Chapter 39: Team Seven and the Hidden Ace

In the classroom, Naruto was nursing a fresh bump on his head, courtesy of Sakura, when Iruka walked in holding a piece of paper. He began announcing the team assignments.

"Team Seven: Tetsuya Kamiyo, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto's face lit up with joy upon hearing he was teamed up with Tetsuya and Sakura. However, his joy turned to fury when he realized Sasuke was also part of their team.

Naruto jumped up and down, alternating between elation and anger, while Sasuke remained indifferent, and Sakura seemed conflicted between happiness and annoyance.

As the students were taken away one by one by their respective Jōnin instructors, Ino gave Tetsuya a reluctant look before leaving with Asuma. Soon, Kurenai Yuhi appeared in the classroom, her bandage outfit revealing her long, straight legs.

Tetsuya couldn't help but take a second glance. "So long... and white," he thought.

"Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino," Kurenai called out. "I'm your Jōnin instructor. Come with me."

"Good luck, Hinata," Tetsuya encouraged, knowing she needed the boost.

"Thank you, Tetsuya. I will do my best," Hinata replied firmly, following Kurenai.

Kurenai glanced curiously at Tetsuya, surprised at the connection between him and the Hyūga heiress.

With the classroom nearly empty, Team Seven was left waiting. Naruto grew increasingly impatient, setting a crude trap for their tardy instructor.

Sasuke and Sakura were dismissive. They couldn't believe any Jōnin would fall for such a simple trap. But when Kakashi finally walked in, he did so right into the eraser Naruto had rigged.

Naruto burst out laughing, and even Sakura couldn't hide her amusement. Sasuke frowned, skeptical of their new instructor's competence.

Tetsuya looked at Kakashi with a knowing smile. This was one of Kakashi's less glorious moments. Underneath his mask, Kakashi felt a bit of embarrassment.

"How should I put this? My first impression of you all... you're quite the troublemakers," Kakashi said dryly.

On the rooftop, Kakashi sat on the railing, observing the four in front of him.

"Introduce yourselves," he said. "What you like, what you hate, your dreams for the future, and so on."

He noticed their confused looks and sighed. "Alright, I'll go first. My name is Hatake Kakashi. I don't feel like telling you what I like or dislike. Dreams for the future? Lots of them."

Naruto was the first to speak, full of energy. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto! I love eating Ichiraku ramen, especially when Tetsuya treats me. I hate Sasuke. My dream is to become Hokage!"

Sakura went next, but her infatuated ramblings about Sasuke were mostly ignored by the others. Sasuke's introduction was terse and cold. "Uchiha Sasuke. I don't like much and hate a lot of things. My goal is to kill a certain someone."

Kakashi's eyes flickered, knowing who Sasuke meant. Naruto and Sakura, however, were left puzzled.

Finally, it was Tetsuya's turn. "Tetsuya Kamiyo. I like beautiful young women, and I hate many things. My dream is to live happily with them."

Sasuke snorted in disdain, thinking Tetsuya lacked ambition.

Kakashi shrugged. "Alright, now that we're done, we'll start a mission tomorrow."

"What mission?" Naruto asked eagerly.

"A survival drill," Kakashi answered. "Meet at Training Ground One at 5 AM. And no breakfast."

He glanced at Tetsuya, then vanished, leaving the others in a mix of excitement and confusion.

Tetsuya bid farewell to Naruto and headed off. He had a lunch date with Hinata and Ino, and the girls had been waiting patiently at a nearby restaurant.

During their meal, they discussed their new Jōnin instructors. Tetsuya, Hinata, and Ino enjoyed their time together, knowing that their missions might limit such moments in the future.

In the Hokage office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, smiled at the elderly man standing before him. "Kosuke, there's something I need you to handle."

"Of course, Lord Hokage," Maru Star Kosuke, known for his humble demeanor despite his formidable strength, replied.

Hiruzen knew Kosuke's story well. As a young ninja, Kosuke had accidentally killed two teammates due to impulsive actions. Vowing to remain a Genin forever, he was later taught powerful jutsu by the Second Hokage as a form of encouragement. Despite his Genin title, Kosuke's abilities rivaled those of Jōnin.

"There's a promising junior I want you to mentor on some missions," Hiruzen explained. "He's been assigned to Kakashi's team, but I need you to help him gain experience. Those D-rank missions won't do him justice."

Kosuke understood the importance Hiruzen placed on this young ninja. "I understand, Lord Hokage. I'll do my best to guide him."

The Will of Fire dictated that the older generation nurture the younger, and Kosuke was ready to do his part.

The sun set as Tetsuya made his way to the Hokage's office, summoned by an Anbu. He wondered what task awaited him now.