Chapter 9, Team 2

Hikaru was now standing with his friends, all with high anticipation of Iruka's announcement, when three adults showed up out of nowhere. He took a couple of seconds to analyse them one by one.

He'd want to avoid Rock Lee. Hikaru knew of him from Guy-sensei and he didn't need another one pressuring him to work on his taijutsu.

Hikaru did NOT appreciate the look of the Hyuuga. He had a good impression of Hinata from when she helped him understand his situation, but this man in front of him didn't seem like the same kind of person. He seemed smug and self-important. Hikaru got the feeling that the man looked at him with disgust.

Finally, there was the pale black-haired man. He seemed emotionless, Hikaru could get nothing from him! This guy had either experienced a lot or had a lot of training with the anbu which Hikaru had heard a lot about. Maybe a mixture of both.

Iruka gestured towards the three men and said "These three will lead our new groups of genin. From left to right we have. Rock Lee, Yamanaka Sai and Hyuuga Ko. These will lead team 1, 2 and 3 respectively. When I call out the first three names you'll follow Rock Lee, the following three follow Yamanaka Sai and the last three will follow Hyuuga Ko."

Now that everything was explained all nine children looked like they could barely stay in place, except for Yamanaka Inosuke and Hoshine Natsuhi. Those two tried their best to not look bothered as Iruka started shouting names.

"Sansho, Mibuna and Hoshine Natsuhi. Go with Rock Lee." Mibuna and Sansho looked at eachother with joy and hugged before saying good bye to Tsukune and Hikaru "Hope you two get into the same group so no one is alone!" They left quickly and Iruka could resume.

"Taiyou Hikaru, Tsukune and Sarutobi Mirai, you may leave with Yamanaka Sai" Hikaru looked at the two people around him and was happy he was put in a group with them instead of the three classmates which were left. Suddenly Inuzuka Himari quietly, but not enough, said to her friends "They must be trying to even out the groups, that's why they put Mirai with that trash"

What was now known as team 2 heard it loud and clear. Tsukune and Mirai instantly tried to jump into action but Hikaru grabbed their arms and dragged them over to Sai. "We're ready to leave Sai-sensei!"

Sai looked at him with concern but nodded and lead them away to what he claimed was the third training ground. They all soon realized that this was where the commoner group used to do all their training, back in the days before Hikaru started his gate training with Guy-sensei.

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When they got there, the three genin stood up against one log each with Sai in front of them. "So. Let's start with with introductions! I'm Yamanaka Sai, I mainly use jutsu which are related to ink and animating my drawings like this" Sai quickly pulled out a scroll and drew a small dog which soon jumped out of the page surprising the young ninjas for a moment.

When they realized how friendly the dog was, they all felt a smile appear as they looked back at Sai's expressionless face.

"I can also use fire, earth and water release. I strive to become better so that I can protect my loved ones. Now it's your turn. I want a name, your specialty and why you strive to become better. Questions can come afterwards." He added that last part when he noticed that Tsukune had questions about the ink technique.

Mirai stepped up first. "I'm Sarutobi Mirai! I specialize in fairly close combat, aided by my chakra blades and wind release. I want to become stronger so that people will stop thinking I'm someone's granddaughter, and instead think that I'm me, Mirai." She looked at Sai with passion and this surprised Hikaru. He hadn't thought about that part. Maybe there are good sides to not having a background pressuring you.

Tsukune straightened his back "My name is Tsukune, just Tsukune. I don't have a specialty because I don't know what I'm good at yet. I'd love to test new kinds of fighting styles to find which one suits me. I want to become stronger to prove that I don't need a background to become hokage. I'll become strong enough so no one can deny that I should hold the position!" Tsukune almost sounded angry when he explained himself as he didn't think Sai could understand what he's going through.

Finally it was Hikaru's turn "Formally I'm Hikaru, but within two years it'll be Taiyou Hikaru. I used to specialize in hand to hand combat and I think it suits me well but now that I can use ninjutsu I want to explore that path aswell! I want to become strong enough to honor my family but creating a noble clan here in Konoha. I want to be able to return to my town one day and show them my accomplishments."

Sai looked at the trio pleased, but was interrupted by Hikaru asking some questions. "Forgive me if I'm rude, but you don't look like a Yamanaka..also why did you want to become a team leader?" Hikaru looked at Sai confused but Sai sighed and explained "It's okay. I was born a commoner without a last name but recently married a beautiful woman called Yamanaka Ino. As for your other question, I now have a young son so I don't want to remain in the anbu anymore. I'm also looking for an apprentice to hand my techniques down to, figured this would be a good way."

At the mention that he was a commoner, the two boys instantly lit up! This couldn't have gone better. They were being led by a commoner who had managed to work his way up the ranks! But Tsukune was confused about him looking for an apprentice "But you have a child, surely-" Hikaru stopped him and Sai responded melancholically.

"My son is a Yamanaka and will learn their techniques primarily, not mine. But Iruka put you three in my team for a reason, maybe he saw potential in one of you to uphold my legacy." Sai smiled at the three of them. It was a forced smile, that much was clear to them all, but it was obvious he was trying to show his emotions somehow and they appreciated it.

"But question time is over! I'd like to see how you fight with my own eyes. Come at me one by one and I'll only use the exact style you said was your specialty against you." Sai looked at Tsukune "Against you I'll just copy your style when I see it."

Lastly he spared a glance at Hikaru's body and added "Normally I'd make an exception for an injured student but as Guy's apprentice you should be able to handle this much." Sai gave Hikaru a look he couldn't quite place the meaning of, but it felt very forceful and threatening. "Correct?"