Team assignments

"Nebula, are you ready?"

"My youth is raring to go," Might Guy declared beside him.

Nebula Kotetsu closed his panel. Faced with Might Guy's exuberant grin, he smiled too.

"Guy."

"I'm ready. Let's get started!"

"Yahoo!~"

"Let's begin!!"

At Might Guy's shout, the two broke into a full sprint.

One minute in, Nebula Kotetsu felt the speed of the wind.

Three minutes in, Nebula Kotetsu felt the pain in his muscles.

Ten minutes in, Nebula Kotetsu felt like he was going to die.

Even though his physical fitness and chakra reserves had improved considerably, his body still began protesting the sudden, intense exercise.

Lungs: I'm dying, I'm dying. I can't do this.

Heart: I'm dying, I'm dying. I'm almost done for too.

Brain: I think they have a point.

Nebula Kotetsu refused to listen.

Might Guy was running ahead like a donkey that had slipped its reins. Why couldn't he do it too?

My body, my rules!

Three more minutes passed, and Nebula Kotetsu decided he could do without making those rules.

Watching Might Guy, who was still brimming with energy ahead of him, he shouted the question on his mind.

"Guy!~"

"When you can't keep going, how do you push through?!~"

Without looking back, Might Guy shouted as he ran toward the morning sun.

"Yahoo~~"

"With youth!!~"

"Only by working hard without stopping can I feel that my youth is still alive!~"

Nebula Kotetsu had nothing to say.

Refusing to give in, he gave chase with all his strength.

In the hazy dawn outside Konoha, two trails of dust stretched farther and farther...

That morning, in the Ninja Academy's large classroom.

"Nebula, what's wrong?"

"Should you go to the hospital?" Under the displeased stares of dozens of girls, Rin Nohara sat beside Nebula Kotetsu, her voice full of concern.

Nebula Kotetsu's condition looked rather alarming.

His already fair face was even paler than usual, and every breath seemed to take all his strength. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought he had a terminal illness.

"I'm fine." Nebula Kotetsu did his best to smile.

Yet his pale face still had a fragile air about it. At that moment, quite a few girls in the classroom clasped their hands to their chests, wishing they could pull him over and shower him with concern.

"Are you really okay?" Rin Nohara was still worried.

Beside them, Obito Uchiha looked jealous. Still, seeing Nebula Kotetsu's complexion that day, he said nothing. He felt that a little concern from Rin Nohara was no big deal.

After all, the guy looked like he was dying.

"I'm really fine," Nebula Kotetsu said helplessly.

He knew his own body best.

He simply couldn't quite handle the sudden, high-intensity workout. On top of that, this was only his second time getting up early, and he hadn't adjusted yet.

A few more times, and he would more or less get used to it.

"By the way, Rin, you still have some milk, right?"

"I do." Rin Nohara took a can of milk from her little bag and handed it to Nebula Kotetsu. "Here."

Under Obito Uchiha's twitching gaze, Nebula Kotetsu accepted Rin Nohara's milk, took out a straw, pushed it in, and began sipping.

Having something to drink made him feel much better. Before long, the color gradually returned to his face.

Rin Nohara finally relaxed.

Then she noticed Nebula Kotetsu's ninja tool pouch and asked curiously, "Nebula, why is your tool pouch bulging?"

"What did you put in there?"

Nebula Kotetsu discreetly tucked the pouch into his desk. His green bodysuit was inside.

"Nothing."

"It's naughty boy stuff. Girls shouldn't be curious."

Hearing that, Rin Nohara stopped asking.

Obito Uchiha, however, suddenly grew curious.

Naughty stuff?

I really want to see.

Unfortunately, he wasn't on good terms with Nebula Kotetsu, so he couldn't ask.

"Rin, who do you think our team leader will be?" Obito Uchiha asked, trying to draw Rin Nohara's attention away from Nebula Kotetsu.

"I don't know." Sure enough, Rin Nohara's attention shifted. She looked toward the door, anticipation appearing in her eyes.

"I hope we get a bright, cheerful teacher."

"That would help everyone on the team get along better."

"Yeah, yeah." Obito Uchiha nodded in agreement, but then offered his own opinion.

"If you ask me, it'd be best to get a really strong ninja."

"Someone cold and proud, who's killed countless enemies."

"A strong team leader would be a great role model. We'd improve faster by learning from them."

Listening to Obito Uchiha's fantasies, Rin Nohara couldn't help picturing a broad, burly ninja with a full beard, a huge sword in his hand, and a bloodthirsty expression.

She shuddered.

"Ugh~ Obito, you're so annoying."

"I'd still rather have someone bright and cheerful."

It wasn't just Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha.

At that moment, almost everyone in the classroom was discussing the same thing.

Their team assignments after graduation.

Everyone present had passed this year's graduation requirements and would soon be assigned to a team.

Who would their supervising teacher—their team captain—be? A Chunin or a Jonin?

Who would their teammates be?

Everyone felt as though a cat were scratching at their heart. None of them could settle down.

Who will my teammates be?

My good friends, my best buddy, or someone who's always been my rival? Or maybe... the prettiest girl in class or the school's heartthrob?

The students kept glancing around, their anxious gazes tinged with anticipation.

Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and several other pretty girls drew furtive looks from many of the boys.

As for the girls... almost all their eyes were on Nebula Kotetsu.

Some sneaked glances and tried to hide them, while others openly stared, silently praying.

I really hope I end up on Nebula's team.

Oh, heavens, please grant my wish.

Sage of Six Paths, please work a miracle. Ignore that little bitch beside me and let me have Nebula.

The Nebula Kotetsu of today was no longer the Nebula Kotetsu of before.

Compared to his former status as the perennial dead last, his strength had improved tremendously. He could even defeat an ordinary student like Mizuki, putting him above average.

Most importantly, he knew the Mystical Palm Technique.

On the battlefield, a medical ninja was second only to a powerhouse who could carry the team!

Everyone was curious, and Nebula Kotetsu was no exception.

Who will my teammates be?

Rin Nohara would, of course, be ideal. It would make it easier for him to go on dates and complete missions every day.

If it wasn't Rin Nohara... that didn't seem to matter much either.

As long as they were normal people.

While the classroom buzzed with chatter, its door opened.

The male teacher walked in. Seeing the previously noisy students turn toward him expectantly, he smiled and said, "Looks like you've all been waiting for me."

One of the bolder boys immediately asked, "Sir, are you announcing the team assignments now?"

"Yes." The teacher nodded. When the students began clamoring again, he lowered both hands in a calming gesture. Once they had quieted down, he spoke.

"Starting today, each of you is a ninja who can stand on your own."

"But for now, you're still rookie Genin. Greater difficulties and challenges await you."

"From here on, you will form teams and carry out missions together."

"As your teacher, I have one final piece of advice for you—cherish your comrades and protect the village."

"I will now announce your assigned teams and their leaders."