When Chiba returned to the classroom, quite a few people immediately looked his way.
They hadn't seen him for a long time. Other than Tenten, Lee, and a few others, everyone else felt a little distant and didn't quite dare to come up to talk to him.
One reason was that they weren't familiar with him.
The other was…
Even Hyūga Neji had to admit it: though they were all merely pre-Genin about to graduate, Chiba's current standing was already on a completely different level from theirs.
Tsukikage Kaza had returned to the classroom as well, but she immediately shrank into a corner, keeping her head down among the crowd like a chronic introvert.
Chiba couldn't help but smile at the sight, then sat down calmly and waited for the team assignments.
Before long, the instructor came in, gave a short encouraging speech, and soon after that, several Jōnin entered to lead away the students assigned under their command. Before they realized it, there were only six people left in the room.
Lee, Hyūga Neji, and a kunoichi named Mami.
Chiba thought to himself—
Lee's teacher was definitely kid, no question there.
If his own team leader turned out to be Hatake Kakashi as he guessed… would that mean the two of them might bump into each other later on?
He was still mulling it over when—
Bang!
A thunderous sound shook the room as a figure landed on the platform.
Chiba covered his face and sighed.
As expected of you—always a dramatic entrance.
"kid!"
Lee jumped up, brimming with excitement.
"Yo, Lee! And… you two, the passionate flames of youth burn bright in you as well! Come with me!"
kid grinned, pointing at Neji and Mami.
Neji's expression didn't change; whether he was pleased or not, no one could tell. He simply stood up and walked out quietly, while Lee followed beside kid, enthusiastically chatting with him all the way.
"Goodbye, kid," Chiba said politely.
Tenten clenched her fists in excitement.
Nice!
She'd really ended up on the same team as Chiba!
But then—
She tilted her head, puzzled.
Wait, why is this person on our team too?
Tsukikage Kaza smiled faintly.
"Heh, Chiba, even though you couldn't become my subordinate, your teacher is still pretty strong—just a little weaker than me! Why, just today, he lost to me !"
kid flashed a blinding grin. "Well then, I'll be going. You all be patient and wait here."
Tsukikage Kaza stopped looking at Tenten and turned curiously toward Chiba.
"Chiba-kun, you know Jōnin kid?"
"I can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. When I was training once, I met kid. Later, he gave me a lot of guidance—and even recommended me."
Chiba explained briefly.
Tenten suddenly understood, but inwardly she still didn't think much of that kappa-looking Jōnin. She even felt a little sorry for Neji—after all, he was a genius, yet ended up with such an eccentric teacher.
"Don't underestimate kid just because he acts strange. His strength is incredible. When it comes to taijutsu, there's no one in Konoha better than him."
Seeing their doubtful expressions, Chiba knew they didn't really understand kid's ability. They only saw his weird behavior and appearance, which made them take him lightly.
Tenten rested her cheek on one hand, sighing. "So why hasn't our teacher come yet?"
"…"
Tsukikage Kaza said nothing, but it was clear she was also curious about who their team leader would be.
Chiba smiled. "Maybe he got lost."
Out in the corridor, Hatake Kakashi paused mid-stride, a book in his hand.
"Or maybe," Chiba continued, "something blocked his way."
"Of course," he added lightly, "it could also be that he ran into an elderly lady who needed help crossing the street, and he's kindly assisting her."
"…"
This brat is really not cute, Kakashi thought to himself.
But at the same time, he was secretly impressed. Even if kid had leaked the team assignment, Chiba clearly had sensed his presence and chakra.
So… he has sensory abilities too?
Kakashi mused.
That would make this team's composition quite balanced.
After thinking for a moment, he continued walking forward—and just as Chiba was his "guesses," Kakashi finally appeared.
"Oh… I'm late," he said flatly.
"…"
Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza exchanged glances, instantly united in shared indignation—
This Jōnin was terrible! To show up late and act so nonchalant about it, without even a hint of shame!
Chiba simply smiled. "Kakashi-sama."
"No need for the honorific. The two of you probably don't know me yet—I'm Hatake Kakashi. For now, I'll be your team leader. Can't say how long that'll last. Anyway… come with me."
Kakashi spoke while still reading his book.
Then—
In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
"Follow me."
Chiba instantly used the Body Flicker Technique and caught up.
Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza hadn't expected him to move so suddenly, but the two were competent kunoichi; though slower than Chiba, they quickly followed after.
Before long, they arrived at the rooftop.
Kakashi sat on the edge, casually reading Icha Icha Paradise, completely unconcerned with appearances.
Clearly, after Chiba had already "called him out," he'd stopped caring about things like dignity.
Face? He didn't need that anymore.
When the three of them arrived, Kakashi tilted his head, glancing at them with one visible eye, then nodded slightly.
"Not bad. Pretty fast. Sit anywhere you like. We're not doing lessons today—just talking casually."
"Yes."
All three answered in unison.
"Alright, let's start with introductions. Hobbies, likes, dislikes, that sort of thing," Kakashi said, looking toward Tenten. "You first."
"My name's Tenten. I like fortune-telling and research. I dislike pickled plums."
"Fortune-telling and research, huh? Not bad. Next."
"I'm Tsukikage Kaza. I like swordsmanship and protecting everyone in… battle. I hate being dismissed by others."
You meant 'battle,' didn't you? Chiba thought, glancing sideways.
"Good. Full of spirit." Kakashi smiled faintly, then turned to Chiba.
"Yagyū Chiba. I like research—and helping others grow stronger. I dislike loss."
"…"
Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"What about you, sensei?" Tenten asked.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi. My interests… are classified. The things I dislike… also classified."
Only one eye was visible, but everyone could tell—he was smiling behind that mask.
Chiba didn't even react. He'd long known Kakashi wouldn't say anything truthful.
Still, with Icha Icha Paradise glued to his hand, his "hobby" really didn't need an explanation.
"Well," Kakashi said at last, "we've gotten to know each other a bit. Tomorrow morning, meet at the Forest of Death. Don't eat breakfast—or you'll regret it."
"Yes!"
"Dismissed."
And in a flash, Kakashi was gone.
The moment he disappeared, Tenten couldn't hold it in anymore.
"What's with Kankurō? Our teacher doesn't seem reliable at all!"
"That's why he's friends with kid-senpai," Tsukikage Kaza said quietly.
Chiba chuckled, saying nothing.
Tenten thought for a moment, then asked, "Chiba-kun, you seem to know something, don't you?"
"Mm. Our teacher's got quite the reputation. Can't say much, but I'm sure you've heard of him—'The Copy Ninja,' Konoha's Number One Technician."
"The Copy Ninja—him?!"
Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza both straightened up instantly, their expressions solemn.
They might not have heard the name Kakashi, but the title Copy Ninja was famous throughout the village. Every shinobi in Konoha had heard of him at least once.
Chiba nodded.
Tomorrow's test was almost certain to begin—and he definitely didn't want his teammates the same mistake Naruto and Sasuke once had: underestimating their opponent.
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