Have you ever noticed how the background noise of pointless squabbles or pointless ramblings could be controlled so easily by a domineering presence? Haven't you ever thought it to be a little odd. These so called meaningful interactions being put on hold, paused, completely forgot the moment someone with a commanding voice or presence interjects themselves into the situation. Or something with more tension is in the general vicinity?
I never took Iruka-sensei as the domineering type. He was a kind man, and honestly a bit of a push over. Too nice and accommodating for his own good a lot of the time. But whether it be through conditioning, or the lingering fact that we already knew our life would lead us to take commands from those with higher rank. His presence seemed to put a stop to anything else in the room. The few strong willed fools who tried to ignore him would soon follow suit when he raised his voice with a simple 'shut up'. Once upon of time, I'd still have challenged him. Just for the attention. How pathetic is that?
But now I found it sad, not a one of us would fight back after his first outburst. For a moment I wondered if a position like that would be rewarding. Something I'd enjoy. Or would I loath it. Did authority actually matter when there was nothing to reign in? I guess it was pretty pointless to even think about. But curious minds would wonder. A brief congratulations and talk about how we'd be delving into the world of true Shinobi was spouted. All pretty words with warnings laced in, not sure if that was meant to scare us or just be a reminder. It felt insincere, how many times had he gave that speech? How many students funerals had he attended. A position like that, were you were expected to care, to nurture. That couldn't be absolutely sincere. No human no matter how kind could consistently invest themselves in every child they met. Especially knowing that they would most likely die in their chosen field. Loss, rejection, feelings of failure, guilt. Those would devour someone like Iruka. No one was strong enough to endure that struggle. Killing emotions would be the only adaptation. But that would make him terrible at his job. So the only option less would be to crumble.
Not that I could fault the man for putting on this facade. It was just too much to not end up a fraud. I'd done something similar. Playing up the old persona of mind just because I was lonely. At least he had better reasons for it. Ami, however, never looked away from the man however. She was fixated. Impatiently waiting for her name to be called.
"Team Seven will consist of Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno and Hibachi." Iruka rambled off, a loud thud alerted me to Hibachi repeatedly bashing his head against his desk. Mumbling about his damnable luck while the harpy ranted and raved about her victory over…..I guess Ino? The rest of the teams just passed by. I figured I'd eventually hear my name and I'd pay enough attention to know where to go, or at least who to follow. With each name rambled off it was slowly becoming more of a process of elimination. Not that I cared who I'd be paired with or anything. But my curiosity was getting the better of me. Until I realized something.
Sai was basically in the trenches with me. Well not literally. But he was in root with me. He had suffered similar struggles. He'd endured, he had adapted well, or as well as an emotionally and socially stunted child could to his new environment. Knowing the Third like he did I could guess the man would saddle them together. Two messed up kids, needing mending and growth. Pair together due to the likely hood they'd be able to understand one another, and would grow and strengthen their bonds due to this. Honestly this will of fire idea was idiotic. Sure they'd grow due to growing close. But relying on anyone but yourself was a dangerous thing. Self reliance was the priority anyone who wished to survive their career should focus on. Team mates matter, no self respecting person would watch an ally die or leave them in order to survive. But then again how would I ever know unless that choice and struggle was placed upon me? Besides I was already dedicated to my life of isolation.
The third member would definitely be a female. All squads where made up of two males and a female. At least for the last few generations. If the Third was manipulating this in order to try and force me to get all chummy with his peers there was only one option, Ami.
"Hey Ami." She almost immediately looked over, a look of curiosity or annoyance in her eyes.
"Yeah?"
"I really don't feel like paying attention to this, so if you don't mind could you just let me know where to meet with sensei?" Ami gave me a confused look before laughing.
"Sure thing." I simply pulled out my Fuinjutsu for Morons book and began reading. Trying my best to tone out Iruka and the rest of the class. But my thoughts just couldn't sit still. It was some of those misguided, mostly sentimental thoughts. I couldn't help but think, how great something like our group could be. Me and Sai could become friends, maybe Ami would prove to be sincere and I could connect with her. But I quickly dismiss that. Danzo's words ringing loudly in the back of my head. Naive. Ami eventually gives me a nudge. Shaking me out of such delusions. "Come on, let's go. We're meeting in the library." I just nod and stash my book away in one of the inner pockets of my jacket and follow her out. Sai soon gets up and follows us. Not say as much as a word. Just that creepy ass smile placed over his lips.
"So, what's our Sensei's name." I hated small talk, it wasn't my fortee and honestly most of it was pointless. But sometimes when in a group of people something had to break the silence. I don't know why but a heavy feeling would often find it's way to setting on my chest. It was almost like it was hard to breath unless I spoke out to fill the absent space.
"Genma Shiranui." Sai never was much for delivery, almost everything he said came off with this slight playful hint. If it wasn't for the fact I knew the boy didn't know how to joke I'd almost take everything he said as a set up waiting for a punchline. That creepy ass smile didn't help.
"So what do you two know about him, because I got nothing." Both of them just shrugged, and all I could think was 'great a no name'. But that wouldn't be all bad. If he was a proactive teacher things would be fine. A slow burn for enhancing my skills, with not much recognition to my sensei or teammates. It'd be easy to keep a low profile and just skate through the system. I'm honestly not as lazy as the Nara, but the least attention the better. Maybe I'd join Anbu at some point, or just become a Tokubetsu Jonin for Fuinjutsu or Assassination. Either would be fine, but the smaller my file and the less glory that better. We finally reached the library and there sat, what I could best describe as a delinquent in a Jonin vest. Backwards bandanna, feet propped up on a table. For extra emphasis this clown was chewing on a Senbon and twirling a Kunai. A small part of me was already irritated. If the old man went through so much trouble to force me into this team, for reason I suspected earlier. Wouldn't it be best for him to give me a sensei I could relate to? Unless, Sarutobi thought I was a delinquent…. But he couldn't, right?
"About time you three showed up, I was starting to think I'd been given Kakashi's kids." As he seen us he sat up put the Kunai way to seem more professional. I took the notion to believe this man was just bored easily. But the Senbon never left his mouth. We all three took a see across from him as he began to look us over before dropping three folders on the table. "These files are the information the Teachers have compiled for the Hokage and use Jonin instructors. I've read over each of them twice. To be honest, I'm not sure you're a team that aligns very well with my set of skills. But I don't like passing up opportunities. So before we get down to business I think it's best that we all get to know each other a little better. Since a Sensei is suppose to lead by example I'll go first. Any objections to that?" All three of use just shook our heads. It was night and day to Iruka, sure this guy was a no name. But the way he was handling this demanded respect. It was almost like we were being brief by the old man. His posture stated all business, while his appearance and aloofness gave off a small sense of intimidation. You had to admire that, many of the Jonin I'd seen just came across as cosplaying civilians. Not one carried themself in this manner, or maybe they just save it for situations like this. "Alright then, my name is Genma Shiranui. I enjoy Pumpkin Broth and traveling. I have a distaste for spinach and people who are all talk. My goal is to continue to be a pillar in the Jonin community. As far as my skill set I'm a former member of the Hokage Guard and specialize in Ninjutsu. See simple introduction. Just your name, likes, dislikes, goal and some information about what field you feel you're strongest in. Though I guess you three should tack on what fields you're interested in. So, Why don't you begin…." He quickly opened one of the files. For someone who read it twice you'd think he'd remember our names. Or maybe this was a mind game. Something to try and remind us of our place. "Sai, was it."
"Understood, my name is Sai. No surname as I'm an orphan. My likes are momen tofu and art. Specifically drawing and calligraphy. My dislikes are dango. My skills currently are proficient in use of my tanto. I've also started to develop my own style of Ninjutsu using ink and my drawings. As far as what I'd like to focus on, I believe my true strength lies in scouting and infiltration. However despite the fact I believe I should keep my focus on these specific areas, I would like to improve my other skills. Namely Ninjutsu." Sai finished with that creepy ass smile. I know you're trying dude, but for all of our sake, stop. We know you're not sincere. Genma just stared him down however, before giving a dejected sigh.
"Goals kid. What are your goals." For a brief moment Sai looked confused, almost as if the very idea was confusing to him. Finally he just gave a shrug. Genma merely shook his head. I got the feeling we where disappointing him more and more as the seconds ticked by. "Fine, whatever." Looking at the next file a quick frown came over his face, his eyes quickly glancing to Ami. If only for a moment, and then steeled it self back in his 'down to business' expression. I could feel my eye twitch at that. He was judging her off her file alone. Before a word even left her mouth. I couldn't explain why but that in itself was annoying. Could it have been our conversation from earlier? Her expression of regret? Maybe it was his unfair judgement of her? I mean I'd struggled through something similar my whole life. Did I care? No, that'd be naive. It was simply that it reminded me of the villagers, yeah that was it. "Alright, Ami you're next."
"My name is Ami, like Sai I'm an orphan so no surname." She took a moment, maybe she knew we were eyeing her. Nervousness I guess. But with a sharp, deep breath and a slight lowering of her her. She gave herself a small smile. Was she feeling sorry for herself in that moment? No, it couldn't be that. The Ami I'd observed up to this point was brash, extroverted and challenging. Cheerful wasn't the right word. Challenging definitely suited her more. "My likes are Sushi, I have no real hobbies." As she said this Genma's earlier frown starter to come through once more. I could feel my eyes narrowing at him, but couldn't stop. Danzo's words once again echoed in my head. 'Emotions only show weakness.' So I tried to reign it in. "My dislikes are Coffee, and those who waste their talents by not putting in the hard work." I had completely zoned in on reading Genma's expressions at this point. The slight eyebrow raise, the tug at the left side of his lip as her statement aired out. At this point what ever she was saying no longer mattered much to me. I tried to analyze and dissect each change in body language, each facial expression. But I was failing, I felt as if someone was screaming behind my face. My mind was getting loud, but nothing audible stood out. It was just noise. A raging static. As Ami finished Genma glanced over at me. He thumbed at the file, but didn't even bother to open it. His eyes narrowed as if trying to meet my, what I could only assume he interpreted as a glare.
"You're the last one Uzumaki." Using my surname, not even bothering to play the mind games with the file he did the other two. Maybe this was his mind game. Challenge me with a direct challenge. It was possible my file covered my normal mannerisms. I'm sure the teachers had picked up on my way of avoiding attention this last year. He did say he read the file twice. Goddamn this guy was already annoying me.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. Unlike the others I'm an Orphan with a surname." He smirked at that. He was always smirking. "I personally think this is pointless. I'd be surprised if any of you really cared about my likes or hobbies. So I'll skip them and just give you a run down of my talents. I have only two things I consider myself good at. Accuracy and stealth. I'm sure the file already covers that. As for what I wish to train it, it's assassination and fuinjutsu. But since we're sharing personal details." As I began saying the last line I could feel the muscles in my face mimic his cocky grin. Why was I doing this? Acting so stand offish. This would create nothing but more struggles for me to deal with. But. It could be the opportunity to create caution, some distance between me and Ami. Sai already knew, so did Genma. But maybe spilling it here could be a trump card. A jab at Genma for playing games with us, and a way to put a hamper on this familiarity Ami kept trying to establish. "It'd be reckless not to inform my Sensei and future comrades of this." Genma's smirk sank back into a glare. I could tell he was practically freaking out now. S-rank secrets could be weaponized. Good to know.
"Uzumaki, don't." He practically growled. I simply raise my hands up in a defensive manner. My actions at this time where more like something the old me would have done. So he probably didn't expect it from the file and the briefing the Hokage no doubt gave him on the three of us.
"I'm the Nine-" Genma's hands slammed onto the table in front of me. Him leaning across the table, close enough to my face to were I could feel his breath, the senbon clattering onto the table.
"I said don't Uzumaki! That's an order!"
"tailed fox."
A/N
Hey guys, I just want to thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in this story. As well as apologize for the short length of each chapter. I know I personally prefer longer reads, but I really want each chapter to feel like a scene change. Or have an impact that makes you guys excited to see how things play out next chapter. I know cliffhangers suck. So sorry for that as well. I also wanted to touch on a few things. I've tried a few previous fics (one on this account and a few on an older account I no longer have access to) the problems I have always seem to have was wanting to jump perspectives. Trying to updating too quickly with out really proof reading. But the main issue writing them was just trying to slam ideas together without an actual end goal. Sure a beta reader would have drastically improved my previous attempt, the real issue was on me. I just wanted to cram as many ideas that I had together with no real narrative outline. Although a few things about this story are still unclear to me. I do have an ending I plan on working towards. So hopefully the ride there will be a good read for you guys, and an actual accomplishment for me. So thank's once again.