I was sitting in the class with a lot of unfamiliar faces, it was the day of teams being assigned and I was only hoping that the first book I had wrote at 6, gets a good reception.
They do have a lot of refugees here, maybe they could definitely relate just a tad bit with Of mice and men.
Don't laugh, it's one of the first thing that came to my mind since it was one of the first books I read.
In Uzushio, the book wasn't exactly a major hit, a lot of them didn't touch the book and those who did, grumbled about the ending.
It touched some hearts though, it boosted my strength to elite genin level strength.
But I'm a lot more hopeful about my situation here.
"Ryousuke, I can ask Mito sama to let you in, she won't mind to let you stay at the Senju compound!"
As I was musing, my thoughts were interrupted by Kushina, who was looking at me with a frustrated face, she was still a child after all, she needed someone her age.
But unfortunately, the higher-up's didn't want me to stay with Kushina.
----------------------------------
Flashback
----------------------------------
I was looking at Mito sama dead on, I knew she could feel my emotions and I wanted her to, I let her feel all the disdain, frustration, anger that were in my mind.
She was looking at me with a sorrowful expression, it was only me and her at that time.
" It wasn't fully Konoha's fault, we didn't have intelligence, Ryousuke, don't be like this, living here is still a lot better than being left to fend for yourself, Konoha will embrace you."
" I understand, I'm not blaming Konoha at all, mito sama."
I said as I looked at her, not arguing, but, she of all people knew best I was not convinced at all.
At this point, she seemed to have realised, this will not go anywhere and she sighed, knowing this child wouldnt be fully accepted by the higher ups and like this, he was not going to be accepted even more.
Later, I was escorted off the premises to a small house, away from the center.
I didn't mind, after all this way, no-one can accidentally snoop into my things.
---------------------------------------------
"I fought with mito sama, I want to at least be on the same team as you, so we are going to be together."
I just smiled at Kushina, even though she may not understand now or ever, that doesn't mean, I'll hate her being on the other side.
She is, but a child maybe later, I can say what I really want to say.
*Creeak*
The door slowly opened, interrupting my thoughts as I saw Jiraiya come into the room with a full smile on his face.
He wasn't a sannin yet but he was still well known amongst Konoha ninjas, after all the hokage only has three disciples.
The murmurs did not stop, but intensified after he came about.
"I'm so jealous, which team will Lord Jiraiya lead?"
"I'd be so happy, if only he was my sensei!"
But their dreams had to be shattered.
"Team 7, Uzumaki Ryousuke, Uzumaki Kushina, Minato Namikaze."
At this point, Minato and Kushina hadn't met personally with each other, so this was going to be their first meeting.
Although, the other kids did not like this assignment of teams.
" Who are the other two? I don't know them at all, why wasn't minato paired up with us?"
" I heard they came from outside and took the graduation test recently!"
As the murmurs got a bit harsher, Kushina poured in anger, I was unfazed though and I had to hold Kushina back from blowing up, after all,reputation is also a bit important.
We followed Jiraiya sensei to a training ground where we had to be tested.
-----------------------
Training Ground 7
-----------------------
Team 7 vs. Jiraiya
Jiraiya leaned against a tree, arms crossed, a wide grin stretching across his face. "Alright, brats, you've got one objective—land a hit on me. If you can't, I'm sending you back to the Academy."
Kushina clenched her fists, already bristling with irritation. "Hmph, old man, you're underestimating us!" She took a step forward, ready to charge.
Minato, ever the strategist, observed Jiraiya's stance carefully. He knew brute force wouldn't work, not against a shinobi of his caliber. He glanced at Ryousuke, who remained still, arms folded, as if analyzing the situation.
"Let's go!" Kushina didn't wait for a plan—she dashed forward, cocking her fist back, aiming to smash Jiraiya into the ground.
Jiraiya disappeared in a blur.
"Too slow." His voice came from behind her.
She twisted mid-air, attempting a spinning kick, but Jiraiya effortlessly ducked, grinning as he tapped her forehead while she flew past. "Nice spirit, but no control."
Minato flickered behind Jiraiya in a burst of speed, aiming for his blind spot. His kunai whistled through the air, aimed at Jiraiya's back—but Jiraiya simply leaned aside, evading by a hair's breadth.
"Not bad, Minato, but you hesitate at the last moment."
Ryousuke still hadn't moved. He was standing near a tree, watching, thinking.
Kushina pushed herself off the ground, She growled and clasped her hands together. For a split second, golden chains flickered from her back—but then vanished.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.'Oh, another genius?'
Minato and Kushina exchanged glances—this time, they attacked together. Minato dashed in first, feinting to the left before vanishing in a quick step. Jiraiya turned to follow him, but Kushina used the distraction to close in from the right, her chakra-infused punch aimed at his ribs.
At the last second, Jiraiya pivoted, grabbing her wrist mid-punch.
"Got you!"
Or so he thought.
Ryousuke, who had been completely passive until now, moved. He appeared behind Jiraiya in an instant, his foot sweeping the ground. His speed was enough to catch Jiraiya off guard.
Jiraiya barely dodged, but Minato was already there, launching a follow-up kunai strike.
For the first time, Jiraiya looked impressed. "Hah, now that's more like it!"
He leaped back just in time to avoid Kushina's follow-up punch—but her fist clipped the corner of his sleeve, tearing a small piece off.
She gasped. Did that count?
Jiraiya stared at his torn sleeve. Then, after a pause, he chuckled. "Well, well. I guess you're not completely hopeless."
Kushina panted, Minato wiped sweat off his forehead, and Ryousuke stood still, not showing any emotion.
"Alright, brats," Jiraiya grinned. "You pass."
Kushina was the first to react, pumping her fist into the air. "Ha! Take that, old man!"
Minato let out a relieved breath, a small but genuine smile on his face. Even Ryousuke exhaled quietly, his posture relaxing just a bit.
Jiraiya laughed, ruffling Minato's hair before dodging a swipe from Kushina. "Alright, alright, you brats did good. I guess I can't let you go hungry on your first day as a team—come on, ramen's on me!"
Kushina's eyes lit up like fireworks. "RAMEN? Let's go!" She grabbed Ryousuke's wrist and dragged him forward, while Minato followed at the side, smiling.
Jiraiya sighed dramatically. "Man, I already feel my wallet getting lighter."
But as he watched the three of them, he couldn't help but grin. Maybe this team won't be so bad after all.