Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his office, the roster of academy graduates spread across his desk. He had organized many graduating classes before, but this year was different. Almost every name belonged to a clan heir or a prodigy. He sighed, puffing on his pipe as he glanced at the jonin gathered in front of him.
He couldn't help but sigh. Even for a Hokage, making this decision was hard. He had to make sure that none of the clans felt left out or thought they were being targeted. Since the matter involved their heirs, it was important.
Very important.
At least he had fixed the uneven number problem with the addition of both Naruto and Sukuna by the end.
Kakashi leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, looking as if he might fall asleep any second. Kurenai sat upright, her eyes sharp, while Asuma puffed on his cigarette casually. All these promising jonin of the village had been called by Hiruzen because this was finally their time and responsibility to guide the future of the village.
After a long pause, Hiruzen finally broke the silence. "You all know why you're here. This year's graduates are… unique. Naruto Uzumaki, Sukuna Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, Uchiha Kiyomi, and Uzumaki Karin. Twelve in total. Four teams. Each of you must handle them carefully."
Kurenai spoke first. "It's obvious who the most suitable is for me—Kiyomi Uchiha. I would like her on my team. As the files say, the girl can't do any ninjutsu. In this case, genjutsu is a prominent way for her to get stronger. That, with her Uchiha lineage, leaves no doubt I can guide her well."
Being a genjutsu specialist, Kurenai had her priorities straight. Of course, she too wished for someone like Sasuke Uchiha in her team, but she knew that outside genjutsu she wouldn't be able to teach much to the boy.
The same was the case with Kiyomi, but that girl already had a problem in the ninjutsu area. In this case, Kurenai thought she was the perfect person to teach that little Uchiha girl.
Of course, there was one who didn't like this—Izumi Uchiha, recently promoted jonin of the village. Only 18 now, she was the youngest among them. However, her masterful skill in genjutsu had landed her the jonin position much like Kurenai.
But of course, the promotion conditions were different. While both had talent, talent alone wasn't enough to be promoted to jonin. A little connection was needed.
In Kurenai's case, it was Asuma. Not that she asked for it, but since Asuma was close to her, she had more chances to be promoted than anyone else.
On the other hand, Izumi got promoted because Hiruzen wished to keep the remaining Uchiha loyal to him. He didn't want any kind of revolt in the village anymore, especially after Danzo went missing. Even to this day, they couldn't figure out what happened to him.
And thus, to please the Uchiha clan, Izumi was promoted.
As for why Izumi didn't like Kurenai's claim, it was simple. Kiyomi was already Izumi's student. Since very early on, Izumi had taught that girl. She couldn't see someone else take her away now.
Part of the reason why she was here as well. However, it would be harder than she expected to be a jonin sensei here. She just didn't know it.
"As would I," Kakashi interrupted lazily, eye smiling above his mask. "Sasuke's talent in ninjutsu and his Sharingan potential would be wasted elsewhere."
Kakashi wasn't the type to fight over students. He himself was once a genius. He wasn't desperate to land himself a proper student. In fact, it was the Hokage who would care about putting someone capable under Kakashi, since Kakashi was directly tied to the Hokage line.
His teaching was more significant than any other jonin here taking a student.
However, he wished for both Naruto and Sasuke because he felt like he owed them that. Naruto was the obvious case—the kid was the only child of his sensei. As for Sasuke, it had much to do with Obito.
The Hokage had asked him to take a team many times before, and without fail, Kakashi had failed every single one of his teams in the initial test.
This time around though, Hiruzen wouldn't have that. He had to take the team no matter what. So if he had to, then he would rather get someone he truly wished to teach.
Asuma exhaled smoke. "If we're talking talent, then Sukuna should be the prize. He's already proficient in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu. Yes, the brat can't do ninjutsu, much like that Uchiha girl. However, he is strong. I read the files. Never once did Sasuke, who is currently seventh in ranking in the Academy, beat him.
I even heard that brat beat a chunin back when he was only 7 or 8 years old with just taijutsu. His potential is dangerous," Asuma said, still not understanding the logic of how that brat couldn't do normal ninjutsu but somehow was a master in medical jutsu.
He, for one, couldn't understand, but it wasn't his job either. He would most likely be in charge of the Ino–Shika–Cho team. That Haruno brat wasn't his problem.
"Potentially limited," Kakashi corrected, flipping open his little orange book. "He has almost no ability with ninjutsu. I don't mean to say that he can't become a strong shinobi, by no means. But outside someone like Guy, who else could teach him? Sasuke is the better investment when you compare us teachers being involved."
"Investment?" Kurenai frowned. "These are children, Kakashi."
"Yes, children who will be shinobi," Kakashi replied without missing a beat. "If you don't like the word, then use another one—worthwhile, meaningful, whatever you wish. But the truth remains. While the boy has potential, none of us might be able to bring it out."
And just as Kakashi said, Guy might be the only person who would be suitable for Sukuna. However, the man was absent from this meeting since he already had a team.
Hiruzen held up a hand. "Enough. We cannot all have Sasuke."
Izumi raised a hand dramatically. "Hokage-sama, I would like to take both Kiyomi and Sasuke into my team. As a Uchiha, I believe no one else could do a better job teaching them besides me."
Hearing this, Hiruzen frowned. While he had promoted Izumi, he didn't wish to make her a jonin sensei yet. There were many reasons, from not having full confidence in the Uchiha clan yet to Izumi's own inexperience. Unlike Kurenai, Izumi was only 18 now.
But more importantly, Hiruzen didn't wish for any student from this batch to fall under a Uchiha. Every kid in this batch was extremely important for Konoha's future progress.
Putting a clan heir under Izumi meant intentionally bringing those clans closer to the Uchiha. He couldn't have that—not yet.
Even if he gave Izumi civilians, it would be bad. Both Haruno siblings showed great talent in medical arts—not something he could let the Uchiha clan have influence over. The same went for Karin, the only other technically civilian/orphan kid.
Again, he wouldn't. The Uzumaki were important for Konoha. Karin's connection to Naruto was obvious, so there was also that.
"Cough Let's not talk about the Uchiha siblings for the time being. Let's be done with others first," the Hokage sighed. He knew this would happen.
Kurenai crossed her arms. "In that case, leave Hinata to me. I think Hinata belongs on my team. She needs a careful hand, and the girl would do much better with her Byakugan and genjutsu."
Hiruzen coughed into his fist. "Let's start with the Ino–Shika–Cho trio. They must remain together. That is non-negotiable. They require a jonin familiar with their clans' strategies."
Everyone's eyes slid to Asuma. He sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll take Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji."
That was all but a confirmed deal from the beginning. Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi were the strongest supporters of the Hokage line right now. It would be demeaning and potentially damaging to the Hokage's support if the Hokage's son didn't take heirs from those clans into his team.
"That's settled, then," Hiruzen nodded. "Three teams left."
Kurenai leaned forward. "I want Hinata. She needs guidance, and my genjutsu will pair well with her Byakugan support. If Kiyomi Uchiha is out of context for my team, then I'll take Kiba and Shino. Their skills complement each other."
"Kiba, Shino, and Hinata…" Hiruzen stroked his beard. "Yes, that works. A strong search and investigation team. I see it could work."
Hiruzen considered. "That leaves Naruto, Sasuke, Sukuna, Sakura, Kiyomi, and Karin." His gaze moved to Kakashi. "Do you still insist on Sasuke?"
"Of course," Kakashi said without hesitation. "His Sharingan must be nurtured properly. And pairing him with Naruto will balance them. Naruto's unpredictability can push Sasuke to adapt."
"And Sukuna?" Hiruzen asked.
Kakashi closed his book. "That's the challenge, isn't it? He has limitations in ninjutsu, but he compensates with medical skills and raw combat talent. Putting him with Naruto and Sasuke creates balance in terms of their abilities. However, I doubt the team will hold together for long with three boys, each more competitive than the other…"
To that, everyone would agree. Even the Hokage could see each boy punching the hell out of the other until they established dominance of some sort in the team. Definitely no good for teamwork.
Hiruzen chuckled despite himself. "Let's do this. Team 7: Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura Haruno under Kakashi.
I have learned from Head Medic Aizawa that both Haruno siblings show remarkable talent in medical jutsu. In this case, Sakura would be a suitable third team member for Team Kakashi."
Kakashi had nothing to say. After all, he aimed to get Sasuke and Naruto, which he got. The third person he didn't care much about.
"Team 8: Hinata, Kiba, and Shino under Kurenai. Team 10: Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji under Asuma."
Kurenai frowned slightly. "That leaves Sukuna Haruno, Uchiha Kiyomi, and Uzumaki Karin. And the jonin sensei for them would be…"
"I have a good jonin sensei for them in mind," Hiruzen said firmly. This made Izumi frown.
...
A/N: I won't be putting a lot of chapters like this, but just few to add more detail to the story. Don't worry.
xxx
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