Genin Team Selection

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Chapter 77: Genin Team Selection

Jutsu of the day:

<Team Fixing no Jutsu>

Courtesy of Yours Truly.

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Time: 20th January, Year 78

Location: Hokage Tower

[General]

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The day after the final exams of Konoha Ninja Academy, 8 Jonins were waiting in front of the Hokage. Ready to receive their new task of testing and later guiding the best the academy had to offer.

Among the Jonins, two were particularly optimistic about their future wards.

The first was Sarutobi Asuma. As he wanted to prove himself in front of his father. The other was Yuhi Kurenai. Being a newly promoted Jonin, she was ready to take on the world.

[A/N: In this timeline, Hinata is confident and considered a genius. So, Kurenai didn't take her in, as Hyuga clan put more importance on her.]

But right now, both of them with the other 6 Jonins were standing on thin ice. Unwilling to be the target of Senju Tsunade's ire.

The reason for Tsunade being pissed?

*SMACK* *Crack*

"WHERE IS THAT BASTARD!" Her table formed cracks under her rage.

"Mah, mah, Tsunade… Let Kakashi be… We all know how he is…" Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was smoking beside the Hokage, did his best to calm her down.

Hiruzen was here today to make sure the teams were divided appropriately. After all, this batch was quite unique.

Not only did this batch have the heirs and heiresses of 7 clans. It also had their village's Jinchuriki in it.

Still, it shouldn't have been any of his concern, as he was now just an advisor to the Hokage, while also being the liaison between the Nobles and the village. He didn't need to be here. But he chose to be here today because of a request.

The request came from the 3rd prince. And Hiruzen saw no reason to not accept the request.

Beside him, the main instructor of the batch was also present. Umino Iruka, the main instructor of this batch, was proud of his students.

He was here to provide necessary reports on all the students, if or when the new Jonin instructors ask for it.

"Sensei… You are too lenient with that man. If he didn't have such high contributions to the village, I would have buried him with his books! He is lucky that I see him as an asset." Tsunade sneered.

The third Hokage only laughed and didn't take her words to heart. He knew that she was only angry at Kakashi for being late, but he also knew that she considered him a possible successor to her post.

Right then, a figure arrived at the office window.

"Ah! Sorry, everyone, I was lost in the road of lif-." He couldn't finish his sentence as a chair was thrown straight at him.

He could have dodged it easily, but he had enough shame to let the Hokage vent some anger on him.

*Thud*

"Ouuuuch... Mah… Hokage-sama… That hurt." Kakashi said in a false hurt tone.

"Hmph. Stop your nonsense and get in position." Tsunade said in a no-nonsense tone, ready to hit the man again if he didn't comply.

Seeing that the Hokage was serious, Kakashi quickly joined his colleagues. He didn't want to be hospitalized for something so silly after all.

*Shuffle of papers*

Sitting down on a newly brought in chair, Tsunade started, "Now. As Hatake is finally here, we will begin the team assignments."

She took a look at the paper before her and started,

"Team 1…

…

…

Team 7 will be, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata and Uzumaki Naruto. Jonin sensei will be Hatake Kakashi.

Team 8 wil-"

Before she could continue, Kurenai raised her hand in nervousness as she tried to get Tsunade's attention.

"Yes? Jonin Yuhi?" Tsunade asked. She didn't seem surprised at all.

"Hokage-sama, may I know why the Hyuga heiress is in the same team as the Uchiha heir and the last-place? Doesn't that seem unbalanced and hard to control?"

She didn't like this team placement. She wanted Hinata in her team.

Her vision was to make the strongest tracking and espionage team. And Hinata was one of the best candidates for that. The other 2 candidates were the Inuzuka and Aburame heirs. Before the exams, she had requested for them to be in her team.

"And what's wrong with this team, may I ask?" Tsunade asked her with a slight glare.

*Gulp*

"Hokage-sama, there has always been a rivalry between the Hyuga and Uchiha clan. Will that not affect the team? Not to mention, this team will get both of the Doujutsus of our village. Isn't this a bit overkill?

Also, Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata are both top students, and even though Uchiha Sasuke acquired the title of Rookie of the Year.

Uchiha Sasuke wasn't necessarily stronger than the Hyuga heiress, as I heard about their last spar where neither could win. So I believe this team is rather unbalanced." Kurenai spoke her thoughts.

Many of the Jonins nodded in agreement. But Tsunade didn't seem bothered.

"You just want the Hyuga girl on your team. Why not just say so?" Tsunade asked directly. Kurenai couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

'Huh? Seems Mitsu was right about Kurenai… How the hell did he know? Maybe Tobi? Sigh… Next time I see him, I will need to beat into him about the wrongness of spying on your own villagers…'

She sighed inwardly.

Her surrogate little brother was indeed a handful that she didn't want to deal with half the time.

She looked at the graduate list again, before addressing the Jonins, "It doesn't matter if the Hyuga Heiress and the Uchiha Heir are in the same team. There won't be any issues there. It was actually done deliberately.

After all, they are excellent friends. Including Naruto. Yes, this team might be a bit overpowered compared to the other teams, but that's precisely why this team was made.

Having a Taijutsu specialist who can also support with her Doujutsu, a Ninjutsu Specialist with the legendary Sharingan, and a Chakra battery who is also a trap making and stealth genius. This will be a perfect team for most situations." Tsunade replied nonchalantly.

Although, Naruto still couldn't do regular clones due to his massive chakra reserves, and he was still an idiot when it came to academics. He still failed the final exam due to a stupid clone, landing him in last place.

Even though his stealth and trapping skills were beyond Chunin level already. While his physique was better than most Genin. He was still considered inadequate due to the current academy system.

The Academy system seriously needed a revision, as it gave the academically gifted students a more lee way, which was stupid in the Ninja world.

'Sigh… I should have fixed that stupid academy system when Mitsu told me to… But, I guess I will have him fix it when he returns. Which will also serve as a good punishment.

But I wonder why he wanted his girlfriend in the same team as Sasuke and Naruto? Naruto I understand, as he is a loyal friend to both Mitsu and Hinata. But his and Sasuke's friendship is nowhere near that...

He didn't give me a proper explanation in his letter either. But this might still be a problem… Kakashi hasn't passed a single team in 5 years… Will this time be a difference?' she thought in her head.

Then she remembered how Mitsu assured her about this team's success. So she decided to believe in his judgment.

Looking back at Kurenai, Tsunade asked, "Is that reason enough for you?"

Kurenai looked reluctant, but still bowed in acceptance. She knew there was no point in arguing with her Kage.

At that time, another Ninja asked, "But, Hokage-sama, how did the dead last pass? I heard he failed the other day?" He looked at Iruka for confirmation.

"Indeed, he failed to make a clone during the exam, and a few things happened which are now a village secret. But at the end, I passed him, as his other skills were already beyond Genin level. And he did manage to make a clone." Iruka answered, withholding the information about Mizuki's betrayal and Naruto learning the Shadow clone.

He knew something wasn't right with how things occurred. After all, Naruto wouldn't have fallen for such a simple lie. But he felt this was beyond his paygrade, so he kept shut.

Tsunade nodded as she added, "Yes, I have been keeping an eye on Naruto for the last 2 years, and I find it laughable that he is considered the dead last of his class even after he showed tremendous physical capabilities beyond any other Genin.

The Academy system needs a massive change. Book smarts will not save a ninja during a crucial battle, after all."

The Jonin bowed, accepting the answer, before going back to his position.

"Anyone else have any other opinions?" Tsunade asked.

Kurenai still looked a bit reluctant, but no one else said anything else.

"Alright, team 8 will be Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino and Haruno Sakura, Jonin sensei shall be Yuhi Kurenai." She declared, before looking at Kurenai.

"And you should know that this Haruno girl has very good chakra control, almost perfect. She had an A grade in her Genjutsu exam, so she should be a good match for your team Yuhi. Make sure you train her properly."

"Understood Hokage-sama." She was at least relieved to get 2 of the other students she wanted. Also, the 3rd highest scorer of the academy wasn't a bad pick, even though she was a civilian.

"And finally, Team 10 will be Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji. Jonin Sensei shall be Sarutobi Asuma.

Alright, if none of you have any issues, take the files on your team from Chunin Umino and prepare to your tests. Now dismissed!"

Tsunade dismissed them.

After a few minutes, all the Jonins left to check the files of their teams when Iruka nervously asked, "Ummm… Hokage-sama, Sandaime-sama… May I ask a question?"

"Go ahead Iruka-Kun." Hiruzen nodded as he blew on his pipe.

"Was it a good idea to put Hinata, Naruto and Sasuke in the same team? And not to mention, their Jonin teacher will be Kakashi-senpai… Isn't that bad? He hasn't passed a single team yet." He asked in worry.

Iruka had the right to worry. He knew of Kakashi's black history after all. Kakashi was famous for never passing any team. Not to mention his test to gauge the Genins was always harsh, almost impossible for newly minted Genin.

"Hohoho, you worry too much, Iruka-Kun. Don't worry, they will be fine. And this should be good for Kakashi as well. He needs a good team to show him that he still has people that care about him."

Iruka could only stay silent at that. Contemplating a bit he sighed reluctantly. He was still worried about his students, but he decided to trust his Kage's judgment.

He bowed to Tsunade and Hiruzen before taking his leave.

As the door closed, Hiruzen asked Tsunade. "Mitsu-Kun?"

Tsunade understood his meaning and laughed aloud.

"Yes, Mitsu."

"Sigh… That boy… But did he give you any reason for it? He gave me none. I know he has feelings for the Hyuga girl… Everyone knows honestly. But still." Hiruzen rubbed his forehead. "It's unprecedented in Konoha's history to have such a strong team."

Tsunade snorted, "Sensei, OUR team was just as strong."

"No Tsunade… O-Orochimaru, and you might have been like Sasuke and Hinata… But Jiraya was nowhere near Naruto's level… We both know how strong Naruto actually is after being trained by Mitsu-Kun's subordinates. Even Shishui and Aki-dono train him once in a while.

And after the Mizuki incident, he also learned <Shadow Clone> which added to his already growing repertoire. He only acts like an idiot because it's convenient for him and to relax around his friends. If not, he wouldn't have come to you about the Mizuki wanting the scroll, and go straight to my house to steal it like some idiot..."

Tsunade smiled good-naturedly, "Hahaha, yeah, the brat has gotten stronger and smarter. And yes, I agree that this team is over the top. But Mitsu surely had something to do with everything. He probably has a plan for this team… he always does."

"He always does." Hiruzen nodded sagely.

Since the day he got to know the prince, he has only seen brilliance from the young boy.

And because of how he helps everyone. And how everything improved wherever he went. Not to mention the large amount of Alliance he was able to secure for Konoha, and the Land of Fire.

The Daimyo, Tsunade and Hiruzen trusted him a lot.

"Well, who knows? Maybe this team will surpass our old one." Tsunade said with a chuckle as she took out a Sake can.

"We shall know when it is time. Hopefully, they can help Kakashi get over his past." Hiruzen was melancholic.

Tsunade chuckled as she took out a letter from her drawer and showed her sensei a line on the letter.

Hiruzen was puzzled at first, but then burst out laughing.

"Mitsu-Kun is as interesting as always."

"Yes, he is."

The teacher and student then enjoyed reminiscing their past as the letter from earlier lay on the table.

On it, a sentence read, -|| Don't worry about the grumpy cyclopes. Our ever-smiling fur ball will drill straight into his heart in no time. Believe it! ||-

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[A/N: Hey there, beautiful people!

Sigh this chapter might be hard to read for some people, because it was hard for me to write... After reading a Japanese translation novel, where the translation was... *Blegh*... My engrish got affected xDDD Hopefully this isn't permanent.

If you want to join the discord! The link is on the synopsis!]