Ao.
When he appeared in the original story, he was already someone of considerable standing in Kirigakure. As Genji's trusted aide, he would later gain the approval of Kirigakure's leadership to receive its one precious Byakugan transplant. That alone was enough to demonstrate his position in Kirigakure.
Granted, his individual talent was limited. Never mind Kage Level-he could not even reach the threshold of Quasi-Kage-but his Jonin strength was genuine. He seemed to have been over forty-five when he appeared in the original story, so counting backward, he should have been around twenty-three or twenty-four now, right in a shinobi's prime.
To get teammates like Kisame Hoshigaki and Mei Terumi during his weakest period, and to have Ao as his squad's Jonin instructor on top of that-for Kei, this was undoubtedly hitting the jackpot.
He could hardly hide some of the excitement inside him.
On the surface, however, Kei still tried his best to maintain a calm expression.
Ao was clearly very satisfied with the three of them as well. When he had been instructed to lead a squad this year, Ao, who could now be counted among Kirigakure's geniuses, had been somewhat unwilling. In his view, rather than spending his time babysitting, he would have been better off undertaking more difficult missions himself, accumulating experience and honing his skills while further raising his prestige within the village.
It could be said that nearly all shinobi from the Five Great Shinobi Villages initially set their sights on becoming their own village's Kage!
Ao was naturally no exception!
He was only in his early twenties now. There was no reason he could not aspire to the position of Mizukage. He believed he had the talent and qualifications!
Thus, he had initially been very resistant to leading a squad.
Now, however, leading a squad like Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki might not be a bad thing. Before coming, Ao had already gained a preliminary understanding of their personal records and information. All three could be considered outstanding among this year's graduates.
Leading and instructing a squad.
There could, to some extent, be a teacher-student bond in that as well.
Generally speaking, this was the strongest kind of "superior-subordinate" relationship within a shinobi village.
If Kei and the others proved outstanding enough, they could become some of his staunchest and most important helpers within a few years. Spending a little time leading them now would offer more benefits than drawbacks.
"Mm, very good. Then assemble at the village's main gate at seven tomorrow morning. I'll take you on your first mission. Make all necessary preparations yourselves. That's all!"
After delivering those words with a composed expression, Ao leaped away, leaving only Kei, Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki where they stood.
"Hehe, starting today, we're teammates. Kei, Hoshigaki-kun, I look forward to working with you!"
Mei Terumi gave a soft chuckle, a lovely gleam passing through her beautiful eyes as she looked at Kei and Kisame Hoshigaki and spoke with a smile.
Those beautiful eyes clearly lingered on Kei for a few seconds longer.
Kei pretended not to notice. Once Mei Terumi finished speaking, he likewise said with a faint smile, "Mm, I look forward to working with both of you!"
"Heh heh, I'll be sure to teach you plenty, Kei-kun!"
Kisame Hoshigaki stared straight at Kei with a distinctly dangerous look as he said this. The smile that exposed his wide mouth was as terrifying as could be.
The corners of Kei's eyes could not help twitching twice.
He was clearly holding a grudge.
Beside them, Mei Terumi, who clearly knew the reason behind it, pursed her lips in a slight smile and watched Kei and Kisame Hoshigaki with interest.
"Ahem, yes, of course, of course."
Kei coughed twice and laughed it off, hoping to change the subject outright. Otherwise, he really felt that if this topic continued, the shark-faced fellow opposite him might very well attack on the spot!
"I think we should prepare properly for tomorrow's mission. It looks like Ao-sensei intends to take us out of the village!"
Kei continued.
Generally speaking, newly graduated Genin would not readily take missions of C-rank or above that required leaving the village during their initial period. They would most likely take the lowest, D-rank missions, allowing these rookies to familiarize themselves with the way shinobi worked and its rhythms.
In this respect, even Kirigakure was no exception.
Some squads were a little special, however, and might start with C-rank missions right away. At any rate, from Kei's perspective, their Jonin leader was very likely to take Team 7 straight onto a C-rank mission!
This was a test, but even more than that, a sign of regard.
"Mm, that's to be expected."
Mei Terumi nodded slightly as she spoke.
"Can't we just follow orders?"
Kisame Hoshigaki also chimed in indifferently, though the hostility directed at Kei had clearly faded considerably.
Although he wanted another match with Kei, this was clearly not a good time. They were on the same squad now, anyway. Was there any need to worry about finding a suitable opportunity in the future?
Kei's keen senses also picked up on this change.
Though his expression seemed to betray nothing, inwardly, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Kisame Hoshigaki was actually fairly normal in many respects. Had Heiji Kaguya been standing before Kei instead, he might have charged straight at him the moment Ao left!
"Then I'll see you tomorrow. I'll excuse myself for today!"
After a brief silence, seeing that neither Mei Terumi nor Kisame Hoshigaki had anything else to say, Kei bowed slightly.
"Mm, see you tomorrow, Kei!"
Mei Terumi smiled softly, her red lips parting as she spoke.
"Hmph!"
Kisame Hoshigaki glanced at Kei and Mei Terumi. After a quiet snort, his figure flickered, and he left ahead of them instead.
This manner of doing things, so distinctly his own.
It only further aroused Mei Terumi's curiosity about Kisame Hoshigaki. After all, she only knew that Kei and Kisame Hoshigaki had fought, but knew nothing of how the fight had actually unfolded. This was also her first time interacting with Kisame Hoshigaki.
It looks like he's a very interesting teammate too!
The corners of Mei Terumi's eyes curved slightly, and a different gleam flashed through her beautiful eyes.
Then, after bowing slightly to Kei, the girl walked away with light, unhurried steps.
As he watched the directions in which the two had departed.
"Mei Terumi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Ao. If this is fate, I really do have to thank the heavens for letting me begin and have such an exciting path as a shinobi!"
An unusual expression also appeared on Kei's face as he murmured those words.
After taking a deep breath.
Kei also leaped away, darting back toward his clan's compound.