Mondays were pure torture for Mizuki. As usual, he forced down his suspicious-looking breakfast—probably laced with more toxins than nutrients—then dragged himself to class, groaning all the way. He slumped into his seat by the back window, silently hoping for a break from the chaos.
The bell rang, and the homeroom teacher strode in.
Teacher: "Mizuki, introduce yourself to the new classmate."
Mizuki stood lazily and glanced around—and immediately did a double take. Obito, Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, even Might Guy—future legends of the ninja world—were casually sitting around like it was no big deal.
Mizuki: "Yo, I'm Mizuki. Let's all get along."
Teacher: "Good. Take your seat."
He sat back down, eyeing the empty seat beside him. He muttered under his breath:
Mizuki (muttering): "Please be a cute girl."
His gaze drifted to Obito, who kept sneaking glances at Rin—who only had eyes for Kakashi. Classic.
Mizuki (smirking): "Real-life love triangle. This is gold."
The door slid open again.
Teacher (sternly): "Anko, you're late."
A sleepy-eyed girl wandered in. She looked half-asleep—until she spotted Mizuki.
Anko: "You're the new guy? I'm Anko."
Mizuki: "Nice to meet you. I'm Mizuki. Let's get along."
Their grins matched like mischief made manifest. The rest of the class blurred by as they quietly joked and flipped through their textbooks without a care in the world.
After class, students gathered on the training field. Mizuki rolled his shoulders. He'd trained under Old Man Kosuke and sparred with Obito plenty—he wasn't intimidated by the names around him.
Instructor: "Form a ring! Traditional shinobi sparring—no ninjutsu. Stay inside the ring. You fall, or step out, you lose. First match: Mizuki versus Obito."
Anko perked up. Rin clapped for Obito, cheeks a bit pink.
Rin: "You got this, Obito!"
Obito entered the ring, trying to look confident. Mizuki gave him a small nod.
Instructor: "Begin!"
Obito rushed in fast, aiming punches at Mizuki's chest and head. Mizuki weaved through them, replying with a clean kick to the gut. Obito stumbled but came back swinging.
They traded blows—fists, elbows, feints—but Mizuki was calm, waiting for his moment. Then—bam!—a sharp elbow to Obito's jaw, followed by a shoulder throw that sent him flying.
Instructor: "Winner: Mizuki!"
Gasps echoed. Rin looked shocked. Anko? Smug grin.
Mizuki offered Obito a hand and helped him up.
Anko (grinning): "Nice job! I expected no less from my desk mate!"
Mizuki (groaning): "You're gonna break my back one day, I swear…"
Anko (mock innocent): "What if that's the plan?"
She grabbed his collar playfully. Mizuki stretched a hand out dramatically.
Mizuki: "Somebody… anyone… save me!"
Obito and Rin looked away, very conveniently.
Next Match: Kakashi vs. Asuma
Instructor: "Hatake Kakashi vs. Asuma Sarutobi!"
Students leaned forward, buzzing with excitement. Kurenai turned pink as she peeked toward Asuma.
Asuma lunged with a strong right hook, but Kakashi dodged with ease, slipping under the punch and countering with a lightning-fast jab to the gut. Asuma staggered.
Kakashi swept his leg—Asuma hit the ground.
Instructor: "Winner: Kakashi!"
The crowd roared. Kurenai clapped a bit too eagerly.
Lunch Break
Mizuki grabbed his usual pork-and-rice lunch and plopped down at an empty table. A moment later, Obito joined him, sulking over Rin sitting with Anko and Kurenai.
Obito (grumbling): "Why'd she sit there?"
Mizuki patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Mizuki: "Love is war, man."
Across from him, Guy beamed like the sun.
Guy: "Mizuki! You must meet my father, the sublime Might Duy! He'll show you the Power of Youth!"
Mizuki (grinning): "Count me in."
Maybe Mondays weren't so bad after all.