Naruto's POV (Leaf Academy - Hidden Leaf Village)
"Troublesome is more like it," Shikamaru disagreed, getting a vocal agreement from Choji. "Suggest there could be more within our ranks, not to mention the creep was close to us. Just glad I didn't have to deal with him."
"Enough with the doom and gloom," Ino complained. "Today is the day we're becoming Genin and meeting our teams. Any hopes for who you get?"
"Anyone who isn't bothersome or incompetent." Shino and Shikamaru said in sync, giving each other a nod of respect.
"Shocker," Naruto said dryly in response to the two of them.
"As if it isn't predictable already," Shikamaru replied. "Choji or Naruto would be my picks, but I doubt we'd get so lucky. Besides, at least we are using logical choices; you probably just hope to get placed with Sasuke…"
"Of course!" Ino agreed with a nod of her head. "He's some serious eye candy and has the whole mysterious longer angle."
"Not to mention he's the top-ranked out of the males." Sakura pointed out. "A thrilling and useful teammate should be popular."
"Well…" Naruto thought with a hum. "I really don't care who I get. Though I do hope that grim bastard isn't on mine."
"Same." Shikamaru agreed with a nod. "There's a couple of prospects this year I'd like to avoid. The hot-headed arrogant bastards like Neji Hyuga or Sasuke, or that weirdo Sai…"
"I've encountered them both," Choji admitted. "It's kind of rude to say, but they both seem incredibly bothered by us. Both are known for their tempers and lashing out. And when you're among the top-rated, that becomes quite the issue."
"Most unyouthful!" Lee pointed out. "We are all comrades of the Leaf; we should be more than happy to work with each other."
"Lee has a point." Shino agreed. "Our preferences have no effect on team placements, nor should they. Regardless of how we may feel about the teams assigned to us, they are likely the best combination we could hope for."
"Shino's right," Sakura said with a shrug. "It'd be nice to be paired with Ino or someone I'm friendly with; it's part of the job to deal with."
"Students," Iruka said quietly. Each fell into a baited silence, and there was no need to ask them to listen. Naruto was sure they had all made the connection he had. This would affect their careers. "As you are more than likely aware, each of you has passed the Academy Finals. This means each of you will be granted the title of Genin after today. The lowest rank of shinobi is not one to take lightly. I've often seen students race off to start their careers, greedily racing toward adventure, glory, and riches… and all too often, they only get a terrible death. I don't say this to scare you but to make it clear that from this day forward, you are no longer students but shinobi, for better and most definitely worse. Every time you step out on a mission, patrol, or assignment. It should be with the knowledge, the weight, that it could very well lead to your death… I can promise there will be a few of those… you will likely experience great suffering and stress on your chosen path. But! For those who are diligent, those who act with logic and learn as much as possible. The life of a shinobi can be so much more. You can even have the very things you crave, a wage able to be lived off, the glory of serving the Leaf, and the knowledge that with your service, you protect your home and every life and ideology within it. As Genin, you've gained great responsibility, but for those who rose to the occasion, it will hold rewards that equal that weight."
Naruto was silent, stunned, really. It seemed everyone in the classroom was. They all had heard warnings and advice regarding their careers countless times. But to hear such a dreaded warning from someone as supportive and kind as Iruka was sobering. None of them were shaken too deeply, but it was a stark reminder of what this truly was. The path of a shinobi was not for the faint of heart…
"That being said, there's no doubt in my mind that those who sit here in this room are ready. Certainly, more than myself when I was in your shoes…" Iruka explained. "I've watched each of you grow, and now I am certain that you are worthy of the title of Genin. I wish you the best of luck going forward and offer my advice and support if you ever need it. With that out of the way, it's time to reveal the squads you'll be placed within. For the current class, I will reveal the roster of the teams!"
Iruka snapped his fingers, causing a crowd of strange but obviously powerful older shinobi to stroll in. They were a varied group, one known to the Genin before them. Each of them was a notable Jounin of the Hidden Leaf Village. They each stood with Iruka before the first of them stepped forth.
It was the youngest-looking one of the group. Shisui Uchiha is one of the few adult Uchiha alive and active after the attempted rebellion. Shisui was known for aiding the Leaf against his clan, though how was unknown, and as such, was a controversial Jounin among the ranks. Some even protested his recent repromotion. It was clear to the room why he was chosen; he was credited as possibly the fastest shinobi in the village and fit the bill of the powerful and intelligent Uchiha to a tee. However, the friendly smile on his face was a stark contrast to Sasuke's scowl. "My name is Shisui Uchiha, I am the Jounin Leader of Team Six. My pupils will be Sasuke Uchiha, Kabuto Yakushi, and Hinata Hyuga. If the three of you will join me down here." Naruto smiled. Sasuke seemed to be a dick, and the other two were basically strangers. No loss there.
The class watched as the three joined Shisui in front of the class. The man, having each of them, placed a hand on him. "See the rest of ya later~!" Shisui said excitedly as, in a blur, the four of them disappeared. Naruto blinked; how the hell did he do that?!
The next one to step forward was obviously older than Shisui but just as relaxed-looking. Naruto knew him as the son of the current Hokage, Asuma Sarutobi. The man was also an enigma; he had left the village for years to guard the Fire Daimyo personally. It spoke of just how reliable it must be. "My name is Asuma Sarutobi, and I'll be running Team Eight. That'll contain Shikamaru Nara, Tenten, and Sai. Unfortunately, I'm not as flashy as Shisui, so we'll walk to our training ground; follow me." Asuma said, casually strolling out of the room. Sai and Tenten immediately followed, Shikamaru slowly doing the same as if unwilling. Naruto admonished his lazy friend before an irate Tenten noticed and dragged him along to keep up with Asuma. Naruto was a little bummed he wouldn't be placed on the same team as Shikamaru; he was more amused that Nara had landed with one of the "undesirables" he spoke of.
The only woman in the group was next. Her long, thick dark hair, red eyes, and unique attire marked her identity clearly. Though she was arguably the less known of the five. Naruto had heard of her promotion shortly before his own and had heard whispers of her incredible Genjutsu ability. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi, Jounin of the Leaf. I will take charge of Yuno Uchiha, Choji Akimichi, and Shino Aburame. If the three of you follow me, we'll hold our first meeting over lunch. Thank you." The group of Genin willingly followed their new sensei out of the room. Naruto hummed; Choji and Shino were decent dudes, and Yuno herself had seemed kind; it was a shame he couldn't join them.
The remaining Genin save for two tensed, however. Out of the last two, neither Jounin nor looked particularly significant. Kakashi Hatake, a legend of a Jounin who was supposedly the strongest even, was reading a small orange novel as if he had nothing going on. The other looked like a giant Lee, of all things, and so the choices weren't looking great…
It was the giant Lee that stalked forward. "It is a lucky day for the three of you indeed…" The man began before twirling at an insane speed and stopping in a strange pose with his hands covering his eyes. "For the Mighty Sexy Beast of the Hidden Leaf Village, aid has been called for! Yes, the most youthful Hokage ever has asked me to take on the vital task of guiding the next generation! A task I now shall complete to the fullest of my abilities. The lucky three! In the prime of their Youth! Shall now work under the Sexy Might Gai! Firstly, the fair Sakura Haruno! The primal Kiba Inuzuka! And my own beloved pupil, Rock Lee!" The man said, offering a shining smile and thumbs up. "Now join me for ten laps around the village!" Sakura and Kiba rose slowly, following their seemingly dancing sensei; Lee did as well but had already appeared at Gai's side, hanging onto his every word. Naruto was thankful he missed out on that.
That left only three Genin, one Chunin, and one Jounin in the room. The bemused Chunin and impatient Genin waited for the Jounin to react. However, a couple of minutes passed in relative silence, the occasional flip of the page revealing the man was reading.
"Kakashi?" Iruka asked with a raised brow; his concern was overshadowed by amusement. "Are you alright?"
"Of course," Kakashi replied calmly as he flipped to the next page. "This is part of the nation for Team Seven. Besides, by now, they realize their team members and that I'm their Jounin Sensei. So, with that taking care of itself, I'll finish this chapter before proceeding."
Iruka smiled with a small nod, looked at the three of them apologetically, and left them with Kakashi to wait.
Naruto was more than okay for the moment; he was scanning it with his two apparent teammates. Ino Yamanaka and Neji Hyuga, he couldn't claim to be familiar with either. He had only met Ino occasionally with Shikamaru and Choji in tow and didn't really know what to make of her. Neji was infamous throughout the Academy. Having been ranked number two among the males and, from what Shikamaru spoke of, was a nasty customer. However, as they were both strangers, Naruto remained hopeful.
Naruto walked down the tables until he reached the one Ino sat at. Neji was also seated a little further down the row. "So I guess we're teammates." He broke the ice between the three with his usual bluntness. "I'm Looking forward to it."
Ino offered him a polite smile of her own. "Suppose having at least one familiar face in our team is nice." The two of them looked different to their third teammate, who matched their look dryly.
"I suppose fourth place among the female Academy students is acceptable." Neji deemed as the two blondes balked. "You'll have to put forth some effort not to hold me back, but I'll accept you as a teammate in the same way. However, from what I remember about you, Uzumaki, you were nearly the last… attempt to stay out of my way." The Hyuga offered frostily.
Naruto and Ino grit their teeth in sync, both looking over to Kakashi. However, the man was still nose-deep into his novel, either ignoring them or outright not hearing them.
"Great, my team is full of social recluses," Ino complained to herself.
"Hey!" Naruto complained.
"Don't get me wrong, Blondie." Ino apologized with a smile. "It's looking like you're the best I got, but these two…" She gestured at the two silent males.
"Yeah…" Naruto agreed. "They might be difficult to get along with. By the way, Blondie?"
"Well, since we're going to be teammates, we may as well become friendly," Ino replied with a shrug.
"But you're blonde too." Naruto accused. "Why aren't you Blondie?"
"Because I don't fit the stereotype," Ino replied with a roll of her eyes.
"And I do?"
"Remains to be seen, Blondie." Ino joked. Naruto matched her smile with his own. Ino had always been sharp with her tongue and light in attitude. Hence, she and Shikamaru get along. Naruto was pleased that it seemed the two of them were getting along decently thus far.
"Can the two of you please stop the incessant chatter?" Neji asked with a heavy sigh.
"Can you stop incessantly acting like an asshole?" Ino said with a raised brow, gaining a smile and a nod from Naruto.
"Actually, all three of you can stop now." Kakashi interrupted the group's bickering. "Your "incessant" chatter soured the chapter for me. So we may as well begin, meet me at Training Ground Fourteen; that's where we'll start in earnest." His piece said the Jounin disappeared in a poof of smoke.
The three stared on in silence. "So," Naruto began rubbing the back of his head. "Do any of us know where that is?"
"I doubt the two of you do, as for myself…" Neji began pausing to raise a hand sign. "Body Flicker Jutsu." He finished as he did, and the man disappeared in his own puff of smoke, leaving the two blondes alone in the room.
"So Kakashi, our new Sensei, just dipped to a training ground, one I might add, we have no clue where it is. And our third teammate has the info but left us behind… how does he even know Body Flicker! Most Chunin don't!" Ino complained, holding her head.
"I'm starting to hate those two…" Naruto sighed.