Asuma's Hostility

"Team One: Shizune, Mizuki, Ibiki Morino..."

In the classroom, as soon as the teacher began reading the names, the graduates sat in their seats, waiting nervously for their team assignments.

Nebula Kotetsu was no different.

The main reason he had revealed his Mystical Palm Technique was to prepare for this day.

Having an excellent jōnin leader meant receiving better guidance. A team leader's position and standing could even affect a ninja's future development and status in the village.

"Team Five: Asuma Sarutobi."

In his seat, a boy who seemed mature beyond his years clenched his fists nervously.

"Kurenai Yuhi."

"Yes!" Asuma Sarutobi excitedly waved his arm.

Beside him sat a stunning girl with an exceptional air about her and red eyes. It was Kurenai Yuhi.

Her fluffy hair fell past her shoulders, framing a delicate, fair-skinned face.

Her rose-red eyes shimmered with a crystalline clarity.

Kurenai Yuhi.

In terms of looks, she was probably the prettiest girl in their year. And with her graceful air, she was even more captivating than Muto Ayaka from the class next door.

Now, watching Asuma Sarutobi's excitement, Kurenai smiled softly.

"Nebula Kotetsu."

"Huh?" Asuma Sarutobi's smile froze.

Then he shot to his feet!

"Asuma?" The teacher onstage adjusted his glasses. "Is there a problem?"

Asuma Sarutobi ignored the teacher.

He turned and looked toward Nebula Kotetsu, his gaze fixed on the boy's face. His expression darkened.

Nebula Kotetsu.

They were in the same year but different classes, and unlike Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi had certainly heard of Nebula Kotetsu's reputation.

Enchanting, elegant, handsome, charming...

Those were just some of the many words the girls used to praise him.

Among the boys, though, there was usually only one thing they said... that he was a dead-last with nothing but an evil-looking face!

Now, looking at Nebula Kotetsu's face—the kind that made him feel inferior—Asuma realized the boys had been right.

He really did look evil!

As a member of the Sarutobi Clan, Asuma rarely made enemies at school, and he had hardly ever spoken to Nebula Kotetsu.

But that was only because the other boy hadn't gone after Kurenai. As long as he left her alone, Asuma couldn't be bothered with him.

Still, he couldn't stand people like Nebula Kotetsu.

A flirt, a scoundrel, abusing his good looks and chasing after every girl he could.

If he were the principal, he'd expel students like that.

And now they'd assigned someone like him to Asuma's team?!

He couldn't accept it!

"Asuma?" The teacher's tone grew impatient. "What's the problem? If there isn't one, sit down."

"Teacher! Why do I have to team up with this dead-last?" In front of everyone, Asuma challenged the teacher, showing no regard for either the teacher's feelings or Nebula Kotetsu's.

The teacher looked up, visibly annoyed.

Normally, the Hokage and the village's higher-ups decided on class and team assignments, and he didn't explain their choices to students. But this was the Hokage's son, so he suppressed his irritation and gave a simple answer.

"This is the Hokage's decision."

"Besides, Nebula is an excellent student. He isn't a dead-last."

Sensing the teacher's displeasure, Asuma still wanted to say something. He opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing.

The Hokage's decision.

The image of the old man lecturing him came to mind. Asuma knew arguing with the teacher would get him nowhere, so he sat back down, still displeased.

Of course, he knew Nebula Kotetsu could no longer be called a "dead-last."

But he was still pissed.

There were so many people in the class, yet it had to be Nebula Kotetsu!

Damn it!

When they heard Nebula Kotetsu hadn't been assigned to their team, several girls sighed in disappointment.

"What a shame."

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep last night. I kept thinking, if I ended up with my crush, wouldn't that be...? Sigh."

"How lucky Kurenai is."

Of course, not everyone was disappointed.

Obito Uchiha was thrilled.

He couldn't keep the smile off his face.

"Heh... hehehe..." He grinned so broadly that his gums showed.

Since he wasn't on the same team as Nebula Kotetsu, he felt the Sage of Six Paths was looking out for him. And now there was someone else who'd have to deal with the headache: Asuma Sarutobi.

Just thinking about it lifted his spirits.

"Next team: Might Guy, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma."

"Next team..."

One team after another was finalized.

Obito Uchiha grew more nervous—and more excited—with every passing moment.

The fewer people left, the greater the chance he and Rin Nohara would end up together.

At last, the teacher called his name.

"Obito Uchiha..." Obito Uchiha clenched his fists tightly.

"Rin Nohara."

"Yatta!" Obito Uchiha jumped to his feet in excitement!

"This is great, Rin! We're together!"

And he'd be far away from that guy, Seigetsu Seigetsu!

Obito Uchiha was already imagining all the happy times ahead.

"You two, come outside with me for a moment."

Obito Uchiha: (｀・ω・´)??

What was going on? Weren't they being assigned to a team?

Why were they being called outside?

The teacher led a bewildered Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara out of the classroom. After the results were announced, the others waited for their jōnin leaders to come collect them.

As they waited, Asuma Sarutobi turned to Kurenai, still worried, and gave her a warning.

"Kurenai, now that we're on the same team, be careful around that flirt."

"If anything happens, just tell me!"

"When I get home tonight, I'll talk it over with the old man and see..."

"Talk what over?" A sudden voice behind him startled Asuma.

Asuma Sarutobi turned around. When he saw who it was, his expression turned sour.

"What are you doing here?"

Nebula Kotetsu: "We're on the same team. I saw everyone else sitting together, so I came over."

He was right.

After the teacher announced the teams and left, the students in the classroom had automatically gathered in groups according to their assignments.

It was human nature to stick together.

Asuma Sarutobi glanced around, still displeased. "Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop?"

Nebula Kotetsu frowned.

Seeing Asuma's obvious hostility, his expression lost its warmth. "You were speaking too loudly. And isn't talking about someone behind their back even ruder?"

Bang! Asuma Sarutobi slammed his hand on the desk. The sudden noise drew everyone's attention.

He said coldly, "Nebula Kotetsu!"

"I'm telling you!"

"While I still have patience, you'd better stay away from me. I don't accept you as my teammate!"

Nebula Kotetsu's expression turned completely cold.

As he looked at Asuma Sarutobi, who was confronting him in front of everyone, he wondered what his old self—the one from before the system had activated—would have done when Asuma publicly humiliated him.

Swallowed his anger?

Fought back recklessly, only to be beaten without a chance to retaliate?

He hadn't done anything out of line, yet Asuma had insulted him in front of everyone.

Was Asuma relying on his strength, or his status?

Did he think the "dead-last" from the Kotetsu Clan, who had only just started to improve, posed no threat?

[ Ding! ]

[ Binding candidate discovered: Kurenai Yuhi (instance: Asuma Sarutobi) ]

[ Bind? ]