A/N Thanks for your reviews and support.

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Nickole Riddle: thanks for your review, my friend. Well, I'm glad you enjoy the story. My writing style has improved a lot over the years but it still has a long way to go. I know I'm not perfect but I hope I continue to make the story enjoyable.

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APridefulSin: thanks for your review, my friend. Hope you are well. My holidays went great and even got interested in a new fandom or two. Fics arent abandoned but updates come as I have ideas as usual. The team is a balance of power and strategy. Once they learn their strengths and weaknesses they will work well together.

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Shioon's POV

Two weeks passed swiftly as training with Hayate continued. For the first week, they went through katas for two hours every day. Then in the second week would training was split in half. Katas for the first hour then sparring in the second.

The day of the team selections finally arrived. He and Naruto wouldn't have their usual training with Hayate. He wouldn't say why but Shioon had to guess it had to do with their team assignments. Naruto had breakfast with them despite Ha Ills frown. Shioon knew that the retainer didnt trust Naruto. Being his own person meant he had to trust his own instincts. His instincts told him that Naruto was trustworthy.

When breakfast was done Naruto and Shioon changed into their regular clothes. Both of their headbands were placed on the forehead in a traditional manner. They knew some ninjas chose other spots but there was no need for it. Ha Ill chose to wear his headband on his bicep.

Then they made their way to the Academy. Adults looked at them with disdain as they passed. It was because they had Naruto with them. Shioon held his head high as they entered the school. Glaring at the teachers that weren't Iruka. They were a little better than the civilians.

Kiba Inuzuka sneered at them, "Hey Shioon, Naruto you two can't be here. This isn't for failures."

Shioon snarled, "We passed you little shit! Just because it wasn't during the regular exam doesn't mean it didn't count."

There was a bump against his right shoulder from Naruto. Normally the other would be ready to jump down Inuzuka's throat. He was right, however. This was not the place to start a fight.

The two boys took their seats in the middle of the classroom. Sasuke Uchiha was the last student to enter the class. As usual, he was flocked by the girls who wanted to be the next Mrs. Uchiha. Shioon knew that Naruto had a crush on Sakura but with anything luck, it wouldn't last. Naruto growled under his breath as the girls fought over who would get to sit with the Uchiha.

When the door opened again it was Iruka sensei. The man sent both him and Naruto a small smile before his attention turned to the entire class.

Iruka began as the class fell silent, "Today you begin your ninja journey. As of today, you are genin an in training. We will break you off into squads of three led by jounin."

Sakura interrupted causing Shioon to glare at her, "But Iruka sensei, we have already passed our exams. Why should we be in teams of three?"

Shioon answered instead, "Because we are just out of the Academy. We barely know any basic jutsus much less any real combat skills. So they form us in teams of three to balance our strengths and weaknesses. It should be obvious."

"He is right," Iruka stepped in before it could break out into a fight, "Teams will be based on strengths and weaknesses. The jounin will teach you new jutsus and control exercises. He will also lead missions so that you gain experience. As genins, your missions will be basic and around the village. It takes time to earn the right to go on more dangerous missions. So do not be surprised when you do many chores for a while."

That made sense. They would have to earn the respect of their fellow ninja and the old man. As long as he wasn't put with Sakura or the Uchiha he didnt mind what team he was put on.

Shioon only listened with half an ear as Iruka began calling out squads. The beginning was mostly civilian families. He wasn't friends with them so they didnt involve him.

He did perk up when he heard, "Team 7 will be Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Ha Ill. You will be led by Kakashi Hatake."

Shioon pitied his retainer. There was no way that Ha Ill would get along with those two. That team was going to end in disaster.

Iruka continued, "Team 8, Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzaka, Shino Aburame. They will be under Kurenai Yuhi."

The three looked at each other. That group would work better than the previous one.

Team 9 was another civilian team and then came team 10, "Akamichi Choji, Tarren Sota, Ino Yamaka. You will be under Asuma Sarutobi."

So they broke up the Io-Shika-Cho team rather than make it again. That was unusual. Normally that team was together in every generation. Shioon quietly wondered who was going to get the Nara heir. Whoever it was would be in luck. The boy was a strategic genius. His laziness could be a problem but in battle, he would be the biggest asset.

Iruka finalized, "Team 11 will be Shikamaru Nara, Shioon Lee, and Naruto Uzumaki. You will be under Hayate Gekko."

Naruto and Shioon exchanged matching grins. They were going to be under their teacher. That had to be Lady Luck shining down upon them. They even had Shikamaru Nara.

Their team would be more balanced than the others. It would be interesting to see how many would be left after a few weeks. Not everyone was cut out for this life. Just like not everyone was cut out for the Murim life.

Iruka dismissed them, "Alright go have lunch your jounins should be hereafter lunch."

When he left them in the classroom Shioon offered, "How about we all have lunch together?"

Nara looked up from where he had been pretending to sleep. The boy shrugged as he said, "I don't mind. Where do you want to eat?"

Shioon said grabbing his bag, "I was thinking on the roof. My brother made us lunches. If you want you can share some of mine."

Nara replied, "Don't worry about it. I have my own lunch as well."

They went up to the roof where they laid out their lunches. Shioon had chicken and rice while Naruto had fish and rice. For his part, Nara had a couple of sandwiches.

Nara ate his food then quickly went back to sleep. There was a quiet what a drag then he rolled over so that his back to them. Naruto and Shioon quietly went over what they had learned from Hayate. They had to be ready for whatever the other threw at them. Hayate wouldn't take a team without testing them first. Most jounins wouldn't so they had to be ready.