January 3, 138 A.F. 8:05 a.m. MAGT – Hidden Continent; Fire Country; Konohagakure no Sato; Ninja Academy
The first thing that Iruka does, after sending off the newcomer to get an empty seat in the back corner, is congratulate Haruno Sakura for being the first Genin in nearly twenty years to be recruited to a specialized department straight out of the academy.
The rosette is positively glowing at the attention from her peers, although the person she most wants praise from doesn't even acknowledge her making her wilt slightly.
Iruka then goes on to explain that they will be put in teams under a Jonin while they continue to learn on the field. A few of them begin to protest and Akira tries not to roll his eyes, already privy to the information. The Chunin begins to read through the list and everyone straightens up.
By the third team Naruto's eyes glaze over and thoughts of pink hair and what he should have for lunch start swimming through his head.
"Team Seven consists of Uzumaki Naruto…" Said blond perks up. "Mitokado Akira…" Everyone turns toward the newcomer, being the only one whose name they don't recognize. However, those who do recognize the family name begin to whisper. Akira's eyes widen slightly before he grunts in annoyance, and Naruto suddenly isn't as happy, "and Uchiha Sasuke." The disappointment from most of the kunoichi in the room is palpable. Sasuke in turn continues to look forward, a thoughtful frown on his face.
Naruto wants to interrupt, he wants to speak out against being put on a team with Sasuke of all people but he chooses to stay silent. Instead he looks back at his unknown teammate, barely missing the unladylike squawk of disbelief from Sakura and the equally unladylike guffaws from the Yamanaka heiress. I wonder if Akira is a boy or a girl.
Akira senses the blond's stare and smiles slightly, even giving a small wave.
Naruto gives a grin in turn but inwardly he's confused. She's probably a girl, I just hope she's not mean like Ino… but maybe she won't treat me like the others. He turns back toward Iruka, not knowing what to make of his new teammate.
Soon Iruka does quick work getting through the rest of the list, the remaining ninja are not as excited. Afterward he looks over the potential Genin teams with a smile on his face and words of caution on his lips. "You are all now ninja of Konohagakure no Sato. Be aware of the responsibilities on your shoulders and represent our home with pride!"
His lesson is met with cheers of enthusiasm, he doesn't have the heart to tell them of their potential failure. "Alright, now that teams have been settled, let's take a break. Meet back here at 0900 hours to meet with your Jonin sensei."
With that he leaves for the lounge, leaving the Genin to their fates. While he's not one for obvious favoritism he does hope that one team in particular manages to succeed.
The rest of the Genin hopefuls quickly group up, some with their new teams and others with their friends.
Sakura is left bemoaning her own fate, now knowing that she would have been in a team with her dear Sasuke-kun, meanwhile Ino is still laughing at her misfortune.
Akira is left nursing a growing headache and waving away Fuki's concerns as he makes his way out the door intending to go straight home. He misses his new teammates' eyes following them.
January 3, 138 A.F. 8:15 a.m. MAGT – Hidden Continent; Fire Country; Konohagakure no Sato; Ito Household
Akira safely makes it behind the door of his uncle's home, making sure to keep the house muffled with a burst of chakra. He makes his way to the kitchen as he quietly steams about being misnamed in front of everyone. The name Mitokado is a point of contention, but as long as Akira remains in the Hidden Continent then Mitokado is the family name he has to answer to.
That wasn't the biggest issue though. Overall his team seems like a potential nightmare and Akira grits his teeth in frustration. Too close, too soon. What the hell is the old man playing at?
The Uzumaki and the "last" Uchiha are two of the main reasons why Akira is in this infernal place to being with. He isn't supposed to be in such close quarters with them, at least not yet.
He bites the nail on his left thumb. This throws off everything, everyone will be keeping an eye on us…
First there's the village pariah Uzumaki Naruto, prejudiced against because of his status as the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Youko. For a supposed village S-class secret, the civilians are disgustingly obvious of their hatred toward the boy, and their whispers of "demon" certainly don't help matters.
Akira's blood still boils at the thought of the young blond's treatment from the villagers. For a brief moment a man in blue with a familiar red cape crosses his mind. If there is something some people here have in common with the people back home, it's the anger at people they should be fucking grateful to.
He sighs as he brings out ingredients to make a sandwich. He thinks back on when Grandfather managed to show him a rough draft of one of the Yondaime's early seals once Akira had enough understanding of the art. Akira hums, still in awe at the memory. The incomplete versions were already iron clad. There's no chance of the Kyuubi getting out in this lifetime.
Back to his teammates, Naruto he thinks he can work around, but then there's the princeling Uchiha Sasuke. From what Akira's seen the kid isn't outwardly antagonistic, just incredibly single-minded. The only thing on the forefront of his mind is the goal of killing his genocidal older brother, nothing wrong there. He lets out a snort.
Okay he is rude, but when you've been through that kind of trauma and left without any therapeutic help, Sasuke is surprisingly well-adjusted. The issue with Sasuke is that he clearly wants to fulfill his goal as soon as possible, and at the rate that he's going that veneer of well-adjustment is going to wear down. He's also the last Uchiha so the council is bound to keep an eye out for when he awakens his Sharingan.
Akira knows that there's more to those stories but as much as he's willing to pry, the fact that he knows this much from is already a stupidly lucky boon and any more snooping is bound to attract dangerous attention.
He grumbles before finally taking a bite of his sandwich. Why am I even doing this?
The question was moot, he knows fully well that it's not just because their backgrounds are intertwined, but because it's the right thing to do. With him being in the perfect position to do something about it, he has to take action.
Akira has the self-imposed mission, with his family's support, to get the Uchiha and Uzumaki heirs the hell out of this insane continent. He had hoped that the boys would have more training to be able to defend themselves before confronting them though. No, yeah I can- I can definitely still work with this. Getting to know them sooner, this can actually work in my favor…
Both Naruto and Sasuke are alright kids if a bit bratty, Akira just needs to bring him up to speed. He knows of how Naruto's run around playing pranks and skipping class, yelling to the village about how he's going to become Hokage. He does manage to outrun several Chunin on a weekly basis, and from what Grandfather offhandedly mentioned after dinner last night he even learned the Kage Bunshin in the span of a couple of hours… I might not really need to do much after all. Hopefully he has an aptitude for fuuinjutsu though, no he definitely has to. It shouldn't be too hard to bring him up to snuff.
As for Sasuke, at least he'll need therapy to help him actually cope with the clan massacre somehow. He just needs some direction.
He does need to take into account the amount of surveillance. Whether it be in the form of extra security, unnecessary scorn, or limited missions, their team might be hindered… I can find a way to work around it, right? I'll just have to rearrange some things.
He hasn't even taken into account who their teacher might be either, although Akira's almost sickeningly sure that it's most likely going to be Sharingan no Kakashi. The guy has a huge reputation around the ninja hangouts, and his moniker makes it obvious… A Sharingan to help train Sasuke, plus Kakashi was a student of the Yondaime, coupled with that rumor that the Sharingan apparently controlled the Kyuubi all those years ago, so he can also watch Naruto. There is unfortunately really no one else to train them.
That just leaves Akira as the unwilling spare, the budding fuuinjutsu specialist… and suddenly he really does feel sick.
He puts their head in his hands and groans. I'm so fucking stupid. It's like I've been placed smackdab in the middle of a manga protagonist's team. Akira thinks that Grandfather must really want to delay his leaving the Hidden Continent as much as possible.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out. If I don't do this, then no one else will. No one else can. I can't call myself a hero if I can't even help my family, no matter how distant they may be.
With a huff Akira finishes his meal before going to his room and heading toward his desk. Pushing aside a few textbooks he takes out some stationery and begins to write.
###
Dear Granny, Mom, Dad, and Fuyu,
I know it's been a few days since my last letter, I'm sorry about that. Between Fuki's insistence about hanging out more lately (still not sure what that's about), and Grandfather's extra "fuuinjutsu training" (as if I need any more…), I haven't had enough time to myself to send anything out.
I'm reaching out since today I was placed on a team. Rather than with anyone from class 138-3 (who you all know that I've been training with since I was enrolled in the Academy) I was placed with Genin from 138-1. Not only that, but I've been assigned to Team 7 (Granny, I think you've mentioned that team number being bad luck before?). Our teacher will most likely be Hatake Kakashi, I say most likely because we've yet to meet them.
The main issue right now is that I've been placed with Naruto and Sasuke. I don't know what Grandfather's planning by having me placed on this team but I can make a safe guess, it's not good. I need guidance as to how I will proceed in a way that won't get me killed.
Until then I'll continue work hard to become Chunin, and then I can legally go home (less legally with some travel companions).
After that I can focus on training to become a Titan, I still have a couple years before that anyway. Perhaps you can you ask auntie Kimiyo if she would consider making me her sidekick once I'm back?
I'll probably write another letter later tonight. I can't wait for the day I can see you all (hopefully soon). As always, I miss you.
Love,
Ito Akira
###
He places the letter in an addressed envelope and sets it aside before nicking his thumb and making hand seals. Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram, Kuchiyose no Jutsu!
There's a puff of smoke and once it clears there's an animal about the size of a cat on his desk, it's wearing a small backpack and a rose colored bow around its neck. "Red Panda Mail & Shipping. My name is Akane and I'll be your carrier for the day! How may I be of service?" The words never fail to make Akira chuckle, the red panda pretends that she doesn't appreciate it. "Aki-chan! Don't laugh, you know that I have to be professional!"
Akira gets his chuckles under control and hands Akane the envelope, a wad of bills, and a small bag of candy.
Akane smiles as she places the items in her backpack. "The usual huh?" She waits for a nod before she continues. "Don't worry I'll have this sent out at the Embassy in no time!" She grins in triumph and gives a salute. "Thanks for the treats, I'll see you soon!"
Akira waves her off as she vanishes in a puff of smoke. He looks at the clock, it reads 8:50. With a grunt he heads back to the kitchen, grabs a bottle of lemonade and heads back to the Academy with one last thought in his mind. Now, how am I going to do this?