Chapter 15 - Class Bonding

The morning lecture went by quickly. Tooru went over the basics of genin team compositions, enemy tracking, and how to avoid detection.

Mikumo sat silently and paid attention to every word from her sensei.

'Hmm, this is rather advanced stuff for six-year-olds, but then again, kids seem to develop crazy fast in this world, so it's not too crazy. This is good for me, as this is all useful information. Must be because of the war, the curriculum is accelerated to get these kids as ready for combat as possible.'

Tooru soon finished his lecture and put down his chalk and cleaned the board.

"Okay, kids, time for combat training."

The boys in the class erupted in cheer.

"Yes! Finally! Let's go!"

One boy shouted in cheer, the sentiment was echoed by all the other boys, except one, Asuma.

Tooru finished cleaning the board and then walked to the door and opened it.

"Alright class, come along, follow me."

As the class got up from their seats to follow after Tooru, everyone gathered around Mikumo to ask questions.

Obito was the first to ask.

"Mikumo-chan, are you really a girl?"

"Obito!"

"W-what? I'm just curious, Rin, everyone else is as well..."

Everyone looked at each smiling awkwardly but they didn't disagree.

Mikumo chuckled and nodded her head.

"Yes, I am."

Shizune came up next to Mikumo and walked next to her.

"Really?"

Shizune eyed Mikumo up and down.

"But you're so handsome, Mikumo-chan."

Mikumo couldn't help but laugh.

'Ah yes, beauty can be a sin.'

"You are...?"

"Ah, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Shizune Kato."

Mikumo nodded, even though she already knew, she had to keep up appearances.

"Well, Shizune-chan, I wouldn't mind you checking for yourself if it was you."

Mikumo said with a wink.

"E-eh, ah, uhhh."

Shizune almost went into shock by Mikumo's words. Normally she hated flirty teasing from other boys, but Mikumo is a girl. Mikumo is a girl, and yet her boyish charms were causing increasing confusion in Shizune's mind.

The boys didn't know how to react to what Mikumo just said. Should they be jealous or envious?

Kurenai tapped Mikumo's arms and chuckled.

"Mikumo-chan, it's not good to take advantage of your charms like that."

"Ah, is that so? hahaha. Well, if that's what you say, I'll follow it, Kurenai-chan."

Mikumo said with another wink.

Kurenai felt her face get a little hot but then shook her head and sighed.

"I can already tell you're going to be quite the handful, Mikumo-chan..."

"Ahaha! Well don't worry, it's good to get along with each other, isn't it?"

Kurenai nodded and smiled.

"Yes, indeed."

The other boys laughed at their interaction and joined in on the talk, the mood of the class was overall good. All except Asuma, who was feeling very anxious and nervous about the duel.

Mikumo saw Asuma's awkward expression and isolation.

'Well, let's throw him a bone.'

"Asuma-kun, what's wrong? No need to be so far away, I won't bite."

Everyone turned to look at Asuma after Mikumo called out to him. Asuma felt further embarrassed under all the stares and let out a dry laugh.

"Uh, ahaha, this is ah..."

Mikumo chuckled and waved Asuma over.

"No need to be shy, don't worry about earlier, I didn't take it to heart."

Asuma finally relaxed and scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"Ah, yeah, thank you. Sorry for provoking you."

At this time, Obito came over and tapped on Asuma's shoulder.

"Hahaha! Asuma, since when were you so meek? I didn't think my rival would be shaken by something like this!"

Asuma slapped away Obito's arm and huffed.

"Hmph, who are you claiming as a rival? Don't talk to me, last place."

Obito snaped and shook his fist angrily.

"Huuuh? Now who's the one acting cocky? I'm the one who's gonna be Hokage! Just you wait and see!"

Asuma stared at him with a blank look and then walked away.

"Hey, come back, I'm not done with you!"

"Yeah whatever, talk to me when you can land more than one shuriken on the target."

"Y-you!!!"

"Ahh, calm down Obito."

Asuma walked forward and joined the crowd surrounding Mikumo.

"Ah, Mikumo-chan, we don't have to do the duel anymore. I don't want to be unfair, I've been receiving ninja training for two years already."

Mikumo smiled and patted Asuma on the shoulder.

"Hehe, it's okay, Asuma-kun. Actually, I've been receiving some ninja training recently myself. Although I'm from a civilian family, I have some confidence. Why don't you help me test where I'm at and what I need to improve on?"

Asuma scratched his head and nodded.

"Uh yeah, sure. No problem. Consider it my apology for how I acted earlier."

Mikumo then chuckled mischievously.

"So, that was quite the reaction earlier though, I wonder, what was it for?"

Mikumo then peeked at Kurenai slowly, making Asuma notice her line of sight.

"Or rather I should say, who was it for?"

Asuma reddened like a tomato and shook his head rapidly.

"I-I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

Kurenai also blushed slightly and tapped Mikumo in the rib.

"Alright, that's enough teasing, Mikumo-chan."

"Ehe."

Mikumo enjoyed her small talk with her classmates as they made their way to the training ground.

'This is perfect, girls like me and the boys are comfortable treating me as one of their own. Just how I like it. I need to carefully build my relationships. Kurenai and Sakumo will help me convince Shinku to teach me genjutsu, Sakumo himself can teach me kenjutsu, as for ninjutsu, who better to get them from than the 'Professor' Hiruzen Sarutobi himself? If I get along well with Asuma and stand out with my talent, Hiruzen will favor me.'

While Mikumo mused in her thoughts while continuing small talk with her classmates, they soon arrived at the academy training ground.