The next morning, the classroom filled early.
Sasuke arrived ahead of most students. After taking his seat, he folded his hands and closed his eyes, conserving his focus.
"If I end up in the same team as Sasuke-kun, then I could—"
Ino sighed dreamily.
"Get lost, Ino-pig," Sakura shot back without missing a beat. "Sasuke's obviously going to be on my team."
"Wide-forehead."
"Pig."
The argument escalated on its own.
Sasuke ignored it.
Graduation had come and gone. The quiet days were ending. He didn't dislike the Academy. Compared to the shinobi world outside, it was clean. Simple. People here hadn't yet learned how to hide knives behind smiles.
That would change today.
The calm would vanish. The pace would accelerate. Enemies wouldn't announce themselves. Each step forward would carry more weight than the last.
He didn't fear it.
If anything, part of him leaned toward it.
A sudden thud shook his desk.
The noise snapped the room into silence.
Sasuke opened his eyes.
Naruto stood on the desk in front of him, crouched low, eyes burning with intent.
"Listen up, Sasuke," Naruto said seriously. "No matter what team you're on, don't forget this. I'm still your rival. Don't slack off now that you're a ninja, or I'll knock you flat."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, amused. He started to reply—
Then froze.
Something flashed through his mind.
He stood abruptly and stepped back. "Move. Away. From me."
Naruto blinked. "Huh? What's your problem?"
Sasuke didn't answer. He walked to the last row and sat down without another word.
Some things were better avoided entirely.
Moments later, Iruka entered the classroom and began assigning teams.
"Team Seven," he said, checking the list. "Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke met his gaze calmly.
"…Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto folded his arms, frowning. "What? I'm stuck with him?"
Despite his words, he looked satisfied.
"And Haruno Sakura."
"Yes!" Naruto and Sakura said at the same time.
For very different reasons.
Once assignments were finished, most students waited quietly for their jōnin instructors. Sakura wasted no time sliding into the seat beside Sasuke.
"Looks like we're teammates now," she said brightly. "Let's work well together."
Time passed.
Morning slipped into noon.
Still no instructor.
Naruto drummed his fingers against the desk. "What kind of teacher shows up this late?"
Impatience flickered across his face. He stood, grabbed the chalk eraser, and glanced toward the door.
Sakura hesitated. "Naruto… maybe don't. That's our teacher."
"Just a little payback," he grinned.
"I wouldn't," Sasuke said calmly.
Sakura nodded immediately. "Sasuke's right."
Naruto snorted, about to put the eraser down—
When Sasuke reached into his vest and pulled out a storage scroll.
"Try this instead."
White smoke burst outward.
A massive black iron club landed on the floor with a dull thud, its spiked head catching the light.
Sakura stared.
Naruto stared.
"What?" Sasuke said evenly. "Carrying ninja tools is normal."
Behind the door, Kakashi wiped sweat from his forehead and coughed once before stepping inside.
"Ahaha. Sorry about that," he said. "I'm your jōnin instructor, Hatake Kakashi."
He was met with two visibly annoyed glares.
Sasuke calmly sealed the club away.
Naruto pointed. "Hey, mask guy. You're late."
Kakashi rubbed his chin. "That's because today, on my path through life—"
"You got lost," Sasuke said.
Kakashi paused. "…Yes."
"You overslept."
"…Also true."
"You helped an old woman cross the road, carried her bags, walked her home, talked to someone who stopped you, and then a black cat blocked your path."
Sasuke finished and looked at him. "Anything else you'd like to add, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi went quiet.
The classroom stayed silent.
Team Seven had officially begun.