After a semester together, Qi Luna and Minato had grown closer, forming a special bond. During that time, Qi Luna and Kushina had not only improved in their studies but also made many new friends at school.
However, what surprised Qi Luna was that he had also heard several familiar names among them.
For example, Uchiha Mikoto, who was a year above Nawaki but had become best friends with Kushina; the Hyuga brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, who were graduating this year; the Aburame brothers, Shibi and Shikuroo, who were in the same class as Nawaki; the Ino-Shika-Cho trio of Shikaku's generation; Akimichi Yoshimaru, Minato's teammate in the original story; Shirokumo Hayama (also translated as Hayama Shirakumo), who developed the unique Wind Release sword technique, Vacuum Sword; and Yakushi Nonō, the head of the Konoha Orphanage, who would one day be known as the "Wandering Miko"!
Though a semester was short, Qi Luna had experienced a great deal of growth and change during that time. He had learned to cherish his relationships with others and understood how the past shaped the present. Those familiar names, too, had become important signposts on his journey through life. After all, he had gone to all the trouble of crossing over—he couldn't let the opportunity go to waste.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye. Before long, it was Year 37 of Konoha, and ten-year-old Qi Luna and the others had reached graduation.
"Qi Luna, do you think we'll be assigned to the same team?" Minato rubbed his chin and asked after a moment's thought.
"Probably not. You and I are ranked first and second in the year, so it's almost impossible they'll put us on the same team. The teachers have to balance each team's strength, after all." Qi Luna shrugged helplessly.
Just then, a tall, straight-backed man walked in. His long silver-white hair was tied behind his head, and red markings like tear tracks ran from the corners of his eyes.
"Those whose names I call, follow me."
"Wow, it's Lord Jiraiya! I didn't expect him to be a team leader this year. I wonder who'll be lucky enough to become his students. Could it be me?" One of the graduates recognized Jiraiya and whispered to a classmate.
Jiraiya paid them no mind and simply continued, "Akimichi Yoshimaru, Namikaze Minato, and... Uzumaki Kushina. You three, come with me."
With that, he turned and left, without checking whether Minato and the others followed.
Qi Luna, meanwhile, wondered to himself: In the original story, one of Minato's teammates was Akimichi Yoshimaru, but the other was apparently a Uchiha boy with a braid. Had things changed this time because of the butterfly effect?
As Qi Luna was still thinking, another jonin came into the classroom and called out Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza—the classic Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
"Shirokumo Hayama, Yakushi Nonō, Uzumaki Qi Luna."
When only a few students remained in the classroom, someone with short, silvery-gray hair walked in. He moved with brisk purpose; after calling out three names, he turned and left, as if he had made up his mind about something.
"Hatake Sakumo—I've heard he's a very powerful ninja." Qi Luna exchanged glances with his two teammates, surprised that Sakumo would be their leader. If he remembered correctly, Sakumo had been among the Anbu who brought him and Kushina to Konoha.
"He doesn't look very approachable," Yakushi Nonō said softly.
"Let's not worry about that. We should follow him first," said the final member of Team Sakumo, Shirokumo Hayama.
The three hesitated no longer and hurried after Hatake Sakumo, who hadn't gone far.
The three followed Hatake Sakumo to the roof of the school building. He turned to face them, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group. "From today on, you're members of my team. Let's start with introductions. I'll show you how it's done. My name is Hatake Sakumo. I specialize in swordsmanship that combines Lightning Release and Wind Release. In my spare time, I like maintaining my family heirloom, the White Fang. I hate people who don't value their comrades. As for my dream... well, I'd rather not tell you. All right, your turn."
When he spoke of his dream, Hatake Sakumo seemed to remember something. He smiled, looking quite pleased.
Shirokumo Hayama and Yakushi Nonō stood together, ready to introduce themselves in turn.
Uzumaki Qi Luna stepped forward first. His striking red hair blazed like fire, and his face shone with confidence. "I'm Uzumaki Qi Luna, from the Uzumaki Clan. I specialize in Water Release, sensory techniques, and Sealing Jutsu. There isn't anything I particularly like or dislike. As for my dream... I want to restore the Uzumaki Clan to its former glory!"
He clenched a fist against his chest, his gaze resolute.
Next, Shirokumo Hayama stepped forward. Tall and straight-backed, he wore white robes that fluttered in the breeze, and had a gentle air about him. "My name is Shirokumo Hayama. I specialize in Wind Release and swordsmanship. I like training beneath the white clouds in the early morning and feeling the power of the wind. I hope that through my efforts, I can make the wind a blade that protects Konoha's peace and do my part to keep the village safe."
When he finished, he bowed slightly, his expression humble.
Finally, Yakushi Nonō stepped forward. She was lovely, and her eyes held both warmth and determination. "I'm Yakushi Nonō, a medical ninja. I specialize in Medical Ninjutsu and stealth techniques. I like the peaceful, tranquil life in Konoha, and I hate war. My dream is for the children of this world to be able to live without war."
Her voice was gentle, yet full of strength.
"Good. That's enough introductions. Now it's time for the practical test. Attack me with the resolve to kill me, and show me what you're capable of." As he spoke, Hatake Sakumo's presence changed in an instant. A powerful killing intent engulfed the three members of Team Sakumo. It felt as if they were standing amid a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Their bodies wouldn't obey them; cold sweat poured down their skin, and their faces turned deathly pale.
It took Qi Luna a long while to react. Then he stabbed his palm with a kunai, overcoming his fear through pain. He dropped the kunai, grabbed his two teammates, and quickly retreated, trying to get out of the killing intent's reach as fast as possible.
"Are you two all right? Can you still move?"
Panting, Qi Luna asked with a grave expression.
Shirokumo Hayama gritted his teeth. "I can."
Yakushi Nonō nodded too.
Qi Luna took a deep breath. "We can't take him head-on. We have to find a way to expose his weakness."
In a flash, Hatake Sakumo appeared in front of them, his White Fang gleaming with cold light. Shirokumo Hayama immediately drew his long sword and used Wind Release swordsmanship, sending several blades of wind slashing toward Sakumo. Sakumo darted aside with ease, then lunged toward Qi Luna.
Qi Luna rapidly formed six hand seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A huge water dragon surged toward Sakumo, but Hatake Sakumo easily cut it into several pieces. The monstrous dragon instantly fell apart, collapsing into a puddle.
Taking advantage of the opening, Yakushi Nonō used stealth techniques and tried to circle around behind Sakumo for a sneak attack. But Sakumo had already sensed her. He turned, and the White Fang nearly sliced through her clothes. As Sakumo's attention wavered, Shirokumo Hayama sent another blade of wind at him, but it had just as little effect. Sakumo deflected each one with the White Fang in his hand.
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