When Souma returned to the classroom, quite a few heads immediately turned toward him.
It had been a while since many of them last saw him. Aside from Tenten, Lee, and a few others, the rest were visibly stiff—unsure whether they should even greet him.
Part of it was unfamiliarity.
The other part was…
Even Hyuga Neji had to admit it—though everyone was still technically just pre-genin waiting for squad assignments, Souma's actual standing was already miles beyond theirs.
Moonlight Kasumi had slipped back to her usual seat in the corner, shrinking into silence like a startled kitten—her social anxiety showing in full.
Souma found it funny but didn't say anything. He simply sat and waited for the squad announcements.
Before long, their instructor stepped inside, said a few words of encouragement, and then several jōnin arrived to pick up their assigned students.
One group after another left.
Soon, only six people remained in the room.
Rock Lee, Hyuga Neji, a girl named Maya, and—
Souma.
Souma tapped his desk, thinking.
Lee's teacher was definitely Might Guy.
If Souma's own teacher was the one he suspected—Hatake Kakashi—then…
Could the two jōnin have run into each other outside?
He was still thinking when—
BOOM!!
A thunderous crash shook the podium.
A figure appeared in a cloud of dust.
Souma lowered his head and covered his face.
Of course. Only he would make such an entrance…
"Guy-sensei!"
Lee leapt to his feet, eyes sparkling.
"Yo! Lee! And you two young, burning flames of youth—come with me!"
Might Guy flashed a brilliant white smile as he pointed at Neji and Maya.
Neji remained expressionless—neither pleased nor displeased—simply walking out.
Lee followed right beside Guy, excitedly chattering away.
"Take care, Guy-sensei," Souma said politely.
Tenten clenched her fist in excitement.
Great! I'm really in the same squad as Souma-kun!
But then she tilted her head.
Wait… why is she also in our squad?
Moonlight Kasumi beamed softly.
"Souma! Hehe… even though you couldn't become my subordinate, your sensei is just as strong—only a little worse than me. Just like our duel today—he lost to me again!"
Guy flashed another blinding grin.
"Alright! You three, wait patiently!"
And with that, the whirlwind of spandex left.
Kasumi turned from Tenten and looked curiously at Souma.
"Souma-kun, you know Might Guy-sama?"
"I can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. When I used to train, I happened to run into Guy-sensei. He guided me a lot and even recommended me for several things."
Souma explained briefly.
Tenten suddenly understood, though inwardly she still dismissed Guy as… Well, eccentric.
For Neji—a genius—to be assigned to such an unpredictable teacher felt like a waste.
Souma chuckled lightly.
"Don't underestimate Guy-sensei.
He may act strange, but his strength is real. When it comes to taijutsu, no one in the village surpasses him."
Seeing their expressions, Souma knew neither girl truly understood Guy's real caliber.
Tenten puffed her cheeks.
"Even so… why isn't our teacher here yet?"
Kasumi remained silent, but clearly she was curious too.
Souma smiled.
"Maybe he got lost."
Out in the hallway, a silver-haired jōnin paused mid-step.
"…?"
"Or maybe something blocked his path."
Souma added.
The silver hair twitched.
"Or maybe he met a struggling old lady on the way and decided to help—out of kindness."
"…This kid is not cute at all."
Kakashi silently complained to himself.
But at the same time, he felt a hint of surprise.
Even with Guy spilling a few things earlier, Souma had almost certainly sensed Kakashi's presence.
Perception ability, huh…?
A well-rounded team indeed.
After mulling it over, Kakashi resumed walking.
Just as Souma made yet another "guess," Kakashi finally opened the door.
"Oh. I'm late."
"..."
Tenten and Kasumi exchanged a look—
This jōnin is terrible!
He's late and acts like it's normal!
No shame at all!
Souma simply smiled.
"Kakashi-dono."
"No need for the honorific," Kakashi replied lazily. "You two may not know me—I'm Hatake Kakashi. I'll be your sensei for the time being. Maybe. Who knows? Well then… follow me."
He said all this without looking up from his book.
In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.
"Keep up," Souma said, also disappearing with a body-flicker.
Tenten and Kasumi panicked but quickly followed.
Thankfully they weren't weak—just not as quick as Souma.
Soon, the four arrived at the rooftop.
Kakashi sat on the railing, book in hand, completely unconcerned with maintaining any sense of dignity.
Clearly, since being exposed by Souma earlier, he no longer bothered pretending to be "proper."
Things like faces were optional for him.
Once all three students were present, Kakashi tilted his head and checked them with his lone visible eye.
"Not bad. Your speed isn't slow. Sit anywhere you like.
We're not doing class today—we'll just talk."
"Yes," the three answered together.
"Alright. Self-introductions. Interests, likes, dislikes… that sort of thing."
Kakashi nodded toward Tenten. "You go first."
"I'm Tenten. I like divination and research, and I hate pickled plums."
"Divination and research? Good. Next."
"I'm Moonlight Kasumi… I like swordsmanship and… pro—protecting everyone in battle. And I hate being dismissed by others."
You were going to say 'fighting,' weren't you?
Souma glanced sideways.
"Nice. Very spirited."
Kakashi smiled lightly and turned to Souma.
"Yagyu Souma. I like research and making everyone stronger. I hate losing people."
Kakashi was quiet for a moment.
Then nodded.
"And you, sensei?" Souma asked.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi. My interests… confidential. My dislikes… also confidential."
He only showed one eye, but they all knew he was smiling smugly behind the mask.
Souma was speechless.
He already knew Kakashi wasn't going to answer properly.
And honestly—given the book in his hand—his hobbies didn't need to be said.
"Well then," Kakashi clapped his hands, "we understand each other now.
Tomorrow morning, meet me at the Forest of Death.
And don't eat breakfast.
Or you'll regret it."
"Yes!"
"Dismissed."
Kakashi vanished again.
As soon as he disappeared, Tenten grumbled,
"What the heck… Our teacher doesn't seem reliable at all!"
"That's why he's friends with Guy-senpai," Kasumi said quietly.
Souma chuckled and didn't comment.
Tenten looked at him, eyes narrowing.
"Souma-kun… you know something, don't you?"
"Mm. Our teacher is extremely famous. I can't give details, but I'm sure you've heard the title: The Copy Ninja—Konoha's Number One Technician."
Tenten and Kasumi froze.
Then straightened up instantly.
"K-Kakashi… that Kakashi?!"
Even if they didn't know the man, the title was legendary—known everywhere in Konoha.
Souma nodded.
Tomorrow will be the test.
And unlike Naruto and Sasuke, Souma had no intention of letting his teammates underestimate their teacher—or the exam.
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