The morning after the Forbidden Scroll incident dawned crisp and unnervingly normal. Ren woke to the familiar sounds and smells of the orphanage, the low murmur of waking children, the distant clatter of Emi-san starting breakfast preparations. Yet, within the quiet confines of his own mind, a subtle but significant shift had occurred. The residual echoes of the previous night's tension – the stealthy movements through darkened woods, the critical timing of the thrown stone, the surge of relief as events resolved along familiar lines – were meticulously processed and filed away by Gamer's Mind under tags like [Successful Covert Operation], [Risk Assessment Validated], [Minor Canon Timeline Adjustment - Low Impact]. The 200 EXP and the subsequent Level Up felt like concrete validation of his strategy.
He immediately reviewed his Status screen, the familiar blue glow a comforting presence.
[Name: Ren]
[Title: Genin] (Updated from Unofficial)
[Level: 7]
[HP: 125/125]
[CP: 150/150 (Regen: 3.0/min)]
[Status Points: 5 (Unspent)]
[Skills:]
- Gamer's Mind (Passive) Lv. MAX
- Gamer's Body (Passive) Lv. MAX
- Observe (Active) Lv. 5
- Basic Language Comprehension (Konoha Standard) (Passive) Lv. MAX
- Basic Chakra Control (Active/Passive) Lv. 9 (91.5%)] (The night's stress and focus provided minimal gains)
- Academy Taijutsu (Passive/Active) Lv. 4
- Throwing Accuracy (Passive) Lv. 3 (Boosted by precision throw under pressure: +5% Prof.)
- Transformation Jutsu (Active) Lv. 5
- Substitution Jutsu (Active) Lv. 4
- Clone Jutsu (Active) Lv. 5
- Stealth Basics (Passive/Active) Lv. 4 (Significant proficiency gained from successful mission)
- Trap Setting (Basic) Lv. 2
- Basic Fuinjutsu Theory (Passive) Lv. 1 (37.1%)]
- Seal Script Calligraphy (Active) Lv. 2 (12.8%)]
- Chakra Flow Efficiency (Passive) Lv. 1 (2.9%)]
He allocated the 5 new Status Points thoughtfully: INT +2 (boosting analysis and potentially skill gain rate), WIS +2 (enhancing chakra control, sensory perception, and potentially resistance), and CON +1 (more HP, slightly better stamina). Every point felt precious, a deliberate step towards shoring up weaknesses or amplifying strengths. Basic Chakra Control was agonizingly close to Lv. 10 now; Water Walking beckoned.
Back at the Academy for the official team assignments, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation, far more intense than the previous day's graduation anxiety. This was the moment that would define their immediate future, pairing them with teammates they'd live, train, and potentially die alongside, under the guidance of a Jonin-sensei who held immense influence over their careers. Ren found his usual spot near the back, observing the complex tapestry of interactions.
Naruto Uzumaki was the undeniable center of bewildered attention. He strutted into the classroom, beaming, Iruka's forehead protector gleaming proudly on his head. Whispers immediately followed him: "Didn't he fail yesterday?" "How did he pass?" "Look, he's got Iruka-sensei's protector!" Naruto seemed oblivious, or perhaps deliberately ignored the stares, radiating triumphant energy. Observe painted a picture of exhaustion masked by exhilaration: Observe: Naruto Uzumaki. Status: Fatigued (Low HP/CP recovery), Elated (High), Confident (Boosted). Thoughts: I did it! I'm a ninja! Iruka-sensei believes in me! Wonder who my team is? Hope it's Sakura-chan!
Ren noted Iruka entering and subtly explaining to curious onlookers that Naruto had passed a difficult, supplemental "make-up exam," smoothing over the official discrepancy without revealing the chaotic truth of the previous night. Observe: Iruka. Status: Relieved, Proud (Naruto), Worried (Naruto's Future/Reception), Tired. The anonymous note seemed to have been forgotten, or perhaps filed away mentally, its purpose served indirectly by the night's events leading Iruka to Naruto regardless.
Iruka called the assembled graduates to order, his voice carrying over the nervous buzz. The team announcements began, echoing the familiar canon pairings.
"Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki!" A cheer from Naruto. "Sakura Haruno!" A visible slump from Sakura, paired with an anxious glance towards Sasuke. "...and Sasuke Uchiha!" Sakura visibly brightened, hope warring with intimidation, while Naruto deflated spectacularly. The Jonin-sensei: Kakashi Hatake. Ren felt a flicker of detached interest. Witnessing the formation of the legendary/infamous Team 7 firsthand was surreal. Kakashi's bell test would be their first brutal lesson in teamwork.
"Team 8: Hinata Hyuga! Kiba Inuzuka! Shino Aburame!" The tracking specialists. Kiba grinned broadly, nudging Akamaru. Shino remained impassive. Hinata flushed slightly, relieved perhaps not to be with Naruto but still intensely shy. Sensei: Kurenai Yuhi, the Genjutsu mistress. A solid, well-rounded team.
"Team 10: Ino Yamanaka! Shikamaru Nara! Choji Akimichi!" Ino shot Sakura a smug look. Shikamaru muttered "Troublesome..." under his breath. Choji happily munched on chips. The next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, guided by the experienced Asuma Sarutobi.
Ren remained calm, waiting. Most of the prominent clan heirs and top students were assigned. Who was left? A scattering of civilian-born graduates, students from minor clans with less clout, and himself – the quiet orphan who performed competently but drew little notice. His performance was deliberately crafted to avoid the spotlight, aiming for a team where he could observe, learn, and grow without the intense pressure or scrutiny faced by Teams 7, 8, or 10.
Iruka continued reading through the less heralded teams – Team 9, Team 11... names Ren vaguely recognized from class rosters but hadn't interacted with much. Then:
"Team 12: Ren!"
He straightened slightly, his focus sharpening. This was his assignment. The linchpin of his immediate future.
"...Akari Sumire!" Ren scanned his memory. Quiet girl, brown hair, surprisingly precise with kunai throws during practice, tended to fade into the background. He ran Observe. Observe: Akari Sumire. Level: Genin (Low). HP: Low-Moderate. CP: Low. Affinity: Wind (Minor). Skills: Throwing Accuracy (Adept-), Stealth Basics (Novice), Academics (Average). Traits: Diligent, Anxious, Detail-Oriented. Emotional State: Nervous Excitement, Fear of Failure.
"...and Kenji Ito!" Sturdier build, unremarkable performance in most Ninjutsu drills but decent endurance during Taijutsu. Seemed stubborn. Observe. Observe: Kenji Ito. Level: Genin (Low). HP: Moderate. CP: Low. Affinity: Earth (Minor). Skills: Academy Taijutsu (Novice+), Endurance (Adept), Hand-to-Hand Combat (Basic Proficiency). Traits: Determined, Hard-Working, Gruff Exterior. Emotional State: Stoic Determination, Eager to Prove Worth.
Interesting. A team composed entirely of graduates without major clan backing or obvious prodigy traits, aside from Ren himself (whose potential was entirely hidden). Two minor elemental affinities – Wind for Akari, Earth for Kenji – suggested potential synergy down the line if they could learn relevant Jutsu, but nothing overwhelming. They seemed… average. Which could be good for staying under the radar, but potentially limiting in terms of challenging missions and accelerated growth.
"Your Jonin-sensei," Iruka announced, scanning his list one last time, his expression flickering with something Ren couldn't quite decipher – surprise? Reconsideration? "Will be... Genma Shiranui."
Ren blinked. Genma? The perpetually toothpick-chewing, seemingly laid-back but lethally efficient senbon specialist? One of the Hokage's elite guards? Observe had tagged him previously during chance sightings near the Hokage tower as Level: Jonin (Elite+), possessing skills far beyond standard Jonin fare. Assigning him to lead a team of untested, seemingly unremarkable civilian-born Genin felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It defied typical Konoha logic, where elite Jonin usually got teams with high potential (like Kakashi with Team 7) or specific strategic value (like Asuma with Ino-Shika-Cho).
The conclusion was immediate and stark: This assignment wasn't random. Genma wasn't chosen for Akari or Kenji. Genma was chosen for Ren. The Hokage, likely Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, must have seen something in Ren's entrance exam – maybe the unnerving efficiency of his chakra control, maybe just an old Kage's intuition – and decided Ren warranted closer, expert observation. Gamer's Mind analyzed the implications: Advantage - access to an incredibly skilled Jonin, potential for advanced training if Ren could impress him. Disadvantage - constant scrutiny from an elite operative presumably reporting directly to the Hokage, higher risk of his System or hidden knowledge being detected. This was both an opportunity and a significant complication.
As Iruka dismissed the newly formed teams, instructing them to wait for their senseis after a lunch break, the classroom erupted into chaos. Ren watched the familiar dynamic of Team 7 play out – Naruto's futile pursuit of Sakura, Sasuke's instant vanishing act. He saw Teams 8 and 10 grouping together more naturally, their inherent clan connections providing a baseline for interaction.
Ren took a breath and approached Akari and Kenji, who were standing awkwardly near the edge of the dispersing crowd. Akari fidgeted nervously, while Kenji stood with his arms crossed, trying to look stoic.
"Ren," he stated, keeping his tone neutral and pragmatic.
Akari jumped slightly. "O-Oh! Right. Akari. Sumire Akari." She gave a hesitant little bow.
Kenji just grunted. "Ito Kenji." His gaze was appraising, maybe slightly suspicious.
Observe confirmed their baseline nervousness and determination. No hidden agendas flared. "Our sensei, Genma Shiranui," Ren continued, deciding directness was best, "is listed as Hokage Guard Platoon. That means he's elite. Extremely skilled, likely demanding. Standard Genin tests are often about teamwork and weeding out failures. We should probably spend the lunch break discussing basic coordination rather than just waiting to fail whatever he throws at us."
Akari's eyes widened slightly, perhaps at the 'Hokage Guard Platoon' info or Ren's blunt assessment. "R-Right! Teamwork... Coordination... What should we...?"
Kenji unfolded his arms, a flicker of respect replacing the suspicion. Ren's practical approach seemed to resonate more than social niceties would have. "He's right. Some Jonin fail entire teams on day one. What kind of coordination? Basic attack patterns? Defensive formations?"
"Hard to say without knowing the test," Ren admitted. "But basics: communication signals, identifying each other's rough capabilities, maybe simple flanking maneuvers. Anything is better than going in completely blind. Let's find a quiet spot and talk strategy while we wait."
The awkwardness lingered, but a thread of shared purpose, woven from Ren's pragmatic initiative and their mutual desire not to fail spectacularly under an elite Jonin, began to form. Building Team 12 into something functional was going to be an uphill battle, but the first, tentative steps had been taken. The shadow of Genma's scrutiny, however, added a complex layer to Ren's already complicated new life.