered an ear, so it was halfway over his fringe. There were bandages on his elbow, forearm and around his handpalms, as well as around his neck and wrapping up his sandals. There was another pair, under his right knee and on his left thigh.

He stood calmly, looking at the kids in mild amusement.

- Hello there – he said, smiling wider. - You sure are moody to be that young! None of you seems like enjoying the best part of your lives!

Akina supressed a laugh. Ikinari frowned in despise. And Gai... frowned cluelessly. If that was a joke, it was indeed a poor one!

- Oh well, I see... you're straight to the point, are you? Let's see. I will introduce myself first. My name is Sarutobi Sumiko.
- Like the Sandaime Hokage?

Sumiko smiled gently at Gai's question.

- Yes, in fact I'm his eldest son. My younger brother left the Academy one year before you did, you might know him. He's Sarutobi Asuma.

They did. He was a calm, collected Genin whose main interests were playing Shogi and lying on treebanches. Gai didn't quite know what to think of him... he did seem a lazy bummer, but of course, everybody talked with respect about the Sarutobis, so he should have something...

- Well... Why did I make it to Jounin is not up for me to tell you, too early indeed. I like chomping on tobacco leaves. I dislike when people fail to show comradeship.

He crouched to their level, his grey eyes taking in their expressions. Ikinari was moody. Gai, expectant. And Akina, lazy.

- Now, your turn... all of you are Genin. What about telling me what are your likes and dislikes, the things that keep you going?

Silence...

...broken by a bratty snort.

- Well, guess that makes me first! Raise Ikinari, as you surely knew! I like comfort, being surrounded by others, good food...
- And if you do, why did you want to become a ninja?
The blond boy's mouth twitched to form an arrogant smile. The familiar coin sign apeared in his fingers.
- Three words and you'll get it. PikaPika no Hoshi!

Instead of the praise he thought he'd get, Sumiko chuckled, annoying the until then pridey Raise boy to no end.

Hmmm... so this is the PikaPika... the Raise must be desperate, to choose this cockysoup...

- And what do you dislike?
Ikinari looked around, angrily.
- Dorks and demons. And I shall add you to the list, too.
Akina snorted. Gai growled. Sumiko chuckled.

- Who's next?
Akina shrugged. – Me, I reckon... I am... Kujaku no Akina. Likes and dislikes are the same for me, I think you'll understand. My goal is simple.
- To become a chûnin – Sumiko completed
- You beat me to it – she stated, as lazy as ever. – That's pretty much it.
Gai stared in amazement at his teammate's half-grin.
Just a Chûnin? She has no ambition at all!!

He jolted when he saw his sensei's clear eyes staring at him.
- Means you're the only one left.

Ikinari snorted, pointing at Gai with derision.

- Oh puh-leeze, spare us, sensei... whatever crap he's gonna spill out, I don't want to hear!

Gai lowered his head. Right. What was he going to say? Why had he done that? Children's laughter echoing in his ears. Tora. His failure with Saiken Houhou.

All of those and none of those.

- I-I'm Maito Gai. And I did it... because no matter how many times I've been told I'm pathetic, I want to show I am capable of becoming a useful shinobi, a strong person and a worthy rival!

He shot a dagger glance up at his sensei. Sumiko was grinning at him.
- Is it funny, sensei? – he answered hotly, losing all respect for once.
- No... not at all. Harder than I would expect, but I guess it's what youth is for!

The blue-suited Genin grunted, his eyebrows joining. Was he going to be like his mother and brothers? What good could youth do him?

- Now that we're done, one is Genjutsu type, one is Ninjutu type and one is the Taijutsu type. So I believe the first thing will be, to level you up. – Gai looked disgruntled out of a sudden. Akina let out a small laugh. Ikinari shrugged.

- Whatever, but make it quick. I'm expected at home. – he drawled.
Sumiko-san laughed.
- I'm afraid not. You're not Genin yet, before I call you my students,
you have to pass a test.

Three swallow-ups assured Sumiko Sarutobi that he had their fullest attention. For the first time.