"As for you, Kazuyama, you have two choices."
"First, while Kumo and Iwa are at war, their conflicts are constant, making it difficult for us to access intelligence."
"After all, it's nearly impossible for ordinary people to infiltrate the heart of the battlefield—the Land of Rice Fields."
"You understand what I mean, don't you?"
Kazuyama rolled his eyes. What a scheming old man, saying things like that.
What else could he say?
"What's the other option?"
"Why don't you tell me first?"
Hiruzen smiled slightly, took a slow puff of his pipe, then said, "Although you're in ANBU, you're also a Jōnin of the village."
"There are a large number of new Genin graduating, but most of the Jōnin have already gone to the battlefield. I want you to stay in the village and lead a team of Genin."
"Of course, if a mission comes up, you'll still need to go to the front lines. But your students won't be involved in the war—for now."
Lead a team of Genin? Don't be ridiculous!
Leave that kind of work to Minato and the others.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, silently smoking. He already knew what Kazuyama would choose—without a doubt, the first mission. The brat was lazy.
He was half-hearted about being a teacher, and if he had to lead a Genin team on missions? That would be the end of him.
But Hiruzen underestimated Kazuyama.
He was the type who prioritized safety. If he could hide in the back, he absolutely would. Charging ahead was never an option.
Kazuyama instantly saw through Hiruzen's setup—the old man was sure he'd refuse to be a team leader. That's why he had put the two options together.
Hmph. Old men are always scheming.
Then there was no way he could let him win.
"I choose the second one! Leading a team? Sounds easy enough."
Hiruzen nearly snapped his pipe in half. His eyes widened as Kazuyama flashed his signature grin—a smug, mocking smile.
"You damn brat! You're messing with me on purpose, aren't you?"
"Piss off, old man. You want me to gather intelligence? Not happening. But leading a team? Sure, I'll take it."
The two locked eyes, neither backing down.
"Fine! Then get lost and lead a team!"
"Tomorrow morning at nine, be at the Academy playground to meet your class. Hmph!"
Watching Hiruzen fume, Kazuyama just laughed.
"Old man, only a fool would volunteer for a mission. Besides, Kumo and Iwa's little war isn't ending anytime soon."
"If something serious happens, I'll go."
"But for now, I think I'll enjoy some time off."
With that, he pushed open the door and stepped out.
As Hiruzen watched him disappear, his frustration melted into quiet laughter.
"That idiot. Still as lazy as ever. Never mind."
…
Early in the morning, Kazuyama arrived at the Ninja Academy playground. After finishing the last of his dumplings, he activated the Transparent Escape Technique and settled on the edge of the bleachers, waiting for his assigned class to arrive.
But soon, he was dumbfounded—someone had beaten him there.
And not just anyone.
Kakashi.
Then came Rin.
"Really, it's almost nine o'clock. I can forgive the Sensei for not being here, but why isn't that idiot Obito here either?" Kakashi muttered.
"He's not helping an old lady cross the road again, is he?"
Dressed in a sharp, battle-ready outfit with a short sword strapped to his back, Kakashi looked like a younger version of his father, Sakumo.
Rin smiled gently. "Come on, Kakashi, Obito should be here soon."
"But… I am surprised our Sensei isn't here yet."
Kakashi was even more surprised. To him, a Jōnin should be punctual. Why did they end up with such an unreliable one?
Another half hour passed.
At 9:30, Obito finally arrived, gasping for breath. The moment he spotted Kakashi and Rin, he rushed over.
"I… I'm late…" he panted.
"I was helping an old lady catch her cat… That's why I took a little longer…"
Rin chuckled, while Kakashi shot him a look that said, You win.
Seeing Rin smile, Obito straightened his back, instantly trying to put on his best self in front of her.
"But where's our Jōnin leader?" he asked. "Why isn't he here yet? Is he late?"
The three glanced at each other.
They all came to the same conclusion—whoever their Jōnin leader was, he was seriously late.
Meanwhile, Kazuyama sat frozen in place, staring blankly at the trio below.
Something's not right.
Why the hell am I the Sensei for these three?
Shouldn't it be that bastard Minato?
Shit. Did he go to the front lines with Jiraiya?
So Team Minato is gone? And now they're my students?
…Well, when he put it that way, Team Kazuyama did have a nice ring to it.
"Our Jōnin leader is unreliable! He's late!" Obito huffed.
"I was excited for nothing yesterday!"
"I don't know who's leading us, but it's his honor! After all, I, Obito Uchiha, am the future Hokage!"
Kakashi and Rin exchanged helpless glances. Obito was truly something else…
But he wasn't wrong about one thing—their Jōnin leader, whoever he was, was definitely unreliable.
Kazuyama, who had just been about to reveal himself, stopped mid-step.
Kid, did you just call me unreliable?
Fine. Let's see how long you three can last.
Smirking to himself, he lay back down, continuing to condense natural energy through the Transparent Escape Technique while casually observing the trio.
He waited.
An hour passed.
By the time it was nearly noon, the three of them looked completely drained.
"Damn, it's almost lunchtime! Can't we just go eat first?" Obito groaned.
"I'm starving…"
They had been waiting on the playground all morning, and their Sensei was still nowhere to be seen.
Obito, already late to begin with, hadn't eaten breakfast. Now he was lightheaded from hunger.
Even Kakashi and Rin, though more composed, were beginning to waver.
This is beyond unreliable…
"It's okay," Rin said gently. "Let's wait a little longer. Maybe Sensei will show up soon."
Her smile instantly put Obito in a daze.
Watching from his hidden spot, Kazuyama smirked.
These kids… not bad.
Just as he was about to drop the Transparent Escape Technique, a sudden system notification rang in his mind.
[Ding! The host has caused dissatisfaction among his students during his first day as their Jōnin leader! Deliberately hiding despite arriving early? Truly despicable! Special reward: Taijutsu +1.]
[Ding! Don't try to argue, host! You weren't testing their patience at all!]
Kazuyama scoffed internally.
Nonsense! Of course I was testing their patience!
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