The next morning, all the newly minted genin gathered once again at the Academy. This was their final day in this classroom—the day when their teams and mentors would be announced. The students excitedly discussed the upcoming assignments, sharing hopes and fears. Kuro, meanwhile, sat at his desk, indifferently staring out the window while his mind replayed his recent meeting with the head of the Nara clan.
"Your talent could not have gone unnoticed," Nara had told him, sitting on the veranda of his home. "Your chakra control is unusual for someone so young, your combat skills are the best in your class, and your shadow manipulation techniques have surpassed the level of many of our chunin. So when Enzo told me about a new, unusual technique tied to shadows, I wasn't particularly surprised."
"You're very kind, Shikuma-san," Kuro replied briefly.
"Well, you've earned it. You know, Shikaku also holds you in very high regard," the clan head continued with a warm, fatherly smile. "I propose we go to my personal training ground, where you'll demonstrate your technique."
"Of course."
Upon reaching the location, Kuro began forming hand seals, demonstrating his shadows—the Rabbits, the Divine Dogs, and the Toad. Shikuma Nara, the usually unflappable leader, felt genuine shock for the first time in a long while.
"This…" he began, then stopped short, studying the summoned creatures more closely. "You… you control them like shadows?"
"I can, if necessary."
Shikuma's first thought was that Kuro had somehow combined shadow manipulation with a summoning technique. However, that seemed impossible. In the history of the Nara clan, nothing like this had ever existed. That meant Kuro possessed a unique ability that went beyond their traditional understanding of technique.
Shikuma stepped closer, examining the shadow creations with an impassive expression. He also carefully observed the boy's interaction with the creatures, analyzing their behavior and the manner of their appearance. He saw enormous potential in this—and possible benefit for his clan.
Kuro himself remained silent, allowing the man to draw his own conclusions. Enzo, who had not intervened the entire time, finally turned his head and asked the main question.
"So, what do you think?"
"This is something different," Shikuma murmured, not taking his eyes off the beasts. "There's a principle here similar to our style, but… it's something more."
Then they began testing the limits of Kuro's abilities. The clan head asked him to repeat the summoning, carefully watching the changes in the boy's chakra. He noted that although the creatures were made of shadow, they felt almost alive, ready to interact with the surrounding world.
Soon the conversation shifted to control and chakra expenditure. Shikuma, as an experienced analyst, offered Kuro several ideas on energy distribution to minimize costs when summoning the creatures. Kuro listened attentively, evaluating the suggested methods, and then tried applying one of them in practice.
When the testing of abilities came to an end, Shikuma Nara gave Kuro a meaningful look and said:
"You possess rare potential. Don't waste it. If you continue to develop, you will become a key figure in Konoha in the future. I am more than certain of that."
The memories faded, and Kuro returned to reality. He felt as though he could still sense Shikuma's attentive gaze upon him. Meanwhile, movement began in the classroom. The sensei entered, holding a list of teams. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. It was time to learn the names of their comrades.
Sarutobi Kajiro cleared his throat, drawing the class's attention. The hum of voices gradually died down, and all eyes turned to him. Kuro lazily shifted his gaze to the teacher, noticing how some classmates nervously clenched their fists while others, on the contrary, looked completely relaxed.
"Now that you have officially become genin, you will be working in teams. I will read out the compositions, and then your mentors will take you."
"Team Six: Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, Hyuga Hizashi. Your mentor is Jiraiya."
At the sound of that name, the genin let out a restrained murmur. A bright smile appeared on Kushina's face—she seemed happy with any teammates. Minato simply nodded calmly, knowing this would be not only a great honor but also a true trial, training under one of the Hokage's disciples. Hizashi looked completely unperturbed, as befitted a member of his clan.
"Team Seven: Hyuga Hiashi, Inuzuka Tsume, Aburame Shibi. Your mentor is Hyuga Toru."
Hiashi did not react at all, as if he had known everything in advance, while Tsume snorted loudly.
"Again, that Hyuga! Another arrogant bore."
Shibi said nothing, continuing to observe what was happening from behind his dark glasses. Kajiro, for his part, calmed the feisty Inuzuka and continued.
"Team Eight: Hitori Kin, Watane Atsushi, Uchiha Suyen. Mentor—Sarutobi Seihu."
Nara briefly glanced at the Uchiha, who looked displeased at his two teammates.
"Team Nine: Uchiha Mikoto, Senju Nawaki, Nara Kuro. Your mentor—Orochimaru."
When Kuro heard that name, his heart froze for a moment. Orochimaru—the mad scientist. The future traitor. The man who would attack Konoha, kill his own teacher, and become one of the members of Akatsuki. His pursuit of immortality, knowledge, and endless ambition drove the future Sannin to constantly seek the perfect vessel for his soul.
Nara glanced down at his hands.
Orochimaru was not just dangerous—he was a genius. Judging by future memories, he knew countless techniques, and his fighting style was marked by incredible survivability. He could teach a great deal. After all, Sasuke under his tutelage became a monster.
But at the same time… Orochimaru was not yet the man Kuro remembered. Right now, he was merely a brilliant shinobi with immense promise, the famed student of the Third, who still served Konoha. The wars that would largely shape him into what he would become had not yet happened.
"How did it turn out that I ended up on his team?" Kuro thought, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"Team Ten: Akimichi Choza, Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku. Mentor—Senju Arai."
A chuckle spread through the classroom—everyone already knew those three would be on the same team.
Kuro slowly exhaled, surfacing from his thoughts and worries, leaning back against his chair. Orochimaru, huh? Well then, this would be… interesting. In any case, it simply meant that he needed to gain strength even faster—strength that would allow him to worry about nothing.
After the list was announced, the mentors began arriving one by one to collect their students for introductions. The number of genin steadily dwindled. Nara briefly saw Hiashi and his group leave with a stern man in a traditional kimono. Then Seihu took his team, and soon Senju Arai arrived as well.
Minato, Kushina, and Hizashi continued to wait. It was obvious that Jiraiya was not the type to arrive on time.
Kuro lightly tapped his fingers on the desk, waiting for his turn. And then, finally, the door opened, and a tall man entered the classroom—long black hair partially obscuring his face, golden, serpentine eyes gleaming.
Orochimaru.
He cast a piercing gaze over the remaining students, lingering on his team a little longer than the rest. Then the corners of his lips lifted into a strange smile.
"Well then, let's go. You have a lot of work ahead of you."
The three genin silently rose and stepped forward. Just as they were about to leave the classroom, a tall, white-haired man entered—Jiraiya. He crossed his arms over his chest with a grin, looking around. An inspired expression appeared on the face of the Toad Sage.
"Well, Orochimaru, looks like we're competing again. Only this time, I'll definitely win," he nodded toward his students. "Look at the talented kids they entrusted to me! In a couple of years, you'll be wanting to learn from them yourself!"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, regarding Jiraiya with mild irritation, as if he were a failed experiment. Then, with a careless smile, he said:
"What a rarity, Jiraiya. Have you finally found something you can excel at? Congratulations. If being a shinobi doesn't work out for you, perhaps you really were meant to be a mentor."
His voice was soft and insinuating, but the mockery in it was unmistakable.
The classroom froze. Someone seemed to forget how to breathe. The genin exchanged glances, watching this verbal duel between two outstanding ninja. Kushina snorted quietly into her fist, while Minato looked at his mentor with a hint of sympathy. Mikoto and Nawaki also exchanged looks, realizing that their future teacher was a rather… peculiar individual.
Jiraiya clenched his fists, not allowing irritation to take over.
"We'll see, Orochimaru. Time will tell which of us is better."
He reclaimed his smile and turned to his newly formed team.
"Alright, kids, let's go. We've got plenty to do!"
He turned and left the classroom, signaling his students to follow. Minato nodded calmly, Kushina snorted and moved ahead, and Hizashi silently followed after them.
When the door closed, Orochimaru let out a short smirk and then shifted his gaze to his own charges. His snake-like eyes carefully studied the faces of the three students. Kuro felt that piercing, appraising look and understood perfectly that he, Mikoto, and Nawaki would be under strict scrutiny.
"It's time for us as well," Orochimaru said, leaving the classroom, expecting his students to follow without unnecessary words.
They walked along the village streets, gradually approaching the training grounds, which, as Kuro suspected, would now become their second home.