The Third Hokage stood at his window, looking out over Konoha as dawn crept slowly across the rooftops. A thin curl of smoke rose from his pipe, drifting out into the early light. On his desk, a stack of academy graduation reports and team assignment scrolls lay open, their edges weighed down by small stones and ink jars.
Iruka stood quietly across from him, hands at his sides. "All the teams have been finalized, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded slowly. His eyes moved over one scroll in particular — Team 7. Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno… and Netsu Ayato.
"A four-man cell," Hiruzen murmured, tapping the paper lightly. "Unusual, but necessary."
Iruka hesitated. "Are you certain about adding Ayato to that team? His record is excellent, but he's… different."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "Naruto is impulsive and unpredictable. Sasuke is talented but driven by deep, hidden wounds. Sakura is bright but untested and easily shaken. Ayato has always been quiet, observant, and patient — a stabilizing presence. His chakra control is exceptional for his age."
Iruka shifted. "And his clan?"
"The Netsu clan had a strong bond with the Uchiha before the tragedy," Hiruzen said softly. "Placing a Netsu alongside Sasuke may help keep certain old bonds alive… or at least remind Sasuke of Konoha's support."
The Hokage took a slow draw from his pipe. "Sometimes, a gentle ember can temper a raging blaze. Ayato may not shine loudly, but he can keep a team like this from burning itself out."
Iruka gave a reluctant nod. "I hope it's enough."
Hiruzen didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted back out over the rooftops as the first true rays of sunlight spilled into the village. "We shall see," he said at last. "All we can do now… is watch them grow."
---
Ayato woke to a pale glow filtering through his bedroom window. He lay still for a moment, watching dust drift lazily in the light. His forehead protector sat on his desk, the metal plate catching the morning sun. He reached for it, fingers brushing along the engraved leaf symbol before lifting it slowly.
He tied it on with careful fingers, checking the knot twice before stepping back to study himself in the small mirror. It felt strange — a little heavy on his forehead, but also solid, grounding.
Outside his room, he could hear Miyo's high-pitched voice and Ren's stumbling footsteps. As he stepped into the main room, Sayo turned, wiping her hands on a cloth.
"There he is," she said, smiling. "Ready for your first real day as a ninja?"
Ayato nodded, trying to look calm even as his stomach twisted. "Yeah… I think so."
Ren and Miyo ran to him, eyes huge with excitement. "Did you meet your team yet?!" Ren shouted.
Miyo jumped in place, nearly slipping on the floor. "Are they strong? Do you get to fight already?!"
Ayato laughed, ruffling both of their hair. "We find out today. No fighting yet."
Sayo pressed a rice ball into his hand, shaking her head at the commotion. "Eat on the way if you have to. Just don't forget."
Daigo looked up from his seat, his eyes steady. "Make us proud, Ayato," he said, his voice low but firm.
Outside, the morning felt sharper than usual. Ayato adjusted his forehead protector again, feeling the new weight settle across his thoughts as he made his way toward the academy.
The courtyard was buzzing when he arrived. Clusters of new genin were showing off forehead protectors, comparing predictions about teams, and boasting about future missions. Ayato drifted to one side, listening but not joining.
Iruka soon stepped out, scroll in hand, and called for attention. The chatter faded, replaced by nervous shuffling.
"One final announcement," Iruka said. "Today, you'll learn your team assignments and meet your jōnin instructors."
He began reading teams. Names blurred past Ayato's ears until he heard his own.
"Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura… and Netsu Ayato."
Murmurs rippled through the courtyard immediately.
"Four? Isn't it supposed to be three?"
"Two top students and… that loud kid?"
Ayato felt heat climb up his neck. He glanced sideways, catching Naruto's huge grin and frantic waves at Sakura, who looked like she might faint. Sasuke stood stiffly, eyes narrowed.
When they gathered in their assigned room, the silence quickly grew uncomfortable. Naruto fidgeted endlessly, bouncing between seats. Sakura kept smoothing her hair, glancing at Sasuke every few seconds. Sasuke ignored them all, arms crossed, his gaze fixed out the window.
Ayato sat quietly, his eyes drifting from one teammate to the next. He wasn't sure where to look, or even what to say.
Time crawled by. Naruto's grumbling grew louder. Finally, after what felt like hours, the door slid open and a masked figure stepped inside, one hand buried in his pocket.
"You all look… lively," Kakashi said, eye smiling lazily. He glanced around the room, taking in each face.
Naruto immediately jumped up. "You're late!"
Kakashi looked unimpressed. "A black cat crossed my path. I had to take the long way around."
Naruto sputtered, Sakura looked confused, and Sasuke merely scoffed. Finally, Ayato thought, relief mixing with curiosity as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
---
On the rooftop, Kakashi leaned against the railing, posture casual. The new genin knelt in front of him, shifting nervously.
"Introduce yourselves," Kakashi said. "Likes, dislikes, dreams for the future. Simple."
Naruto shot up first. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I love ramen! I hate waiting! And I'm gonna be Hokage one day, believe it!"
Sakura followed, voice shaky. "I… I like… certain things… and… my dream is…" She glanced desperately at Sasuke, who refused to look her way.
Sasuke stood next, short and sharp. "I don't have many likes. I hate a lot of things. And… my goal… is to kill a certain someone."
Finally, Ayato looked up, hesitating slightly before speaking. "I like working with my hands. I don't really hate much. My goal is… to learn what fire can really be."
Kakashi's single visible eye seemed to study him for a beat longer than the others before nodding slightly.
"Alright," Kakashi said. "We'll start real training tomorrow. Meet me at Training Field Three. And skip breakfast. You'll only throw it up."
Naruto howled in protest. Sakura looked ready to panic. Sasuke's expression didn't change. Ayato felt a knot form in his stomach, but also a quiet resolve.
---
That evening, Ayato sat at the dinner table, picking at his rice. Ren and Miyo pestered him with questions between bites. Sayo watched, concern flickering in her eyes. Daigo gave him another small serving, his eyes warm.
Haruma set down his chopsticks. "Your instructor… Kakashi Hatake, right?"
Ayato glanced up, surprised. "You know him?"
Haruma gave a small, dry laugh. "Everyone's heard of him. Elite jonin, genius, a bit… unpredictable." His eyes softened. "Don't let that throw you. It's not about winning or passing. Just show them who you are."
Ayato looked up, meeting his brother's gaze. After a moment, he gave a small nod.
Later, lying under his blanket, Ayato turned his hands over in the moonlight. He thought of the ember mist, of the lake, of Haruma's steady encouragement — and now, the reputation of the man he'd meet tomorrow.
Tomorrow would come. And he would be ready.