[Scene Break]
Back to Academy
Iruka gave a small, understanding nod to Naruto but didn't argue.
He glanced at the list again and continued without hesitation.
"Team 8: Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame — led by Kurenai Yuhi."
"Team 10: Shikako Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka — led by Asuma Sarutobi."
He looked briefly at the students, letting the words settle.
"Remember, working with your team isn't just about missions. It's about learning from each other."
The class soon began to buzz again, the weight of the team assignments settling in.
Naruto folded his arms, eyes sharp and unreadable. He didn't say more, but his silence hung heavily in the air. The room felt tense.
Across the room, whispers started.
"Konoha's number one troublemaker refusing to join the team with the top genin? Bold."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, his expression unreadable.
Sakura scowled, cheeks flushing. "He's just being stubborn."
Kiba chuckled quietly, nudging Hinata. "This is gonna be interesting."
Hinata glanced shyly at Naruto but didn't speak.
Iruka cleared his throat, stepping forward.
"Teamwork is essential, Naruto. You'll see that soon enough."
Naruto's gaze flicked to Iruka. "We'll see."
The bell rang.
As the students gathered their things for lunch, a few glanced back at Naruto—some with curiosity, others with silent judgment.
Naruto's mind churned with plans. If he wasn't going to be part of Team 7, he'd carve his own path.
As the classroom emptied for lunch, Shino casually took a seat beside Naruto, who was quietly eating his ramen. Naruto glanced up, then hesitated before speaking.
"Hey, Shino… can I ask you something?" Naruto's voice was low, curious.
Shino nodded, adjusting his glasses slightly. "Yes?"
Naruto leaned in a little, lowering his voice. "How do your bugs—your kikaichū—actually work? Like, how do you control them? Do they listen to you, or…?"
Shino smiled faintly beneath his scarf. "They're connected to me through chakra. It's like… a network. I send them commands silently, like thoughts, and they carry them out. They can scout, attack, or defend—all based on what I direct."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Interesting."
"Exactly," Shino replied. "They are."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully and fell silent.
Shikako lingered near the classroom doorway, arms crossed, eyes narrowed as she watched Naruto and Shino talking quietly. The usual noise of the bustling students had mostly died down, leaving them in a small bubble of calm.
"Hmm… Naruto actually seems... focused. Not shouting or causing a scene," Shikako murmured under her breath, a flicker of curiosity in her gaze.
She shifted her weight, intrigued by how Shino patiently explained something, hands gesturing as Naruto listened intently. It was unusual—Naruto usually acted impulsively, but here he looked… different.
Her eyes stayed fixed on him for a moment longer before she turned and walked away, a quiet promise to keep an eye on this unexpected development.
"Tch… how troublesome," she mumbled under her breath.
[Scene: Afternoon – Training Grounds, after lunch]
The sun hung high, casting warm light over the training field where the genin regrouped back in the classroom after lunch. Excitement and chatter buzzed through the air as the students awaited their jonin leaders.
Naruto sat apart, watching quietly, the weight of solitude still heavy.
"Your jonin instructor will be—"
Before Iruka could finish, a presence appeared at the doorway. Tall. Quiet. Dressed in a dark green cloak with a black sash and a tanto blade sheathed at his side.
Eyes like still water, sharp yet unreadable.
"Hayato," he introduced himself. "I'll be taking Naruto."
He looked toward Naruto and gave a slight nod—not of authority, but of understanding.
Something changed in Naruto's stance. A flicker of curiosity. A flicker of… respect.
No one else in the class said anything. Even the usually loud Kiba stayed quiet.
Second to Enter: Kakashi Hatake
Tall. Lanky. Masked. Silver hair defying gravity. One eye visible, curved in an unreadable expression.
Kakashi glanced lazily at the room. His eye briefly flicked to the Uchiha.
His next words were soft, but final.
"Team 7: Sasuke. Sakura. Meet me on the roof in five."
He turned and vanished in a quiet swirl of leaves.
Sakura blinked.
Sasuke said nothing, but his expression darkened subtly.
Next: Kurenai Yuhi
Refined. Poised. Crimson eyes and elegance in motion.
She offered a gentle smile, yet her presence was no less commanding.
"Team 8—Hinata, Kiba, Shino. Meet me by the west gate. We'll begin with observation exercises."
Kiba's face lit up. "Alright! Come on, Akamaru!"
Shino nodded in silence.
Hinata quietly followed.
Third: Asuma Sarutobi
Casual swagger. Cigarette between his fingers. A calm aura like fire under control.
"Team 10," he said. "Ino, Choji, Shikako. Meet me at Yakiniku-Q."
Choji fist-pumped. "BBQ!"
[Scene Break]
Hokage Office
Danzo stepped forward, leaning on his cane.
"With Uzumaki removed from Team 7, a gap remains. Team cohesion must be preserved. Efficiency must be prioritized."
Hiruzen said nothing.
Danzo's voice dropped like a knife.
"Kakashi will receive a replacement: Sai. He's trained in advanced infiltration, combat psychology, and subterfuge. His loyalty is absolute."
Hiruzen thought for a while, then nodded.
"Tell him to report at Academy rooftop soon."
Scene: Konoha Academy Rooftop – Late Afternoon
The air was warm, the sky clear. From the rooftop, the whole village stretched out below like a quiet painting.
Sakura sat cross-legged on the bench, fidgeting. Her eyes kept drifting to the empty space beside her—the one Naruto would have filled.
Sasuke leaned against the wall, arms folded, eyes half-lidded. Quiet as ever, but the subtle tension in his shoulders was new.
They were waiting.
A poof of smoke signaled Kakashi's arrival. He stood lazily with one hand in his pocket, his book already open.
"You're late," he said casually.
Sakura looked up. "So… this is really our new team now?"
Kakashi gave a slow nod. "Since Naruto's on a different team now, you've been assigned a new teammate."
Sasuke's eyes flicked open.
Soft footsteps approached from the stairwell.
Sai stepped into view, expression blank, hands at his sides, black outfit unmarked by insignia. His eyes swept over them without emotion, though his lips curled into a practiced smile.
"Hello," he said. "I'm Sai. The Hokage and Danzo-sama assigned me here to fill the position vacated by Uzumaki Naruto."
Sasuke pushed off the wall immediately. "Tch."
Sakura ignored him in favor of fantasizing about Sasuke.
Kakashi closed his book with a snap.
"Let's start with introductions," he said, trying to redirect the conversation. "Your name, likes, dislikes, goals. Standard stuff."
He nodded at Sai.
Sai stepped forward.
"I am Sai. I don't know what I like. I dislike strong emotions. My goal is to carry out my mission successfully and learn to… bond with teammates."
There was a pause.
Sakura stared. "You don't know what you like?"
Sai nodded. "Correct. Emotions are inefficient in combat. But I was instructed to understand them. Through imitation, if necessary."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
After Sai's robotic introduction faded into silence, Kakashi gestured lazily.
"Well, now that Sai's... said his piece, let's keep going. You two know the drill. Start with you, Sakura."
Sakura blinked and sat up a little straighter.
"My name is Sakura Haruno.What I like… um… I mean… the person I like is…" giggles and blushes while glancing at Sasuke."My dream for the future is…" giggles againInner Sakura: 'Kyaa! I can't tell them that! I'm so embarrassed!'"My hobbies are… um… well… I have a few."
"My dislikes…" She hesitated again. "Boredom. And people who hurt my friends."
Sai nodded blankly. "Understood. Emotional attachments noted."
Sakura gave him a look. "That's not why I said it."
Kakashi, unfazed, turned toward the brooding figure leaning against the rail.
"Sasuke."
Sasuke glanced sideways, but didn't move.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha.I hate a lot of things, and I don't really like anything.I don't have a dream… but I do have an ambition.The resurrection of my clan...And to kill a certain someone."
Sai tilted his head. "Interesting. Prioritizing bloodline restoration over emotional resolution. Logical."
Sasuke's stare cut like a blade.
Kakashi sighed internally.
"Alright," he said, clapping his hands once. "That's all for today. Get some rest. Meet here at dawn tomorrow. We'll test your teamwork—and maybe your patience."
He vanished in a blur of smoke.