Chapter 4 - Genin Team, and Jonin Teacher

[X] Write the truth. You've shown an interest in Jutsu, and how far you can push them. So that should qualify as a hobby.

…

Lying isn't a smart thing to do in this situation. He was surrounded by ninjas in the apartment building, and any of them could notice his hobbies. Ninjas were known for many things, and any competent ninja would pay attention to details like this. Or just be nosy as hell.

With that in mind, he wrote down on his hobbies tab: Studying Jutsu and seeing their limits, and how far I can push them.

'That should be good enough, and for some reason, anyone decides to investigate. They will see that it was the truth.'

Shinji was being cautious, but he knew that the village had nothing against him. He also understood that he was weak, and his mistakes won't be forgiven. There was no great clan to support him either.

The chances of an investigation were small. But why take the risk at all?

…

As the morning sun hit his face, Shinji immediately woke up. His body felt like jelly as he laid down on the soft mattress. This night had been one of the best he had ever had. The mass-produced, overused mattresses in the orphanage didn't even compare to it. "After making some money, I should spoil myself a little."

He put on his usual clothes and walked out with a small but gleeful smile on his face. He had some money on hand and went to the nearby shop, and bought some ninja tools. Kunai, shuriken, bandages, and even ninja wire.

'As expected, there are a lot of ninja tool shops in their neighborhood too.' Shinji paid attention to the smaller details, observing everyone and trying to see how the economy around here worked. "The prices were cheaper than I thought."

…

When he arrived at the Hokage's building, Shinji had his paper in hand and walked towards the receptionist at the entrance. "Excuse me, I am here to deliver my ID paper. Where do I need to go?"

The receptionist was a black-haired woman, with glasses and dark eyes. She seemed to exude a strict atmosphere. "Go to that room, it has Genin Counseling written on it."

He nodded and went towards the room, and once he opened the door, he saw the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting at a wide table. With two Chunin by his side, helping him with paperwork.

"Oh, Shinji, welcome," the Hogake had a grandfatherly smile on his face. Shinji didn't know exactly how to act, because while he had seen the Hokage from far away he never talked to the man directly. The old man pointed towards a single stool in the middle of the room.

"Give me the paper, and I will ask a couple of questions," his grandfatherly smile seemed to go up a level. "Don't worry, there is no need to be nervous. Think of this as more of a casual conversation."

Shinji nodded. "Thanks, Hokage -sama."

He respectfully bowed his head a little and went to sit down. Hiruzen started reading his ID and hummed affirmingly, reassuring Shinji that there wasn't anything wrong with his papers. "Oh? Studying Jutsu? And seeing their limits?"

"Ah, yes," Shinji nodded. "I have recently realized that you can use fewer hand signs in a Jutsu. So I have been repeating training with that and trying to take away hand signs. I can now use the Replacement Jutsu with four hand signs."

"Ohh~" the Hokage had an impressed look in his eyes. "That's quite impressive. Usually, only during Chunins realize something like that."

Hiruzen then got up and walked towards Shinji, smiling and giving him a book. He was confused at first and read the title. " Detailed explanation of chakra and hand seals," it sounded like quite an important book and Shinji smiled. He didn't know how rare this book was, but he still thanked the Hokage. "Thank you."

But the old man only riffles his hair and says, "Don't worry about it. I just see a lot of potential in you, and this is my investment in someone that I see has a bright future. Continue to work hard and I am sure you will become an amazing Ninja."

Not knowing what to make of this, Shinji just stood there, looking at the book curiously. Suddenly, the door opened once again, and this time it was someone familiar that came in. His yellow-blonde hair, and the 'I am here' orange jumpsuit made it clear that this was undoubtedly Naruto, without even needing to look at his face.

"Gramps, I retook the photo," Naruto stated with the ID paper in his hands. He seemed annoyed at having to do such a thing. "Tch, the last photo was cooler though."

"Hahahaha," Hiruzen had a hearty laugh at Naruto's behavior. "It was a ridiculous photo, no one would ever recognize who you even were. By the way, do you know Shinji?" the Hokage pointed at him.

"Shinji?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion and inspected him. "He looks kinda familiar…"

Hiruzen glanced at the energetic blonde with a dull look. "He has been one of your classmates for over four years now."

"He has!!" Naruto was shocked as if he had just gotten a grand reveal. "Wow, I never knew," he smiled, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. He didn't seem to notice that if he had said those words to anyone else, they would have been mad. "Nice to meet you."

Naruto extended his hand, and Shinji shook his hand and smiled back. "Nice to meet you too Naruto," and after saying that he walked out, knowing that Naruto had to complete his questions too. "Hokage -sama, thank you for everything. Also, hope you have a good day too, Naruto."

As he walked out, Shinji noticed a small kid badly hidden by holding up a sheet that looked like the wall behind him. He decided to ignore the weird kid and just walked out.

Still, there was one thing that surprised him, though he didn't say anything about it to the Hokage.

'How did Naruto pass? I know for a fact that he failed the exam. But then again, he did call the Hokage, gramps. So it's probably some kind of power abuse and he had Naruto pass the Genin exam. Oh well, I am not going to complain.'

Looking at the book in his hand, Shinji knew that Naruto wasn't the only one the Hokage showed favoritism towards. As he had also received a book, and he didn't know the full details of the situation yet. But he had never heard of a student who failed the genin exam suddenly becoming a genin before the time for the next exam came around.

…

Going back to his new apartment, Shinji was careful to keep an eye out for his neighbors, he would like to get to know them. But there was no one outside yet. He went to his residence which still had the smell of a new apartment. Probably the smell of paint and new furniture.

Shinji went to his bed, and with the book, in his hand, he slumped onto the warm, soft, and tender bed. Since this was a book given to him by the Hokage, he knew that it wasn't anything normal or that he would find it in the genin library. Opening it, the first page immediately made it clear what Rank of Shinobi this book was.

"For Jonin?" Shinji was baffled, knowing that he wasn't special enough for the Hokage to have so much trust in him. "Heh, I guess even the Hokage can make mistakes. But still, it would be a shame to not at least try."

For the moment, Shinji wanted to train the Replacement Jutsu until he could use it with one hand sign only. But this book would help him achieve that faster, as he needed an outside perspective on his work.

Unlike what he expected, Shinji wasn't baffled by the first pages and easily understood them. "Woah! You can use another person's hand to make a hand sign?!"

…

It took Shinji only a couple of hours to read the thousands of words and descriptions in the book. Now he knew why Hiruzen was called 'The Professor' within the book. There were many things that Shinji hadn't even thought of and would have encountered problems with in the future. It gave him a whole new meaning in hand signs, before when he was trying to lessen the hand signs in the Replacement Jutsu he was going through every detail in trial and error.

But now, this book had many people who had gone through similar experiences and at the end of the book there were descriptions from the Second Hokage at how he went to using the Water Dragon Jutsu from forty-four hand signs to five and there were some descriptions in the end that there was a way to go to only four hand signs.

"Oy, oy, oy, this isn't funny. This guy went from over forty hand signs of an A-Rank Jutsu to a measly four," Shinji was amazed, while in the Academy they learned how Tobirama Senju was known for his Water Style Jutsu. He never imagined it was at this level. "Fuck," he unconsciously swore. "Here I am having trouble with a simple E Rank Jutsu."

…

At first, Shinji felt crushed by the difference in raw talent. But not long after his gaze sharpened, and a smile came to his face. He opened the book again, and this time it was during the basic parts. "I will need to increase Chakra Control at the later stages of learning how to use this Jutsu without hand seals. Tobirama, thank you for being such a goddamn genius because I will reap the fruits of your labor and effort that you put in this book."

He didn't know why Hiruzen decided to give him such a book because even though the writer's name wasn't stated directly, he could guess who wrote this. Tobirama Senju, the 2nd Hokage, seemed to have been a genius that nowadays doesn't exist.

…

As night came about, Shinji had been easily able to use the replacement Jutsu with only three hand seals now, two down from the original five. He could use it with two too, but with that, the replacement was a little wobbly and not battle-ready.

The fewer hand signs he had to use, the harder it was supposed to get. But following the instructions in the book, it seemed to become way easier.

Was this what it felt like to be a genius?

The book had offered Shinji a way to look into the Author's mindset and thought process. Slowly, but surely, he grew to admire Tobirama's mastery of Chakra and Jutsu. In just one night, Shinji had made progress that would have taken months. No, maybe even years. By reading this book, not only had he skipped a major part of the trial and error process, but his understanding of Ninjutsu, Hand Seals, and Chakra, in general, had changed.

'Will I be able to be as good as him one day?' he wondered while turning off the light in his room and tucking himself under the warm bed sheets. 'A Hokage, I do not care enough about the position that much. As it sounds like I would have to deal with a mountain of paperwork every day. But…'

Solely, while thinking such thoughts, he drifted into sleep. Unknowingly, ambition had started to take root in Shinji's mind. Whether it would sprout into something more, only time will tell.

…

The next day, within the academy grounds, Shinji walked towards his class with a book in his hand. It wasn't the book the Hokage gave him, as he didn't want anyone to get a hold of that content. Early this morning he had bought a weak storage scroll, which wiped his savings away. But he also put that scroll in a small metal box in his pocket.

Better be safe than sorry. Also now he had the book with him at all times and that would be helpful if he wanted to read it in his free time. After memorizing the contents in the book, he planned to burn it. But memorizing all that would take at least a week.

As he opened the door to his classroom, a strange sight greeted Shinji. He wondered if this was some kind of Genjutsu. Naruto and Sasuke were kissing, while the whole class was looking at them. "Huh, never knew they swung that way."

It didn't take long for the banshee-... Sakura to beat up Naruto, yelling something about him taking Sasuke's first kiss.

Shinji dodged out of this situation, not wanting to get involved, and went to the back of the classroom. Observing the drama from afar, which was an enjoyable distance.

Shikamaru, who was closer to the drama, got up and sat down next to Shinji. "They're too troublesome. Can't even let a guy sleep in peace."

"For me, it's kinda entertaining," Shinji added jokingly. "Do you think Ino will get in there and fight with Sakura?"

"Nah, she won't," the lazy guy muttered, and then pointed towards where Ino sat. She peered at Sakura with a deadly gaze, and grinded her teeth in rage. But she didn't move. Feeling Shinji's curious side-glance, Shikamaru explained. "Uncle has been quite hard on her recently. The dieting, bad grades and overall failure as a Ninja enraged uncle Inoichi. She is supposed to be the future Clan Head. So the situation is quite complicated, and the family elders have caught on with what was happening."

"You sure it's okay to tell me this?" Shinji inquired, not wanting to be in possession of any sensitive information. Because that would be the same as a time-bomb, because people would eventually start looking for it.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Anyone who doesn't need to know, already knows this."

'That sounds like something too troublesome. I guess even being a clan member, if you're complacent, then the political side of the clan will sink their claws in like hungry wolves.'

Looking at the pitiful sight of Naruto, Shinji couldn't help but sigh. "I don't understand why he even has a crush on someone like Sakura? Her personality is terrible. If we're going by looks-only the Ino would be better."

*yawn* "Maybe he likes getting beat up. Some people are really into that. He probably is only showing the early symptoms for now."

"Who knows, maybe he is under a Genjutsu?" Shinji chuckled, which made the Nara heir crack a small smile.

"Probably brain damage from all the hits she keeps giving him. Or that might be the trigger for the Genjutsu."

..

Shinji and Shikamaru surprisingly got along quite well. Like gossiping housewives they kept bad-mouthing everyone noteworthy in the class. The kiss between Naruto and Sasuke though was the main subject of most of the discussion.

But their ridiculous theories of Naruto being a mastermind and orchestrating the kiss because he was in love with Sasuke all along, stopped. Iruka came in, and he had a large notebook in his hands. "Okay everyone, settle down. Today we have the team placements, and we don't have too much time to discuss these as you'll have to get to know your teammates and Jonin teacher."

..

"Team 7, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha," Iruka stated. "Your Jonin teacher will be Kakashi Hatake."

Shinji chuckled at the reactions from team seven. In the end, the last team to be called was his. But now he had caught on what was happening and how the team placements were made, it was either due to their grades, or specialty.

"Team 13, Shinji, Kota Harada, Sayuri. Your Jonin teacher will be Yamato," after saying that, Iruka closed the book and pointed towards the door. "Now each of your Jonin teachers will come and take you after the lunch break."

Hearing that, Shinji immediately got up and said goodbye to Shikamaru. "See you later. Gotta go and get to know my teammates."

"Yeah, yeah, now I have to deal with Ino," he sighed and got up, going to help Choji who was holding back the blonde Yamanaka, as she wanted to charge at Sakura for being so lucky.

Trying to find his teammates, it didn't take long for Shinji to find them. Kota was a young man, with a bigger than average build, for his age and he had brown hair, and sunken brown eyes. Don't let his size lie to you, because while Kota was good in taijutsu and one of the best amongst the civilians, Shinji had spared against him in class a couple of times and won all three times they fought.

His other teammate was Sayuri, since she had no last name Shinji assumed that she was likely an orphan just like himself. Though from another orphanage. She had long dark hair, pale white skin, and blue eyes. Shinji tried to remember what she was good at, but couldn't come up with anything. At least she wasn't like Sakura and Ino who always seemed to yell annoyingly when Sasuke was around.

'As a team we need to get familiar with each other, and build some trust.' Shinji viewed this as a necessity. The last thing he wanted was for his teammates to leave him behind in a sticky situation. This wouldn't be that weird to happen, since they weren't friends before this.

Shinji waved at both of them, with a friendly smile on his face. "Kota, Sayuri, we are a team now. Let's get along."

Since they had spent four years in the same class, unless your name was Naruto, you should remember your classmates. So they too knew of Shinji.

Kota took the initiative and smiled back, walking towards Shinji and putting an arm behind his neck in a friendly. "Hell yeah! Let's become the best team here!"

"Yes…" Sayuri answered simply. She didn't seem like the kind to be open with other people, and kind of introverted.

Shinji saw that, and decided to not push the girl. So he took out the lunch he had brought along and showed them. "How about we go and get lunch together."

Kota was quick to agree, but Sayuri looked down in embarrassment. Shinji caught on quickly and understood what was happening. "Kota, how about you go and buy lunch while I and Sayuri will wait for you on the roof."

He nodded and excitedly ran off. Syauri still seemed embarrassed as the class emptied out, with everyone going out to eat lunch with their friends or new teammates. Only they were left behind, and Shinji opens his lunch box and offers some to her. "Did you forget to make lunch for yourself?"

She noods, with an embarrassed blush adorning her face. Though Shinji could guess many things why she forgot, probably because she might not be used to eating lunch in school. Some orphanages were worse than the one he grew up in, and that was why he is grateful to his matron.

"C'mon, let's go to the roof, I made this lunch to eat with my new teammates anyway," he lied, but decided to do so as to not embarrass Sayuri. He knew how orphans felt in her position, he had been there too. "With Kota getting his own lunch, we have a feast."

As they walk to the roof, Sayuri doesn't say much. But Shinji keeps the conversation going. "Hopefully our Jonin sensei is a good one, and actually teaches us some useful jutsu."

"Yes," he nodded, a small smile adorning her face. Sayuri seemed to contemplate something, but Shinji couldn't see what she was thinking. Turning towards him, as they stood on the roof, staring down at the ground below them, she offered him a hand.

"Shinji, I hope that we will be a good team," she muttered awkwardly. "Uhhh… if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask."

He nodded, and while Shinji understood her, they were in a somewhat similar situation. So there was an understanding between them. But the last thing he wanted was to have a dead-weight teammate.

Not remembering much about Sayuri's academy record, he inquired. "By the way, what were your grades in the academy? As for me, my written exam scores were good. But that isn't so important now. Also, I am better than average at the Replacement Jutsu."

Shinji was being a little reserved here, but he didn't want to come out as arrogant. "Also, if you need any help in training Jutsu, I can help you. Though the Jonin teacher would do better at training us, it's still better to be a little transparent with the team. We don't want secrets between us."

Of course, he wasn't going to tell them everything. But for now, Shinji needed his team's trust. Of course, such a thing couldn't be built in a day, but consistently showing that you trust each other would help.

"I was good in biology, and can spot poisonous plants, and what would be edible in a forest," she added helpfully.

Shinji smiled, as to not discourage her, but he too knew about edible plants and all that. But decided to keep his mouth shut about it. "Oh? Then that will be useful when we camp."

..

Not long after that, Kota joined them, though by then both Shinji and Sayuri had eaten their lunch.

"Ahh~ you guys went ahead without me," he chuckled, not taking offense to it, sitting down and enjoying his lunch.

"What do you guys wanna do in the future?" Asked Shinji, trying to inquire what they were after.

"Meh, become a Jonin," Kaido admitted without missing a beat. "My parents are always working so hard, and did everything they could to put me in the Academy. But after I become a Jonin, they won't have to work anymore."

"That's an admirable goal," Sayuri smiled, understanding where he was coming from. "As for me, I want to just be a Chunin, earn enough money, and live a good life. Also there aren't a lot of options for me, as I don't know how to do anything else."

Shinji was about to tell them his goals too when the bell rang, signaling them that they had to go back to Class. "Well, let's not annoy our Jonin teacher and make him have to wait."

After going back to Class, the students had all sat down, and Team 13 all sat down on the same desk. While it wasn't the best team, or the one with the most potential in the class, Shinji was confident that they got along quite well and understood each other.

"Team 8, come with me," suddenly a beautiful woman came in, she had red eyes, dark hair and pale skin. Her uniform was a little strange as it seemed like she was wearing bandages. "I am Kurenai Yuhi and will be your Jonin teacher."

One by one Jonin came in to pick their teams, and Shinji felt himself growing nervous. Escape Team 7, every other Jonin seemed to already be here. Still, many thoughts went through his mind, would his teacher be good? Would he teach them? Or maybe he will drop them because they're too bothersome?

That was when a man wearing a Jonin uniform came in, just like many of the teachers before. He has short brown hair and black, almond-shaped eyes. His gaze settled on Team 13, and Shinji noticed that the new Jonin -sensei seemed to stare at him a second later than the rest of his teammates.

"Team 13, you're with me," he silently signaled for them to come, and they followed. As they walked out of the class, the teacher introduced himself. "My name is Yamato, and I will be your Jonin -sensei if you're able to pass my test."

All three members of team 13, Shinji included, nodded rigidly and didn't ask any questions as their teacher seemed to be quite strict. Seeing this, Yamato smiled at them, and the unapproachable atmosphere around him changed. "Well, we will worry about the test tomorrow, and instead, today we will get to know each other."

…

Yamato ended up taking his team to a very well known, and expensive barbeque restaurant that belonged to the Akimichi Clan. Looking at the menu prices made Shinji pale, the money he had previously saved before was nothing in comparison to this.

"Seeing their expressions, Yamato couldn't hold back, "Hahahaha," and laughed. "Don't worry and pick whatever you want."

Shinji was the first one to come to his senses and pointed to the most expensive items. Yamato shrugged, as if that amount of money was nothing to him. It made Shinji go green with greed, he wanted that kind of money too.

"Anway," Yamato pulled them back to reality as the water went to get their orders. "How about we get to know each other? Tell me your names and where do you see yourself in five years?"

The genin thought about their answers, and Yamato decided to be a little more forthcoming. "Well, I will start by myself, and show you how it's done. My name is Yamato, a certified Jonin of Konoha, and in five years I see myself raising three amazing ninjas and helping them blossom to their full potential."

"How about you go next, big guy," he pointed at Kota.

Taking a deep breath, Kota got rid of his nerves. "My name is Kota Harada, and in five years, I see myself being a chunin."

"Hmmm," Yamato seemed to contemplate and then pointed at Sayuri as his elbows leaned on the table. "What about you?"

"M -My name is Sayuri, and in five years I want to have some money saved, a boyfriend, and hopefully be a chunin," she answered with a blushing face.

'Hopefully she isn't a Sasuke fan-girl, having a Sakura in our team sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen.'

With those thoughts in mind, Shinji was the last to answer and looked at his Jonin sensei confidently. "In five years,

________________________

[Pick one, and write your choice in the comments down below.]

A ○ "I want to be a Jonin of Konoha..."

B ○ "I see myself walking down the road of the Second Hokage, and eventually surpassing him..."

C ○ "I want to master at least 100 Jutsu and be able to use them without hand signs..."

D ○ "I want to be known as an S Rank Ninja..."

E ○ "I want to be just like the Second Hokage..."

________

Author Note:

Join discord where I post the dice rolls of the chapter and their effects. Since there are quite a lot of them and I don't wanna fill the chapter with dice roll numbers.

Discord:

https://discord.gg/wbwRTqd7jr

Also, Shinji had some good dice rolls in this chap. Pretty lucky of him.

_______

Status Update:

Replacement (E Rank) [Mastery 63% -> 77%]

Ninjutsu: 1.1 -> 1.7

Intelligence: 3 -> 3.2

Hand Seals: 1.1 -> 1.6

Chakra: 2 -> 2.1

_______

Relationships:

Naruto 5/10 (He now knows Shinji exists.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi 7/10 (He is impressed by Shinji, and sees a visage of someone in the past on him.)

Shikamaru 6/10 (He thinks that Shinji is fun to be around.)

Kota 6/10 (Shinji seems like an okay teammate to have.)

Sayuri 7/10 (She is grateful to Shinji for saving her from an embarrassing situation..)