Not long after, their teacher arrived.
He pulled out a sheet of paper and began reading the class assignments.
"Class One... Class Two..."
"Class Three: Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu."
Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, who had been laughing moments ago, immediately lost their expressions.
Finally, Kyouhiko's name was called.
"Class Seven: Ryomine Kyouhiko and Yuhi Kurenai."
Yuhi Kurenai blinked at Kyouhiko. Fortunately, it was just the two of them.
Although Kyouhiko and Guy were both strong and hardworking, the friction between them was too intense for the still-young Kurenai to handle.
The ninja school teacher continued reading.
"Class Eight..."
Kurenai looked anxious.
"Only two people? Why isn't it a full team?"
Kyouhiko glanced at her and whispered, "Don't worry, we'll ask after this."
"Uh, okay."
Kurenai nodded, holding back the curiosity in her heart.
Outside the room.
"Sensei, why does Team 7 only have two people? Aren't teams supposed to have three members and one jonin instructor?" Kyouhiko asked.
The teacher scratched his head awkwardly. "Well... I'm not really sure either. Maybe you'll find out when you meet your jonin this afternoon."
"Huh?"
Kurenai looked confused, her face full of questions.
The teacher quickly left, leaving Kyouhiko and Kurenai staring at each other, dumbfounded.
Kyouhiko had a suspicion, but wasn't certain yet.
A genius who was unlucky and struggled to socialize… Even though he'd become a Chunin last year, he had trouble working in teams.
Hatake Kakashi.
Could it be him?
At two in the afternoon, the students gathered at the ninja school.
Downstairs, other students were still attending lessons. Team 7 had to wait for their jonin.
Kyouhiko sat in his seat, thinking.
His system had activated.
If he was on a team with Kakashi, it might offer him an advantage.
But…
Who was their jonin? Minato Namikaze, maybe?
Unconsciously, Kyouhiko began spinning his kunai skillfully.
Kurenai couldn't stand it anymore and finally asked, "Kyouhiko-kun, I—I have a question…"
She was a year or two older than Kyouhiko, and they weren't close.
"Go ahead," Kyouhiko replied, stopping the kunai.
"Are you training finger flexibility?"
Kyouhiko laughed. "It's just a habit."
"A habit..."
Kurenai nodded, falling silent, but she seemed to gain a little more respect for him.
She imagined how intense Kyouhiko's training must have been for such a habit to form. No wonder he was on Guy's level.
Kyouhiko didn't know what Kurenai was thinking. He only wondered… would getting closer to her be advantageous?
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
A masked silver-haired boy entered with a blank expression, sat down, and tried to act calm.
Kyouhiko almost burst out laughing.
Kurenai was stunned, her mouth wide open.
"You're not our main jonin, are you?!"
"Hmph."
Kakashi turned his head away without answering.
Kyouhiko replied calmly, "Kurenai, Kakashi only became a Chunin last year. He can't be a jonin."
"Oh, right..."
Kurenai looked even more confused.
Kyouhiko hid his smile.
It really is him!
Kakashi.
"So, Kakashi... does this mean you're repeating a grade?"
"..."
Kakashi said nothing.
Kyouhiko restrained himself from teasing further and sat up straight.
From his previous life experience, Kakashi was the boss-type character in a game—tough to beat. He had to take it slow.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps outside.
The three of them turned toward the door.
Was it their teacher?
The footsteps stopped abruptly, as if heading to another room.
Kurenai looked hesitant. "Our teacher just disappeared."
Kakashi said flatly, "As ninja, all we can do is wait."
Kyouhiko glanced at them, his lips twitching slightly.
It seemed their teacher wanted to secretly observe their abilities and personalities.
Who could it be?
Behind the door, Jiraiya sighed.
At his age, he still had to train kids.
All because of that old man!
He watched quietly.
"Kurenai is smart and talented in genjutsu. Maybe suitable for medical training too."
"That silver-haired kid... way too hard to work with. No wonder no team would accept him."
"And the last one…"
"He seems clever. Could be troublesome."
Jiraiya recalled his conversation with Hiruzen the day before.
Yesterday, in the Hokage's office.
"I was just about to leave the village, why do I have to be a team instructor?" Jiraiya complained.
"This village needs you," replied Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Jiraiya hesitated.
"Are these kids special?"
"One of them, Hatake Kakashi."
"...Wasn't he already a Chunin?"
Hiruzen handed him a file.
It was full of complaints from other ninja about Kakashi. Almost no one wanted to team up with him.
Jiraiya looked through the stack. One résumé caught his eye.
That child—Ryomine Kyouhiko.
A descendant of the Senju clan.
His parents had died over a year ago. His personality had changed drastically—now quiet and withdrawn.
A war orphan.
Jiraiya fell silent.
He remembered the Second Great Ninja War… so many had died under their command.
"This child is hardworking and smart. He might be as great as Minato," Jiraiya said.
Hiruzen was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Then it's settled—him, Kakashi, and the third? You decide."
Jiraiya pointed to one more name.
"Pick her."
(End of Chapter 3)