Chapter 14

He's got enough money for a sword, too! Though he decided to buy it after meeting his new teacher. Because, while he knows about swords thanks to Mihawk's memories, he doesn't know much about chakra metal. So better to wait and be safe.

His first real sword! He's just so excited by thinking about it and he can't help but look at his status page:

Host: Souma Yukihira

Ability: Water bending (low-advanced level), Healing (mid-intermediate level), Ice manipulation (high-intermediate level), steam manipulation (low-beginner level), Kenbunshoku Haki (high-intermediate level), Master swordsman (low-beginner level)

Dokiri: 194

Energy control: 40%

Character Template: Katara (50%), Dracule Mihawk (29%)

It's getting harder to improve by training and sparring. He can't help but wish for his dokiri to reach 200 so as to open the combating part of the system. He only needs six points!

He sighs. He really wanted to buy a real sword as soon as he got the Master Swordsman (beginner level) as it gave him an insight into what a swordman is, but he chose to buy a cheap one to continue practicing while he obtained more money by doing favors and helping his mother in the restaurant. That way he can buy a better one.

Now, he still uses ice manipulation to make appear cones of ice above his head, just that instead of slashing them, which is easy with a sword, cheap or not, he focuses on hitting them but without breaking them.

After all, a real swordsman is able to hit what he wants to hit and avoid hitting what he doesn't want to hit.

He's nodding to himself with a tiny smile painting his lips by the time he reaches the Academy. He really hopes he gets into the same team with Obito and Rin, though it would separate them from Kakashi, he's not worried as Kakashi now has better mental support in the form of his father, so he doesn't need them.

Or at least that's what he tells himself, still feeling slightly guilty for wishing it. Even if he knows it won't really happen. Obito and Rin are Kakashi's destined teammates. He hasn't made big enough butterflies to change it, or at least he doesn't think so.

When he reaches his classroom, he sits on his spot with Rin next to him and Obito next to her. They both seem as nervous as he was, which reduces the anxiety deep inside him, as it always does when he has got to reassure someone. It's always been easier to help others with their emotions than to solve his own problems.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you won't be separated."

"Y-Yeah! It would be fine Rin-chan."

He doesn't sound sure himself even as he tries to cheer Rin up. However, Rin gives him a quick glance before turning toward him. "You didn't include yourself in that phrase, Souma-kun?"

Damn it. Her accurate perception realized the flaw in his words.

"No, no, Rin, I do want to be in the same group as you," he says quickly before sighing. "Though something tells me it won't be like we want."

Rin looks ready to berate him but before she can even open her mouth, the teacher comes in. He gives a speech about the Will of Fire and some other brainwashing-bull, before starting to list the teams, starting with team one, their teacher appearing as soon as he finishes reciting their names. It goes like this until they reach Team Seven.

"Nohara Rin," the teacher says, causing Rin clench her fists while Obito gulps.

"Uchiha Obito," the mentioned kid throws his arms out as he lets out a loud 'Woohoo!'.

"Hatake Kakashi," is the next name called and Obito is left frozen with his hands still up in the air, mouth still forming an 'o'.

Then in a shunshin appear two more people. One taller than the other. He assumes they must be Kakashi and Minato as their teacher continues with a "Squad leader, Namikaze Minato. You may go now."

Obito looks at him but he can't see his expression. What he does know is that he's angry at his new team or at himself, he doesn't know. Rin stands up quietly, grabbing Obito by the arm before telling him they will still meet up at Ichiraku's for their celebration dinner with Gai.

With a nod, Souma senses them approach Minato before going out.

When they are no longer present, he grabs a bun he always has in his pack and gives it a furious bite. When he's done, he continues listening to the next teams. He doesn't know why he is angry though? Disappointed, sure, he knows he was going to be disappointed even if he knew the result from the start, but why angry?

Is it because Obito was so loud and attracted everyone's attention to himself? Or is it because Kakashi took the place he wanted?

When the last name is called and he realizes there's no one else but the teacher and himself, he grows worried. Before he can ask the teacher about what's going on, a figure appears in a Shunshin.

"You've been requested for an apprenticeship, Yukihira-kun. He'll be your new teacher."

"... And he is?"

"It's me, Souma-kun," says a slightly familiar voice.

It takes him a second to recognize it.

That's...

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