While walking towards the shop, it was Kaiji who spoke first. "Ren, so who were your team members?" He asked.
Hiroshi also looked towards Ren, eager to hear his response.
Ren replied. "Well, my teammates are Saito and Kohaku, while Jonin Sensei is from Puppetry Brigade Department named Reeku."
He told them casually. However, the expressions of Kaiji and Hiroshi were anything but casual upon hearing Kohaku's name mentioned as a teammate.
Kaiji slightly coughed and cleared his throat. "Ahem..." he began. "By the way, do you know Hiroshi has gotten on Kohaku!"
Hiroshi didn't stop him from telling Ren. It wasn't like he himself was going to hide it from Ren anyway.
Ren's eyes slightly widened in surprise. He was about to ask Hiroshi about it, but Kaiji interrupted.
"Looks like there is no rush," Kaiji said, referring to the small but expensive meat shop. "At least for now."
They had planned to come in the evening. Like them, others might also have made similar plans for dinner at night.
So, they came in the early evening when there would be fewer people in the shop, and that was the case now.
The three friends quickly found a seat after placing their order.
Then, they started chatting about Hiroshi's crush for some time, which made his cheeks slightly red the whole time.
But later, the conversation returned to Ren and his team.
Kaiji asked a question. "I think you should have invited your team here as well," he suggested.
"And Hiroshi might also be able to talk with Kohaku."
Ren chuckled at the idea. Hiroshi didn't say anything, still a little embarrassed.
Ren replied. "I actually did," he said, "but they refused."
He explained why. "Kohaku can't come because she said her mother makes a special present for her for becoming Genin."
He added, "While Saito simply refused, saying, 'I don't want to bother you'."
Kaiji and Hiroshi nodded in understanding. Their order came shortly after.
They started eating, a quiet munch, and continued chatting.
Kaiji asked another question. "Do you know about any others who got teams like you," he inquired, "are on which team and their Jonin Sensei's?"
Ren looked at him curiously. "Why do you ask?" he questioned.
"Nothing special," Kaiji replied with a shrug. "Just asking."
Ren nodded. "Well," he said, "our Sensei is the first one to come and take us out, so I don't know who gets which Jonin Sensei."
He thought for a moment. "But I do remember team selection," he added, "especially of Renji. He was placed with Maki and Ryu."
Kaiji heard this piece of information. He understood that the team Maki would be assigned to would be Pakura's, but her teammates were Renji and Ryu.
'Even that Ryu gets to be part of Pakura's Team!' he thought, a flicker of surprise.
Then, they finished their small celebration and went back to their houses.
While Kaiji and Hiroshi would be living at the facilities of the Genin Corps department from tomorrow, Ren would be living in his same place; there was no change for him.
The next day, Kaiji, with Hiroshi, took their small bags. They went to their newly assigned rooms at the Genin Corps department facilities.
Once it was 8 AM, every one of the newly joined forty-four members of Kaiji's batch was present within the open area of the department.
Ryota stood in front of them. Beside him stood another Chunin, a tall figure.
The tall figure spoke. "My name is Isamu," he announced, "and I am the supervisor of the Genin Corps department."
Despite his tall and intimidating figure, his voice was quite polite.
He continued. "From today onwards, you are going to get missions."
He explained the situation. "But since there are not many C-rank missions present within area of the Land of Wind, so not everyone will get missions all the time."
Unless they get some experience, they wouldn't allow to get missions outside Land of Wind.
"So you can also go to the Mission counter to have some odd jobs within the village for earning extra bucks."
He noted that Ryota had probably already told them most things yesterday.
"So today," he continued his announcement, "some of you will get missions as 5-men Genin Squads."
He clarified the squad composition. "With two members are going to be your seniors of the department who have some experience of missions."
With that announcement, he went on his way, probably to his small office in the department.
Then Ryota came forward and announced the names of those who were going to get their first mission today.
Kaiji's name was not called but Hiroshi's name was called.
Hiroshi looked at Kaiji. With a slight smug smile, he said, "Looks like I am going to get to do Missions before you and Ren."
Kaiji didn't reply, merely nodding. While Ren had gotten a team, he wouldn't be starting missions early on like the Genin Corps department members.
All those twenty-four students who got teams would first get guidance from their Jonin Sensei and some training beyond the Academy's curriculum.
Those who got missions would assemble in five-men Genin teams with two senior members.
Since Kaiji had free time for today, he went out.
He did not go directly to the Hospital or, say, the Medical Department.
Neither did he start training for familiarization with Earth Nature Chakra Transformation.
But he went to the Mission counter, which was located right beside the Kazekage's Building.
He intended to take some odd jobs there, as he was now on his own for money; the village wouldn't provide any allowance anymore.
Upon nearing the Mission Counter, he saw that two shinobi were standing outside as guards.
He nodded towards them and went inside.
While entering, he thought, 'Why would the Mission Counter need security, especially when it's close to the Kazekage's Building? It's not like the mission counter has anything worth hiding here.'
He didn't bother much with this thought and quickly went in front of the counter sides where a few shinobi were sitting behind it.
***