Chapter 8 – Team 7
That night felt longer than usual.
The wind blew gently, the leaves in Konoha Village rustled, as if whispering about something that humans never spoke of.
Kazuki Akihiro lay on his small bed. The oil lamp on the wooden table beside him had already been put out, only the moonlight entered through the crack of the window. Yet his eyes could not close.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"That figure… who exactly is he? He's clearly not a student. His eyes, sharp… as if they could pierce into my mind. Why do I feel that if I let my guard down even for a moment, he will take my life?"
Kazuki gripped his forehead protector that was still empty.
"I just passed the preliminary exam… but why does my heart already feel heavy, as if I'm carrying a secret that doesn't belong to me?"
.....
Morning – At the Academy
Kazuki came earlier than usual. The cold morning air pierced the skin, but in the Academy courtyard, there was already a figure waiting for him.
Hinata.
The girl stood awkwardly, both hands clasping each other. The moment she saw Kazuki, her face immediately turned red.
Hinata: "A-Akihiro-kun… g-good morning…"
Kazuki gave a small smile, trying to divert his uneasiness.
Kazuki: "Morning, Hinata. Have you been here since earlier?"
Hinata lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
Hinata: "I… I just wanted to… train harder. I don't want to be a burden to the team."
Kazuki stared at her for a long time. Behind Hinata's gentleness and hesitation, he saw something—a determination that was struggling to grow.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"She's far stronger than she thinks. This world… is indeed full of people like Hinata. They look fragile, but they hide a light that can shine."
Suddenly, a loud voice broke the atmosphere.
Kiba: "Hey! What are you two doing acting like some secret couple this early in the morning, huh?!"
Hinata immediately turned as red as a boiled tomato, looking away quickly in panic.
Hinata: "N-no! It's not like that!"
Kazuki only held his forehead, sighing softly.
Kazuki: "Kiba… you really have to cause a ruckus the moment you arrive, huh."
Kiba grinned widely.
Kiba: "Hahaha! Life shouldn't be too serious, Kazuki! Otherwise, your wrinkles will come faster!"
Kazuki let out a breath, but the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Somehow, Kiba's stupidity sometimes could lighten his burdened mind.
.....
Academy Hall – Announcement of the Genin Teams
Iruka-sensei stood in front of the class. All the students waited with tense expressions.
Iruka: "Alright, the exam results are out. Starting today, you are officially genin. Each team will be assigned one jounin as a mentor."
A small uproar immediately filled the room. Some cheered, some worried, others whispered among themselves.
Iruka-sensei read the team assignments.
Iruka: "Team 7… Kazuki Akihiro, Hinata Hyuuga, and Shikamaru Nara. Your mentor… you will meet him this afternoon."
Kazuki was momentarily surprised.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Not Sakura, not Naruto… Of course, because I've already changed the path. Team 7… now I'm a part of it."
Hinata looked even more nervous, while Shikamaru only yawned and said quietly,
Shikamaru: "Hhh… what a drag."
Kazuki patted his shoulder.
Kazuki: "Hey, don't be so pessimistic already. Who knows, maybe we'll be the most interesting team."
Shikamaru only glanced lazily.
Shikamaru: "Interesting is just another word for… trouble, isn't it…"
Kazuki chuckled softly.
Maybe it was true. But wasn't life really about facing troubles?
.....
Afternoon – Meeting with the Mysterious Jounin
Kazuki stood together with Hinata and Shikamaru. The three of them were one team, but the atmosphere was still awkward.
Kazuki tried to break the ice.
Kazuki: "So… it seems we'll be together often from now on."
Hinata lowered her head slightly, her voice almost a whisper.
Hinata: "Y-yes…"
Shikamaru yawned widely.
Shikamaru: "Hahhh… what a drag. But I guess this is better than being alone. If you two are here, maybe I can save more energy."
Kazuki gave a faint smile.
Kazuki (in his heart): "Save energy, huh… yet I can feel that Shikamaru is far smarter than he lets on."
Not long after, Iruka approached Team 7, holding a list.
Iruka: "Alright, Team 7. Your mentor… is… Jounin Hatake Kakashi."
.
Kazuki furrowed his brows. That name was certainly not unfamiliar to him.
Kazuki (in his heart): "Kakashi Hatake… I've seen him, in the story of the anime, he was the sixth Hokage before the main character became the seventh Hokage. So, I'll really be guided by him. That means… I'll be closer to the main storyline. Or maybe change it a little… Am I ready to face all the consequences?"
A few minutes later, the classroom door opened.
A man with silver hair entered casually, wearing a face mask and a tilted forehead protector covering one of his eyes. He raised his hand lazily.
Kakashi: "So. You're the ones named Kazuki, Hinata, and Shikamaru, right? Starting today, I'm your mentor."
Kazuki observed sharply. From the way Kakashi stood, from the one visible eye, there was something that couldn't be hidden: calmness, yet an extremely high vigilance.
Shikamaru mumbled quietly.
Shikamaru: "Hahh… even our mentor looks lazy."
Kakashi turned slightly, as if he had heard.
Kakashi: "Lazy? Is that so… But don't be fooled by appearances."
Kakashi's eye glanced briefly, his gaze as if piercing the heart.
Kazuki felt as though he was being read from within.
Kazuki (in his heart): "That eye… as if it knows I'm hiding something. Could Kakashi sense it?"
They were brought to the rooftop of the Academy building.
Kakashi sat casually on the fence, one hand slipping in a small book titled Icha Icha Paradise, half-hidden.
Kakashi: "Alright, before we start… let's introduce ourselves first. My name is Hatake Kakashi. I like some things, dislike some things, and I'm not too interested in telling you much more."
Kazuki looked at him with a mix of confusion and admiration.
Kazuki (in his heart): "That's it… Kakashi's typical style. Not changing at all from what I remember."
Kakashi then pointed at Kazuki.
Kakashi: "Your name?…"
Kazuki took a slow breath.
Kazuki: "My name is Kazuki Akihiro. I… like quiet afternoons, and training by the river. The thing I hate… hm, loneliness. My dream… is to become stronger. Strong enough… not to lose the people important to me."
Hinata was silent, staring at Kazuki, her heart trembling at those words.
Kakashi stared at him a little longer.
Kakashi: "Interesting."
.....
After that, it was Hinata's turn.
Hinata: "M-my name is Hinata Hyuuga. I like… herbal plants, and… umm… training taijutsu. I hate… making people worry. My dream… is to become strong like Father, and… to be able to stand beside the person I l—"
Her face immediately turned bright red, her words caught.
Shikamaru, seeing this, only sighed.
Shikamaru: "Name's Shikamaru Nara. I hate troublesome things. My dream? To marry a woman, and have one child, then live a peaceful life. That simple."
Kakashi closed his book, nodding.
Kakashi: "Alright. Introductions finished. But starting tomorrow, I will test you."
Kazuki straightened his posture.
Kazuki: "Test… what do you mean..?"
Kakashi smiled faintly behind his mask.
Kakashi: "The real graduation exam. Only those who pass my test will truly become genin."
Kazuki's eyes widened.
Kazuki (in his heart): "What?! So the previous one was just the first stage? This exam… means I'll really be judged by Kakashi himself."
Hinata swallowed nervously. Shikamaru only sighed in resignation.
Kakashi stood, glancing briefly.
Kakashi: "Bring your lunch tomorrow. Don't be late. That's all."
He disappeared in an instant, leaving the three of them in confusion.
.....
Kazuki stood frozen. The evening wind blew, carrying the cawing of crows. In his heart, the shadow of the mysterious cloaked figure appeared again.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Kakashi's test… and that shadow. As if everything is moving toward something bigger. Is this truly my path… or a trap of fate waiting ahead?"
The twilight's light reflected in his eyes, half gleaming, half dark.
A new journey had just begun, but Kazuki could already feel—the shadow behind the light was getting closer.
.....
TO BE CONTINUED…