The day after his graduation, Kaza Togusa woke up and slowly rose from his bed. His short, messy brown hair stood up in random places as he made his way to the bathroom to prepare for school. It was the last time he would attend as a student; he had officially become a ninja by passing the exam, albeit by the bare minimum. Over the past year, he had taken on a lot of work as a hunter in the woods, spending his time tracking and hunting deer and boars. This had taken a toll on his academic grades, but it was necessary to support his mother and acquire valuable real-world skills for his future as a ninja. This increased workload had been approved by the Third Hokage, who recognized its importance.
Kaza donned a pair of pants made from boar skin and a shirt crafted from deer skin, giving him an unconventional appearance for a ninja. He looked like an outdoorsman and a wilderness fighter. Even in this unusual attire, with a glowing ring on his finger, he continued to go unnoticed. Perhaps it was simply his nature to blend into the background, as he still grappled with the persistent demon of self-doubt every day of his life.
Upon entering the classroom, Kaza headed to his usual spot in the back left corner, away from the other students, embracing his solitude. The class size had shrunk, as not everyone had passed the graduation exam. He looked around and noticed an odd number of students, which meant there would be some three-man teams formed. However, he didn't hold high hopes of being placed on a team, and he could see that his classmates had already forgotten about his graduation, as they seemed surprised to see him there, almost as if he had forgotten to skip school that day.
"Hey, you know this is only for those who passed, right?" Naruto commented, breaking the silence with his first statement ever directed at Kaza.
Kaza responded with a thumbs-up gesture. "I passed, Uzumaki Naruto. I know it was surprising for me too."
Naruto glanced at him and shrugged his shoulders, clearly not recognizing the unfamiliar academy student. He assumed Kaza was telling the truth but couldn't recall his name or remember being in the same class with him. Kaza remained an inconspicuous background character in Naruto's life.
Kaza didn't take offense; their worlds were quite separate, even though they shared the same classroom. He sat back and listened as Iruka called out the names of each team, observing the various reactions of his classmates as they were chosen. Finally, only Kaza remained unassigned.
"Kaza, you did pass," Iruka reassured him, tossing him a Leaf headband with a smile. "Your team is an odd one, and the Hokage is waiting for you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with a pile of files before him, pondering a team arrangement that seemed utterly perplexing. Ibiki had evidently called in favors and used his connections to dismantle an existing team, all to ensure that the talented Kaza had a team of his own, just as he had promised. As Hiruzen reviewed the first file, he found himself surprised. It was a member of the Root, Sai, a valuable asset given up by Danzo. This Sai possessed great potential and would likely blend well with the shadows of the village.
Next, he examined the second name on the list and let out a sigh of disbelief. This team was shaping up to be an enigmatic mix. But the third member, Ayeka Saitoga, added a layer of complexity. On the surface, she appeared to be an outsider, an exile from the Rain Village with no other place to call home. The truth ran deeper; she was the granddaughter of Hanzo the Salamander, born Ayeka Hattori. She had fled the village during the civil war, leaving her with no other option but to become a Konoha ninja.
The team leader, Yoshito Naoti, completed this unusual lineup. The retired ninja had come out of retirement for one reason: Kaza had saved his granddaughter, who was among the people captured by the bandits. That act had spurred him to reclaim his status as a Jounin and take charge of this group. Yoshito was highly skilled, having earned a formidable reputation during both the Second and Third Ninja World Wars before retiring. He was a suitable choice for leading this unique team. Hiruzen recognized that Ibiki would have taken charge of this team himself if his duties to the village weren't so critical.
Then there was Kaza, the seemingly average ninja who had defeated bandits and completed hunting missions for the village. In total, the boy had successfully undertaken two C-rank missions, ten D-rank missions, and a staggering seventy-eight E-rank missions during his year of hunting. To suggest he was unworthy of being a ninja was nothing short of absurd.
Kaza entered the Hokage's office, his nerves getting the best of him as he wondered if he had somehow made a mistake. Lacking confidence in his place within the village, he took a seat and posed a hesitant question, "Sir, um, I did graduate, right?"
"Of course, you have," the Third Hokage reassured him with a smile. "Your team is a bit unusual, so I wanted to let you know that they'll be in town the day after tomorrow to meet you. Your teacher has some business to attend to in the village first, so it will take a couple of days. But I want you to understand that even though you're on a different team, we see you as a highly talented ninja with a bright future ahead of you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Kaza's confidence received a much-needed boost from the Hokage's words. "Yes, sir, I will do my best on my missions," he replied, standing up and looking at the Hokage. "I will meet them then, I guess."
"Of course, you shall meet at your place, out in the Togusa lands," the Hokage informed him before Kaza took his leave.
As Hiruzen watched the young ninja leave, he couldn't help but wonder if Kaza had ever experienced a true childhood. The boy seemed mentally mature beyond his years, a reflection of his unique circumstances. Kaza was indeed different, standing out in a way that was the polar opposite of Naruto Uzumaki and distinct from a Sasuke Uchiha. And yet, his mission record prior to officially becoming a ninja was nothing short of remarkable.
Kaza returned home and patiently waited for the next two days, utilizing his time by engaging in his usual routines. He dedicated himself to working out and exploring his family's lands, which held great significance for him. He was deeply connected to his homeland, and his responsibilities there were just as important as his duties as a ninja. When the appointed day arrived, he was ready and present.
Sitting on the porch, Kaza noticed a girl about his age approaching. She had short, messy blonde hair and an air of confidence about her. Despite the baggy clothes that didn't seem to fit her well, she wore a Leaf headband. They exchanged a simple greeting, raising their hands in acknowledgment, recognizing each other as strangers who were now teammates.
The third member of their squad, Sai, followed, his usual emotionless facade in place. With this group, there was no need for pretense or formalities, and they knew it.
Finally, a seasoned and robust ninja, tall and gruff, arrived on the scene. His short, messy gray hair and well-kept gray beard gave him a distinguished appearance. He observed his diverse team, appreciating their unique qualities. They were different from the usual ninja teams, and he relished the idea of forging a path all their own. His coal-colored eyes studied each of his new teammates, recognizing the intriguing combination before him: an artist, a survivalist, and a likely tomboy, all coming together as an unconventional team with great potential.
"Well now, nice place you have here, kid," the old man commented, his knowledge of the Togusa and their land evident. He had been a jounin before, and now he held that position once more. Yoshito was a man of few words, known for his directness and lack of verbosity. His voice was gruff, akin to sandpaper. "So, let's figure out who each of you are and what you like, starting with you, the survivalist."
"I am Togusa Kaza, or just Kaza," he began, his voice clear and determined. "I want to be a Leaf ninja who can make a name for himself, someone who will be remembered. I love exploring this land, cleaning out the old temple grounds, and I have my fair share of dislikes," Kaza declared, ensuring his words were heard. "Mostly, I dislike bandits, bear meat, and I'm not a fan of my former classmates either."
The old man, Yoshito, nodded approvingly, seemingly satisfied with Kaza's straightforwardness. "Good to know, Kaza. We'll make sure you have plenty of opportunities to prove yourself and be remembered."
Sai, the artist, simply gave a faint smile, acknowledging Kaza's words with a nod of his head.
The young girl with jade-green eyes, Ayeka, raised an eyebrow and smirked playfully. "Well, Kaza, you certainly don't hold back, do you? I like your honesty."
Ayeka cleared her throat and confidently introduced herself, "Alright, I'm next. I'm Saitoga Ayeka. I have a deep passion for swords, rigorous training sessions, and big, hearty meals. On the flip side, I can't stand girls who obsess over guys, a few particular individuals, and rainy weather. And just so you all know, I'm determined to become the best swordswoman there ever was."
Her straightforwardness matched Kaza's, and she concluded with a sense of determination that hinted at her unwavering dedication to her goal.
Sai observed Kaza and Ayeka as they introduced themselves, his expression remaining mostly neutral. When it was his turn, he spoke in a calm and measured tone, "I am Sai, and I enjoy art, particularly drawing. I don't have many likes or dislikes, but I suppose I'm not fond of overly emotional situations."
"Very well," Yoshito declared, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "I am Naoti Yoshito, and I have a deep affection for my family, valor, and the fruits of hard labor. I hold no fondness for bureaucrats, paperwork, or unnecessary rules. My aspiration is to mold you three into the finest ninja team in all of Konoha, capable of facing any challenge that comes our way."
"Now, most teams are subjected to tests that many genin fail, and they eventually become ninja. But with you three, that's both stupid and pointless," Yoshito stated firmly. "You're already my team. Besides, two of you have records as ninja that are, to say the least, impressive. So, tomorrow we'll embark on our first B-ranked mission. I apologize, Ayeka, but you'll have to adapt as we go. I'm confident you can handle it," Yoshito commented to the three of them. He had already figured out who Ayeka really was and saw a hint of her late grandfather's presence in her.
A/N- This is an odd ball team, but I think it makes for a fun story, if you disagree thanks for making it this far.