The classroom, so recently a pressure cooker of exam tension, now simmered with a different kind of heat: the nervous, excited anticipation of team assignments. Kenji sat amongst the newly minted Genin, his forehead protector a cool, constant reminder of the line he had successfully walked. Passed, yes. But the real test, the long game of concealment, was just beginning. A three-person cell, under the constant observation of a Jonin sensei, would be a far more intricate stage for his secret than the relative anonymity of the Academy.
He scanned the room. The usual dynamics were at play. Naruto was practically vibrating, loudly speculating about being on a team with Sakura and, with a slightly more complicated mix of rivalry and hope, Sasuke. Sakura, in turn, was a picture of anxious yearning, her gaze fixed on Sasuke, who maintained his typical aloof cool, radiating an aura that dared anyone to approach. Shikamaru was already attempting to nap, head on his desk, having apparently decided that worrying was too troublesome.
Iruka-sensei stood at the front, a stack of official-looking papers in his hand, a proud but tired smile on his face. The classroom gradually fell silent.
"Alright, everyone, settle down!" Iruka began, his voice resonating with warmth. "First, once again, congratulations on officially becoming Genin of Konohagakure. This is a significant step. From today, you are shinobi. Your journey of growth, teamwork, and service to the village truly begins now, under the guidance of your Jonin instructors."
He picked up the top sheet. "I will now announce the team assignments. Team 10 will be: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi."
Shikamaru groaned audibly without lifting his head. "Knew it. Troublesome." Ino shot a triumphant look at Sakura, while Choji simply smiled contentedly. "Your Jonin leader," Iruka continued, "is Asuma Sarutobi."
Next, "Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. Your Jonin leader will be Kurenai Yuhi."
Kiba let out a whoop, Akamaru barking in agreement from inside his jacket. Hinata flushed a deep crimson, her gaze darting towards Naruto. Shino remained impassive as ever.
Kenji felt his own pulse quicken. He noted, with a quiet sense of relief, that there was no mention of Rock Lee or Tenten in these assignments. He knew they, along with Neji Hyuga, were part of Guy-sensei's team – a formidable group already a year into their Genin careers, not part of this graduating class. That particular brand of high-octane, Taijutsu-focused scrutiny was one he was glad to avoid for now.
"Team 7," Iruka read, and the remaining tension in the room seemed to coil even tighter. "Naruto Uzumaki..."
Naruto shot up, fist in the air. "Alright! Yeah!"
"...Sakura Haruno..."
Sakura had a complex expression, a mix of delight at being teamed with Sasuke and dismay at being with Naruto.
"...and Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke didn't react visibly, but Kenji, with his runic sight, saw a flicker of something unreadable – perhaps faint annoyance or resignation – in his tightly controlled aura.
"Your Jonin leader," Iruka announced, and a wave of whispers went through the class, "is Kakashi Hatake."
The legendary Copy Ninja. Kenji felt a shiver of something akin to awe and trepidation for Team 7. Kakashi's reputation for perceptiveness was immense.
Only a few unassigned students remained, Kenji among them. He braced himself, trying to keep his expression neutral, his runic signature calm. Who would he be paired with? What kind of sensei?
Iruka picked up the final sheet. "And for Team 4..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the remaining students before landing on Kenji. "...Kenji." Kenji straightened slightly. "Your teammates will be Sora Ito and Riku Tanaka."
Kenji blinked. Sora Ito… he vaguely recalled a quiet, studious girl with glasses who rarely spoke but always seemed to be taking meticulous notes. Her runic signature, when he'd bothered to notice it, had felt calm, analytical, with hints of 'information gathering'. Riku Tanaka… a more solidly built boy, equally quiet but in a more stoic, observant way. Kenji remembered him being decent with traps during basic Academy exercises, his runes often showing 'groundedness' and 'practicality'.
It was… an unexpected grouping. Not flashy, not obviously powerful. Just… quiet. Potentially overlooked. Which, for Kenji, might be a blessing.
"Your Jonin leader for Team 4," Iruka concluded, "will be Yumi Adachi."
Yumi Adachi? Kenji wracked his brain. The name wasn't one associated with legendary exploits like Kakashi or Asuma. He had a faint image of a female chunin, perhaps now Jonin, with dark hair and a calm, professional demeanor, sometimes seen assisting with Academy drills or paperwork. Someone competent, but not a high-profile figure.
"Your assigned Jonin instructors will meet with you individually or as teams later this afternoon," Iruka said, setting down his papers. "For now, class dismissed! Good luck, all of you."
The room erupted as students began to gather, some jubilant, others apprehensive. Kenji remained seated for a moment, processing. Sora Ito. Riku Tanaka. Yumi Adachi. Team 4. It wasn't a team that screamed 'powerhouse'. Sora's potential for analysis and Riku's practical skills could be useful. And a less famous Jonin leader… could that mean less intense scrutiny? Or would a more methodical, perhaps less distracted, sensei be even more likely to notice the subtle discrepancies in Kenji's abilities?
He spotted Sora Ito a few rows ahead, nervously adjusting her glasses as she looked around, perhaps searching for her new teammates. Riku Tanaka was already standing by the door, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Kenji took a deep breath. This was his new reality. A new team, a new sensei. A new set of variables in the complex equation of keeping his secret. He pushed himself to his feet. Time to meet his new constellation, and to begin figuring out how to navigate the shadows within it.
--- End of Chapter 13 ---