Sunagakure, Ninja Academy.
The latest graduates had gathered on the training ground.
Just like in Konoha, the Sand Village followed the same teaching system: each team of three Genin would be assigned a Jōnin as their instructor.
Among the graduates stood Kankurō, and even Temari—who had already graduated a year ago—was present. Yesterday, she met with her father, the Kazekage, who instructed her to come back today to be reassigned to a new team.
After all, both her teammates were dead, and her former Jōnin instructor was still bedridden, not expected to recover for at least half a year.
At the front of the formation, a Chūnin held a list and began reading aloud the names of each team and their assigned Jōnin.
Unlike Konoha, where instructors approached their Genin one by one, in Sunagakure the Jōnin would step forward to claim their students.
"…Kira, Songshi, and Maki. Instructor: Pakura."
The Chūnin called out another group.
A wave of excited screams rippled through the Genin. Everyone knew Pakura—she was one of the strongest kunoichi in the Sand. And she was beautiful, too. Her only drawback was her cold personality.
Being chosen as her students was a privilege many envied.
"Next… Kankurō."
At the sound of his name, Kankurō's eyes sharpened and his ears practically twitched.
"Temari."
The next name drew even greater attention.
The Kazekage's son and daughter on the same team? For some, it seemed fitting; for others, strange.
Temari glanced sideways at Kankurō. So he's my new teammate? Not bad, I guess.
"And finally… Gaara."
The moment his name was called, the training ground erupted into an uproar. Even Temari and Kankurō froze in shock.
But before they could recover, the announcement grew even more startling.
"Your instructor Jōnin—Aizen."
The playground exploded with noise.
Everyone turned to see Aizen walking forward, with the expressionless Gaara trailing behind him.
"M-Master Aizen…" Temari stammered, eyes wide.
"It's 'Ms. Aizen' now." Aizen corrected her gently, smiling.
"What's going on?" Kankurō stepped closer, his eyes darting nervously toward Gaara but quickly looking away.
Aizen chuckled. "This was Lord Kazekage's request. He asked me to guide the three of you as a team. And Gaara, of course, is more than capable."
Gaara had lingered in the academy, unlike Kakashi in Konoha, who graduated early after his father's suicide.
Gaara had no such baggage. He simply drifted forward in silence, step by step, indifferent to the world around him.
But his strength was undeniable. He was far beyond Genin level—strong enough that most Chūnin couldn't match him.
There was no need for an early graduation test like Kakashi's.
Aizen smiled. "Since the Aizen Class is officially formed, let's follow tradition and take a photo together."
Gaara silently obeyed, standing beside her.
Temari was dazed, her heart fluttering with unexpected joy, eyes practically sparkling.
Kankurō, however, felt the opposite—dread twisting in his stomach. The thought of being stuck on a team with Gaara made him break into a cold sweat.
All around them, students and shinobi whispered excitedly.
Especially the girls—many of whom, like Temari, secretly hoped Aizen would become their instructor instead.
Even with his mask hiding his face, his voice and demeanor alone made him seem effortlessly handsome.
"Hmph! It's only because their father is the Kazekage. Total favoritism!" one jealous girl muttered.
Later, at the photo studio, Aizen positioned them.
"Kankurō, Gaara, stand in the middle. Temari, you stand next to me."
To Temari and Kankurō's surprise, Gaara didn't protest—he simply moved as instructed, taking the spot on Aizen's right.
Temari quickly stepped forward, cheeks pink, standing proudly at Aizen's side.
Kankurō reluctantly filled in the left.
When they received the photo, Temari pressed her thumbs over her brothers' faces, leaving only herself and Aizen visible, giggling to herself over her "edited" version.
"What's with her…" Kankurō muttered, shivering at her strange laughter.
Then he noticed Gaara quietly slipping the photo into his robes without tearing or discarding it.
Kankurō's eyes widened. He had expected Gaara to destroy it immediately.
For the first time, he sensed something different about his brother, who had always seemed more like a monster than a human.
Clap!
Aizen brought her hands together, smiling warmly.
"Alright, you're siblings, but your fighting styles couldn't be more different. So, I've prepared tailored training programs for each of you."
Then her next words made all three siblings tense in shock.
"First of all, Gaara—you must learn to control the One-Tail Shukaku inside you."