The wooden doors of the Hokage office closed with a soft thud as the Jonins assigned with new squads left the room. Asuma Sarutobi lit a cigarette with a practiced flick but the scent of tobacco made Kurenai frown.
"Do you have to start smoking so early?"
"Well technically, I started before I got here. So I'm just maintaining momentum." Asuma smirked and gave a laid back reply.
Kurenai rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"So... how're you feeling about your team?" Asuma asked casually.
The red eyed Jonin gave a faint smile. "The files didn't show everything. But from what I saw during the Mizuki incident... they're capable."
"Yeah. Those kids are better than I expected," he said, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. "Didn't think the next generation would start off this strong. Team coordination like that in a live combat situation? Rookie Genin or not, that was impressive."
Kakashi remained silent. His hands were in pockets, his posture slouched, his one eye half-lidded as he walked behind them. His expression was unreadable, as usual.
"They didn't panic or run away." Kurenai added. "Even when they were facing a life or death situation." Kurenai read the incident report and saw the unconscious form of Haroshi. She was happy that her team was already so well prepared.
"Yeah. That took guts." Asuma nodded. He recalled how Shikamaru, Ino and Choji defeated Seijo, the traitor Chunin. 'Chakra control, deception, teamwork. Those three held their own against him and won. I'm looking forward to teaching those brats more and more.'
Kakashi, who was a few steps behind them, thought about his new team. 'They're right. It's not bad… For a bunch of academy kids, anyway.'
At the stairwell junction, Kakashi slowed his pace. "I'll see you two later," he said simply.
Asuma and Kurenai exchanged a glance, but said nothing. They knew where he was going.
"Don't keep them waiting for too long." Asuma said nothing else.
"I won't," Kakashi replied.
'That's a lie.' The Jonin of Team 8 and Team 10 thought at the same time.
Without another word, Kakashi turned and vanished in a flicker of movement.
Academy Classroom.
In the academy classroom, several Jonin came and took their squads and soon only 9 students were left.
"I wonder who our teacher is?" Kiba asked as he leaned back in his chair.
"I bet it's someone really strong for us. I'm gonna learn so many awesome jutsu." Naruto laughed and spoke.
Sasuke meanwhile was in deep thought. 'Naruto isn't wrong about the jutsu part. I just hope it's someone who can help me get stronger… Now that I've awakened the Sharingan, I doubt the Hokage would put someone weak as our Jonin instructor.'
"Whoever it is, I just hope they don't make us do too much work. I just want a relaxed and laid back teacher." Shikamaru said as he glanced outside.
"Shikamaru, I doubt you're even going to make Chunin with that attitude." Ino sighed as she thought about how to motivate her lazy teammate.
The Nara smirked. "Oh I have a feeling I'll be Chunin. But even if I don't go beyond that, I have no problem."
"Urgh! How did I get stuck with such a lazy bum with no ambition at all?" Ino groaned tiredly.
The others looked at her depressed expression and Shikamaru's laid back figure and laughed. Suddenly the door to the classroom opened and everyone saw a bearded man with a Jonin vest.
Naruto was excited when he saw the man. "Are you our sensei? I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Future Hokage."
Asuma looked at the boy and gave a small smile but then his attention turned towards three others.
Shikamaru immediately saw that they were the focus of the Jonin and he straightened in his seat. 'It looks like he's the guy.'
The Jonin walked to the middle of the room and spoke with a commanding tone.
"Shikamaru Nara. Choji Akimichi. Ino Yamanaka."
The three Genin immediately stood in attention. "Yes sir."
"My name is Asuma Sarutobi. I'm the Jonin leader of your squad. We're going to have a meeting now. Follow me." With those words Asuma walked out the room.
"Aww…" Naruto's excitement vanished.
"Guess this is us. See ya." Shikamaru waved his hands and left with Choji.
"Good luck you guys." Ino smiled at everyone and followed her teammates.
Soon only two teams were left.
"Don't look so down, Naruto. I'm sure our sensei will pick us up soon." Sakura said softly. "Don't you think so, Sasuke?" She asked, trying to start a conversation with him.
The blond boy immediately perked up. "You're right. The next one will definitely be ours."
"No way. I bet the next one is ours. Right Akamaru?" "Arf. Arf." Kiba said laughing
At that moment the door opened and everyone saw a lady with red eyes.
"Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga." They stood and faced their new sensei as their names were called.
"I'm Kurenai Yuhi. I'll be your leader from now on. Nice to meet you all. Come with me." With those words she left and the three followed.
"Ha! Looks like we won, Naruto. Hahaha…" Kiba smugly laughed and soon the room only had three people.
Naruto gritted his teeth in frustration. "Damn it. Where the heck is our sensei?"
Memorial Stone.
Kakashi stood alone before the memorial stone, both hands tucked into his pockets and his lone eye fixed on the names carved into it.
'Minato-sensei… Miss Kushina… Obito… Rin…'
The wind rustled the trees gently. The moment of silence stretched and was broken only by the faint chirping of birds in the distance. Soon, behind him, footsteps approached.
"Here again?" The voice was calm, familiar to the silver haired man.
Kakashi didn't look away from the stone. "Old habits die hard."
Tenzo walked up, arms crossed, glancing at the names. "You've got a new team today," he said after a pause.
Kakashi turned to face his old teammate. "I know. Did you come all this way to laugh at the Genin babysitter?"
"Haha! No, no. I just wanted to come see you… You know they're not going to be like Daichi, right?" Tenzo spoke softly.
"I know. In some ways… I'm kinda glad about that. Maybe I'll finally know what it's like to teach a normal team… Well, that's if they pass my test." Kakashi turned back to look at the memorial stone.
"I thought you were going to skip the bell test. Don't they already know the essence of teamwork? I thought you'd be happy with the way they stuck together during that whole Forbidden scroll incident." Tenzo tilted his head and asked his senpai.
Kakashi was silent for a few moments before he replied. "I want to know if their teamwork was just a one time fluke or not." The silver haired Jonin's eyes focused on Obito's name. 'Now that Sasuke has had a near death experience, he really knows what's at stake here. I want to know if he's going to make the same sacrifice again, knowing how much he has to lose.'
"You're already late. It's way past time you were supposed to meet your team." Tenzo finally said.
Kakashi finally turned, a tiny smile forming beneath the edge of his mask. "Only by two hours. That should be enough for them to bond over their shared frustration."
Tenzo sighed. "Don't be too hard on them."
Kakashi didn't answer. He simply turned and began walking away.
Tenzo shook his head, but didn't press further. "Good luck."
"I won't need it," Kakashi replied, already walking away. "But they might. See you later."
Tenzo looked on as Kakashi walked away. "See you later, huh? You have changed senpai." With a small smirk the wood style user vanished from his spot.
Academy Classroom.
Naruto kept looking out the door in frustration. "Damn it, he's late!"
"Naruto, just sit down." Sakura said with a slightly frustrated tone.
"I don't want to. How come our teacher is the only one who's late. The other groups already met their teacher. I bet they're already on some awesome adventure or something." The blond boy spoke with his arms crossed.
"I'm sure he has a reasonable explanation, Naruto. He must be busy with something important." The pink haired kunoichi tried to reason but even to her that sounded weak.
"Two hours, Sakura!" he shouted. "Where is this guy?! What kind of Jonin shows up this late to his first meeting? Even Iruka sensei left."
Sakura closed her eyes and palmed her face. "We know, okay." Suddenly she heard the sound of a chair moving and opened her eyes. She saw Naruto carefully setting an eraser on top of the slightly ajar door. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"I'm gonna prank him. Teach him a lesson for being late! Surprise!"
Sakura palmed her face. "Naruto… You're gonna get all of us in trouble." 'Cha! Yes. Do it Naruto. Show him what he gets for making us wait.'
"Hmph! You really think that's going to work?" Sasuke spoke and Naruto turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"
Sasuke scoffed as he looked at his teammate. "Our instructor is a Jonin rank ninja. An elite. He's not going to fall for your stupid prank. Especially something so simple."
"Sasuke has a point, Naruto. Maybe it's best you get rid of that before he comes. We don't want to make a bad impression on him." Sakura agreed.
"Hm… Ehm…" Naruto nodded as he listened to the to. "I get it. So what you're saying is, I need to make my prank more clever. Set up more traps."
Sakura looked at the boy with wide stupefied eyes. "That's what you took from that?"
Sasuke sighed and shook his head. 'This guy…'
Just at that moment the door slid open.
Plop!
The eraser dropped right onto a silver head and sent chock dust flying.
The three Genins were stunned for a moment before Naruto started laughing. "Hahahaha… I got him. I totally got him. He fell for it. Looks like you were wrong Sasuke."
Kakashi's eye still held the same bored look but it flickered towards Naruto for a split second. 'So he's the one responsible. That's like him.'
Sasuke blinked as he looked at the man. 'He didn't even dodge that? Is this guy really a Jonin?'
"We're so sorry sensei. It was just a stupid prank. Please forgive Naruto." 'Yes! Perfect shot Naruto.' Sakura spoke as he looked at the unfamiliar man.
Kakashi turned his attention to the girl in the room. 'She's apologetic and wants to minimize whatever punishment she might receive while trying to protect her teammate. Hmm… She's better than most of the Genins I've had till now.'
He then turned his gaze to the last Genin in the room. 'Sasuke is minding his own business... His willingness to save his friends… Was it truly just an accident or…? I guess I'll find out tomorrow.'
The masked man stood there, chalk dust coating his hair. His single visible eye slowly lifted to observe the group.
Naruto blinked and took another look at the Jonin in front of him. "Hey, wait a minute. I know you. You're Daichi's sensei aren't you?" Naruto shouted, pointing at the man.
That got the attention of Sasuke and Sakura. 'Daichi's sensei?'
"What are you talking about Naruto?" Sasuke quickly asked.
"Yeah. I met this guy and Daichi a few days ago. Daichi said this guy is his sensei." Naruto replied and the three Genins turned their attention to the Jonin standing near the door.
"I was Daichi's teacher. But now I've been assigned a new team. Yours. And my first impression of this team is… Hmm… How can I put this,"
The Genins leaned forward slightly.
"You're all a bunch of idiots. And I don't like you."
Naruto nearly tripped, "W-What!?" Sasuke and Sakura groaned internally.
Kakashi adjusted his headband with a sigh and then gestured toward the hallway. "Come on. Let's take this somewhere else."
Sasuke followed the Jonin without a word. 'If he was Daichi's Jonin teacher then there is no way he's weak. He should have been able to dodge that eraser. That means… He did that on purpose. Then what's his game?'
"Come on Naruto. Don't make any more trouble." Sakura stood and sighed, dragging Naruto along before he could argue.
As they left, Iruka peeked around the corner, watching with a faint smile. 'So Kakashi is assigned as their teacher huh. It's going to be tough. But I know you'll all pull through. Good luck, guys.'
—---------------
Author's Note:-
When i wrote this I thought the team meeting would only be about half the chapter and I could focus the second half on Tsunade's healing.. But I decided to make the healing part as a new chapter.
If you like my story and want to read ahead, then check out my P.a.T.R.E.0.N page. I've uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there.
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