The New Team Seven

Early in the morning, Sen woke from his sleep.

After washing up, he stretched his legs. Thanks to his Uzumaki Physique, the injuries he'd sustained in yesterday's spar with Minato had already mostly healed.

After breakfast, he opened the front door. Through the mist, he saw a figure standing with head bowed, deep in thought.

"Mikoto, is that you?"

Uchiha Mikoto heard Sen's voice and turned to look at him.

Though they'd last met less than a month ago, Sen couldn't help feeling that her eyes looked far more troubled this time.

Mist still clung to the ends of her hair, as if she'd been waiting there for quite a while.

But the feeling passed in an instant, and Uchiha Mikoto's face softened into a warm smile.

She hurried over to Sen and greeted him. "How have you been? I heard you're graduating early, so I came to see you."

"It's only an early graduation. It's not like we won't see each other anymore. You're such a glutton, and yet you didn't come by at lunchtime." Sen noticed the Forehead Protector she was wearing. "Looks like you're a proper Genin now, Mikoto."

It would've been better if he hadn't brought it up. The moment he mentioned the Forehead Protector, Uchiha Mikoto's eyes suddenly dimmed.

She spoke slowly. "I came to see you because I'm going to the battlefield tomorrow. Konoha and Sunagakure have already had a few small-scale clashes. You're so clever, so you must have figured that out already."

When Sen nodded, she sighed and continued:

"Grandpa has arranged for a very capable Jonin to assist us, and the Clan Leader has also assigned Fugaku's team to work with us. They've already completed plenty of missions, but I'm still worried."

"It'll be fine. I believe in you. You'll make it back alive." Sen wasn't worried about that. After all, Uchiha Mikoto was supposed to live for a long time.

"That's not what I'm worried about." Uchiha Mikoto shook her head again and again, sighing. "Do you really not understand what the Clan Leader is planning?"

When Sen still didn't catch on, Uchiha Mikoto looked at him as if he were hopeless. "Fugaku is the Clan Leader's son, so this is basically a family alliance... Never mind. I just wanted to see you.

"You should buy more things you'll need on the battlefield. Prices have gotten ridiculously high. Grandpa said you'll be sent to the front line within a year at the latest."

As she spoke, she took money from her wallet. Then she stopped halfway and smiled wryly. "Why am I giving you money? You have a lot more than I do."

Uchiha Mikoto came back to herself and shook her head, bitterness in her heart.

Worry really does make you lose your head.

Seeing her like this, Sen felt a little sad. To him, Uchiha Mikoto had always been a gentle and lovable person.

Besides, in the Shinobi World, men were generally held in higher regard than women. It was rare for a woman to fall for a man younger than herself.

Mikoto's actions, combined with her personality, made it clear she was making a tremendous effort.

Sen placed his hand over hers as she reached for the money and gave it a gentle pat. "I'll wait for you to come back."

He smiled and reassured her. "Don't rush to change the subject. This family alliance you mentioned... I don't want you to go through with it."

At his words, all the worry vanished from Uchiha Mikoto's face. Though the streets were shrouded in morning mist, she no longer felt the slightest chill.

"Mm, I believe you." Mikoto smiled radiantly. She looked at Sen reluctantly. "I have to go meet up with the others. Don't forget what you said."

"Mm. Tell me when you get back. I'll make something tasty." Sen's simple reply put her at ease.

Satisfied with his answer, Mikoto took a few steps away, glancing back at him each time, before disappearing around the corner.

Sen could only watch her go, feeling a pang of sorrow.

Being too outstanding really was a sin.

And what about Kushina? She was even younger, and with her temperament, would she accept being the second wife? Wouldn't she break my legs?

Wait, what am I thinking? Since I'm already this outstanding, I might as well follow the example of those transmigrators from my previous life and build a harem.

If I could have a harem, what would it matter if my legs got broken? Even both of them!

One month later, it was time for the graduation exam.

The test was unbelievably simple: throw ten shuriken and hit at least six wooden posts to pass.

These boys and girls, who were about to be sent to the battlefield, had no idea they were destined to become cannon fodder. They eagerly signed up for the exam, chattering excitedly.

By noon, almost everyone had easily passed the ridiculously easy test.

At noon,

Sarutobi Hiruzen even brought the village's top brass to the school to give a speech in person, administering one last dose of the Will of Fire to these future cannon fodder.

Most of the students had never seen the Hokage before. Now that he stood right in front of them, they were naturally overjoyed.

"Is that Lord Hokage? He doesn't look intimidating at all."

"Exactly, he looks so kind and gentle. He seems really approachable! It's wonderful to serve under him!"

Sen rolled his eyes. Kind and gentle?

Would someone who was really kind and gentle send you off to be cannon fodder?

Among all the people there, only a few teachers wore worried expressions. Everyone else had false smiles plastered on their faces. After all, to them, these students were nothing more than pawns in a political game.

On the stage, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a smile:

"You are all outstanding graduates of this year's class. From this moment on, you are Konoha's Genin.

"Are you confident you can protect the village and your families?!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The students' cheers rose in wave after wave.

Sen didn't have time to pay attention to that. He was more concerned about the team assignments that afternoon. Which team would he be assigned to, and who would be his Jonin Leader?

After lunch came the team assignments.

The list was announced soon enough. As Sen listened to Murashita Ryukawa, he stared in disbelief. The team he'd been assigned to made no sense at all.

Murashita Ryukawa read from the stage. "Team Seven: Uchiha Sen, Kushina Uzumaki, Namikaze Minato!"

When Murashita Ryukawa announced the names, Sen was completely stunned.

Two top-ranked geniuses, along with the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. This team was far too stacked, and far too unreasonable!

Had Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō suddenly changed their ways?

As he pondered this, Murashita Ryukawa finished reading the list and said:

"Wait here. Your Jonin Leader will come get you soon."

The students soon quieted down, full of anticipation. They all wanted to make a good first impression on the teacher who would lead them, since their future as shinobi depended on it.

As time passed, many of the students were led away. Only Sen's team and a team from the Hyuga Clan remained.

Several teachers came and went, but none of them were in charge of Team Seven. The three of them couldn't help growing anxious.

Kushina was especially restless. Just as she was beginning to think her Jonin Leader would never show, a striking figure walked in.

"Sister Tsunade!" Kushina cried out in delight.