Teammates and Leading Ninja
In the world of shinobi, talent and lineage often determine your future. Without either, you're unlikely to be placed under a skilled Jonin. Instead, you might be assigned to a Chuunin instructor, learning little, and eventually thrown into the battlefield early as cannon fodder. Whether you live or die could come down to pure chance.
"First team: Kaze Matsui Tai, Inuzuka Claws, and Hyūga Temon."
Inside the large classroom of the Konoha Ninja Academy, Instructor Kurono Ōfune stood at the podium, calling out the newly assigned Genin teams from a list in his hand.
"Hah! I didn't think I'd be called first! That's me, Mr. Jing!"
"Jing Tai, I didn't expect we'd end up on the same team again after class reassignment. It's a shame Ming Jing isn't with us. The three of us were like a unit."
"Yeah, seriously—wait a sec. Hyūga Temon? You look exactly like that Hinata Kinmon who knocked me down during the graduation spar!"
On the opposite side of the room, where the fifth-year graduates sat, separated clearly from the fourth-years, a pale-eyed boy with a Konoha forehead protector watched the scene unfold silently. His expression remained blank as his gaze swept across the room.
"Second team…"
"Third team…"
…
"Team Nine: Aburame Nami, Inuzuka Rui, and Uchiha Ming Jing."
At last, Ming Jing heard his name.
He didn't recognize the names of the other two, but judging by their surnames—Aburame and Inuzuka—he knew they came from well-established clans. They were probably from the older graduating class.
As the assignments concluded, Jonin instructors began arriving one by one to collect their assigned Genin.
Jing Tai and his team were greeted by a stern-faced middle-aged Jonin whom Ming Jing didn't recognize.
As for Ming Jing's team…
"Team Nine—meet me under the tree in the training field."
A strikingly handsome man with long, light-blue hair appeared in the doorway. He immediately drew the attention of everyone in the classroom—especially the girls. His appearance was refined, almost noble, yet approachable.
It was Katō Dan—the proctor from the recent graduation exam.
Out in the training field, beneath the rustling branches of a large tree, cicadas buzzed in the summer heat.
Katō Dan stood in the shade, smiling warmly at the three students in front of him. He seemed lost in thought, perhaps remembering his own days as a fresh graduate from the Academy.
"Alright, let's start with introductions. Name, likes, dislikes, and your dreams. As your Jonin leader, I'll go first."
He pointed to himself.
"My name is Katō Dan. I'm a Jonin, and my dream is to become Hokage. I enjoy watching the stars with the people I care about. As for dislikes… there aren't any worth mentioning. Your turn."
"I'll go next!"
The boy who stepped forward had spiky hair, red fang-like markings on his cheeks, and a silver-furred pup cradled in his arms.
"I'm Inuzuka Rui! My dream is to be Hokage—after my sensei, of course. He can be the Fourth, I'll be the Fifth!" he grinned. "I love going on walks with Tetsumaru. I hate anyone who messes with my pack!"
Tetsumaru, the small dog in his arms, let out two sharp barks in agreement.
"A strong spirit," Dan said with a chuckle. "What about you?"
He turned to the girl standing beside Rui. She wore a high-collared jacket and dark glasses—typical of her clan—even in the summer heat.
"Aburame Nami," she said simply. "I love studying insects. I dislike loud environments. My goal is to discover new species of bugs."
Straight to the point. A classic Aburame.
Katō Dan's gaze moved to the last student.
"And you, Ming Jing?"
Dan recalled what Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had told him before departing to the northern front against Kumogakure. The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village remained tense. Sarutobi hoped Dan could pass on the Will of Fire to this talented young Uchiha—just like Tobirama had once done with Uchiha Kagami.
"My name is Uchiha Ming Jing. I like practicing ninjutsu in peace. I dislike being disturbed while training."
Dan nodded, but waited.
"And your dream?"
There was a pause.
Becoming Hokage was the standard, politically correct answer. But in reality, those with that level of talent were often resented or even sacrificed—like White Fang, Katō Dan himself, and Neji Hyūga in the future timeline Ming Jing remembered.
Still, some things were best left unsaid.
"To become a strong shinobi. One who can protect my clan, my comrades, and the village."
Dan smiled, arms folded across his chest.
"Excellent. Those are worthy goals."
He looked up at the sky.
"Tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., we'll begin your first field exercise. But for now, why don't I treat you all to a meal? Ever been to the barbecue joint near Training Ground 7?"
Rui and Tetsumaru let out excited cheers. Nami gave a small nod behind her dark glasses. Ming Jing glanced at his two new teammates.
Inuzuka Rui was cheerful, loud, and full of energy. Ming Jing could only hope he wasn't the kind of impulsive, reckless teammate that Naruto used to be—before plot armor saved him repeatedly.
Without a protagonist's luck, hotheads like that often endangered their team.
As for Nami, her quiet presence and analytical nature aligned with what Ming Jing remembered of the Aburame clan. Still, caution was warranted. Appearances could deceive.
That left their sensei—Katō Dan. A good sign.
Though Ming Jing didn't know his full power, he remembered that Dan had once been considered a Hokage candidate alongside the likes of Orochimaru. Even if he never made it that far, his strength had to be elite Jonin level.
Dan also seemed kind and approachable.
But why had Ming Jing ended up under his command? Was this purely coincidence? Or had Hiruzen specifically assigned him here, hoping to build a bridge between the Uchiha and the village?
And… wasn't Katō Dan supposed to die during this war?
If I have the power to change it… I'll try to save him.
---
The summer mornings came early.
By 5 a.m., the sky was already bright.
But that meant nothing to Ming Jing, who had stayed out late at the barbecue dinner the night before. The cicadas outside his window were louder than any alarm clock, dragging him from sleep.
Despite himself, he had enjoyed last night.
Aburame Nami remained quiet and reserved, but Inuzuka Rui brought the energy. Katō Dan, for all his serene appearance, had a surprisingly warm and lively personality.
With them around, the team didn't feel too bad.
And with the actual combat exercise not until 9 a.m., there was still time to rest and prepare.