"Heard the news, Itachi? We've got a new teammate joining us."
In the dense forest, Asuma, who had arrived early, leaned in close to Itachi and lowered his voice like he was about to share some secret. He spoke in a sneaky tone.
"Isn't that a good thing? Our team will finally be complete."
Itachi ran over and pulled out the kunai he had thrown into a tree trunk earlier, responding calmly.
"Aren't you at least curious who it is?"
Seeing Itachi's usual calm expression—one that never seemed to change—Asuma felt a little deflated.
Itachi was a great teammate: skilled in battle, gifted at learning, and trustworthy. The only downside was how quiet and distant he always seemed.
At first, Asuma had thought this was just Uchiha arrogance. But after spending time together, he realized this was simply how Itachi was.
Asuma had always been a bit of a rebel in the Sarutobi clan. If not for the war that forced him to grow up, he probably wouldn't have willingly accepted the Third Hokage's arrangements for him.
But after working with Kagetsu, he'd actually come to respect and adapt to his style.
After all, who wouldn't respect a strong, wise teacher who could fight and also talk you through things with insight?
Still, as a Sarutobi rebel, Asuma had his own thoughts.
He respected Kagetsu. He also respected Itachi, who had become Kagetsu's student before him.
Itachi's talent was clearly ahead of his, and just keeping up was already tough.
Maybe it was because he respected them so much that Asuma felt uneasy about the new teammate. He couldn't help but scrutinize and resist the idea.
He didn't want anyone disrupting the current harmony and chemistry of their team. That's why, after hearing the news, he even did something rare—he went to ask the Third Hokage personally about the new recruit's identity.
"No matter who it is, I'll welcome them," Itachi said, laying his kunai neatly in front of him. Then, crouching down and closing his eyes, he suddenly flung each kunai one by one with precise force.
The kunai made a crisp clashing sound in mid-air. As they collided, both kunai instantly changed direction and, without losing momentum, hit the targets hanging on the trunks of two trees.
"You're so boring!"
Asuma muttered in frustration, then pulled out two specially made ninja tools from his backpack.
These were custom-made weapons infused with chakra metal. They were a gift from Sarutobi Hiruzen, given to him after he was promoted to Chūnin.
The weapons had been tailored to match his chakra nature.
They were not cheap!
Normally, a newly promoted Chūnin wouldn't have the money to afford such tools.
Even so, Asuma didn't value them much. He knew his teacher had the ability to forge even more powerful weapons.
He had spent a lot of time and effort persuading Kagetsu just to get a promise—if he ever got promoted to Jōnin, his Chakra Blade would be reforged and upgraded into a powerful weapon made just for him.
It would be a weapon so powerful that only a Jōnin could barely handle it.
Of course, to be fair, Kagetsu had also made the same promise to Itachi.
Compared to Asuma, Itachi—who often sparred with Shisui—understood even better how strong a weapon forged with that technique could be.
After the two finished their daily training, Kagetsu finally arrived, a bit late as usual.
"Sensei!"
Itachi was the first to sense Kagetsu's presence. Sweat still clinging to his face, he quickly ran up to him and respectfully greeted him.
Ever since the day they visited the Nara Clan, Itachi had gained even more respect for both Kagetsu and Orochimaru.
Because of them, the future of both the Uchiha Clan and himself might have taken a different path.
Whether it was the Uchiha Clan or himself, they were clearly far more fortunate than the Uchihas and Itachi from that other world.
And Itachi wanted to protect that good fortune.
"Sensei!" Asuma followed right behind. He stopped just in front of Kagetsu, hurriedly greeted him, then his eyes shifted to a small figure standing behind Kagetsu.
The person in front of them was wearing plain but tidy clothes. His hair was neatly combed, and though he looked a bit thin, he wore a pair of brand-new round glasses.
His smile was warm and friendly, but for some reason, it made Asuma uncomfortable.
This guy is fake.
Asuma instinctively formed that impression. Even though the guy had a smile on his face, Asuma could clearly sense the distance, indifference, and even a guarded, watchful vibe coming from him.
"This is Kabuto. Yakushi Kabuto. He's the child adopted by deputy director of the Konoha Hospital and the orphanage head, Yakushi Nonō. He has great talent in medical ninjutsu, so Lady Tsunade recommended him to join our squad.
From now on, he's going to be an important part of our team."
Kagetsu gave Kabuto a little push forward, guiding him to stand in front of Itachi and Asuma, then introduced him to the both of them.
"Uchiha Itachi and Sarutobi Asuma."
After introducing Kabuto, Kagetsu pointed to Itachi and Asuma and introduced them to Kabuto as well.
Itachi was the first to reach out and shake Kabuto's hand, showing his acceptance and friendliness.
Even though Asuma still wasn't too happy about someone joining them halfway through, under Kagetsu's watchful gaze, he still extended his hand and gave Kabuto a half-hearted handshake.
"To celebrate our team being complete, I'll treat you all to some barbecue."
Kagetsu could tell that Asuma was being resistant and half-hearted, but knowing his personality, he didn't say anything more or push the issue.
After all, it takes time, interaction, and shared experiences for people to form real bonds.
There were no idiots in his team.
Even Asuma, who looked like the most hot-headed and temperamental one, only acted that way when dealing with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After going through missions and getting used to the team, his personality had become easier to read.
As long as Itachi didn't fall into an obsessive mindset, his talent and intelligence were top-tier.
And Kabuto, after going through war, losing his parents, and growing up displaced, had a much more mature heart than his age suggested.
It was clear that Kabuto was trying hard to fit into a new environment and bond with his new teammates.
Even though his methods and actions were a bit clumsy, even a little too eager to please.
After they finished eating at the yakiniku restaurant, Kagetsu paid the bill and packed several portions of grilled meat for Kabuto to take back to the orphanage.
Then he gave the three of them orders for an upcoming mission outside the village.
Itachi and Asuma, who had already known they'd be heading to the Land of Wind, both nodded. Kabuto also quickly nodded, a bit flustered but enthusiastic.
After the three parted ways, Yakushi Nonō was busy at the hospital, so Kagetsu took it upon himself to walk Kabuto back to the orphanage. He held his hand in one hand and carried the heavy bags of grilled meat in the other.
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