Whispers filled the air of the classroom like autumn leaves swirling in the wind.
"Did I see that right? Uchiha Mamoru actually flinched?"
"No way… then Shigure must have beaten him. But how?"
"Keep your voice down! If he hears—"
"All of you. Enough talking."
The room fell silent at once. The voice was sharp, ice cutting through noise. It came from a boy near the corner: silver-gray hair, a blade strapped to his back, and a simple mask hiding half his face. He radiated quiet menace, his chakra sharper and denser than any other student present.
Shigure's Sharingan tracked him without hesitation. This one… not simple.
Just then, a light and teasing voice pulled him back. "What? Interested in him?"
He turned to his side. Hyūga Akane, her fiery red hair cascading across her shoulder, smiled playfully. Her pale Byakugan eyes were full of curiosity.
"You don't know him? He's Hatake Kusuo—the top student in our year," she explained softly.
"Hatake…" Shigure acknowledged, tilting his head. His memories of the Naruto world gave him pause at the coincidence of the name. Kusuo. He almost sighed aloud. Am I cursed to meet Hatakes named for disasters?
Before he could pursue the thought further, a new instructor entered the classroom, holding a list that would decide their futures.
The division of teams had begun.
The sensei's voice carried firmly as he called out names.
"Akimichi Dotonoki. Yamanaka Yuki. Nara Kazu. You three are together. That makes Team 1—the Ino-Shika-Chō formation."
Shigure's gaze followed briefly as the familiar clans grouped together, each fitting like puzzle pieces. Nara with his sharp, calculating eyes. Yamanaka with her golden hair and easy smile. Akimichi, round and grinning shyly.
The names continued for more than half an hour, students filing into groups of three. One by one, chatter rose in the class. Anxiety mingled with excitement.
Finally, only a handful remained: Shigure, Hatake Kusuo, and Hyūga Akane.
The teacher raised his head, eyes narrowing slightly. "Uchiha Shigure… considering the irregularity of your exam performance compared to your earlier results, the panel has reached a conclusion. You will form a team with Hatake Kusuo, the class's top student, and Hyūga Akane."
He tapped the paper once. "Team 7."
The classroom immediately erupted.
"Oh my god, Akane is so lucky! She gets Hatake-san and Shigure!"
"Two geniuses on her team! That's not fair at all!"
"He's handsome too… ugh, I'm envious."
Amid the chorus of outcry, Akane clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Yes! My prayers worked!" Her cheeks flushed red as she threw an excited glance at Shigure.
Shigure only sighed inwardly. Do they think I'm paired with Kusuo as punishment for being the weakest… or trial? Hmph. Either way, it doesn't matter.
Hatake Kusuo, by contrast, didn't react at all. He adjusted his sword blade and stood with quiet dignity, voice calm. "Let's go."
Together, the three made their way through the halls toward the principal's office where their team leader awaited.
The door opened.
Inside stood a tall man, dressed in a loose kimono with the Hyūga crest etched proudly on his attire. His pale Byakugan shimmered with authority, though his bow was polite and almost gentle. A Konoha forehead protector glittered on his brow.
Shigure's eyes narrowed as recognition stirred from memory. Hyūga Hizashi? Hinata's uncle… Neji's father.
"Ah. So these are my new students." Hizashi's voice was steady, formal but not cold. "I am Hyūga Hizashi. From today forward, you may call me Hizashi-sensei. It seems the Hokage assigned you three to my care."
He studied them briefly, gaze resting on Shigure a heartbeat longer. "…Uchiha Shigure." His look lingered on the boy's pale-tinted eyes, so eerily close to his own clan's. "Forgive me, but your eyes… they resemble the Byakugan."
Shigure met his gaze squarely. "I wouldn't know, sensei. These eyes have always been this way. No special ability I've noticed." His tone was bland, carefully concealing truth.
Hizashi paused, then inclined his head slightly. "I see. Forgive me—I spoke out of turn."
In that moment, Shigure realized Hizashi wasn't dismissive. In fact, he was perceptive enough to know more was hidden—yet polite enough not to pry further.
The Hyūga jonin's expression shifted, stern now. "But politeness aside—there is one more trial before you can truly be called Genin. The Hokage himself requires it."
From his sleeve, he produced two bells that jingled faintly in the air.
"You must take these from me. If you fail, you will lose your qualifications as Genin. Consider this your true start as shinobi." Hizashi's calm tone had sharpened into the steel of leadership. "Do not disappoint me. Do not disappoint the Hokage."
The three new teammates gathered the next morning at Training Ground 3.
Hyūga Akane stood ready, posture straight, though her eyes lingered nervously on Shigure with faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Shigure adjusted his uniform, the Uchiha crest faint beneath his black attire. His pale, evolving eyes watched Hizashi with measured calm.
Hatake Kusuo sat in silence, cross-legged on the grass, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. A storm of chakra simmered quietly beneath his skin—contained, controlled.
Hizashi appeared before them in a flicker step, Byakugan gleaming faintly. The bells chimed in his hand.
"The heirs of Uchiha, Hyūga, and Hatake," he said, voice clear and sharp. "Three clans with ancient legacies. Let us see if that pride amounts to anything when faced with reality."
The bells rang once more, echoing across the field.
"The test begins now."
And at the sound of the bells, Shigure realized his true fight—against Hizashi Hyūga, against his teammates, against his own secret bloodline—was only just beginning.