The classroom buzzed with chatter as the morning sun filtered through the windows.
The students had already heard they'd be sent on missions early, before graduating from the Ninja Academy. Instead of fretting about the looming war, they speculated eagerly about who their jonin mentors would be.
For them, war seemed a distant stage to prove themselves, a chance for glory. I won't be the one to die, they all thought.
The room fell silent as Sensei Nishimura strode in, his face grim.
"Quiet," he commanded, his hands braced on the podium.
"You've all heard the situation," Nishimura said, his rough voice carrying a heavy seriousness. "Lord Hokage wants you to experience real combat early."
As a survivor of the First Ninja World War, Nishimura knew the battlefield's brutality. He supported the Third Hokage's decision wholeheartedly.
"Now, the team assignments," he announced, picking up a densely packed list from the table.
"First squad: Uchiha Tatsumi, Uchiha Mikoto, Senju Rope Tree. Jonin instructor—Orochimaru."
Tatsumi was unfazed. Orochimaru had tipped him off the previous night in the tavern. Rope Tree's inclusion matched the manga's depiction of him under Orochimaru's tutelage. The surprise was Mikoto.
Had the Third Hokage paired her with Tatsumi to strengthen Uchiha bonds? The old man was meticulous, always considering his village's future—even the happiness of its youth.
Still, Tatsumi couldn't help but think Rope Tree should've been swapped out for Kushina. Nepotism in Konoha's leadership is the worst, he grumbled internally.
The team was flashy, though. Two Uchihas and a Senju—children of Konoha's elite clans. Without a strong leader like Orochimaru, it'd be unmanageable.
Tatsumi was a prodigy, topping the class. Mikoto's grades were solid, though her gentle nature kept her from standing out—she deliberately stayed above average to avoid attention. Rope Tree, however, was a certified dunce on paper, his written exams scraping the bottom despite his practical skills.
"Tatsumi, awesome! We're in the first squad!" Mikoto said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Tatsumi smiled, patting her head. "Here's to working together, Mikoto."
Nearby, Rope Tree, who'd been thrilled to join their squad, froze at the sight. His heart twinged with envy.
What's with today? Showing off like no one's watching? Rope Tree's hand twitched toward a kunai, but he restrained himself.
He needed a plan to break up their moment, or he'd drown in jealousy.
"Hey, Tatsumi, isn't it great? We're in the first squad!" Rope Tree parroted Mikoto, forcing a grin.
Tatsumi picked his nose and deadpanned, "Who are you? Do I know you?"
"…"
Nishimura ignored the antics and continued. "Second squad: Uzumaki Kushina, Inuzuka Mi, Hyuga Sakura. Jonin instructor—Tsunade."
Tatsumi mused that this might be Kushina's last mission before her fate as the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki. He'd visited Uzumaki Mito a few times, and her worsening condition suggested the seal transfer was near. Once Kushina became the jinchuriki, missions would be restricted.
Tsunade's assignment as her instructor was strategic—her medical skills and strength ensured Kushina's safety.
Kushina, however, looked crestfallen, her head slumped on the desk.
Tatsumi considered comforting her, but she suddenly flashed a sweet smile at Rope Tree. "Rope Tree, can you switch with someone? I wanna be in the first squad too!"
Rope Tree waved his hands frantically. "No way! I'm not serving under my sister. She's already swiped my allowance. If I'm on her team, she'll gamble away my mission rewards!"
"…"
"Third squad: Namikaze Minato, Yama Honda, Chou Kuryu. Jonin instructor—Jiraiya."
Tatsumi shot Minato a sympathetic glance. Paired with two nobodies—essentially background characters. Minato's helpless smile confirmed his disappointment.
He'd hoped to team up with Tatsumi and Rope Tree, not strangers. At least Jiraiya, a legendary Sannin, was a silver lining.
"Fourth squad: Nara Lukisa, Yamanaka Kaiichi, Akimichi Dingza. Jonin instructor—Kato Dan."
The name Kato Dan snapped Tatsumi's attention. It resonated deeply, reminding him of a revered figure from his past life—a shadowy hero with a "golden right hand," a personal idol. The similarity in names felt like fate.
In the manga, Kato Dan was a Konoha jonin, Tsunade's lover, and a dreamer who chased the Hokage title. Tragically, he died in the Second Ninja War, his injuries beyond even Tsunade's medical prowess, triggering her hemophobia. For now, though, he and Tsunade likely hadn't connected romantically—Rope Tree was still alive, far from his doomed encounter with an explosive tag.
Time dragged on as Nishimura read the remaining assignments.
When he finished, he stood alone at the podium, his voice heavy with emotion. "Everyone… don't die."
Tatsumi felt a pang of respect. Nishimura wasn't so bad—gruff, a bit vengeful, broke, and single, but his heart was in the right place.
"And don't forget to review my lessons," Nishimura added. "This summer, I'll hold makeup classes for what you missed. No charge."
Excuse me? I wouldn't go even if you paid me! Tatsumi mentally retracted his goodwill.
No wonder Nishimura's love life was a wreck. Here's to bombing your fourth blind date, Sensei.
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