15. Bonds

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Kira decided to take a break and spend some time with his family. He returned to the Kozuki compound, where his mother and grandfather greeted him warmly.

"You've been working hard, Kira," his mother said, a note of concern in her voice. "Make sure you take care of yourself."

Kira smiled reassuringly. "I will, Mother. I promise."

Hiroshi looked at Kira with pride. "You've come a long way, Kira. Keep pushing forward, and you'll achieve great things."

That evening, Kira sat with his family, sharing stories of his training and progress. His mother listened attentively, her eyes filled with pride and love. Hiroshi, ever the mentor, offered words of wisdom and encouragement.

"You've done well, Kira," Hiroshi said, placing a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "Remember, the key to becoming a great shinobi is not just strength and skill, but also wisdom and perseverance."

Kira nodded, taking his grandfather's words to heart. "Thank you, Grandfather. I'll remember that."

...

### Chapter 14: A New Beginning

The morning sun bathed Konoha in a golden light, the village bustling with life as its residents went about their daily routines. Kira stood at the threshold of the Hokage's office, his heart beating steadily as he awaited his summons. The call had come early that morning, instructing him to report to the Hokage's office without delay. He had no idea what awaited him inside, but he suspected it had something to do with his placement on a Genin team.

He took a deep breath and stepped inside, the large wooden door creaking slightly as it closed behind him. The Hokage's office was an imposing room, lined with shelves filled with scrolls and books that chronicled the village's history. At the far end of the room, behind a sturdy wooden desk, sat Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. His eyes, though kind, held the weight of decades of leadership and the wisdom of countless battles.

Standing beside the Hokage was a tall, lean Jounin with sharp features and a calm, composed demeanor. His dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and he wore the standard Jounin vest over his traditional shinobi attire. Kira immediately recognized him as their soon-to-be team leader.

"Ah, Kira," Hiruzen greeted warmly, motioning for him to step forward. "I'm glad you could make it. I have some important news for you."

Kira nodded respectfully, his eyes flickering to the Jounin before returning to the Hokage. "What is it, Lord Hokage?"

Hiruzen smiled, the lines on his face deepening. "You've shown great potential during your time at the Academy, and it's time you take the next step in your journey as a shinobi. I'm assigning you to a Genin team."

Kira's heart skipped a beat. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. The chance to prove himself, to begin his path as a true ninja. But there was a catch, he knew. There always was.

"This is Jounin Akiyama Takeshi," Hiruzen continued, gesturing to the Jounin beside him. "He will be your team leader. He's one of our most capable Jounin, and I trust him to guide you well."

Takeshi inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kira."

"The pleasure is mine," Kira replied, masking his nerves with a calm exterior.

Hiruzen's gaze softened as he leaned back in his chair. "I've also selected your teammates carefully. Given your unique skills and heritage, I believe this combination will complement and challenge you in the best possible ways."

Kira's mind raced. What did the Hokage mean by "unique skills"? He had purposefully kept his Blood Release hidden, aware of the consequences (Retorts) of mentioning it. But the Hokage's next words made everything clear.

"Your teammates will be Uchiha Mai and Hyuga Hiro," Hiruzen announced, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Kira felt a jolt of surprise at the mention of the Hyuga clan. He had expected an Uchiha teammate, given their shared history, but a Hyuga? The enmity between the Kozuki and Hyuga clans was well-known, a deep-rooted tension that had persisted after the birth of Kira himself. Since then no contact had been made with the Hyuga, the hate was public knowledge.

"Lord Hokage," Kira began, carefully choosing his words, "I appreciate your trust, but… the Hyuga clan and my own… there's history."

Hiruzen's gaze met Kira's, steady and understanding. "I am aware, Kira. But sometimes, the best way to overcome old grudges is to face them head-on. Your skills, combined with those of your teammates, will make for a formidable team. I have faith that you will learn to work together, and in doing so, perhaps bridge the gaps between your clans."

Kira nodded slowly, though doubt gnawed at the back of his mind. It wasn't just the historical rivalry; it was also the personal burden he carried—his bloodline, his cursed Kekkei Genkai.

Hiruzen seemed to sense his hesitation. "Give it time, Kira. Teams aren't just formed; they are forged through trials and trust. And I have no doubt that, in time, you will see the value in the team I've chosen for you."

Kira remained silent, his thoughts a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. He knew better than to question the Hokage's wisdom, but the idea of working so closely with a Hyuga was unsettling. Still, he nodded, accepting the decision. He had no choice.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Kira finally said, bowing slightly. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will," Hiruzen replied, his tone filled with reassurance. "You're dismissed. Your team will assemble at Training Field Seven. Takeshi will accompany you."

Kira turned and followed Takeshi out of the office, the weight of the Hokage's words heavy on his shoulders. As they walked through the village, Takeshi spoke for the first time since their introduction.

"You have questions, Kira," Takeshi said, not looking at him.

"Yes, sensei," Kira replied honestly. "But I'll wait until we're all together."

Takeshi nodded approvingly. "Good. It's important to understand your teammates fully, not just their abilities but their motivations and backgrounds as well. It's the foundation of a strong team."

Kira remained quiet, his thoughts focused on the upcoming meeting. He wondered what kind of people Uchiha Mai and Hyuga Hiro were, and how they would react to him. More importantly, how would he react to them?

---

When they arrived at Training Field Seven, Kira saw two figures waiting for them. The first was a girl with long, dark hair tied into a high ponytail, her Uchiha crest proudly displayed on the back of her outfit. Her sharp eyes, dark as the night, regarded him with an intensity that was both assessing and distant. She was undoubtedly Uchiha Mai, her presence commanding even in stillness.

Beside her stood a boy with pale lavender eyes, the telltale sign of the Byakugan, and the gentle features typical of the Hyuga clan. Hyuga Hiro had a calm, almost serene demeanor, his stance relaxed but poised, as if ready for any situation.

Takeshi stepped forward, breaking the silence. "This is Kira. He will be your teammate from now on. Kira, meet Uchiha Mai and Hyuga Hiro."

Mai nodded curtly, her gaze never leaving Kira's, while Hiro offered a polite, if somewhat reserved, smile. The tension was palpable, the air thick with unspoken judgments and expectations.

"Let's begin with introductions," Takeshi suggested, his tone firm but encouraging. "Tell us a bit about yourselves, your skills, and what you hope to achieve as a shinobi."

Mai stepped forward first. "I'm Uchiha Mai. My specialties are in Fire Release and Sharingan techniques. I aim to prove myself as a capable Uchiha and surpass the expectations placed on me by my clan." Her voice was steady, filled with a quiet determination that left no room for doubt.

Next was Hiro. "I am Hyuga Hiro. I specialize in Gentle Fist and Byakugan. My goal is to uphold the honor of the Hyuga clan and protect Konoha from any threats." His words were spoken with a calm conviction, his eyes briefly meeting Kira's before returning to their neutral state.

Finally, it was Kira's turn. He took a deep breath, trying to push aside the nerves that threatened to surface. "I'm Kozuki Kira. My main proficiency is in Kenjutsu, and I've mastered a few basic ninjutsu. My goal is to grow stronger and protect those important to me." He intentionally left out any mention of his Blood Release, not wanting to reveal his most guarded secret.

Mai raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "Kenjutsu and basic ninjutsu? That's it?"

Kira could sense the disbelief in her voice, but he remained composed. "For now, yes."

Hiro, too, seemed unconvinced. "I hope you won't be a burden to the team, Kozuki. We have high standards to uphold."

Kira felt a flicker of irritation at their dismissive attitudes but kept his emotions in check. He was interested in the taunts of children, especially given the reputation of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. He wasn't here to impress them; he was here to do his duty as a shinobi.

Takeshi, sensing the tension, intervened. "Your skills will be tested soon enough. For now, focus on working together and building trust. Every team starts somewhere, and it's how you grow from here that matters."

The team remained silent, the weight of Takeshi's words sinking in. They all knew that being placed together was not just about their individual strengths, but about how they could combine those strengths to form a cohesive unit.

---

The rest of the day was spent on mundane D-rank missions, the kind that every Genin team had to endure. Their first task was to catch the Fire Daimyo's wife's stray cat, a notoriously elusive feline that had given numerous Genin teams headaches in the past.

Kira, Mai, and Hiro spread out across the village, searching high and low for the mischievous creature.

Kira moved quietly through the streets, his senses alert for any sign of movement. The Daimyo's cat, known as Tora, was infamous for slipping through the smallest cracks and hiding in the most unexpected places. It was frustrating work, but Kira kept his focus, determined to make a good impression on his new team.

As he turned a corner, he caught a glimpse of orange fur darting into a nearby alley. Quickly, he signaled to Mai and Hiro, who were searching nearby. The three of them converged on the alley, moving with a synchronized precision that belied their brief time together.

"There," Hiro whispered, his Byakugan activated. "It's hiding behind those crates."

Kira nodded, unsheathing a small kunai just in case. Mai moved silently, her Sharingan eyes flashing as she scanned the area for any traps or tricks. They all knew this was a simple mission, but for a Genin team just starting out, it was an opportunity to learn how to work together.

"I'll flush it out," Kira suggested. "Mai, be ready to grab it when it runs."

Mai nodded, positioning herself at the mouth of the alley. Hiro stayed back, ready to intervene if the cat made a dash for freedom.

With a quick motion, Kira tossed the kunai just past the crates, clattering it loudly against the stone wall. The sound startled Tora, who bolted out from its hiding place, exactly as Kira had predicted.

Mai moved swiftly, her reflexes sharp as she snatched the cat mid-leap. Tora struggled, mewling in protest, but Mai held firm, her grip gentle but unyielding.

"Got it," she said, a slight smirk of satisfaction on her lips.

Kira let out a small sigh of relief. It was just a cat, but at least they had handled the mission without incident. Hiro deactivated his Byakugan, giving Kira a nod of approval.

"Good teamwork," Takeshi commented from where he had been observing from the shadows. "You communicated well, and you executed the plan efficiently. That's what I like to see."

Kira felt a small surge of pride at the praise, though he knew this was just the beginning. There would be far greater challenges ahead, and they would need to build on this success if they were to survive as a team.