"Clone Jutsu!"
Poof~
The smoke cleared, revealing two identical Musashis standing in the classroom.
"Good. Musashi Ryomiya, pass."
The Ninja Academy graduation exams were underway.
After successfully performing the Three Basic Jutsu, Musashi passed without issue.
Generally speaking, any student who could graduate from the Academy possessed at least the most basic aptitude for being a ninja.
Only extreme outliers like Rock Lee (who couldn't use ninjutsu) or Naruto (whose chakra control was messed up by the Nine-Tails) would fail to perform a basic Clone Jutsu.
If you couldn't graduate, you'd either wait a few years to barely scrape by as cannon fodder or find another path in life, becoming logistics support or just a civilian.
After the graduation exam came the first major milestone of a ninja's career: team assignments.
Everyone was anxious about who their teammates would be and which Jonin instructor they would get.
Ideally, you wanted teammates with good grades who you got along with. The Jonin instructor was even more critical to your future development.
A strong, excellent Jonin instructor could save a Genin from a lot of detours and dead ends.
Everyone cared about this.
Even Daiki, who was usually obsessed with his "artistic creations," looked expectant.
"Musashi, do you think we'll be on the same team?"
"If we are, I hope we get an awesome Jonin leader."
"Wait and see. It's not like we can decide. Regardless of who leads us, the training of Youth will always be full of passion," Musashi said.
"Who do you think Izumi will team up with?" Daiki glanced at Izumi Uchiha, who was sitting silently nearby.
"Who knows? Why, do you want to be her teammate?"
"Forget it. If I'm on her team, she'll just despise me," Daiki shook his head.
"You don't need to be on her team for that; she already despises you."
Since they were sitting together, Izumi naturally heard Daiki's whispers, but she couldn't be bothered to respond.
Since Itachi graduated early, she had become much quieter at the Academy, turning into the class "Ice Beauty."
As an Uchiha, her grades were far ahead of the rest of the class. She consistently outperformed even the boys.
"Now, for the team assignments. Team 1..."
"Team 2..."
"Team 6: Izumi Uchiha, Daiki Nojiri, Musashi Ryomiya."
Daiki was both shocked and delighted.
"Teacher!" Izumi raised her hand. "Can I switch teams? I don't want to be with the Dead Lasts."
"Hey! Who are you calling a Dead Last?!" Daiki's eyes went round.
"If not you... then who?" Izumi huffed. "I don't want to be on a team with a perverted creep."
"You! How am I perverted? I'm obviously handsome, okay?" Daiki protested indignantly. "Also, Musashi and I have about the same grades."
Izumi: "I didn't say there was only one Dead Last."
Musashi: "..."
"Alright, alright," the teacher on the podium intervened. "Izumi, the teams are decided by Lord Hokage and the Jonin. They cannot be changed."
"Besides, team balance is important. Since you are so excellent, you should help your partners more."
Daiki and Musashi: (￣ェ￣;)
Teacher, could you be a little more considerate of our feelings?
The door slid open.
A Jonin wearing a bandana and sunglasses walked into the classroom. Under Musashi's surprised gaze, he spoke: "Team 6, come with me."
On the Playground.
Musashi and the others stood in a row. The sunglasses-wearing Jonin stood with his hands in his pockets, sizing them up one by one.
When he looked at Izumi, the slight curve of his lips showed satisfaction. When he saw the absent-minded Daiki and the green-spandex-clad Musashi, he frowned slightly.
"So, let's get introduced."
"I am Ebisu, a Special Jonin of the Leaf, and your team leader."
"Huh? Just a Special Jonin?" Daiki couldn't help but blurt out. Most team leaders were full Jonin. Getting a Special Jonin felt unfair.
"A Special Jonin is still a Jonin!" Ebisu waved a clenched fist. "I am a Special Jonin personally approved by Lord Hokage. I am more than qualified to lead a bunch of fresh Genin like you!"
Daiki wisely shut his mouth.
"Also, don't let my youth fool you. I became a Jonin through ability that earned the Hokage's recognition."
"You should feel honored to have me as your instructor."
"Ahem! Now, a brief introduction. I like students who study seriously. I hate foolish underachievers! My dream is to raise a disciple who becomes a great ninja like the Hokage!"
"You, the white-haired student. You go first."
Daiki: "...I am Daiki Nojiri. I like drawing and beautiful women. I hate ugly women. My dream is to create great works of art that will last forever."
"I am Musashi Ryomiya. I like training that burns with Youth. I hate wasting time. My dream is to become an excellent ninja and protect the people important to me."
"I am Izumi Uchiha. I like cats. I hate dirty things. I hate vulgar things. I somewhat hate white-haired men. My dream is to become the most excellent ninja."
"Hey! I feel like that was directed at me!" Daiki looked unhappy.
Izumi: "You feel correctly."
Ebisu clapped his hands. "Alright, that's enough for the simple intros."
"Before we officially form the team, I have a question. Can you guarantee that in future missions, you will fulfill your duties as ninjas and cooperate with unity?"
"I don't care who dislikes whom. Answer me now: do you have a problem with this?"
"If you can't stay in this team, I can report to Lord Hokage and have you removed to wait for a new team and leader."
"...No problem." x3
"Good. In that case, I declare Team 6 officially established!"
No bell test, no weird psychological games. Ebisu simply announced the team was formed.
The moment he learned he was on a team with Izumi, Musashi knew Team 6 wouldn't be sent back to the Academy.
"Next, before we execute missions, I must fulfill my duty as an instructor. One by one, tell me your strengths and characteristics as ninjas. I need detailed information. Izumi, you go first this time."
Izumi thought for a moment and said, "I excel in shurikenjutsu, Taijutsu, and basic Fire Style ninjutsu. As for characteristics: intelligence gathering, disguise, reconnaissance, combat... In fact, I'm good at all subjects taught in the Academy!" She glanced at the two boys beside her as she spoke.
"Already able to use Fire Style, and an all-rounder type? Truly excellent, Izumi."
"Daiki, your turn."
"Me? I... am good at drawing. Sketching, watercolor, oil painting... my characteristic is hyper-realism. As for other things like combat, disguise, reconnaissance... I'm not good at any of them."
Ebisu's face darkened. He shook his head. "Next."
Musashi said, "I excel in Taijutsu!"
Ebisu: "...And?"
Musashi: "That's it."
Seeing Ebisu's face turning a darker shade of black, he added, "Also, I occasionally conduct a little research into the basic theories of the five elemental ninjutsu."
"Is that so?" Ebisu adjusted the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose.
"Although I expected this, the gap between you two and Izumi is a bit too wide."
"Looks like we need some breaking in."
"Here's the plan. Next is a strength assessment test. I'll give you ten minutes to discuss tactics."
"Ambush, disguise, ninjutsu—use whatever means you want. Subsequent teaching will be based on your combat performance."
"Time starts now."
In the corner, Daiki asked first, "Musashi, how do we fight this?"
Musashi said, "Let's hear Izumi's idea."
Izumi said, "It doesn't matter. We have no chance of winning against Teacher Ebisu with our strength. In that case, we just need to display our own abilities."
Daiki: "So... we just wing it?"