Academy graduation! Squads formed!

Four years have passed since Arashi moved back to his house, a place that felt empty and lifeless without his older brother. 

The Uchiha clan members who wanted to return to the village had been allowed to do so three years ago. Itachi had gained fame from saving the Hokage and remained as busy as ever. Since the passing of Yagami Uchiha last year, everything has changed for Arashi. Yet... he continued to grow mentally and physically. For better or worse.

As Arashi picks up his tanto, he thinks of Shisui. "He's alive, he's alive," he tells himself, struggling to believe it. 

"No, not today," he decides.

Dressing himself and strapping on his gear, Arashi feels a surge of excitement. Today marks his graduation from the academy and his placement into a team. For breakfast, he has ramen and then puts on his forehead protector.

"This is it," he thinks as he ties the protector around his head and leaves his home.

Knocking on the door of Aunt Mikoto's house, she greets him with a smile. 

"Good morning, Arashi."

"Hey, Aunt Mikoto, is Sasuke ready?" Arashi asks.

She nods, "He's already ahead; you better hurry up and catch up."

"Thank you," he bows and leaves.

Arashi runs to the academy, catching up with Sasuke and Naruto. 

"Hey! You guys!" He calls out, jumping toward them, and they start walking together.

"I'm so excited to become a shinobi. I hope I'll be on the same team as you two," Arashi says, and Naruto nods in agreement.

"That probably won't happen," Sasuke replies.

"What? Why not?" Naruto questions.

"Because then our team will be too powerful. They have to even things up a little. We're the three best in our class; I doubt we'll be put on the same team," Sasuke explains.

"Man, that's so unfair," Naruto pouts.

"Yeah, Sasuke's right. But we'll be fine anyway," Arashi assures.

Soon, they arrive at the academy and take seats next to each other, chatting before the others show up. Suddenly, a voice interrupts them.

"Naruto, move your ass; I want to sit on the other side of you!"

Arashi turns to see who's speaking and spots a pink-haired girl.

'Sakura...' he sighs internally.

"Woah!" Sakura exclaims, pushing Naruto's head down as she moves swiftly toward Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun, can I sit next to you?" she pleads.

Sasuke's eye twitches in annoyance. 'Sakura...' he thinks.

"Sakura, Naruto's sitting there," Sasuke replies, thwarting her attempt to sit beside him.

"This Sasuke! He's always acting so cool. I've had enough!" Naruto declares, standing atop his desk.

"What are you doing?" Sasuke questions.

"Let's go one-on-one. I'm going to beat you right here, in front of Sakura," Naruto proclaims.

"Naruto, quit being annoying and sit down," Sasuke admonishes.

Naruto and Sasuke lock eyes for a moment, tension filling the air.

"Kick his butt, Sasuke-kun!" shouts the chorus of other girls in the room.

Just then, someone else sharing a story gestures with his hand and inadvertently bumps Naruto from behind.

"Huh?" Naruto's eyes widen as he stumbles forward.

"Wha…" Sakura's eyes widen, unable to believe the scene unfolding before her.

Smooch!

Naruto and Sasuke's lips meet in an accidental kiss, sending shockwaves through the room.

"Wahahaha!" Arashi laughs so hard that he nearly falls over.

"You idiot, I'm going to kill you!" Sasuke exclaims, frantically trying to wipe the taste from his mouth.

"Yuck! My mouth is rotting!" Naruto cries out, trying to cough it away.

Arashi suddenly feels a shift in the atmosphere. 'Huh? I sense something bad.'

Naruto turns slowly to find Sakura clenching her fist.

"It wasn't my fault, I swear!" Naruto insists, shaking his head vigorously.

"Annoying," Sakura retorts, glaring at Naruto without hearing him out.

"Both of you are so annoying," Sasuke declares, turning away with a frown.

Sakura's face falls; she's crushed. She retreats to her seat beside Ino.

"Jeez, Sakura, you blew it," Ino comments.

"I know... Sasuke hates me," Sakura murmurs.

"With that forehead of yours, I'm surprised your headband even fits," Ino snarks, her eyes closed.

"Grr! Look who's talking, Ino pig!" Sakura snaps back.

"What? Did I upset you, billboard brow?" Ino retorts.

The two girls lock eyes in a glaring contest, the tension palpable.

"Hmph. I've got better things to worry about," Ino states, turning away with her arms crossed. 

Her eyes drift towards Arashi, and her cheeks flush as she catches him smiling and chatting with his friends. She quickly looks away before he notices.

Sakura catches Ino's shy behavior and grins inwardly. 'Cha! Ino pig is always trying to mess with my head.'

Sakura silently reassures herself, 'That's just Ino for you, clueless about love. She goes after the best-looking guy, even if it's not Sasuke. Not like me. I'm all about Sasuke, and that's why he'll choose me over anyone else, cha!'

Ino and Sakura let their minds wander, fantasizing about their imaginary boyfriends.

A few minutes later, everyone arrives and takes their seats. Iruka-sensei steps in front of the class, a sheet of paper in hand.

"As of today, you are all real shinobi, but still Genin," he begins. "You've faced trials and hardships to get here, but that's just the beginning. What comes next will be far more difficult. Now, all of you will be grouped into three-person squads led by a Jonin, an elite ninja."

Ino and Sakura share puzzled glances. 'A three-man squad?' they wonder.

"Well, someone has to be on Sasuke's team," Sakura mutters.

"Yeah, right, like you'd ever be with Sasuke," Ino retorts.

"What? You want me to believe you'd be with Arashi?" Sakura fires back.

"Grr!" The tension escalates as Ino and Sakura argue over the teams.

Naruto ponders, 'I want to be with Sakura and either Arashi or Sasuke, but mostly Arashi.'

Arashi thinks, 'I'd like to be with Naruto and Sasuke. If that's not possible, then maybe Ino? Or Shikamaru and Choji. But Kakashi told us that's not likely.'

Iruka-sensei clears his throat. "We aim for each squad to be evenly matched, so we've set them up that way. Now, I'll announce the teams."

They all wait in anticipation until someone from their group is called.

"Now, Squad 7," Iruka-sensei announces, glancing at his sheet of paper.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto's eyes shoot up, ears perked, fully attentive.

"Sakura Haruno."

"Yay!" Sakura's head drops in despair. "I'm doomed," she mutters under her breath.

"And Sasuke Uchiha."

"Yay!" Sakura jumps up excitedly while Naruto frowns and turns away.

"That's not fair! Why do Naruto and Sasuke have to be on the same team? That's completely unfair!" other students protest.

"Sorry, guys. This squad was formed directly by the Hokage," Iruka responds with a sheepish smile.

Shikamaru, sitting next to Ino and propping his head up with his hand, says, "At least you're not simple-minded like the other girls who are losing it over Sasuke."

"Yeah, I'd rather be on the same team as Arashi-kun," Ino replies.

"Huh? Arashi? He's not that special. A lot of people avoid him because of his Rinnegan, but not after he learned how to turn them off," Shikamaru comments.

"You're so clueless, Shikamaru," Ino retorts, annoyed.

"Don't you get it?"

Shikamaru looks back at her and says, "No, I don't get it. Because I'm not a girl."

Ino sighs.

"You're so full of yourself. Jealousy is a terrible thing. I'd hate to be on your squad," Ino responds, annoyedly closing her eyes.

"Now, Team 10. Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara."

Ino gasps. "Did you say something about hating to be on my team?" Shikamaru teases.

"Shhh!" Ino hushes Shikamaru, eager to hear the next name.

"And Choji Akimichi."

Ino sighs, her head dropping in disappointment. 'So I won't be on Arashi's team?'

"Those are all the squads. This afternoon, we'll introduce you to your Jonin senseis. Until then, take a break," Iruka says, placing the sheet of paper behind his back.

While others mingle with their new teams during the break, Arashi lingers to speak with Iruka. 

"Iruka-sensei, what about my team? Aren't I in any squad?" Arashi asks.

"Yes, you'll be in Team 2," Iruka responds.

'Team 2? That's Itachi's old team. Could it be?'

"Team 2 consists of two of my previous students who graduated last year, so they're already ahead of you. But you'll meet them soon, along with their new sensei. Just stick around until the afternoon, and you'll find out," Iruka adds.

"Well, okay," Arashi concedes.

Iruka-sensei hurriedly exits the room, and Arashi follows out. 'I can't wait to meet my new team,' he thinks.