Chapter 25: Team 2

The classroom buzzed with restless energy. Iruka stood at the front, his clear voice cutting through the murmurs as he read the team assignments. Each name announced carried an undercurrent of excitement, tension, and whispered speculation.

Some students leaned forward eagerly, their hands gripping their desks. Others whispered predictions to friends, their voices barely above the ambient noise.

Tomaru Minakura sat quietly near the back of the room, his expression calm and unreadable. His classmates' excitement felt distant to him, like the faint hum of an insect buzzing in the background. His focus remained fixed on Iruka's words.

The first few team combinations didn't surprise him. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—Team 7. Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino—Team 10. 

Exactly as expected, Tomaru thought.

As more names were called, and teams began to solidify, Tomaru's name remained unspoken.

Iruka scanned the scroll in his hands, his voice steady as he continued.

"Team 1: Haruto Mizushima, Sayaka Inoue, Kenta Nakamura—led by Jonin Ryuuji Matsuda."

The classroom grew quieter as the list narrowed, and more students settled into their places. With twenty-seven graduates, the formation of nine teams was standard, and the announcement of Team 1 marked the penultimate group.

Tomaru's gaze sharpened slightly, though he remained outwardly composed.

Finally, Iruka looked down at the last part of the scroll. "Team 2: Tomaru Minakura, Mai Kisaragi, Mina Harada—your jonin-sensei is Sayuri Koizumi."

The room stirred with a wave of murmurs.

"Sayuri Koizumi?" someone whispered from the back. "Who's that?"

"I've never heard of her," another replied, their tone uncertain.

"Maybe she's a new jonin?"

"New? With us? No way...That's risky..."

Tomaru barely reacted, his neutral expression betraying no concern as he rose from his seat. He glanced briefly at the two kunoichi whose names had been called with his—Mai Kisaragi and Mina Harada. Both were standing now, distinct in their appearances and energy.

Mai shot up first, exuding confidence. Her jet-black hair, cut into a playful bob, framed her lively face, and her bright brown eyes practically sparkled with excitement. Dressed in a sleeveless orange tunic and dark shorts, her look was as vibrant as her personality.

Mina, in contrast, stood with a composed grace. Her light brown hair was tied neatly into a ponytail that swayed slightly as she moved, and her soft gray eyes carried a calm, observant air. The dark purple jacket she wore, with its high collar and fitted design, paired with simple gray pants, gave her an understated elegance—a disciplined look that perfectly contrasted Mai's carefree energy.

Iruka cleared his throat over the murmurs. "Your jonin-sensei will meet you here this afternoon. Until then, you're dismissed to get to know your teammates. Use this time wisely."

The students began to disperse, though the room remained lively as groups huddled together to chat.

Tomaru leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed loosely as he glanced at his new teammates. Mai sat to his left, her confident posture giving her an approachable air. Mina, more reserved, adjusted her glasses with a small, uncertain smile.

Mai broke the silence first, her tone light and teasing. "Well, looks like you're stuck with us, Tomaru. How does it feel to be the only guy on the team?"

Tomaru smirked faintly, his calm demeanor unshaken. "I'll manage. I'm sure I'll survive."

Mina tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "You say that now, but you're outnumbered. Two to one. That means you're automatically the gear carrier."

Mai grinned, leaning her elbow on the desk. "And don't forget the cooking. Camp setup too. That's what guys are for, right?"

Tomaru raised an eyebrow, his voice dry but laced with humor. "And here I thought I joined a team of kunoichi, not taskmasters."

The lighthearted exchange drew a laugh from Mai and a giggle from Mina. The initial awkwardness between them began to dissipate, replaced by the faint stirrings of camaraderie.

Mai rested her elbows on the desk, leaning forward slightly. "So, what do you guys bring to the table? If we're going to work together, we should probably know what everyone's good at."

"I agree," Mina said softly, adjusting her glasses. "It's better to be prepared than to be surprised later."

Mai nodded, her amber eyes glinting with confidence. "I'll go first. Taijutsu's my specialty. I've been training since I was little. If you need someone to take the lead in close combat, I'm your girl."

Tomaru nodded appreciatively. "That's solid. You've got the right energy for it."

Mai smirked, pleased with the comment. "What about you?"

Tomaru leaned back slightly, his expression calm but thoughtful as he considered how to answer. "I focus on physical training," he began, his voice measured. "Taijutsu is my main strength, but I've also been working on ninjutsu—specifically Water Release and Earth Release."

He paused, his gaze steady as he continued, "I'm not a master at either yet, but I've made enough progress to be useful in a fight. My goal is to balance both power and precision."

Mai raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. "Not bad," she said, her tone teasing but impressed. "Looks like you've got more going on than just muscle."

Mina adjusted her glasses, nodding with a thoughtful expression. "Water and Earth Release? That's a versatile combination. You could handle offense and defense, depending on the situation."

Tomaru shrugged slightly, his tone modest but confident. "That's the idea. Still a long way to go, though."

"Don't sell yourself short," Mai replied, leaning forward with a grin. "Sounds like you've got the foundation to pull your weight—and then some."

Mina hesitated before speaking, her voice measured but earnest. "I'm not as physically strong," she admitted, "but I'm good at analyzing situations. I like to think ahead, plan for what could go wrong."

Mai grinned. "Brains and brawn. Not bad, Mina."

Tomaru nodded in agreement. "That's a good mix. We'll figure out the rest as we go."

The trio spent the remainder of the free period chatting, the initial tension giving way to a tentative bond. Though they were still strangers in many ways, there was a sense of potential in their dynamic—a foundation they could build on.

As the afternoon drew closer, the atmosphere shifted. The anticipation of meeting their jonin-sensei loomed over them, adding a layer of nervous excitement to the air.

The classroom door slid open with a soft, deliberate sound, the faint creak drawing the trio's attention immediately.

She stepped in with an elegance that seemed almost practiced, each movement unhurried yet precise. Her long auburn hair, a cascade of polished fire, shifted gently as she walked, catching the sunlight streaming through the window. The dark red scarf draped loosely around her neck added a splash of warmth to her otherwise muted attire—a sleek jonin uniform tailored with precision.

The uniform fit snugly, accentuating an athletic yet curvaceous figure. The jacket, standard-issue yet subtly modified, hugged her form without being overly revealing, though it did little to hide her prominent chest. Her dark-grey trousers tapered into sturdy boots that clicked faintly against the classroom floor with each measured step.

But it was her face that held their attention most.

Her sharp green eyes swept over the trio, calm yet piercing, as if she were looking past their outward appearances and assessing something deeper. Her features were both delicate and commanding—a smooth, fair complexion offset by high cheekbones and a faintly angled jawline. Her lips, faintly tinted and naturally full, were set in a neutral line that carried a trace of cool detachment.

Her voice, when she finally spoke, was low and smooth, with a cadence that commanded attention without effort. "Team 2," she said simply, the words steady and deliberate.

As she moved closer, her every step seemed purposeful, her figure framed by the light spilling through the windows behind her.

Tomaru found himself momentarily struck, his usual composure slipping as he took in her presence. She wasn't just beautiful—she was breathtaking. Her aura was that of someone who carried both grace and danger, a combination that made her utterly captivating.

Mina's eyes widened, her hands clutching the edge of her desk as if to steady herself. "She's... wow," she murmured under her breath, her voice almost trembling.

Mai's usual confidence faltered. She blinked rapidly, struggling to maintain her composure. "She's stunning," she admitted, leaning slightly toward Tomaru. "Are all jonin this... intimidating?"

Tomaru, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on Sayuri. While his face betrayed nothing, his thoughts raced. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

Sayuri stopped a few paces from them, her green eyes flicking from one genin to the next. Her expression was unreadable—neither warm nor cold—but there was a faint arch to her brow, a subtle quirk of her lips that hinted at amusement.

"Introductions can wait," she said, her voice carrying just enough sharpness to dispel the lingering tension. "We'll talk more at the training ground. Meet me at Training Ground 7 in fifteen minutes."

She turned to leave, her auburn hair swaying with the motion.

As she walked out, Tomaru's gaze lingered on her figure. Even the way she walked commanded attention—graceful but strong, her boots clicking faintly against the polished floor.

Mai leaned toward him, her voice low but teasing. "You're staring."

Mina adjusted her glasses, her cheeks tinged pink. "I can't blame him. She's... incredible."

Tomaru finally spoke, his tone calm but with a faint edge of admiration. "She's something else."

Mai smirked. "So, you're into mature women, huh?"

Tomaru met her gaze without hesitation. "Always have been."

Mina gasped softly, while Mai laughed outright. "Bold," she said, shaking her head. "I like it."

As the three of them gathered their belongings to head for the training ground, Tomaru's mind lingered on their new jonin-sensei. There was more to her than what met the eye—he was certain of it.

Who are you, Sayuri Koizumi?