"Oh my God!? Did I see that right? Uchiha Ei actually backed down?!"
"So it's true Uchiha Ei got wrecked by Shigure? No way… that's hard to believe!"
"Keep it down, all of you," a cold voice interrupted. It belonged to a gray-haired boy wearing a face mask.
Instantly, silence fell over the group.
"Huh?" Shigure's eyes narrowed as his attention was drawn to the masked boy. With his spiky silver hair, a standard Konoha flak jacket, a tanto strapped to his back, and a calm but dangerous demeanor, the boy stood out. His chakra flow was noticeably more refined than that of the other students.
Although Shigure had reincarnated into this world, he certainly didn't recognize this boy.
"That one... he's different," Shigure thought to himself.
"Don't recognize anyone anymore?" a sweet female voice said beside him.
Shigure turned.
The purple-haired girl beside him smiled knowingly. "Interested in him? That's Kusuo Saiki. He's top of our class."
Shigure scratched his head awkwardly. "You're from the Hyuga clan, right?" he asked, noting her lavender-tinted eyes — unmistakably Byakugan.
"Me? I'm Hyuga Kōchō. Try not to forget it again, okay?" she replied with a teasing smile that could melt ice.
"All right, I'll remember… And that Saiki guy, he's really number one?"
"Yup. And pretty cold to everyone," Kōchō said.
Shigure nearly choked when he processed her earlier sentence. Kusuo Saiki? Damn, I really have crossed into a different world."
At that moment, a Chūnin instructor entered with a clipboard and began reading off names for team assignments.
"Akimichi Daiki… Yamanaka Reina… Nara Kazuki. As always, the Ino-Shika-Chō combo."
Daiki was as round as expected, while Nara Kazuki gave off a laid-back, calculating air. Reina, with her pale blonde hair, stood confidently among them.
"Next... Uchiha Ei…"
The class pairings went on for nearly half an hour. At last, only three students remained: Shigure, Kōchō, and Saiki.
The instructor glanced at his clipboard, frowning thoughtfully.
"In light of the exceptional performance during the graduation exam, and the contrast with academic performance," the Chūnin muttered, "these three will form a team."
"Team 7: Uchiha Shigure, Kusuo Saiki, and Hyuga Kōchō."
"Your jōnin instructor is already waiting. Please head to the Hokage's office. The rest of you, remain for further announcements."
"Team 7?" Shigure blinked. "I got put into Team 7? With Saiki? Isn't this the team Naruto was supposed to be on?"
He glanced at his teammates. One was the class genius with a Sharingan yet to awaken, and the other a warm, high-spirited Hyuga girl who seemed way too excited.
In the background, a commotion erupted among the other girls.
"Hyuga Kōchō is so lucky! She's teamed up with Saiki!"
"Not just Saiki! Uchiha Shigure is really good-looking too! Two cool guys in one team? Not fair!"
Some girls grumbled in jealousy; others cheered as if reading the climax of a romantic novel.
Hyuga Kōchō looked positively radiant. "Looks like my prayers worked!" she beamed, bouncing with excitement.
"Let's go," Saiki said simply, walking ahead without looking at either of them.
Despite his aloofness, he didn't seem hostile — just distant.
With murmurs behind them, the newly formed Team 7 made their way to the Hokage's office.
When the door slid open, they found a tall man in a traditional Hyuga-style kimono waiting. A Konoha forehead protector sat on his brow, and his eyes were unmistakably Byakugan.
"Those are… Byakugan?" Saiki muttered, his voice unusually curious.
The man stepped forward calmly. "Yes. I am Hyuga Hiashi's twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi. I've been assigned as your jōnin instructor."
"Uchiha Shigure, Kusuo Saiki, and Hyuga Kōchō."
Though the names had changed slightly from what he remembered, Hizashi Hyuga remained humble and respectful as ever.
"Um…" Kōchō nodded politely, standing straight in traditional Hyuga grace.
"Hm?" Hizashi's eyes lingered on Shigure's face, a hint of curiosity appearing in his otherwise composed expression. His Byakugan eyes narrowed slightly.
Shigure, catching the subtle change, understood the silent question. "You can speak freely, Hizashi-sensei," he offered.
Hizashi nodded. "Then, forgive me if I overstep… but Shigure, your eyes—they bear a faint resemblance to the Byakugan. Are they a Kekkei Genkai of some sort?"
The question wasn't hostile. In the ninja world, bloodline limits were delicate topics—especially between clans. But Hizashi's tone remained measured and professional.
Shigure shook his head calmly. "Honestly, sensei… I'm not sure myself. My eyes have always looked this way. I've never noticed anything special about them, and I don't have any memories that suggest otherwise. It might just be coincidence."
Hizashi regarded him quietly for a moment before nodding, a faint smile returning. "Very well. I may have overread it."
He paused, then his voice turned sharper. "That aside, the three of you are to report immediately to Training Ground Three."
All three genin straightened.
"This next task is critical. It's your true test. The Third Hokage himself has ordered that every genin team undergo this trial. Those who fail… will not be recognized as official ninja."
His tone, once warm, turned as firm as stone. "This is your entrance exam. Do not take it lightly."
With that, the three newly graduated genin vanished from the Hokage's office, racing toward their destination.
Training Ground Three — Shortly After
The iconic training ground stood calm, surrounded by trees. A faint breeze rustled the grass.
Team 7 had arrived.
Hyuga Kōchō stood quietly, fidgeting slightly as she stole glances at Shigure, who was calmly watching the trees. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Kusuo Saiki sat cross-legged under a tree, mask hiding most of his expression, his tanto resting against his shoulder. His mind seemed elsewhere—as usual.
Uchiha Shigure stood like a statue. His expression was sharp, his eyes focused, his chakra well-contained. The Uchiha fan symbol was subtly visible on the back of his flak jacket. There was a quiet intensity to him, like a predator waiting to strike.
In a blur of movement, Hizashi appeared in front of them.
"Well done assembling quickly," he said, surveying his team with quiet pride and scrutiny.
"You each come from respected clans. With that comes expectations—and responsibility. Today, I want to see not just skill, but heart. That is what separates a true shinobi from a mere graduate."
He held up two small bells, their metallic jingle sharp and purposeful.
"This is your task. Take one of these bells from me before noon. If you fail, you'll be sent back to the Academy. Only those who succeed will become full-fledged genin."
The three stared at the bells, absorbing the gravity of the test.
"Begin."