第26章 寻找队友

Takuma held the temporary team application form that Aoba Yamashiro had shoved into his hands. At the bottom of the form, the Third Hokage's red seal was stamped, and the words "Special Permission" stood out prominently.

"Find two lone Genin within three days, and convince their respective Jonin to let them go."

"Isn't this harder than the exam itself?"

News of the Chunin Exams had spread throughout Konoha, and eligible Genin were already forming teams to register. At this point, any Genin who hadn't found a team was either too unskilled for anyone to want, or had a personality so abrasive that no one could stand them.

Takuma went through the names of his generation's Genin in his mind. Team 7—Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—was full. Team 8—Kiba, Shino, and Hinata—was full. Team 10—Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino—was full. Team Guy—Neji, Lee, and Tenten—was full.

He circled Tenten's name, then crossed it out. Even if he wanted to recruit her, he would never get past Guy-sensei.

In other words, every named character from the original story was already taken.

The only remaining options were the background Genin whose names had never even appeared. The problem was that he knew absolutely nothing about them—not their specialties, nor their personalities. The worst thing about a makeshift team was poor coordination; in a place like the Forest of Death, a single mistake by a teammate could doom the entire squad.

"Forget it, I'll go try my luck."

His first stop was the training grounds where Konoha Genin usually gathered. After checking three different sites, he only saw teams of three already working on their synergy—practicing Ninjutsu or refining formations—the atmosphere was intense and focused. He stood on the sidelines for ten minutes, but no one even looked his way.

His second stop was the mission desk. The registering ninja told him that the number of D-rank missions accepted this week had dropped by eighty percent; most Genin were preparing for the Chunin Exams, and no one had time to catch cats or pull weeds.

His third stop was the Ninja Academy. Iruka flipped through the list of graduates and said, with a troubled expression, that all the qualified Genin from this year had already been assigned to permanent squads. The only student who had delayed graduation due to injury was still lying in the hospital.

"Takuma, I understand your situation." Iruka closed the list, his tone gentle but helpless. "But three days is too short. Even if there were suitable candidates, their team Jonin might not be willing to let them go on the eve of the exams."

When he left the Ninja Academy, the sun was already setting, and he had nothing to show for his efforts.

Takuma dragged his exhausted body into Ichiraku Ramen.

He desperately needed a bowl of ramen to heal a heart battered by reality. Teuchi saw the look on his face and understood immediately; without a word, he served up a bowl of special miso ramen, adding extra chashu at no additional cost.

"You look troubled, young man," Teuchi said while wiping down the counter. "Couldn't find any teammates?"

"How did you know?"

"Every Genin who has come in for ramen these past two days has been talking about the Chunin Exams. You're the only one who came in alone."

Takuma gave a bitter smile and took a large slurp of noodles. Teuchi's ramen was as delicious as ever—the tonkotsu broth was rich, the noodles were firm, and the chashu melted in his mouth. Yet, today, the flavor tasted a bit astringent, likely due to his mood.

"I've seen too many ninjas in all my years of running this shop." Teuchi's gaze rested on the rising steam, his voice steady and unhurried. "Some three-man squads with perfect coordination parted ways because their personalities clashed, while some makeshift partners ended up forming bonds stronger than life itself. It's not about who the other person is."

Takuma froze for a few seconds, then bowed his head and chuckled.

"Teuchi-san, the way you talk, it's almost like you're a ninja yourself."

"I'm just a ramen chef." Teuchi adjusted his headband, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "I've just lived a long time and seen a lot of people, that's all."

Just as Takuma was about to say something, a system notification chimed in his mind.

[Event detected: "Life Philosophy at the Ramen Shop"]

[Witness Judgment: Inside Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi shares life wisdom with a lost Genin, drawing on forty years of noodle-making experience. Behind the steam of a bowl of ramen lies a truth deeper than some forbidden jutsu.]

[Obtained: Lottery Ticket x1]

What kind of criteria did this system have? He had spent an entire day looking for teammates with no response, but sitting down to eat a bowl of noodles triggered a "witness" event? Teuchi working hard to make ramen didn't trigger anything, but a philosophical lecture did?

He set down his chopsticks and silently initiated the draw.

As the light faded, a white chef's hat appeared in his hand.

[Lottery Result: Chef's hat from the master rat in Ratatouille]

[Equipping this increases culinary skill by 50%, and food prepared has a chance to induce a brief sense of happiness in the consumer.]

Takuma held the hat in both hands, speechless.

"What's wrong?" Teuchi turned to look at him curiously. Takuma held up the hat and offered it to him. "A gift—a new chef's hat to thank you for your hospitality over the years."

Teuchi accepted the hat with great joy and thanked him repeatedly.

Takuma lowered his head to finish his ramen. Just as he drank the last drop of broth, the curtain to the ramen shop was pushed aside.

"Excuse me, are there any seats left?"

A young ninja stood at the entrance—silver hair, round glasses, a gentle smile, and the standard attire of a medical ninja. He adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping across the shop before landing precisely on Takuma, his smile deepening slightly.

"Are you Mori Takuma? I'm Yakushi Kabuto, I suppose I'm your senior." Kabuto sat in the seat next to him and signaled to Teuchi. "One bowl of salt ramen, please."

"I'm quite good at gathering information. I heard you're looking for teammates?"

Takuma felt a jolt of alarm. Why was Yakushi Kabuto here? Was it a coincidence, or something else?

"The search hasn't been going well. I've checked three training grounds, the mission desk, and the Ninja Academy, but I haven't found anyone suitable. Does Kabuto-senpai have any leads?"

Rather than being led by the nose, he decided to throw the question back. He wanted to see what Kabuto was really after.

Kabuto took a bite of his noodles and chewed for a moment, appearing to think the question over seriously.

"Actually, there are a few lone Genin," he said, wiping the corner of his mouth. "As a medical ninja, I come into contact with many people. I know of some who lost their teammates during missions or had to drop out of their original squads due to injury. I could put you in touch with them."

"Then thank you in advance, Kabuto-senpai. But I think I'll try looking on my own for a little longer."

Takuma reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and placed a few bills on the table.

"This is on me. Enjoy your meal, Kabuto-senpai. I'll be heading out."

He paused as he passed the ninja tool shop owned by Tenten's family. He had originally intended to go in and chat with her, vent about his bad luck today, and perhaps warn her to be wary of Kabuto during the Chunin Exams. But then he reconsidered; Tenten was in Team Guy, and there was no reason for Kabuto to approach her.

He pushed open the door to his own bookstore, where his father, Mori Kazuki, was sitting and reading.

"Didn't find any teammates?"

"How did you know?" Takuma kicked off his shoes and walked in, collapsing onto the living room cushion.

"Tenten stopped by." Mori Kazuki poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "She said you'd been running all over the place today and asked me to make something good for you. She also said you're too stubborn for your own good and told me to talk some sense into you."

Takuma took the teacup, speechless. Just how much had his childhood friend been gossiping about him behind his back?

"Actually, you could ask Tenten..." Mori Kazuki probed.

"Her team is full, and Guy-sensei's training schedule is packed." Takuma took a sip of tea. "Besides, I don't want her to adjust her plans because of me. The current configuration of Team Guy is best for her; Lee and Neji can handle the front lines, allowing her to provide support safely from the back."

Mori Kazuki watched his son's expression, a faint smile touching his lips, though he didn't point it out.

"If it really comes to it..." He paused. "I can talk to the Third Hokage and see if there are any retired ninjas willing to join a regular squad. According to the regulations, retired Anbu can apply for a demotion to participate in the Chunin Exams, though it rarely happens."

Takuma looked up, his eyes brightening. "There's a rule like that?"

"Yes. But most retired Anbu are at least at the Chunin level, so the judging committee will be much stricter with their screening if they enter as special Genin." Mori Kazuki adjusted his glasses. "Besides, people like that aren't easy to find. Those who leave the Anbu usually do so because of injuries or psychological issues."

"Something is better than nothing. Please ask for me tomorrow."