Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen: The Team Leader!

Creak!

As the gate opened, Fujinaka Genma stepped out wearing a Hidden Leaf ninja headband, and the students gathered outside burst into cheers.

The Hidden Leaf ninja headband held a unique allure for them!

Looking at these youthful faces, Fujinaka Genma had to admit that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s political education was spot-on.

“It’s your turn now!”

Fujinaka Genma turned to Hyuga Mio and Ebisu.

Yes, both of them had applied for graduation evaluation.

They exchanged glances; Ebisu adjusted his glasses and stepped forward first: “I’ll go first!”

What followed was entirely predictable—Hyuga Mio and Ebisu both passed their evaluations successfully and received their ninja headbands.

Among the crowd, Uchiha Shinichi clenched his lips and decided he would apply for early graduation the next day.

He absolutely could not fall behind!

Afternoon, training ground.

Kushina Uzumaki smiled warmly at Fujinaka Genma and the other two, producing three gifts.

“Now that Itachi’re official ninja, Itachi’ll become individuals who can stand on your own.”

“These are gifts from your teacher—take them.”

“Thank Itachi, Sensei Kushina!”

Fujinaka Genma and the other two immediately accepted the gifts obediently.

If they refused, they might end up with a lump on their heads.

Each of the three received a different gift.

Fujinaka Genma received a short sword (sword and blade are inseparable), Hyuga Mio received a pair of wrist guards, and Ebisu received a kunai.

All were highly practical items.

“Itachi may begin missions tomorrow, so no training today.”

“Let’s go eat something!”

“How about Ichiraku Ramen?”

Kushina Uzumaki suggested with a smile.

Fujinaka Genma and the other two had no objections.

It was an uneventful day.

The most relaxed day Fujinaka Genma had experienced since arriving in this world over two years ago.

The next day.

Fujinaka Genma returned to the Ninja Academy and, as expected, found Hyuga Mio and Ebisu in Teacher Benshan Yusuke’s office.

Clearly, the three of them had been assigned to the same class.

Watching the calm Ebisu and the excited Hyuga Mio, Fujinaka Genma felt a quiet pang: “Though the wheel of fate has begun rolling forward, unstoppable, it has slightly veered off course because of my presence.”

He remembered that in the original timeline, he had been placed in the same class as Ebisu and Might Guy.

“Wait a moment—your team leader will arrive shortly.”

After the class bell rang, Benshan Yusuke bid them farewell and left.

“Genma, what kind of mission do Itachi think we’ll get next?”

“Straight into combat? I heard the situation’s been tense lately.”

Ebisu spoke, a hint of tension beneath his sunglasses.

Though ninja society generally matures early, they were still only ten years old.

Hyuga Mio, by contrast, seemed relaxed and chuckled: “Ebisu, don’t overthink it. The situation’s tense, sure—but only a little. We’re not being sent on dangerous missions yet.”

That was the advantage of coming from a noble family—even a branch house—Hyuga Mio had access to far more information than Fujinaka Genma or Ebisu, both commoners.

But.

Fujinaka Genma still warned: “Mio’s right, but Itachi still need to be careful.”

“Missions can go wrong in countless ways. Even a D-rank mission might escalate to A-rank—or even S-rank—due to unforeseen changes. Don’t be careless!”

In his view, ninja were mercenaries—performing missions was dancing on the edge of a blade; no amount of caution was excessive.

Hyuga Mio nodded seriously at once, pointing to his eyes: “I’ll see every danger with these eyes!”

At that moment, footsteps approached outside, and the office door was pushed open.

Fujinaka Genma and the others turned to see a man with a full beard, wearing an ANBU vest and a blue ninja cap, step inside.

The man stood at the doorway, scanned the three of them, then spoke with perfect seriousness: “Hello. I am your team leader, Minamimura Yajuro.”

Fujinaka Genma and the others immediately saluted and introduced themselves.

Minamimura Yajuro seemed a stern man; he merely nodded and said: “I already know your profiles. Meet at the village gate at one PM. Your mission: second-tier patrol unit along the western border.”

“This mission may last a long time. Prepare thoroughly.”

“Yes, Sensei Yajuro!”

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu immediately snapped to attention and nodded.

Fujinaka Genma, however, froze as a sudden Mount & Blade system alert echoed in his mind.

“Is something wrong, Genma?”

Minamimura Yajuro noticed Fujinaka Genma’s distraction.

Fujinaka Genma snapped back to attention and replied solemnly: “No, Sensei Yajuro!”

Minamimura Yajuro nodded and added: “There’s still time before afternoon. Let me treat Itachi to some grilled meat.”

Huh??

All three of them stared blankly.

Didn’t they just eat breakfast?

This team leader seemed… odd.

The three exchanged glances, came to the same conclusion, and nodded in agreement.

But Fujinaka Genma hesitated, as if about to speak.

He wanted to say “AA,” but feared offending Minamimura Yajuro.

After all, the man looked stern and seemed difficult to approach.

Thus, the four of them left the academy together and arrived at a nearly empty grilled meat restaurant.

Their first day as ninja began strangely—with a grilled meat meal, no self-introductions about “likes,” “dislikes,” or “dreams.”

No bell-ringing survival training either.

Just because they’d eaten breakfast recently didn’t mean they couldn’t eat again.

So.

An hour later, watching his empty wallet, Minamimura Yajuro’s lips twitched slightly: “Are all new recruits this weird?”

“Three brats just ate sixty thousand ryo from me…”

Minamimura Yajuro tucked away his wallet, expression unchanged, but sweat had soaked his back: “Thank goodness I brought enough money—otherwise I’d have lost face on day one in front of my new team.”

He silently sighed in relief and stepped out of the restaurant.

“Remember the afternoon meeting time and what Itachi need to prepare.”

“Itachi can collect some explosive tags from logistics.”

“Also, Genma—Itachi know sealing techniques. Collect some sealing tags. Itachi might need them.”

…

Minamimura Yajuro gave further detailed instructions.

He’d already mentioned all this while they were eating grilled meat.

“Yes, Sensei Yajuro—we’ll prepare thoroughly!”

Fujinaka Genma and the other two nodded seriously.

“Good. Then see Itachi this afternoon!”

With that, Minamimura Yajuro turned and vanished.

Fujinaka Genma and the others remained standing where they were. Ebisu adjusted his glasses: “I thought Sensei Yajuro would be hard to get along with. Turns out… but, don’t Itachi two think we ate a bit too much just now?”

Fujinaka Genma glanced at him; Hyuga Mio snorted: “Ebisu, Itachi didn’t eat any less than the rest of us!”

“Go home and prepare!”

Preoccupied with the system’s changes, Fujinaka Genma had no appetite for teasing.