"I'll introduce my old classmate for you," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said as he stepped beside Kaito.
Kaito kept a calm expression, listening quietly.
Having someone else introduce him was perfect.
The more he spoke, the more he risked revealing something he shouldn't.
Six years of careful low-profile living could collapse with one careless sentence.
"An orphanage kid named Kaito, eighteen years old—just celebrated his birthday. Eats anything, no preferences. Has completed 1,803 D-rank missions…"
"..."
Kaito remained silent, then added internally:
Actually… now it's 1,804.
As expected—some well-connected people always had the time to secretly investigate him.
Back in their Academy days, Shinnosuke had pursued a girl who ended up falling for Kaito instead.
That heartbreak lodged itself deep, and Kaito became his eternal rival.
And with a father who was Hokage and his own rank as jōnin, pulling up Kaito's mission file was child's play.
He had memorized those details just last night, waiting for the perfect moment to humiliate him.
When Shinnosuke finished, the three kids stared with complicated expressions.
Does this guy… like men?
Why does he know so much about Kaito?!
"Alright."
Seeing Shinnosuke was out of breath, Kaito cut off the students' wild speculations.
"Thanks, Shinnosuke. You can go now."
He turned to his three students.
"Your turn. Introduce yourselves."
Shinnosuke nodded and strode toward the railing, preparing for a dramatic ninja-style leap off the rooftop—finally satisfied after delivering his long-awaited insult.
But—
"Um, excuse me. I haven't introduced myself yet."
Uchiha Mikoto froze.
Her carefully prepared speech was ruined as Shinnosuke interrupted.
She looked at his earnest-but-annoying face and mentally punched him ten times.
Kaito raised a brow.
"You're not part of Squad Eleven. Why introduce yourself?"
"O-Of course there's a reason…" Shinnosuke scratched his head, confidence leaking out.
"We're old classmates! We might do missions together someday… it's good to be familiar."
If I don't flex now, how will I avenge my stolen first love?!
Kaito sighed, removing his forehead protector to wipe it before putting it back on.
"Shinnosuke. You're a jōnin. I'm just a genin—I'm not even allowed to take C-rank missions or higher."
He gave Shinnosuke a very obvious you understand me look.
Shinnosuke very much wanted to say I don't understand,
but three young genin—one of them an Uchiha clan prodigy—were watching closely.
If rumors spread that a jōnin was picking on his genin classmate?
His reputation would rot.
So he forced a smile, patted Kaito's shoulder, and said:
"It's fine. I believe you'll break your 'six-time failure streak' soon and become a chūnin."
He emphasized six times on purpose.
Kaito felt a chill creep up his spine.
"…Thanks for the encouragement. May it be as you wish."
"Hm!"
Satisfied, Shinnosuke used Shunshin, disappearing in a blur toward a distant rooftop to celebrate his self-perceived victory.
Then paused.
"Wait. 'As I wish'? Did he misspeak? Haha—well, I must have crushed his pride. Serves him right!"
Feeling triumphant, he left.
After the Old Classmate Drama
Now it was time for the students.
"I am Uchiha Mikoto, eleven years old! I love shuriken training. My favorite food is the grilled chicken skewers from Uncle Tsuchiyaki's stall. My dream is to become a strong Uchiha ninja! Maybe even surpass our greatest ancestor—Uchiha Madara!"
She was full of youthful confidence.
Kaito nodded.
He acknowledged the ambition, though he knew—
This world valued bloodline above all.
Even with a modified Devil Fruit, his chakra capacity was limited, with only a Fire-nature affinity.
"Next."
"I'm Yakushi Naono, ten years old. I like making handmade flower charms. I want to become a medical ninja and help others. My dream is to open an orphanage someday… so children without families can feel warmth."
Her tone was gentle, sincere.
Even Mikoto's proud expression softened.
"That's a wonderful dream! This is youth!"
Might Duy burst out passionately.
Naono blinked, startled, but didn't dislike his sincerity.
"Alright, your turn, old man."
"Old—?! I'm only twenty-three!"
Naono deadpanned:
"I'm ten. She's eleven. Think about it… uncle."
Duy drooped miserably, though Kaito could see how happy he truly was—his new teammates weren't rejecting him.
"I'm Might Duy! Twenty-three! Married, and my wife is expecting a baby! After the child is born, I'll definitely show you all—"
"Focus on your dream," Kaito cut in gently.
He knew the tragic truth—Might Guy's mother died young.
Duy's excitement hurt to witness.
"A-Ah, right! Sorry, Kaito."
Duy scratched his head and continued.
"I specialize in taijutsu! My dream is to prove that even without ninjutsu, a ninja can become truly powerful!"
"Good. Introductions are over."
Kaito straightened.
"Starting tomorrow, we begin D-rank missions. Meet at the Hokage building at 9AM."
He finished speaking—
Then vaulted over the railing.
A clean, efficient chakra-assisted descent brought him safely to the training field below.
Hands in his pockets, he walked toward the village bank.
He hadn't deposited today's 3,000 ryō yet.
Back on the Rooftop
Uchiha Mikoto blinked, stunned.
"Eh?! Wait—what about the survival test?!"
Naono went hollow-eyed.
"As expected… a genin instructor is hopeless…"
Duy scratched his head.
"Kaito's strength is similar to mine. He probably can't handle a full survival drill against you two, so he'll teach what he's best at… D-rank missions."
Mikoto covered her face.
"Over a thousand D-ranks… what difficulty is that supposed to teach me?"
Duy forced a smile, eyes drifting to her clan crest.
He envied her bloodline deeply.
If only I were born a genius… my wife and child wouldn't have to struggle with me…
The Next Morning
Kaito arrived half an hour early outside the Hokage building.
After waiting twenty minutes, he checked his watch.
"Still a few minutes left. If anyone's late, as squad leader, I should have the right to reduce their mission share."
Normally:
Solo D-rank = 40% share
Squad D-rank = 60% total, split among teacher + students
But the instructor always earns less despite higher responsibility.
And D-rank missions with rookie genin?
Slow.
Sometimes costly.
Often tedious.
No wonder jōnin hated being team leaders.
At 9:01 AM, Naono and Duy arrived.
Kaito noted the sweat on Duy's forehead—he had trained early before coming.
But Mikoto was nowhere in sight.
Kaito's expression darkened.
Mikoto didn't seem the type to skip on day one…
"Let's go to the Uchiha compound."
As their instructor, he needed to know the situation—and report it.
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