Team Seven

"And here are 800,000 ryo. It's not much, but it should cover your Ninja Tool expenses for a while."

"As for weapons, I recall your father left behind a good one, so you won't need me to worry about that. That's all I have for you. Consider it a small token of the clan's regard," Uchiha Yashiro said, thrusting the bundle into the youth's hands.

"This..." The youth's expression showed a flicker of emotion.

"Isn't this a bit too much?" The youth looked up, meeting Yashiro's gaze as he asked.

"Not at all. You are a member of the Uchiha Clan, and a shining example at that. Your parents were also elites who made significant contributions to the clan," the man said with a serious tone.

"In my eyes, this isn't nearly enough, it's almost meager. It's only due to the constraints of fair distribution that I could secure this much for you. You deserve it, child."

"After all, you voluntarily chose not to participate in the Guard Unit internship and instead requested to form your own team. Some people within the clan have expressed their displeasure," Uchiha Yashiro explained, scratching his head.

"Yes, my decision will not change, Lord Yashiro. I want to understand the village better; it will be beneficial to our situation," the youth said, looking up. The bright eyes flashed with a determined light.

"Ah, I know, and I trust you. I believe that the open-mindedness of young people is one of the few things we old folks can truly appreciate. It's perfectly normal for you to have your own pursuits and ambitions."

As he spoke, Yashiro's tone suddenly shifted.

"It's just, Kai, I want you to understand that no matter what, you are always a member of the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha will always be your solid support... Do you understand what I mean?"

Uchiha Yashiro said to the youth with a solemn tone.

The youth's lips curved slightly, and he nodded, giving a strong affirmation.

"Lord Yashiro, you know, I was raised by the clan. I lost my parents when I was too young to remember, and now I can't even recall their faces..."

"But I have never forgotten, nor would I ever dare to forget, the help the clan and its members have given me during that time. I am an Uchiha, rooted here and born here, no matter where I go," the youth's youthful face held a solemn expression.

"As long as I am myself, I will never forget my Uchiha identity, Lord Yashiro."

"Good, good. Such a fine child..." The man felt a surge of joy upon hearing this.

"With your words, I can finally rest easy. With fine children like you in the future, the Uchiha have nothing to worry about in terms of prosperity..."

"You flatter me, sir. This is merely my duty," the youth said, shaking his head slightly.

"Alright, young people need their private space. This old man won't intrude any further."

"Happy graduation, Kai. Don't let your guard down after becoming a ninja. Be even more cautious than before. Executing missions is very dangerous..." Yashiro advised, then waved his hand and vanished from his spot with a flash.

"I will..."

After watching Uchiha Yashiro leave, the youth let out a barely perceptible smile, humming a little tune as he turned and went inside.

Under the lamplight, this dinner was eaten with exceptional comfort.

The morning arrived. The streets of Konoha today were more lively than usual. Many shops had opened earlier than normal.

There was no other reason than it being the graduation day for the Konoha Ninja Academy. Most graduates would, after their team assignments, go out with their friends to places they usually couldn't afford to frequent, to celebrate together.

Outside the Sweet Chestnut Shop, Uchiha Kai, having just finished his morning training, bought some candy. Just as he was about to reward his tired body, someone patted his shoulder.

"Maa~ Eating strawberry candy again, Kai-kun? Eating so much will give you cavities!" The girl suddenly appeared, twirling her finger as she skillfully took half of the candy from Uchiha Kai's hand.

"Ah... If you're going to rob me, at least don't lecture me too! I brush my teeth twice a day..." The youth rubbed his forehead, looking helpless.

"Haha... Is that so?" The girl, trying to brush off the accusation with a laugh, let out a dry chuckle.

"You're the one who should be careful about cavities. Eating so much at once and not brushing properly. You'll learn your lesson when your tooth starts aching." Seeing the girl peel several candies at once and pop them into her mouth, the youth couldn't help but tap her forehead.

"Eh? That hurt... Kai-kun, what if you broke my head..."

"Then I'll fix it. I'm quite good at it."

"Is that so? Sounds rather unreliable..."

"You know it's unreliable... Then eat less candy."

"I'd rather not."

"..."

"Kai-kun~"

"..."

"Hahaha, Kai-kun, are you looking forward to today's team assignments? Is there anyone you particularly want to be on a team with?"

"You." "Eh!?"

"And Katsura. It would be great if the three of us could be in the same class."

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing... After the team assignments, do you want to go for some yakiniku?"

"Sure. Shall the three of us go?"

"...It's not impossible."

"Great! I'll tell Katsura later. He'll definitely be the most enthusiastic."

Konoha Ninja Academy, graduation classroom.

"Team Six, Jinbu Sota, Hyuga Tetsu, follow me. I will be your instructor from now on."

After another ninja in a vest led away three students from the class, Uchiha Kai spoke.

"Speaking of which, have you guys seen Mitaraishi Anko? Didn't she pass the exam? Why isn't she here for the team assignments?" Glancing around to confirm Red wasn't hiding in some corner, the young man was a little confused.

"Oh, right! No wonder I'm in such a good mood today, it's because that conceited girl isn't here!" Morino Kei exclaimed in realization.

"Haha, that's a good one, Kei." Hyuga Rei covered her mouth, expressing her agreement.

"Alright, you're all classmates, there's no need for this." Uchiha Kai patted the two of them, stopping their childish bickering.

"Well~ she's Orochimaru's disciple, so she's definitely different from us ordinary people. Directly following the Sannin, she doesn't need to struggle like us." Hyuga Rei said teasingly.

"Is that so? That is indeed nice." The young man put on an envious expression, but in his heart, he began to grumble.

"Heh heh, you two don't know how miserable Red will be later. Envious? Who would be envious..."

"But it's okay, since they haven't called our names for so long, we're probably going to be together. There aren't many people left in the class." Hyuga Rei said with certainty, her eyes occasionally glancing at Uchiha Kai.

This scene was caught by Morino Kei, who was standing nearby. The big, honest-looking guy suddenly smirked.

Morino Kei deliberately turned his body away from Uchiha Kai and then started winking and gesturing at Hyuga Rei. His gaze darted back and forth between the two, and he silently mouthed words with a thumbs-up.

"I think you can do it, hurry up and get this guy."

The next moment, he was met with the girl's merciless fist, which landed squarely on his forehead.

"Ouch! Murder! Kai, do something, Rei is trying to silence me!" Morino Kei clutched his head and exclaimed dramatically, as if he were about to die.

"What? Silence what? What are you two suddenly talking about?" Uchiha Kai turned to look at the noisy pair and asked.

"Rei, she just..." Morino Kei, who had only started to speak, suddenly felt a terrifying killing intent from behind him. From an angle only he could see, the girl had activated her Byakugan, and her gaze was sweeping over his vital points.

"Gulp~"

"Hahahahaha! Nothing! I was trying to steal Rei's candy and got hit. It really hurts, ouch! It hurts so much..." Morino Kei, his brain working at lightning speed and using all his might, managed to come up with a reason. He could feel the guillotine hanging over his head disappear.

"You two should be more serious, you're all ninja..." Just as the young man was about to lecture them again, the voice they had been waiting for suddenly echoed through the classroom.

"Team Seven, Uchiha Kai, Hyuga Rei, Morino Kei."