Chapter 43 – Jōnin Leader

Twenty-seven newly minted Genin filled a classroom, each lost in their own thoughts.

Some leaned against the window frames, feigning indifference as their eyes flicked to every subtle movement around them. Some paced the room restlessly, occasionally performing familiar sequences of hand signs—Tiger, Boar, Ram—as if practicing Jutsu would ease their anxiousness. Meanwhile, a few sat quietly at desks, their fingers nervously tracing the grooves etched into the wood.

Suddenly, the door slid open with a sharp clack. Silence fell instantly.

Masashi Yamamoto, instructor of the 6th-year student, stepped into the room, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floorboards. His presence wasn’t imposing through size or showmanship—it was the quiet authority of a man who had seen battle beyond the safety of these walls.

His flak jacket bore faint scuffs, his forehead protector tied with the neat precision of a man who left nothing to chance.

He didn’t speak right away. Instead, his gaze swept over the room. Some students shifted under his scrutiny, others met his gaze, trying to mask the flicker of unease in their eyes.

“Congratulations on your graduation,” he began. His low and steady voice was a sharp contrast to the charged silence that preceded it.

It was the kind of voice that carried weight, the kind that made people listen.

“I am Masashi Yamamoto,” he continued, his hands clasped behind his back. “Today, you’ll learn the names of the people who will be your teammates—the ones you’ll eat with, bleed with, and grow alongside. These teams aren’t just for training. They’re the foundation of your future as shinobi.”

A ripple of excitement ran through the students, their eyes wide with anticipation.

Masashi raised his hand, palm open, and the room stilled again.

“But before we proceed with the announcement,” he continued, his voice firm but thoughtful, “Understand this: Being assigned to a team is not a privilege. It’s a responsibility you must bear. This isn’t about showing off your Jutsu or chasing glory. It’s about survival. Your strength means nothing if you can’t rely on the person beside you—or if they can’t rely on you.”

His gaze sharpened, lingering on faces both eager and anxious.

“A shinobi’s greatest weapon isn’t their chakra, their speed, or even their intelligence. It’s their ability to trust—to adapt, to cover their comrade’s blind spot without hesitation, and to fight knowing someone has theirs.”

The room fell silent, and Masashi’s eyes scanned the faces of the young Genin. He could see the uncertainty in some of their eyes, the nervousness that came with the unknown.

“Your actions will affect your teammates,” Masashi continued, his tone steady and serious. “Trust, communication, and support are your weapons just as much as your Jutsu.”

A murmur of acknowledgment passed through the students, their expressions now a mix of determination and reflection. Masashi nodded approvingly before he stepped forward, pulling a scroll from his belt with a crisp motion. The parchment unfurled with a soft rustle as he scanned the neatly written names.

“Now,” he said, his tone steady, “It’s time.”

His voice echoed slightly against the walls as he read, “First Team.” Masashi called out, letting the silence thicken, “Team 1: Inomatsu…”

The names fell into place like puzzle pieces. Each announcement was met with a mix of stifled cheers, relieved sighs, or silent acceptance.

And then—

“Team 9,” He paused just long enough for the silence to thicken again. “Izumi Uchiha. Sora Yamada. Raijin Sarutobi. Your Jōnin leader—Ryouka Naito.”

The words landed; the syllables crisp against the classroom walls.

“Congratulations, everyone. These teams are your next step toward becoming a true shinobi. Remember to trust one another, work hard, and never give up. Your journey starts now.”

The chatter picked up again, filling the space with bursts of excitement and subdued murmurs. But Raijin sat frozen, his mind replaying that one name repeatedly as if it echoed louder than the others.

But amid the excitement chatters, Raijin sat frozen, struck by the announcement. His mind processed the name, the words echoing in his ears.

Izumi Uchiha.

“Hah… now this is interesting,” he muttered under his breath, the corner of his mouth tugging into a faint, wry smile.

+++

“I am Ryouka Naito. Your team leader,” Ryouka Naito stated flatly, her tone as sharp as the cold breeze cutting through the training grounds.

The three Genin stood before her—Izumi Uchiha, arms crossed with a calm demeanor; Sora Yamada, fidgeting slightly; and Raijin Sarutobi, noticeably smaller, his black-tied hair swaying in the air.

Ryouka’s gaze swept over them. She didn’t blink. Didn’t smile. Just stood with her arms folded, her stance rigid.

“They might be the youngest team we’ve ever composed,” the voice of the Third Hokage echoed in her mind, distant but clear. “Izumi Uchiha and Sora Yamada are eleven. Raijin Sarutobi—eight. No, nine now. We’ve arranged it considering both their age and their abilities. Exceptional talents, yes, but their chemistry... is volatile at best. They’ll need guidance, Ryouka. Your guidance. Given your skill, I believe you can shape them into true shinobi.”

The words faded, but the weight remained.

“You’ve been assigned to Team 9,” she continued, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Izumi Uchiha. Sora Yamada. Raijin Sarutobi. Your records speak of talent, but talent alone doesn’t keep you alive. Teamwork does. Discipline does.”

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Ryouka continued, “I don’t care about your clan names or academy scores. Out here, none of that matters. You’ll prove yourselves with action, and only action.”

…

“Starting today, you three will operate under my command as Genin. For the next few years, your victories, failures, and growth will also be under my command,” said a young woman, her emerald-blue eyes piercing through the morning mist. Those eyes reminded Raijin of Satoru; one enthusiastic fella, but unlike Satoru, she wasn’t as emotionally driven.

“Missions will test your limits. Success will also depend on your ability to work as one unit. You must rely on each other, not because you want to, but because your lives will depend on it.” Ryouka Naito stood before them, her presence elegant and graceful, especially for her age. At only twenty-six, she had already carved out a reputation as one of Konoha’s Jōnin and as a Genin team supervisor.

Raijin studied his new mentor with quiet intensity. Her oval-shaped face carried a delicate balance of feminine grace and battle-hardened severity. Shoulder-length dark hair danced in the gentle breeze, framing her face. High cheekbones and a sharp jawline gave her features a distinctive elegance, while her narrow, pale lips seemed permanently set in a stoic line, as if smiles were luxuries, she rarely afforded herself.

And, like him, she also hadn’t worn her headband, instead wearing only her Jōnin flak jacket.

Internally, Raijin gave his Jōnin supervisor a thumb-up. The Konoha headbands they had been given were tucked inside his pocket.

“As a Genin team, you are granted several privileges,” she said. “One of those is using a private training ground, assigned to each team. Yours will be Training Ground 21, located just beyond the village outskirts.”

Her gaze sharpened as she spoke. “And, as your team leader,” she added “You are to respect my instructions without hesitation. That is non-negotiable.”

Raijin’s gaze shifted to his two eleven-year-old teammates, standing on either side of him, both wearing their headbands. He took a moment to reflect on the team.

To his right, Sora Yamada shifted his weight quietly, his eyes scanning the training ground intently. The Yamada clan’s reputation for earth-style Jutsu preceded them, and Sora was no exception. He had inherited his family’s traditional focus on defensive techniques. His ability to manipulate the earth itself made him a natural protector, capable of raising walls of stone with a single-hand sign and creating armor from the very ground beneath their feet.

To Raijin’s left stood Izumi Uchiha, her presence carrying the weight of her clan’s expectations. The Uchiha name alone commanded respect throughout the ninja world, with their fearsome Sharingan dōjutsu having turned countless battles throughout history. Though it was rare for an Uchiha to awaken the Sharingan, Izumi had already done so. Yet there was something different about her—gentleness that seemed at odds with her clan’s infamous intensity and arrogance.

Perhaps it was this very quality that had caught the attention of Itachi Uchiha, Raijin thought. Or perhaps it was the awakening of her Sharingan.

The four of them had already introduced themselves, and Raijin had a decent understanding of his team’s capabilities. He felt a sense of satisfaction. His team represented a unique combination of talents: Sora’s mastery of defense, Izumi’s prestigious Uchiha heritage, and his own lightning release.

Under Ryouka’s guidance and their own effort they would need to learn how to blend these individual strengths into a cohesive unit.

“Team formations are crucial,” Ryouka said, pulling Raijin from his thoughts. “Sora, your earth-style techniques will form our defensive core, providing a solid foundation. Izumi, with your Sharingan and natural agility, you’ll be perfect for reconnaissance and quick, precision strikes. Raijin, your lightning release will be key for both charging and offensive attacks, giving us the firepower we need.”

Ryouka’s eyes narrowed as she assessed her young Genins. “Age is merely a number,” she stated, her gaze lingering on Raijin. “What matters is the strength of your will and your dedication to protecting what’s precious to you. Together, we must forge ourselves into a team that exemplifies the true spirit of the Hidden Leaf.”

Raijin and the two Genin straightened under their mentor’s words.

“Meet here tomorrow at dawn,” Ryouka commanded, her tone fierce and full of authority. “We’ll begin with a special exercise to test your teamwork. Be prepared.”

With those words, she disappeared in a swirl of leaves, leaving her three students all alone.

While his teammates stumbled to regain their composure from the sudden disappearance of their supervisor, a thrill stirred inside Raijin—he was eager to spar with another Jōnin, especially someone other than Haruko.

So, no test to determine whether we pass or fail? Raijin thought. Well, I hope I can finish my cat-catching duty soon–

Izumi Uchiha interrupted his thoughts. “Uh, guys? How about we get to know each other?”

Raijin turned to face his two new teammates. Izumi and Sora.

Izumi’s features were delicate and refined, framed by her dark, almond-shaped eyes. A small mole rested just below her right eye, and her gaze flickered between Raijin and Sora, curiosity evident in her expression.

After a brief pause, Sora grunted, “Um… Sure?”

Raijin glanced at Sora. Sora had a rough, rugged appearance—broad and muscular, easily twice Raijin’s size. He seemed calm, though not the most articulate.

Izumi’s eyes brightened, relieved by his response, “As fellow teammates, we should at least know a little about each other. I mean, we’ll be working together, right?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Raijin smiled. “I... specialize in Lightning Release and Shurikenjutsu, though you both probably already know that. And, uh… I’m not the best at talking, but I’m serious when it comes to missions.”

Izumi chuckled softly, her voice kind. “It’s okay, Raijin. I’m not the best at small talk either. I specialize in Genjutsu, Fire Release as well as Shurikenjutsu.” She then shifted her attention to Sora. “What about you?”

Raijin turned to Sora. Sora scratched the back of his head, clearly feeling a little uncomfortable. “Oh! Uh, I’m Sora. I use Earth-style Jutsu. You know, like… walls and stuff. I’m good at defending.” He smiled, though his tone was a little sheepish. “Not much of a talker either, I guess.”

Raijin raised an eyebrow. “I’d say that’s pretty impressive. Blocking and Walls... sounds useful.” He meant it genuinely but wasn’t sure what else to add to keep the conversation going.

Izumi smiled “Yeah, defending is important. And lightning is very powerful,” she said, her tone thoughtfully. “We all have our strengths. If we can use them together, we’ll make a great team.”

Sora nodded in agreement. “Yeah, teamwork, right?” He briefly glanced at Raijin. “I guess we all have something we can contribute.” Realizing the look might be rude, he quickly turned his gaze to Izumi.

“So,” he continued, breaking the awkwardness, “What’s the plan for tomorrow? I don’t think I’m going to get much sleep, not knowing what sensei has in store.”

Izumi nodded thoughtfully. “I agree. She’s not the type to go easy on us... But that’s a good thing. We will figure out how to work together as a team, and whatever she throws at us will only make us stronger.”

Raijin suggested, “How about we start by learning each other’s fighting styles? The more we spar, the better we’ll understand each other’s movements.”

Sora blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Yeah! Sparring sounds great!” he said, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance, his enthusiasm forced.

Izumi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yes! Let’s head to the training ground Ryouka-sensei mentioned.”

With that, Izumi took the lead, and the boys followed, silently bracing themselves for whatever the training session would bring. They made their way to Training Ground 21.

+++

Unbeknownst to the team, Ryouka had been watching them from a distance, hidden in the shadows, her keen eyes tracking them. She had been evaluating their characteristics, silently observing how they interacted with each other, how they responded to the idea of teamwork, and whether they were prepared for the challenges ahead.

Ryouka, now responsible for these young Genin, was determined to keep a watchful eye on them. As their new leader, she couldn’t afford to let anything slip by unnoticed.

She observed as they approached Training Ground 21.

Stealth and combat were her specialties, and she moved quietly, staying just out of sight as she followed them. Her footsteps barely made a sound as she approached the training ground.