It wasn't long before the instructor arrived.
He pulled out a piece of paper and began to read out the team assignments.
"Team 1... Team 2..."
"Team 3: Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu."
The instructor continued down the list.
Genma and Ebisu, who had been laughing just moments ago, found that the smiles had vanished from their faces.
Finally, Jingyan's name was called.
"Team 7: Ryohou Jingyan, Kurenai Yuhi."
Kurenai looked over at Jingyan and blinked.
Well, at least it's only one of them.
Although both Jingyan and Guy were incredibly hard-working and likely strong, the "spark" that flew when those two were together was a bit much for the young Kurenai to handle.
The academy instructor continued down the list.
"Team 8..."
Kurenai started to get anxious.
Wait a second...
Why are there only two of us?
Jingyan glanced at Kurenai and whispered, "Don't worry. We can ask after we get outside."
"Uh, okay," Kurenai nodded, suppressing her doubts.
Outside the classroom door.
"Sensei, why does Team 7 only have two members? Normally, it's a three-person squad with a Jonin leader, right?" Jingyan asked.
The academy instructor looked awkward, scratching his head. "Well, about that... I don't know either. You'll probably find out when you meet your Jonin leader this afternoon."
"Huh?"
Kurenai was completely lost, unable to make sense of the situation.
The instructor quickly vanished with a Body Flicker, leaving Jingyan and Kurenai staring at each other.
Now it was their turn to be dumbfounded.
Of course, Jingyan had a theory, but he wasn't sure if it was correct.
He thought of the jinx of a kid, the one who puts insane pressure on everyone; the genius boy who became a Chunin last year but whose personality and attitude made it impossible for him to get along with his teammates.
Kakashi Hatake.
Could it be him?
...
At two in the afternoon, all the newly formed teams gathered at the academy. Below them, the rest of the students who had not yet graduated were in class, while they waited for their Jonin leaders to arrive.
Jingyan sat at his desk, contemplating his future path.
He had already begun to figure out some of the mechanics of his System.
Being on the same team as Kakashi... seemed like it could have some benefits.
The only thing was...
He didn't know who their Jonin leader would be.
Could it be Minato Namikaze?
As he thought, he unconsciously began twirling a kunai in his hand.
At that moment, Kurenai finally broke her silence.
"Jingyan-kun, I-I have something I'd like to ask."
She was a year or two older than Jingyan and hadn't been in the same class, so they weren't very familiar with each other.
However, since they were going to be teammates, they needed to get acquainted.
Jingyan stopped twirling the kunai. "What is it?"
"Are you doing that to practice your finger dexterity?" Kurenai asked, pointing curiously at the kunai that was dancing like a flower between Jingyan's fingers.
Jingyan paused for a moment, then chuckled.
"It's just a habit."
"A habit..."
Kurenai nodded and didn't say anything more, but the way she looked at him now held a newfound respect. To form a habit like that requires years of training. There must be a story of hardship and bitterness behind it that I can't even imagine.
No wonder he and Might Guy have so much in common.
Her imagination began to run wild.
Jingyan had no idea what the young girl was thinking. He was just pondering something else.
Could getting closer to her help me farm some rewards?
After a short while...
Knock, knock!
The door was knocked on.
The next moment, the door opened. Jingyan looked up and nearly burst out laughing.
A silver-haired boy wearing a mask walked in with dead fish eyes, his expression stiff as he tried to act casual and take a seat.
Kurenai's jaw dropped.
She blinked, a look of utter disbelief on her face.
Then...
"You... you can't be our Jonin leader, can you?!"
"Hmph."
Kakashi turned his head away, saying nothing.
Jingyan whispered a reminder. "Kurenai, Kakashi was only promoted to Chunin last year. He can't be a Jonin."
"Oh, right."
Kurenai's thoughts were a mess. She still hadn't figured out what was going on, and her face was a mask of confusion.
Jingyan sat to the side, pressing his lips together to hold back a smile.
So it really is him!
Therefore...
"So, Kakashi... does this mean you're being held back?"
"..."
Kakashi shot him a glare, then stared straight ahead, completely ignoring the question.
Tsk.
Jingyan resisted the urge to mock him further and sat up straight, maintaining the terribly quiet atmosphere in the classroom.
If I were to classify him by monster levels from the games in my past life...
The Kakashi in front of me now is at least a 'boss-level' difficulty. He's definitely not on the same level as Might Guy or Ebisu, who could be won over with words.
I'll have to play the long game with this one.
Best to see who our teacher is first.
Just as Jingyan was thinking, a set of footsteps sounded from outside.
All three of them turned their gazes to the door at once.
Could this be our teacher?
After a long wait, the footsteps stopped abruptly, as if they had gone to a different classroom.
A hint of confusion appeared on Kurenai's face.
She whispered, "Our teacher... just disappeared."
Kakashi said flatly, "As ninja, all we have to do is wait."
"..."
Jingyan glanced at them, the corner of his mouth twitching.
If Kurenai's perception wasn't wrong...
Then it meant their teacher had a rather twisted sense of humor and wanted to use this opportunity to observe their personalities and abilities.
Who could it be?
When we meet and have to introduce ourselves, what should I say?
Jingyan's mind raced.
...
Outside the door, Jiraiya sighed.
He never thought that at his age and status, he'd have to personally lead a team again, and a team of freshly graduated kids at that.
Really now...
It's all that old man's fault!
He secretly observed the situation inside.
"The little girl is sharp and skilled in genjutsu. It seems she has potential in sensory abilities as well... Perhaps she can be trained in a medical or support role."
"The silver-haired brat is hard to get along with. No wonder no one wants him. What a troublesome kid."
"As for the last one..."
"Tsk, he doesn't look like an easy one to handle either. I've really signed myself up for a world of pain!"
Jiraiya stroked his chin, recalling the events of the previous night.
Yesterday, in the Hokage's office.
"Old man, I was just planning a trip to travel outside the village, and you want me to lead a team of students? You're doing this on purpose, aren't you!"
"The village needs you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
Jiraiya's lips curled. He was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Are the three kids you want me to lead special?"
"One of them is Kakashi Hatake," Hiruzen said.
Jiraiya immediately fell silent. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Isn't that kid already a Chunin?"
"Take a look for yourself."
Hiruzen handed him a file.
Jiraiya took it and saw that it was filled with complaints from other ninja about Kakashi. At this point, almost no team was willing to take him, all of them making excuses.
Of course, Hiruzen could have forced an assignment.
But...
The old man wanted his Sannin student to help straighten the boy out.
Jiraiya thought of Sakumo, who had taken his own life, and sighed internally. He didn't immediately refuse, and his gaze swept across the desk.
Then, he noticed another resume in the pile of papers.
Jiraiya picked it up.
It's that kid!
He read it over carefully.
Jingyan's situation was detailed inside.
A descendant of the Senju.
Over a year ago, the boy's parents passed away. After that, his personality changed drastically. He became somewhat withdrawn and eccentric, not fitting in with the rest of his class.
A war orphan!
Jiraiya clutched the paper, silent for a moment. The Second Great Ninja War had made the Sannin famous, but many ninja had also died under their command.
A child who works so hard, but his personality...
"The other two aren't set in stone, are they? Let's add him. I'm a little interested in this kid."
"You know him?" Hiruzen asked, slightly surprised.
This boy...
Although he had graduated early today, Hiruzen didn't have a particularly deep impression of him, only remembering that his Substitution Jutsu was very skilled and his taijutsu was quite good.
"He's a very hard-working and intelligent child. I believe he has the same potential as Minato," Jiraiya stated.
Hiruzen was silent for a moment, then nodded lightly. "Alright. Then it's him and Kakashi. Who for the third? It's all up to you."
"Doesn't matter," Jiraiya replied. His eyes scanned the remaining files, and he picked the one that looked the most appealing.
"Let's go with her."