Inside Room 1, the newly formed team sat in a quiet line across the training benches. Ren Uzumaki remained still, arms crossed, expression calm and unreadable.
To his right sat a boy with short brown hair, sharp eyes, and a nervous grip on his knees. To his left, a girl with dark red hair tied in a low ponytail, her posture straight and observant.
They both glanced at Ren occasionally — eyes wide, expressions half-awed, half-terrified. As if they had just won a million yen by being placed on a team with him.
"Is that really Ren Uzumaki?" the boy whispered.
"He's the Hokage's favorite genin-in-training... I heard he graduated at seven," the girl murmured back.
Before either could say more, the door slid open.
A tall shinobi stepped in — mid-thirties, hair swept back, a scar across one eyebrow. He wore the standard flak vest with ease and a casual air of confidence.
He stopped in front of them, one hand on his hip.
"Name's Arata. I'll be your jōnin instructor starting today."
He looked each of them over with an assessing gaze.
"We'll be working closely, so let's get to know each other. Introduce yourselves — name, hobbies, and what you're aiming for."
The boy straightened quickly. "Uh—Kenji! I like trap-making and climbing. I want to be a great strategist like Shikaku Nara!"
The girl followed, composed. "My name's Aika. I specialize in sensory ninjutsu, and I want to become a medic-nin who can also hold her own in battle."
Both of them looked at Ren next, almost expectantly.
Ren paused a beat longer, then spoke simply:
"Ren Uzumaki. I like quiet mornings, reading, and training. My goal… is to become someone this village can't ignore."
Arata raised an eyebrow slightly at that but nodded. "Alright then. Let's see if you live up to the hype."
He turned and motioned toward the door.
"Meet me outside in five. We're going to the training grounds."
As the team stood, Kenji and Aika glanced again at Ren — their nerves now mixed with excitement.
Ren didn't react much. But deep down, he felt it too.
"New path. New pace."
"Let's see where this leads."