The freshly issued Konoha forehead protector felt cool and unfamiliar against Ryuu's bandaged brow.
He adjusted it slightly, the polished metal glinting in the weak morning light filtering through his apartment window.
A Genin of Konohagakure. The laminated ID card Kasumi had given him alongside the protector felt surprisingly heavy in his small hand.
Ryuu Yuki. Genin. ID Number... it was official.
It was odd. He felt oddly nostalgic, remembering how he had felt when watching the series as a child. Now, he himself was a child soldier, sent to war to deal with things he had no power over.
Kasumi watched him with an unreadable expression, her arms crossed. The relief of his successful graduation was subtly overlaid with a new layer of anxiety. The Academy had been a controlled environment, her influence direct. Now, he would be under a Jonin sensei, part of a team, undertaking actual missions. More exposure. More risk.
"Team assignments are posted in the main hall," she said, her voice neutral. "Eat quickly. Your sensei will expect punctuality."
Ryuu nodded, quickly finishing his simple breakfast of rice and pickled vegetables. The usual pre-Academy knot of apprehension was tighter today, mixed with a sliver of anticipation he quickly suppressed. A team. A sensei. This was where the real learning, the real dangers, began.
He walked to the Academy, the new hitai-ate feeling like a brand. The atmosphere in the main hall was a chaotic mix of excitement, nerves, and disappointment. A large board displayed the newly formed three-man Genin squads and their assigned Jonin instructors.
Students crowded around, searching for their names.
Ryuu scanned the lists methodically. He found Kenjiro Uchiha paired with Sarutobi Haru and a civilian girl under a seasoned Chunin instructor – a solid, balanced team. Asami Hyuga was with an Inuzuka and a Nara under another experienced Chunin, likely focusing on tracking and strategy. Standard, logical pairings.
Then he found his own name: Team twelve.
Jonin Instructor: Genma Shiranui
Genin: Izumi Uchiha
Genin: Ryuu Yuki
Genin: Kenta Miyamoto
Ryuu processed the information. Genma Shiranui. Ryuu recalled the name from his future knowledge – a Tokubetsu Jonin known for his senbon skills, his cool demeanor, and his signature toothpick. He was one of Minato's former guards, implying trust and competence. A good draw, likely.
Izumi Uchiha. This was interesting. Ryuu had seen her occasionally in the Uchiha district during his brief, cautious explorations with Kenjiro. She was a year older than him, eleven, graduating at the normal time alongside the main cohort.
Kenjiro had mentioned her vaguely – kind, skilled, particularly good with Taijutsu for a girl, and known to be close to Itachi. Placing an Uchiha on his team, especially now, with tensions clearly rising within the Uchiha clan, was a significant move by the Hokage's administration.
Was it an attempt at integration? A way to foster inter-clan bonds? Or, more pragmatically from Ryuu's perspective, a method to monitor both the Uchiha through Izumi and the 'unusual' Yuki refugee through him?
Kenta Miyamoto. A civilian-born graduate, also likely eleven, a relative unknown to Ryuu from the Academy throngs. He'd have to assess him quickly.
"Team Twelve, huh?" A familiar voice drawled from beside him.
Kenjiro had found his own assignment (Team Ten, with Sarutobi Haru and a civilian girl named Hana, under a robust-looking Chunin named Ebisu – a solid, standard lineup) and was now peering over Ryuu's shoulder at the board.
"Genma-senpai. Lucky. He's supposed to be tough but fair. Good instincts, quick thinker. And you got Izumi-neechan."
He sounded genuinely pleased for Ryuu, though a flicker of something – perhaps a mix of admiration and the usual Uchiha competitive streak – crossed his face when he mentioned Izumi.
"She's strong. Really good with kunai, and her Taijutsu is top-notch, almost beat me a few times in practice spars back at the compound." He paused, then lowered his voice slightly. "And her Sharingan..."
"She has her Sharingan awakened?" Ryuu asked, keeping his tone carefully neutral, though his internal alarms buzzed. This was valuable, potentially critical intel, especially given the timeline.
Kenjiro nodded, a serious expression replacing his usual nonchalance. "Yeah, three tomoe, I think. Awakened it... well, a while back. During a particularly rough training exercise, or so the official story goes. She's pretty strong if you ask me. At least better than me in a straight Taijutsu fight, probably." He offered a wry grin.
"Oh, that's surprising," Ryuu commented, a rare, tiny snicker escaping him, almost involuntarily. "I thought Uchiha arrogance dictated you'd claim superiority even if you were about to lose an arm."
Kenjiro scoffed, but there was no real heat in it. "Hey! We're confident, not delusional. Mostly."
He nudged Ryuu. "Izumi-neechan's different. She's... kinder than most of us. Doesn't have that stick up her—" He cut himself off, glancing around quickly before continuing in a lower voice, "—that usual Uchiha superiority complex, you know? But don't let that fool you. She's fiercely loyal to the clan, and when she gets serious, she's tough. She faints sometimes if she uses her Sharingan too much for too long, though. Chakra exhaustion, I think. Still building up her reserves for it."
Ryuu filed away every detail. Izumi: Sharingan (three tomoe, awakened), skilled in Taijutsu and kunai, kind but loyal to the Uchiha, prone to chakra exhaustion with prolonged Sharingan use.
A complex mix of strengths and potential vulnerabilities. And her known closeness to Itachi... this team assignment was becoming more strategically significant by the second. The Shisui incident loomed, only months away according to his future knowledge. Having a direct line, however unintentional, to the Uchiha inner circle via Izumi could be invaluable, or incredibly dangerous.
Though he hoped that Danzo wouldn't do anything foolish now that things were better and Minato and Kushina were alive.
"Thanks for the warning," Ryuu said, his voice even. "Sounds like an... interesting team."
"Yeah, well, better than being stuck with someone like Ren Nara, right?" Kenjiro grinned.
"Imagine trying to get him to do perimeter guard duty. He'd substitute with a log and take a nap before you even finished giving the order." He shook his head. "Good luck, Ryuu. Training Ground Seven at 0900, right? Same as us. Guess we'll see who gets the 'real' test from their Jonin-sensei first."
"Good luck to you too, Kenjiro," Ryuu replied. He watched the Uchiha boy head off to join his own newly assigned teammates, a knot of anticipation and cold calculation tightening in his stomach.
He made his way to Training Ground Seven, a familiar, dusty clearing surrounded by trees, often used for basic Academy drills. Two figures were already there, waiting under the shade of a large oak, their postures radiating the nervous energy of new Genin awaiting their fate.
One was undoubtedly Izumi Uchiha. She looked slightly older than the Academy students Ryuu was used to, about eleven, carrying herself with a quiet confidence that belied the slight tension in her shoulders.
Her long, dark brown hair was pulled back into a practical ponytail, bangs framing a kind, intelligent face. A small, distinctive mole sat just under her right eye. She wore a high-collared purple shirt with the Uchiha clan symbol proudly displayed on the back, over baggy blue shinobi pants, a shuriken holster strapped to her right thigh, and a long, purple fingerless glove on her left arm that ran nearly its entire length.
Her dark, onyx eyes were observant, already scanning him with a polite curiosity as he approached. She offered a small, reserved nod.
The other was a boy Ryuu vaguely recognized from the older graduating class – Kenta Miyamoto. He had a sturdy, average build, unremarkable brown hair, and an earnest, slightly nervous expression. He clutched his new forehead protector almost reverently, as if it might suddenly vanish. He looked relieved to see another Genin arrive, perhaps hoping for safety in numbers.
Ryuu gave them both a slight, formal bow, acutely aware of his own much younger appearance compared to these two eleven-year-olds. "Yuki Ryuu," he introduced himself simply, keeping his voice even.
"Izumi Uchiha," she replied, her voice calm, pleasant, with a warmth that was indeed unusual for the Uchiha he'd observed from afar. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ryuu-san. Congratulations on graduating early." There was genuine respect in her tone, not condescension.
"K-Kenta Miyamoto! Nice to meet you both! And yeah, wow, graduating at ten, that's amazing!" the civilian boy stammered, clearly a little intimidated by Izumi's Uchiha presence and perhaps Ryuu's unusual appearance – the white hair stark against the bandages covering his head, the goggles resting above them, the pale skin, and the unsettling red eyes that he quickly averted.
They waited in a slightly awkward silence for a few minutes. Izumi seemed content to observe, her gaze occasionally flickering towards the trees, assessing their surroundings.
Kenta shifted nervously from foot to foot, occasionally glancing at Izumi with a mixture of awe and apprehension. Ryuu used the time to analyze their chakra signatures more closely. Izumi's was strong, controlled, with that characteristic Uchiha intensity, but overlaid with a softer, less aggressive feel than Kenjiro's. Kenta's was average, steady, typical of a newly graduated Genin – solid, but unrefined.
Then, with a flicker of movement that was almost too fast for Ryuu's senses to fully track, a figure appeared leaning casually against the oak tree they were standing near, a senbon held loosely between his lips as if he'd been there all along. Genma Shiranui.
He was younger than Ryuu had pictured from future depictions, barely into his early twenties, perhaps twenty-three as per his calculations, but his eyes – sharp, intelligent, and slightly world-weary – held the experience of a seasoned shinobi.
He had spiky brown hair that defied gravity, wore the standard Konoha Jonin flak jacket over dark attire, and radiated an aura of relaxed competence that was somehow more intimidating than overt aggression. The ever-present senbon twitched as he surveyed them.
"Yo," Genma said casually, his voice carrying a hint of dry amusement. "Team Twelve, I presume? Took you long enough to assemble." He wasn't looking at a watch, it was clearly a rhetorical jab at their Genin nerves.
Izumi and Kenta immediately straightened, bowing respectfully, their voices slightly flustered. "Genma-sensei!"
Ryuu mirrored their bow, his mind already cataloging Genma's movements, his chakra signature, and his deliberately nonchalant demeanor. This was a man who had served on the Fourth Hokage's personal guard detail, he was not to be underestimated.
Genma pushed off the tree, walking towards them with an easygoing gait that nevertheless suggested coiled readiness.
"Alright, brats. I'm Genma Shiranui. Your Jonin instructor, occasional tormentor, and hopefully, the reason you don't get yourselves killed in your first month. Let's skip the lengthy introductions, I've read your files. Izumi Uchiha," he nodded at her, "early Sharingan activation, strong Taijutsu fundamentals, tendency to rely on visual acuity perhaps a bit too much. Kenta Miyamoto," a glance at the nervous boy, "good stamina, solid effort, needs to learn to think three steps ahead instead of just reacting. And Ryuu Yuki." His gaze, sharp and appraising, lingered on Ryuu for a moment longer. "The quiet refugee. Exceptional chakra control for your age, graduated early, a bit of an unknown quantity. And definitely needs to eat more."
Ryuu felt a flicker of annoyance at the last comment but kept his expression carefully neutral. Genma's assessments were blunt, accurate, and clearly designed to put them slightly off balance.
"Now," Genma continued, his tone shifting from casual to serious, the senbon rolling between his lips, "most Jonin would put you through some kind of ridiculous bell test right about now. Make you fight for lunch, preach about teamwork while trying to turn you against each other, the usual Academy-plus spiel."
He spat the senbon out, catching it deftly. "I find that a waste of good ramen time. Teamwork is vital, yes. You'll learn it, or you'll die. Individual competence, initiative, and possessing the basic sense not to be a complete idiot are equally important. We'll build true teamwork on actual missions, under actual pressure, where your lives actually depend on it. Today, I just want to see what I'm really working with, beyond what those rose-tinted Academy reports claim."
He gestured towards the relatively empty training ground. "Simple assessment. One-on-one. Against me. Don't hold back thinking you'll hurt my delicate sensibilities." A faint, dangerous smirk touched his lips. "First, you, Miyamoto. Show me you're not just dead weight."
Kenta gulped, his face paling slightly, but he squared his shoulders, determination flickering in his eyes. "Y-yes, Sensei!"
The 'spar' was short, brutal, and enlightening. Genma moved with lazy grace, effortlessly dodging Kenta's earnest but telegraphed attacks, occasionally flicking out a hand to tap a pressure point with a senbon produced from nowhere, or sending Kenta sprawling with a simple, perfectly timed leg sweep.
He wasn't trying to seriously injure him, Ryuu assessed, but he wasn't coddling him either. He was gauging Kenta's reactions under pressure, his fighting spirit, his ability to adapt to a vastly superior opponent. Kenta fought bravely, getting up each time he was knocked down, but he was hopelessly outmatched, his movements becoming increasingly frantic and predictable.
"Alright, enough," Genma called after a few minutes, Kenta panting, bruised, covered in dust, but impressively, still on his feet, glaring defiantly. "Good spirit, Miyamoto. Decent fundamentals. Slow as molasses in winter. Predictable as sunrise. You react, you don't anticipate. We'll work on that. A lot."
Next was Izumi. "Uchiha," Genma said, a new hint of challenge in his voice, the senbon back between his lips. "Heard good things. Don't disappoint the family name."
Izumi nodded, her expression serious, focused. She activated her Sharingan, the three tomoe in each eye spinning to life, a visible testament to her Uchiha heritage.
The fight was immediately more intense. Izumi was fast, her Taijutsu crisp and aggressive, flowing seamlessly between punches, kicks, and kunai slashes. She pressed Genma hard, her Sharingan clearly allowing her to read his movements, predict his feints.
Genma met her assault with a relaxed confidence that was deeply unnerving. He parried her kunai with his own, deflected her strikes with minimal movement, his body a blur of subtle shifts and dodges. He wasn't using any flashy jutsu, relying on pure Taijutsu mastery, speed, and his vast experience to control the engagement.
He forced Izumi to push her Sharingan to its limits, making her react to feints within feints, testing her ability to distinguish true attacks from misdirection. Ryuu saw her beginning to pant, a slight sheen of sweat on her brow, the Sharingan's chakra drain clearly taking its toll even on her Uchiha reserves.
After a spirited exchange where Izumi managed to land a glancing blow to Genma's shoulder, he suddenly exploded with speed, disarming her with a lightning-fast wrist lock, the ever-present senbon suddenly appearing at her throat, halting her instantly.
"Not bad, Uchiha," Genma conceded, stepping back, allowing her to catch her breath. "Good speed, good aggression. Sharingan precognition is solid, though you rely on it too heavily, makes you predictable in your reactions to what you see. You anticipate, but you don't always dictate. And a bit too much Uchiha flash in your stances, leaves openings. We'll refine that." Izumi nodded sharply, accepting the critique without argument, though a flicker of Uchiha pride and frustration was visible in her eyes.
Finally, Genma turned to Ryuu. The senbon twitched in his mouth, his eyes sharp, appraising. "Alright, Yuki Ryuu. The quiet one. The ten-year-old Genin. The mystery package wrapped in bandages." His gaze flickered over Ryuu's covered head and goggles.
"Let's see if those Academy instructors were just being kind to the Hokage's pet refugee, or if there's actually some steel under all that white."
Ryuu met Genma's gaze, his own expression carefully neutral, his mind already calculating, analyzing. He performed the Seal of Confrontation, feeling the Jonin's deceptively strong grip, the subtle thrum of powerful chakra barely contained. This wasn't an Academy spar for points. This was a Jonin assessing a new, unknown tool in his arsenal.
"Show me what you can do, kid," Genma said, a predatory glint in his eyes, the senbon held loosely between his fingers now like a weapon. "Don't disappoint me."