Chapter 2: Teams
A/N, picking teams or thinking how to split up teams always a pain, also Team 9 is Shino, Sai and Shin for the record.
The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a soft golden hue over the village of Konoha as Naruto stirred from his sleep. He couldn't contain his excitement – today was a monumental day, even bigger than the lively family celebration they had just enjoyed. Today marked his graduation from the academy, a day he had worked tirelessly towards. He quickly got dressed in his trademark orange outfit, his goggles slung casually around his neck, a reflection of his bold and energetic personality. As he slipped on his sandals, he stole a glance at a family photo on his dresser – a snapshot of his parents, Kurenai and Asuma, a reminder of the love and support that had shaped his life.
His heart pounding with anticipation, Naruto made his way towards the school, his steps brimming with enthusiasm. He paused, as he always did, to wait for his younger sister, Mirai. Her appearance was a testament to her parents' legacy, and Naruto felt a swell of pride as he observed the skills and determination that had led her to graduate a year ahead of her peers. The previous day's celebration had been a testament to their shared achievements, but today held a unique significance for both of them.
"Hey, Mirai!" Naruto called out with a grin, waving as his sister approached. "Ready for the big day?"
Mirai returned his smile, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and determination. "You know it, Naruto! I can't believe we're finally here."
As they walked together, Naruto chatted animatedly with Mirai about their expectations for the day. "I'm kinda hoping we end up on the same team," he admitted, glancing at her with a playful nudge. "You know, gotta keep an eye on my little sis."
Mirai laughed, a musical sound that resonated with warmth. "Oh please, I can take care of myself. But it would be fun, wouldn't it?"
Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of Naruto's "little bro," Konohamaru. Naruto's face lit up with pride as he looked at his cousin. Konohamaru was just starting his academy journey, but Naruto could sense the determination and energy that mirrored his own.
"Hey, Konohamaru!" Naruto greeted him with a hearty slap on the back. "Ready to cause some ruckus in the academy?"
Konohamaru grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You bet, Naruto! Watch out, I'm gonna make a name for myself!"
As they continued their walk, Naruto's heart swelled with a sense of belonging. This was his family, his anchor in a world that could often be chaotic. The Sarutobi name meant more to him than any other, a testament to the love and support that had molded him into the person he had become.
Entering the classroom, Naruto took his seat near the front, eager to absorb every moment of this important day. His gaze wandered to Sakura and Ino, his thoughts lingering on Sakura a moment longer. She was undeniably beautiful and intelligent, yet her obsession with Sasuke had always baffled him.
"Ugh, those two again," Naruto muttered to himself, shaking his head as he watched Sakura and Ino exchange glares. "Always arguing about that Sasuke guy."
His attention shifted to Sasuke, who sat broodingly in the back. Naruto's expression softened with understanding, though their paths were worlds apart. He couldn't help but empathize with Sasuke's loss, the absence of family that had left a void in his heart.
"Guess some things you just can't change," Naruto thought, his gaze lingering on Sasuke for a moment before refocusing on the excitement and potential that lay ahead.
Naruto's exuberance was as contagious as ever, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and enthusiasm as he chatted with Mirai. However, his attention was blissfully unaware of the watchful gaze fixed upon him – the gaze of Hinata Hyuga, a member of the esteemed Hyuga clan. To her, Naruto was more than just a fellow student; he was an inspiration, a shining example of determination and courage that she aspired to emulate.
As the class began, Naruto's energy couldn't be contained. He moved around the room, engaging in lively conversations with his friends. Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, and others were drawn into his orbit, their voices merging in a chorus of anticipation. The topic of discussion was the impending team assignments – a pivotal moment that would shape their future as ninja.
"So, who do you guys think we'll end up with?" Naruto asked, a spark of curiosity in his eyes.
Kiba shrugged, grinning confidently. "As long as Akamaru's on my team, I'm good."
Shikamaru sighed, his trademark laziness evident even in his voice. "Man, this is so troublesome. Why can't they just tell us already?"
Choji leaned back, seemingly unfazed. "I'm just gonna go with the flow. No use stressing over it."
Naruto nodded, his mind drifting to the teams he already knew. "Yeah, I heard Shikamaru's team is gonna be Ino, Choji, and him. The Ino-Shika-Cho combo, right?"
Shikamaru nodded, a resigned smile tugging at his lips. "Yep, that's the plan. With your dad as the sensei, it's pretty much set in stone."
The Ino-Shika-Cho combination was a legacy that stretched back generations, a testament to the strong bonds between the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans. It was a tradition that carried weight and significance, a tradition that Naruto himself would likely be a part of eventually. Whether it was Mirai, Konohamaru, or Naruto himself, one of them would eventually lead a team bearing the Ino-Shika-Cho name.
Naruto's gaze turned thoughtful as he considered his own future team. "I wonder who I'll end up with... and who my sensei will be."
Hinata, who had been quietly observing from a distance, felt her heart race at the sound of Naruto's voice. She admired his determination and strength, his ability to bring people together and inspire them. Her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as she averted her gaze, a small smile forming on her lips. Naruto may not have noticed her watching, but in her heart, he was a guiding light, a symbol of everything she aimed to become.
As the class discussions continued, the anticipation in the air was palpable. The uncertainty of the future hung over them all, but Naruto's presence and the bonds they shared gave them the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And amidst the excitement and chatter, Hinata's admiration for Naruto only deepened, a quiet flame that burned brightly within her heart.
Naruto made his way back to his seat as he looked up to see Iruka-sensei with the sheet most likely saying who was on what team. The room was silent, everyone on edge as everyone was nervous about where they would be. Naruto sitting next to Mirai as the two siblings waited too.
The atmosphere in the classroom was charged with excitement as Iruka announced the assigned teams. Naruto's heart raced as he waited eagerly, hoping to hear his name among those called out. He knew the classmates well enough, and while some seemed like decent companions, none struck him as extraordinary partners. But as the names were announced, his hopes began to wane.
The moment of truth arrived as Iruka reached Team Seven. Sasuke Uchiha's name was the first to be called, and a feeling of unease settled in Naruto's stomach. The tension in the room was palpable, and Naruto's instincts screamed against being placed on this team. Then came the next name, Sakura Haruno. Naruto's shoulders slumped ever so slightly – he didn't want to be on this team, especially not with the dynamic that surrounded Sasuke and Sakura.
A monologue played out in Naruto's mind. *"This can't be happening. I mean, Sasuke's all serious and brooding, and Sakura's a total fangirl. Ugh, the last thing I need is to be caught in their love triangle drama. My mom never acted like this around my dad when they were in school, did she? This is so not cool. But who knows, maybe I'll luck out and end up on another team."*
As Kiba Inuzuka's name was called, Naruto felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him. He let out a quiet sigh – bullet dodged. He knew Ino was on another team, and now Sakura's team was filled as well. He had managed to avoid being surrounded by fangirls, which was a small victory in his book.
Naruto's attention perked up again as Iruka moved on to the next team. His name, Naruto Sarutobi, was the first to be called, and a sense of anticipation filled the room. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he realized that he wouldn't be on Team Seven. He could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as he heard the next name – Mirai Sarutobi. The smile grew wider – at least he could look out for his little sister and guide her through their ninja journey.
As Iruka announced the final member of their team, Naruto's curiosity was piqued. Hinata Hyuga's name had been called, and he watched as her surprise turned into a moment of panic. A hint of empathy filled him as he realized that Hinata had admired him from afar, and now they were going to be teammates. He couldn't help but feel a sense of duty to support her as she navigated this new dynamic.
His monologue continued. *"Well, looks like I'm teamed up with my little sis and Hinata. Not too bad, I guess. Hinata's always been nice, and it'll be good to keep an eye on Mirai. We'll figure it out. Wonder what kind of missions we'll get into, and who our sensei will be. Adventure awaits, that's for sure."*
As the team assignments continued, Naruto's thoughts danced between relief, curiosity, and a growing sense of camaraderie. The journey ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face it alongside his teammates, supporting each other through the challenges that awaited them.
The suspense in the classroom was nearly tangible as Iruka prepared to reveal the identity of the senseis who would guide each team. Naruto's heart raced with anticipation as he listened intently to the names being called. Some of the jounin instructors were familiar to him, thanks to his upbringing in a shinobi family. The first six names rolled off Iruka's tongue, and Naruto's interest was piqued – these were the individuals who would shape the futures of his peers.
Then, as the name was uttered, a sense of foreboding crept over Naruto. Kakashi Hatake was to be the leader of Team Seven. Naruto couldn't help but feel a mixture of sympathy and concern for Sasuke, Sakura, and the rest of the team. Kakashi was known to be a highly skilled and unconventional jounin, which meant that Team Seven was in for an intense and possibly unusual training experience.
Amidst the thoughts swirling in Naruto's mind, a revelation stunned him – his sensei was to be none other than his own mother, Kurenai Sarutobi. A grin spread across his face, a mixture of surprise and excitement bubbling within him. His mother was undoubtedly strong and skilled, traits that had undoubtedly been passed down to him and his sister.
A monologue played out in Naruto's thoughts. *"Wait, my sensei is gonna be my mom? That's gonna be... interesting, to say the least. But I know she's tough, and I can't deny that she's a formidable ninja. She's not gonna go easy on us, that's for sure. Maybe this is her way of keeping an extra close eye on me and Mirai. Well, it's gonna be a wild ride, that's for sure."*
The pieces fell into place as Naruto recalled that Asuma was taking on the role of captain for Team Ten. The realization dawned on him – perhaps Kurenai had struck a deal to ensure that both of her children would end up on her team, with Asuma leading the other.
As the announcements came to an end and the class began to buzz with excitement and speculation, Naruto leaned back in his seat with a mixture of curiosity and determination. He was ready to embark on this new chapter of his journey, guided by his mother's expertise and surrounded by the familiar faces of Mirai and Hinata. The challenges ahead were bound to be immense, but Naruto was prepared to meet them head-on, armed with his family's legacy and a spirit that refused to back down.