Finding Teammates

Takuma held the temporary team application form Namiashi Raidō had shoved into his hands. At the bottom of the form was the Third Hokage's red seal, with the words "Special Permission" standing out in particular.

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

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

News of the Chunin Ninja Exams had spread throughout Konoha, and eligible Genin had started forming teams and signing up. At this point, any Genin who still hadn't found a team was either too weak for anyone to want them or had such a bad personality that no one could stand them.

He knew all the well-known Genin in Konoha's current crop. Team 7—Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, full roster. Team 8—Kiba, Shino, Hinata, full roster. Team 10—Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, full roster. Team Guy—Neji, Lee, Tenten, full roster.

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

In other words, every well-known character from the original story already had a team.

His only options were the background Genin whose names had never even appeared. The problem was that he didn't know any of them. He had no idea what they were good at or what their personalities were like. The biggest risk of teaming up at the last minute was having no coordination. In a place like the Forest of Death, one mistake by a teammate could doom the whole team.

"Forget it. I'll go see what I can find."

His first stop was several training grounds frequented by Konoha Genin. But after checking three of them, all he saw were teams of three working on their coordination—practicing combination Ninjutsu and formation maneuvers, all fired up. He stood off to the side for ten minutes, and not a single person looked his way.

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

His third stop was the Ninja Academy. Iruka looked through the list of graduates and said with an apologetic air that almost all the Genin in this year's class had already been assigned to permanent teams. The only student whose graduation had been delayed due to an injury was still lying in the hospital.

"Takuma, I understand your situation." Iruka closed the list, his tone warm but helpless. "But three days is too short. Even if we find someone suitable, their Jonin leader may not be willing to let them go right before the exams."

By the time Takuma left the Ninja Academy, the sun was already sinking toward the horizon. He had come up empty-handed.

Takuma dragged his exhausted body into Ichiraku Ramen.

He desperately needed a bowl of ramen to soothe his spirit after reality had hit him like a truck. Teuchi took one look at his face and understood. Without a word, he brought over a special miso ramen, with extra chashu at no extra charge.

"Why the long face, kid?" Teuchi asked as he wiped down the counter. "Couldn't find teammates?"

"How'd you know?"

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

Takuma gave a bitter smile and lowered his head to slurp up a big mouthful of noodles. Teuchi's ramen was as delicious as ever. The pork broth was rich, the noodles chewy, and the chashu melted in his mouth. But today, there was a slightly bitter taste to it. It was probably just his mood.

"I've been running this shop for years. I've seen all kinds of ninja." Teuchi's gaze settled on the steam rising from the bowl as he spoke in an unhurried tone. "Some three-man teams work together perfectly, but split up because their personalities don't mesh. Some hastily thrown-together pairs end up forging bonds strong enough to trust each other with their lives. What matters isn't who the other person is."

Takuma was stunned for a few seconds, then lowered his head and chuckled.

"Teuchi, the way you put it, you sound like a ninja yourself."

"I'm just a ramen chef." Teuchi adjusted his headband, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I've just been around a long time and seen a lot of people."

Takuma was about to say something when a system notification suddenly rang out in his mind.

[Event detected—"The Philosophy of Life at the Ramen Shop"]

[Witness determination: In Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi, with forty years of experience making noodles, imparted wisdom to a confused Genin. Behind the steam rising from a bowl of ramen lay truths more profound than some forbidden techniques.]

[Obtained 1 draw]

What exactly were the system's criteria? He'd spent the whole day looking for teammates without a peep from it, but sat down for a bowl of ramen and triggered a witness event. Teuchi had been working hard making ramen without a response, but now he'd triggered a philosophy lecture?

He set down his chopsticks and silently thought, "Draw."

The glowing orb faded, and a white chef's hat appeared in his hands.

[Draw result: The chef's hat worn by the rat chef in Ratatouille]

[Wearing it increases cooking skill by 50%. Food made while wearing it has a chance to briefly make those who eat it feel happy.]

Takuma held the chef's hat in both hands, utterly speechless.

"What's wrong?" Teuchi turned around and looked at him curiously. Takuma held up the hat and offered it to Teuchi. "Here's a new chef's hat for you. Thanks for all the meals over the years."

Teuchi happily took the hat and thanked him repeatedly.

Takuma lowered his head and went back to battling the ramen. Just as he finished the last of the broth, someone lifted the curtain at the entrance to the shop.

"Sorry to bother you. Is there a seat available?"

A young ninja stood in the doorway, with silver hair, round glasses, and the standard attire of a Medical Ninja. He pushed his glasses up and swept his gaze around the shop, fixing it precisely on Takuma. Then his smile deepened.

"Are you Mori Takuma? I'm Yakushi Kabuto, more or less your senior." Kabuto took the seat beside him and raised a hand to signal Teuchi. "Sorry for the trouble. One bowl of salt ramen, please."

"I'm pretty good at gathering information. I heard you were looking for teammates?"

Takuma's heart skipped a beat. Why was Yakushi Kabuto here? Was it a coincidence, or...?

"My search hasn't gone well. I checked three training grounds, the mission office, and the Ninja Academy, but couldn't find anyone suitable. Do you have any leads, Kabuto-senpai?"

Rather than letting Kabuto lead him around, he might as well turn the question back on him and see what he was really after.

Kabuto took a bite of ramen and chewed for a moment, as if giving the matter serious thought.

"Actually, I do know a few unteamed Genin." He wiped the corner of his mouth. "As a Medical Ninja, I come into contact with a lot of ninja. I know a few who lost their teammates on missions or left their original teams due to injuries. I can put you in touch."

"Thanks in advance, Kabuto-senpai. I'll keep looking on my own for now."

Takuma pulled out his wallet and placed several bills on the table.

"Let me pay for your ramen. Take your time, Kabuto-senpai. I'll be going."

When he passed the weapons shop belonging to Tenten's family, he paused. He'd originally planned to drop in and talk with Tenten, complain about the bad luck he'd had that day, and remind her to watch out for Kabuto during the Chunin Exams. But then he reconsidered. Tenten was on Team Guy; Kabuto had no reason to approach her.

When he opened the door to his family's bookstore, his father, Mori Kazuki, was sitting there reading.

"Didn't find anyone?"

"How do you know too?" Takuma took off his shoes, went inside, and collapsed onto a floor cushion in the living room.

"Tenten came by." Mori Kazuki poured him a cup of tea and handed it over. "She said you'd been running all over the place today and asked me to make something nice for you. She also said you're so stubbornly proud that you make yourself suffer, and asked me to talk some sense into you."

Takuma took the tea, looking utterly speechless. How much had his childhood friend been saying about him behind his back?

"You could actually ask Tenten..." Mori Kazuki ventured.

"Her team's full, and Jonin Guy's training schedule is already packed." Takuma took a sip of tea. "Besides, I don't want her to change her plans because of me. Team Guy's current lineup is the best for her. Lee and Neji can both fight at close range, so she can deal damage from the back in safety."

Mori Kazuki watched his son's expression, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, but he didn't point it out.

"If all else fails..." He paused. "I'll go talk to the Third Hokage and see if there are any retired ninja willing to join a regular team. The rules allow retired Anbu to apply to take the Chunin Exams at a lower rank, though not many people do."

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

"There is. But most retired Anbu are at least Chunin-level, so the examiners will scrutinize them more closely if they take the exams as Special Genin." Mori Kazuki adjusted his glasses. "Besides, they're hard to find. Those who leave the Anbu either retire because of injuries or because of psychological problems."

"Something's better than nothing. Ask around for me tomorrow."