"Team Ten: Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Chōji."
The moment Iruka finished announcing the final team, Ino's last shred of hope vanished.
After reading out all assignments, Iruka explained that each team's jōnin instructor would come to collect them shortly and told everyone to wait patiently. Before leaving, he added a new rule with suspicious emphasis.
"No wandering around before your instructors arrive. Anyone who disobeys will have their genin headband revoked."
That rule definitely hadn't existed before.
Iruka glanced meaningfully in Tōma's direction as he said it.
The class immediately quieted down. Even if most people suspected he was bluffing, no one was brave enough to test it. Losing their headband on day one would be legendary for all the wrong reasons.
"Ino, honestly, Shikamaru and Chōji aren't bad teammates," Fujimoto Tōma said calmly once things settled.
"Where's the good part?" Ino muttered. "Chōji eats all day, and Shikamaru's lazy and always at the bottom."
"You're judging by appearances," Tōma replied, amused. "Shikamaru barely writes anything on exams. If he took them seriously, his scores wouldn't be worse than Sakura's."
Ino stared at him. "Seriously? Besides you, who keeps up with Sakura's theory?"
"Shikamaru does. He answers only multiple-choice and short questions. Leaves the rest blank. That kind of teammate massively boosts efficiency."
"…Fine," Ino conceded. "What about Chōji?"
"His clan techniques are extremely powerful. The eating is part of it. He's simple, loyal, and dependable. Don't call him fat, feed him when needed, and he'll never let you down."
Tōma went on to explain the history of the Ino–Shika–Chō formation and their tactical synergy.
Ino sighed and leaned against him. "It does sound perfect… if only they were girls."
Tōma paused.
For one dangerous moment, his mind conjured horrifying mental images of a gender-swapped Shikamaru and Chōji.
He immediately shook that thought away.
At that moment, a broad-shouldered, bearded shinobi stepped into the classroom. He wasn't tall, but he radiated solidity. His eyes lingered on Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino before drifting to Tōma.
"So this is the kid even Kakashi gets compared to," the man muttered. "The one the old man never stops praising."
Sarutobi Asuma.
Hiruzen's son.
"Team Ten," Asuma said, turning toward the door. "You're with me."
Tōma and the three genin followed him out.
Other instructors arrived quickly. Tōma briefly wondered if he'd see Kakashi, then dismissed it. Plenty of time later.
"Tōma."
Uchiha Sasuke called out just before they left.
"Hm?" Tōma turned.
"Same time. Same place."
Sasuke sat back down immediately after.
Naruto scratched his head. Same time? Same place?Then he grinned. Hey, I've got one of those too.
"Got it," Tōma replied.
Asuma led them straight to a barbecue restaurant.
Chōji's eyes lit up like festival lanterns.
Instant approval.
After seating themselves, Asuma cleared his throat.
"I'm Sarutobi Asuma. Jōnin. I like… well, never mind." He coughed awkwardly. "No particular dislikes."
He glanced at Chōji demolishing meat like it owed him money and sighed internally. This is going to get expensive.
Introductions went around the table until only Tōma remained.
"…Me too?" Tōma asked, then shrugged. "Fujimoto Tōma. Special jōnin. I like myself, my mother, and Ino. I dislike things I dislike."
Ino's face instantly turned red.
"I—I like Tōma too," she added, flustered but sincere.
Shikamaru clicked his tongue. "That told us absolutely nothing."
Asuma blinked, looking between the two. Wow. Already taken.
He recalled the reports Hiruzen had shown him.
…Yeah. Complaining felt inappropriate.
"Alright," Asuma said. "You can call me Asuma-sensei. Tōma, just Asuma is fine. Let's eat."
Too late, he added silently, watching Chōji.
After everyone was stuffed, Asuma casually dropped a bomb.
"Oh, right. There's a test tomorrow. Fail it, and your headband goes back to the academy."
No panic.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered.
Ino already knew. Chōji was too full to react.
"…Right. Dismissed. Be on time tomorrow."
Later, Tōma and Ino walked through the village together.
"Tomorrow's test still matters," Tōma said. "Asuma's not cruel, but slack too hard and you could still get sent back."
"I know," Ino nodded, hesitating.
She hadn't noticed Tōma guiding her into a quieter street.
He stopped, reached out, and gently pinched her cheek.
"So," he said softly, "what's on your mind?"
Ino told him about her mother's suggestion.
Tōma nodded. "Then let your parents pick a time. I'll come with my mother."
Ino froze.
"…That fast?"
Her vision blurred as warmth flooded her chest.
Before she could overthink it, she hugged him and rose on her toes.
Tōma stiffened.
Is this illegal?…No. Different world. No rules like that. And she's practically my fiancée.
He wrapped an arm around her waist.
When they finally parted, both were red-faced.
They walked hand in hand to her home.
"I'll tell you after I talk to my parents," Ino said softly.
"I'll wait."
After watching her go inside, Tōma headed not home, but to a private training ground once prepared for him by ANBU.
Standing alone among the equipment, he exhaled.
It was time to think about the road ahead.