บท 42: Genin Squads

The classroom they had been taught in for the last 3 years was filled with an air of excitement. The anticipation of a new beginning and the anxiety of not knowing who they'll be teamed up with.

"Alright, We'll be starting off with team 1," Takahiro spoke up and gathered everyone's attention. "I know you all have given it everything you have to get where you are right now. Some of you worked your way up from the lower classes while some of your earlier classmates dropped out because they didn't work hard enough. The bottom line is you guys all passed the graduation exam and are ready to call yourselves genin, and you should be proud of that."

The pride seemed to be bubbling out of every student as Takahiro, the laid-back and somewhat lazy sensei, spoke to them about their upcoming responsibility as shinobi of the Hidden Whirlpool Village.

"As you begin to embark on this journey, don't forget about the fundamentals. In this village, we care about each other, we never leave anyone behind, and we take pride in everything we do for the village. This is the very first team that you guys will be on and it certainly won't be the last. Without further ado, I'll tell you your squad number and the members. Team 1...."

As I sat there, I became increasingly excited as well. The time to officially start my journey begins here and with whatever squad and jonin sensei I get. I really hope that Miki, Shin, and I are all on the same team. I feel like our talents and personalities mix really well.

"Team 4 will consist of Shiran Uzumaki, Benimaru Kugo, and Kiyoko Saoto. Your jonin sensei will be Hanzo Shimizu."

"What! I gotta be on a team with him?!" Benimaru asked Takahiro in outrage.

Takahiro ignored Benimaru, just like every other day, and continued listing off the teams and members. "Team 6 will be Miki Yuki, Shin Mori, and Yuta Chinoike. Your jonin sensei will be Aiko Hoshigaki." I raised my eyebrows at that. 'These teams are quite coincidental; or maybe more purposeful than not.'

"Don't tell me you're scared." I looked at him with an exaggerated shocked face and smiled ever so slightly. "After all, you should be used to it by now."

Benimaru turned away, grumbling that he'll get me one of these days.

"Oh, will you guys quit for one day? I promise it won't hurt." Kiyoko rolled her eyes in exasperation while looking at the man with brown hair and red tips that just walked through the door.

'So, these are 3 of the 6 that Aoi mentioned. They definitely seem like an interesting bunch. This should be fine then since they know each other so well prior.' The man thought as he stared very intently at the group of genin who were messing around and teasing each other.

"Team 4? You'll come with me. Meet me at the Whirlpool Harbor in 5 minutes, and don't be late. If you are, I'll kill you," he growled out while glaring at us.

My two new squad mates both gulped audibly while I stared at him incredulously. 'Why does this guy remind me of Yami?' That thought made me slightly happy but also shudder a little. Going back to observe him, I did notice something peculiar.

'Well, his chakra feels like a roiling volcano, which is definitely a first, especially when a good 75% of people in Uzu naturally have water or wind chakra natures.'

Hanzo flickered away and we all shared a couple of seconds of eye contact. After a couple of seconds passed, we all started to run in the direction of Whirlpool Harbor. I could've gone faster than them, but then again, I didn't really want to leave my friends behind.

Arriving at the harbor, we were standing strong, barely even winded from the sprint over to the place Hanzo summoned us.

"Very good, you made it here with 2 minutes to spare. At least none of you are weaklings," he yawned while taking a good look at us.

'These definitely aren't normal academy students.' Hanzo thought as he looked at us with a growing smirk that started to send chills down our backs.

"Alright, let's get introductions out of the way. My name is Hanzo Shimizu. I like napping and slapping people on the back. I may not be as stuffy as your previous authority figures, but I believe in pushing limits. We'll grow stronger together, and I expect nothing less than your best. If I see you're not doing your best, then I'll kill you." We sweat dropped as he ended his introduction.

I decided to step forward and introduce myself first. "My name is Shiran Uzumaki. I believe in never leaving behind a comrade, always helping where you can, and battling people that can help me grow. I have unlocked my chakra chains, Mind's Eye of Kagura, a dojutsu called the Kanjogan that can increase my speed, and I also have storm release."

Benimaru stepped up next not wanting to be left out. "I'm Benimaru Kugo. I want to beat Shiran in a battle, make the Kugo clan name feared around the world, and also want to protect the village. I don't currently have my clan's kekkei genkai awakened but I know it will happen before long. I also have a natural affinity towards fire release that I have decent control over right now."

Next up to bat was Kiyoko. "My name is Kiyoko Saoto. I like to joke around, I want to try as many foods as I possibly can from every place in the world, and I want to get stronger so I can protect my friends and family. Right now I have my clan's kekkei genkai awakened and am able to use it with a basic understanding over it."

Hanzo nodded his head as the gears turned in his head. Suddenly he decided on something and got up from where he was sitting. Without any further delay, he flickered towards the group of 3 and threw them off the dock and towards the river before any of them could react.

"Ahh!" They yelped as they were abruptly tossed off the solid ground.

Shiran was the first to get his bearings and turn himself in mid-air and channel chakra to his feet while both Kiyoko and Benimaru did it as well. All 3 of them landed on top of the water while glaring at their supposed sensei.

"Good, you guys are able to think on your feet as well. You guys really are weird." He looked at us worryingly before giving a slight smirk and waving his hand over his shoulder. "Anyway, you guys can call me sensei from now on or Hanzo, to be honest I don't really care. Now come on, we're going to go do our first mission. Just remember that you guys can't complain about it, or else I'll burn you alive."

We jumped off the water while smiling to ourselves. "Yes, sensei!"

Unfortunately for us, I knew exactly what was going to happen. 'We are totally going to do d-rank missions aren't we?'

(A/N: Hanzo will be a sensei modeled after Yami. Within the new gen anime he is far and away my favorite sensei so I decided to have a jonin sensei that is inspired by him.)