"Oh, Sabuko!" Chōji called out with a wave. "What's up?"
Sabuko waved back.
'It is good to see them again…' he thought as he stepped into the classroom, spotting Asuma at the front, with Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji seated near the back.
"I see you're already friends. That's good," Asuma said with a relaxed smile as Sabuko approached.
"Thanks for having me, sir." Sabuko offered a short, respectful bow.
"N-no way!" Ino exclaimed, tilting her head. "You're the Genin joining us?"
"Y-yeah... Temporarily, I think?" Sabuko turned to her, brow slightly raised. "Is that a problem?"
"N-no, no problem—it's just…" She fidgeted. "I guess I expected… hoped it might be Sasuke-kun or something…"
'As expected. Even after becoming a full-on psycho loner, they're still thirsting over him,' Sabuko deadpanned. 'This world's Jeffrey Dahmer.'
"You're so dishonest, Ino," Chōji commented flatly.
"Shut up! Sakura doesn't deserve Sasuke-kun on her team! That's what's this all about!" Ino snapped, her face flushing bright red.
Sabuko tilted his head, 'Damn. Maybe being a psycho killer's worth it?'
"Alright calm down, you lot," Asuma said coolly. "Due to complications with his original squad, the Hokage reassigned young Sabuko to us for the time being. So let's welcome him with warm hands, alright?"
"Haah… Whatever." Ino muttered, looking away.
"Of course!" Chōji said cheerfully.
"Whatevs," Shikamaru grunted.
Sabuko let out a chuckle, "Thanks for having me."
"Good. Now, Sabuko," Asuma continued, "we work as a team, which means knowing each other's strengths and flaws. I'm not asking for your life story. But I would appreciate just a little honesty."
Sabuko blinked.
'Damn it... Guess I've gotta talk about my Taijutsu-dysfunction now. Weren't team assignments supposed to be balanced? If my hand-to-hand sucks this bad, shouldn't I have been dropped into Might Gai's team? Neji and Lee could've covered that weakness without even trying.'
"Sabuko? You alright?" Asuma asked, tilting his head.
"Oh, yeah. Just lost in thought."
'Whatever. May as well just spill it. It will be revealed in some way inevitably later.'
"Uhm, my name's Sabuko Kanto… My weakness is Taijutsu. Subpar at best. Either one of you could beat me in a fight. Definitely."
"Oh well, it can't be worse than Shikamaru's," Ino muttered, arms crossed.
"Listen here..." Shikamaru sighed.
'It is. A hundred percent.'
"Alright, that's fair," Asuma said. "What would you say is your specialty then? Come from a ninja family?"
"Nah. My parents are just normal villagers here in Konoha. No bloodline techniques, no special training. As far as Jutsu goes, I know three proficiently."
'Substitution is one I'm still an amateur with... But Kage Bunshin, Bunshin and Transformation go, I assume I'm somewhat okay.'
Asuma nodded. "That's about what most graduates know by the end of the Academy.... Then, I assume it's Clone Jutsu, Transformation, and Substitution. Alright."
"I can actually do Shad—"
"Ah, you're a weakling then. Not even a bloodline ability?" Ino interrupted him.
"Uhm..." Sabuko blinked, "Yeah don't have a bloodline ability. Like I said, Asuma Sensei, I'm kinda good at Shado—"
"No need to be so rude, Ino. Sabuko's cool, ain't he?" Choji interrupted.
"Whatever he is doesn't matter to me!" She folded her arms, "I just hope he doesn't hold us back."
"Fellas..." Asuma sighed, "We're all in the same boat. And, you are all still Genin. Meaning, there's plenty of room to grow, and lots of potential to be unlocked. Let us keep an open mind, alright—"
'A presence…!' he thought, snapping his gaze to the door. Faint breathing—barely audible—just behind it.
He rushed past Sabuko and threw the door open, scanning the hallway.
"Sensei?!" Ino called out from behind.
'Damn it... I missed them. There was definitely someone standing here.'
'Is someone spying after me?' He thought, but then looked back into the classroom, 'Or them?'
Meanwhile, Shikamaru's gaze narrowed at the unknowing Sabuko.
'Shad... Shadow. He was going to say Shadow.' He thought. 'Shadow Clone? Like Naruto...?'
Then he yawned.
'No way. He probably thinks he's impressive making one before fainting or something.'