The Night Before the Team

Haruto lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as the soft light from the moon filtered through the window. Tomorrow would be the day. The day he would find out who his new team and Jonin teacher were. The thought alone sent a spark of excitement through him, but it was mixed with just a hint of uncertainty. This wasn't just about joining a team—this was the next step toward becoming a true shinobi.

He shifted slightly, his mind buzzing. Unlike what he had seen in the anime from his previous life, things in this world worked a little differently. Sure, most graduates got placed on a team, but there was a quiet truth behind the system that wasn't so idealistic. The more talented graduates were placed with Jonin leaders, who pushed them toward greatness. But for those who struggled or didn't show as much promise? They were assigned to Chunin leaders. It wasn't exactly a punishment, but it carried the understanding that these Genin weren't expected to rise as quickly, if at all.

And then there was the Genin Corps, a sort of last resort for those who couldn't make the cut. If the leadership believed a Genin had no real potential to become a Chunin, they were sent there. The Corps was a place where ninja were given menial tasks—low-level missions that didn't require much skill. The Corps offered some semblance of being a shinobi, but it was far from the future Haruto envisioned for himself.

Everyone got a team—an opportunity. But not everyone got the same chance to shine.

Haruto smirked slightly, feeling the edge of anticipation run through him. He wasn't worried about being sent to the Genin Corps. He had proven his worth at the academy, and he knew he had the skills to be placed with a Jonin. The real question was, who would his captain be?

He hoped it would be someone strong, someone who could push him further, test his limits. His mind wandered to what Daichi Uzumaki had mentioned during one of their sparring sessions—Minato Namikaze. Haruto hadn't met Minato personally, but Daichi had said that he was a rising star, a Jonin already known for his speed and genius. If he were to end up with Minato as his team leader, that would be something else. The idea of training under someone like the Yellow Flash sent a thrill through him.

Haruto turned on his side, pulling the covers up as he tried to get comfortable. Tomorrow was the big day. His future as a shinobi was about to take a new shape. He had faced challenges before, but this… this was the next step. The world outside the academy, the real world of missions, combat, and danger, was waiting for him. He wasn't going to back down.

As he closed his eyes, his mind still drifted. Minato… It would be cool if Minato ended up being his Jonin leader. The stories he'd heard from Daichi about the man were impressive, and having a teacher with such skill could be exactly what he needed to push himself to the next level.

But no matter who his captain turned out to be, Haruto knew one thing for certain—he was ready. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.