Chapter Text
Walking through the halls of the academy brings back memories of a childhood where everyone was wishful thinkers and excited to start their careers as Shinobi of Konoha. Whether it was to go down in history to be the greatest Shinobi in the world, become the Hokage, or personal goals to avenge your massacred family.
But that was back then and now Sasuke was no longer that ambitious child and was instead grown to be a jaded adult who has experienced way too much in one lifetime. It was amazing he was still functioning or alive. People have said that the last Uchiha will probably die young and he only knows this is because there was a betting pool for it.
After the war ended, Sasuke was offered some leniency for his past actions. It was mostly due to his help in taking down Kaguya and the people who vouched for him such as the members of Team Seven, especially Konoha's Hero, Naruto.
But he was a criminal regardless of how he changed at the end so he was given some prison time to which Sasuke did not object. After his rather light sentence was served, he was to remain loyal to Konoha for the rest of his days and to protect its inhabitants from future threats.
As great as that deal was, something that they don't tell you after you get out of prison for all your crimes that you committed after abandoning your village is the stares and mixed feelings from the villagers. It was a range of relief to have someone so formidable to protect them to fear and disdain that such a person resides in the same place as them.
Sasuke spent the first couple of years avoiding any interactions and walking through the streets of Konoha with hundred eyes on him, watching to make sure he wasn't going to slip up.
But it has been years and as time passes, people start to move on, forget a little.
It was another year that brought a new set of genin who were hoping to get their career started and meet their teacher to guide them through their journey. And they expect Sasuke Uchiha to be their teacher.
When Kakashi suggested Sasuke become a jonin and take on his own team, he thought the Hokage had truly lost it.
"You want me to be in charge of a few brats?" Sasuke's question was more like a statement as he bored his eyes on Kakashi across the Hokage desk.
He was called in for a meeting with the grey-haired Hokage and was expecting a new assignment like getting sent to a faraway land to gather information or prevent any rising conflicts. It was his purpose now; to protect the place his brother died for.
He was on a path to atone for his sins and it was part of his deal for a light sentence. Sasuke had already come to terms with the idea that he was going to be traveling for the rest of his life, working to protect Konoha from the shadows, and being alone. It was something he was not against. But to be a jonin and be entrusted to lead a three-man team...of KIDS?
Maybe the paperwork had driven him crazy. Kakashi thinks that Sasuke was stable enough to work with others and that he is capable of handling kids.
"I think it's a wonderful idea."
Sasuke leaned back in the chair with his arms crossed over his chest with an inquisitive look. Usually not one to humor Kakashi, Sasuke was in a good mood that he would entertain his stupid ideas. "What parent would release their kid in the hands of the former Konoha traitor?"
"Some don't have parents at all," Kakashi said, leaning forward on the desk with his hands folded on the desk. Even with that mask covering half his face, Sasuke can tell he has a smug look on. "A lot of children lost their parents to the war. Thankfully, some were taken in by relatives, some adopted, fostered, and some…" Never found a home.
Sasuke finished his sentence in his head. He understands the type of situation these children are finding themselves in. They lost their parents and were alone.
Sasuke was quiet for a moment, understanding the type of situation these children are facing. They were alone with no real support system.
"What are you saying?" That doesn't mean Sasuke likes the idea of him being said to support system.
"I think you can teach these kids a lot of things, don't cha think?" Kakashi reasoned.
"You want me to be a parent or something? I'm twenty-three."
"There have been younger ones," Kakashi affirmed. "I think you can handle that,"
"You're irritating."
"Oh, the insults. I missed this," Kakashi reached over to rub Sasuke's head to which he smacked the Hokage's arm away. "Such a sweet boy."
"Gross," Sasuke said. "Fine, I'll do it. But I get to pick them and I have full authority to reject the team if I don't like them."
"How'd you think I managed? Done," Kakashi said. "But you will have to take on a team one day. Like how I managed to swoop you with Naruto and Sakura."
"We'll see about that. You owe me."
"I offer a higher pay."
"Good. Make sure the idiot doesn't lower it when he takes over." Sasuke pointed at the sleeping blond, leaning back in the chair with his head dangling over and mouth open. With a paper crumpled in a ball thrown at Naruto, he jolted up, eyes still drooped with sleep.
"What happened?"
Sasuke received the notice that a trio was picked out for him. It's been three years since Kakashi recommended him for the position and for those four years, he has rejected the students. No hard feelings but like he said if he didn't see anything worth his efforts, he's not going to waste his time and the kids' time.
He's not sure why Kakashi and Naruto were so insistent that he take on a team. He enjoyed being alone and he doesn't have to worry about some dumb kid trying to impress others and end up almost dying in the process.
Oh, how the tables did turn.
The academy was obviously different from what it was in the past. With the multiple attacks on Konoha and a huge war, it completely destroyed the village. In its place was a new and improved version of the village with more modern architecture and a blueprint that will allow more shops and promises of new homes for the future. The academy was completely ripped from its spot so it allowed the village to build it up with more updated fixtures and more space for students.
Some parts of the academy felt the same like the hallways, the smell, and the layout of classrooms and practice rooms.
Sliding the door open, Sasuke was met with the sight of the empty classroom save for the three students seated in what he assumes to be their assigned seats and their teacher, a very familiar face to Sasuke.
"Look who finally showed up," Shikamaru mused. He was seated in the chair by the chalkboard with a book in his hand. If it wasn't for the three students still in the room, Sasuke bet the shinobi would be partaking in his very bad habit of smoking.
Sasuke stood at the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest, donning the army green flak jacket, dark blue pants, and sandals. "Should've taken a long way over here."
With the roll of his eyes, Shikamaru stood up and walked over to him. The three students in the room watched the interaction with intrigued eyes. Shikamaru stood in front of Sasuke.
"I got a good feeling about these three."
Sasuke glanced at the three in question. "Sure about that?"
True to his word, the Hokage allowed Sasuke the freedom to reject or approve any team that he saw fit. If Kakashi was allowed to reject any team, his student should also have that freedom.
For the four years that he has been doing this, he rejected every team that he was assigned. He could honestly pick the students himself but it was way too much work and he didn't care to do all that. Sasuke would get the reports on the kids and he would meet them, determine they were not up to his standard (whatever that might be), and subsequently request a different jonin to be their teacher.
It was nothing personal but it was just difficult to teach a child who is terrified of their own teacher. Despite being a so-called hero, there were some who didn't appreciate his presence in the village. A lot of children have heard of the scary stories of the last Uchiha. Sasuke couldn't stand having to instruct a child who would just look at him like he was some kind of monster that was about to rip his heart out and eat it raw right in front of him.
During the first year, the team he was assigned had one kid who passed out upon seeing him while the other cried asking him not to kill him. It was very difficult to keep them calm and returning them back into the hands of their parents was an awkward task when you just found out that you were used as a scary tale told to kids by their parents. The second team had the same ordeal.
The third-year was better. No one fainted or cried at the sight of him but two out of three were huge fans of Naruto who had just become Hokage. After the war, Naruto was the village's hero and kind of became a local celebrity. It would be nice that the dobe finally got his dream if he didn't have to be such a dick about it. You get a fan club and suddenly you're hot shit. Anyways, having students who gushed about Sasuke's friend was annoying so he asked them to be reassigned to someone else.
"Have a little faith in people, okay?"
"You're the one telling me that?"
"I've been trying this positive thing. Temari has been on my ass that I'm too negative. Whatever."
"Ano, Shikamaru-san?" The two men turned their heads to look at the girl who was standing. The girl was tall for her age with short olive green hair and blunt-cut bangs. "Is this our teacher?"
"Yeah, who is this guy?" The boy who has seated three spaces behind the girl asked. The boy had vibrant red hair styled up and pieces of hair falling down to frame his face. He donned goggles on his head and had a voice very reminiscent of Naruto or Konohamaru.
The third child in the room was seated five seats away from the girl. He had his arms crossed over his chest and leaned back on the chair. He had dark blue hair and was watching this interaction quietly.
Sasuke wasn't an idiot or completely incompetent. He read up on their files with detailed information about each kid.
Usagi Sakata - Birthday: May 17
Lives with her grandparents, her mother passed away due to illness and her father works in another city.
Keiji Mae - Birthday: November 7
Both parents were killed in action. Currently lives with his uncle in the village.
Osamu Takamoto - Birthday: September 4
Lives with his parents and two brothers.
"Yes, kids. This," Shikamaru pointed at Sasuke. "Is your very late teacher. But he's one of the best so I can assure you...you'll learn a lot from him." The spiky-haired man smirked at his friend and patted him on the shoulder as a form of wishing him good luck and not screw it up. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
With a light chuckle, Shikamaru stepped out and walked down the hall, not bothering to be discreet about the pack of cigarettes he pulled from his pockets. With being the Hokage's advisor and part of the academy's staff, he fell into some bad habits.
Sasuke looked back at the three students, all their faces in varying expressions from excitement and indifference. "Hello. My name is Sasuke Uchiha and I will be your instructor for...maybe the next four years. You may have heard about me from...others."
"Maybe?" The other boy asked. The one with the dark blue hair.
"Yeah. What does that mean?" The redhead asked.
"My job is to help you become competent shinobis," He started. He had this conversation with the past three teams that he rejected. It is almost rehearsed. "In other words, if I don't see any potential in you three...you know what will happen." You three will be reassigned to someone else.
"Wait, if we're not up to your standard, you're going to toss us aside?" The girl spoke for the first time. Her tone was clear that she was starting to be upset.
"If I don't have anything to teach you three," Sasuke said.
"What? Are we too good for you?" Redhead (Hothead) asked.
"At least you three understand that. We'll see," He said. "We'll meet at Third Training Ground tomorrow morning at 7 AM sharp."
It seems kind of cliche for him to tell the kids to come to the Third Training Ground. Some might even call him soft. But who will be asking him whether or not this particular training ground was his team's back in the day? No one because it's nothing. Just a regular training ground, a regular plot of land and trees and shrubbery.
Sasuke just likes this training ground. It has enough space and it is secluded enough that any damage would not be too severe.
Sasuke actually showed up early and waited for the three children to find their way to the training ground.
"We can start with introductions. Say your name, goals, or whatever you want to add," Sasuke announced to the three students who stood up straight at the sound of his voice. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha." He closed his mouth after that and watched the two like he's telling the other three to speak.
"That's it?" The redhead asked. The other three looked as if they were asking the same question.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke said nonchalantly.
"You just said your name and that's it," The girl said. "That's not an introduction."
Sasuke ignored them and gave them a pointed look. "Anyway, your turn."
"My name is Osamu Takamoto," The dark-haired boy started. He was wearing a black shirt and grey shorts with a braided bracelet on his left wrist. "My goal is to make enough money to give to my parents. And be a good shinobi, I guess. I like gardening."
"Nice. Next," Sasuke pointed at the other two.
The girl was wearing a purple shirt with black leggings and sneakers. Her brown hair was down but her bangs were held back with two cherry hair clips on both sides of her head. "My name is Usagi Sakata. I like photography and flowers. My goals...um...I'm not sure. I just want to do my best. Maybe become Hokage?"
"Heard that before," Sasuke monotoned and pointed at the final person who looked excited to introduce himself, grinning like an idiot. "You?"
The redhead was certainly bright in hair but he wore dark clothes with a navy blue T-shirt and black joggers and a fanny pack across his chest. "I'm Keiji Mae. I have a lot of goals. Get stronger, go down in shinobi history, make a lot of money so my uncle and me can buy a bigger apartment. Oh, and when I get older, I'm going to get taller and more muscular, then get married to Hinata-sensei."
"Say what?" Sasuke said in surprise and Osamu let out a 'whoa.'
"Hinata-sensei? From our academy?" Usagi asked. "Why would Hyuuga-san want to marry you?" Her tone indicated that she was in disbelief and annoyed.
"It could happen."
Sasuke coughed to get the attention of the three. "Great. We introduced each other. Now, gather around," Sasuke acquiesced and pulled out two tiny golden bells from his pocket. "This will be your first test. And maybe your only test."
"Tests?" Keiji groaned. "Oh c'mon. I thought I was done with studying."
"Not those types of tests, you moron. Why would we be on the training ground?" Usagi protested with a roll of her brown eyes.
"Can you two please shut up?"
"Whoa, he does speak!"
Call him sentimental or whatever, Sasuke was going to do the bell test. Kakashi and Naruto can make fun of him all they want but it was honestly just because Sasuke didn't know what to do to test the abilities of these kids. He's done it a few times before and it seems to work out just fine. No wonder Kakashi did it.
If anything, he was just upholding a tradition.
"Here I have two bells," He held up the two bells and it jingled with the motion. It is currently 5 AM so you three have until lunchtime to snatch one from me. Whoever gets one, passes."
"But there's only two." Osamu pointed out.
Ignoring that comment, Sasuke continued. "This test has a 66% fail rate. Or at least that's what I've been told when I did this." He smirked internally as he remembered the past and the rollercoaster that these kids are going to go through. "You three have to figure out your plan. Use everything you learned from the academy. I want to see your individual skills and evaluate whether or not you three are worth me teaching you...anything."
Keiji scoffed. "What's so good about you anyway?"
"You'll find out pretty soon," He smirked, outwardly this time, and tied the bells to a loop of his pants, making sure that they see clearly where the bells will be. "Try your best."
Sasuke was quite disappointed by what he's seen so far. From all accounts and reports, he was given three very good students, top of their class.
He did expect to see some level of thinking. Judging by their personalities, at least one of them would act irrationally before he blasts them off and they retreat off into the trees.
In the first hour, he was still sitting down in the center of the training ground, looking at nothing in particular. After he started the clock and gave them their assignment, the three went their separate ways and retreated into the forest. Sasuke wasn't expecting an attack head-on so he couldn't fault them for an hour of no action. But it did mean they weren't able to think too quickly.
The second hour was making him a little concerned. He sure hoped that they would have figured something out, either by themselves or together.
The third hour was a string of individual barrages. The three took turns coming at Sasuke but they were sloppy. But Sasuke was slowly starting to understand what their fighting styles are or what they can become. Osamu was a thinker, similar to Sasuke himself and he can see the gears shifting in his brain. His issue is that he lacks the courage to act quickly. Usagi was skilled, her techniques with a kunai were impressive for her age, but she was incredibly hot-headed. Keiji was impulsive, like Usagi, but Sasuke can tell that he wasn't stupid. None of them were stupid because he got the records that demonstrated that these three were top of their class.
With the fifth hour coming and lunch time slowly approaching, the three genin were acting like sitting ducks.
"Okay, this isn't working," Keiji said, crouching down behind his teammates. They were ducking down but made sure to get a visual on their sensei.
"Oh, ya think?" Usagi snapped. "What made you think jumping him was going to work? After the first five times?"
"Maybe it would've tired him out." Keiji shrugged, which Usagi responded with a smack upside his head.
Osamu was quiet but that was nothing new. He was watching their sensei. He was leaning on a tree trunk with his arms crossed.
Having two older brothers and a bunch of cousins, he has some inside information that was relayed back to him. Sasuke Uchiha, the last Uchiha, was a strong shinobi. Not a lot about his past was told to him but Osamu knew it was a big deal that this famed shinobi was his teacher.
Osamu was growing frustrated and hungry. He knows that there's no way that they can take on a jonin. They just graduated from the academy and Sasuke-sensei is trying to play with their egos and high from graduating.
Osamu suggested without looking at the other two who were bickering in hushed voices. "Why don't we work together?"
The two stopped and looked at him with incredulous looks. "But the rules. He said we work individually. There are only two bells," Usagi said.
"Yeah, what are you trying to do?"
Osamu sighed. Even if that was true, the fact was that one cannot go up against Sasuke Uchiha. Even if one person wouldn't get a bell, at least the two had a chance and will pass. "Two is better than none. Do you guys want to get reassigned?"
"No. But that would mean one person will have to go." Keiji said.
"We can't do that," Usagi added.
"We'll deal with that later. Right now, we just got to get those stupid bells." Osamu said, irritated. "I'm starving."
"Me too," Usagi agreed, rubbing her stomach. "I was so nervous that I only ate a slice of bread." Usagi knows that it was stupid for her to go light with breakfast but her nerves were killing her. Her grandparents were so busy with their store that they didn't have time to nag her into eating more. Her father would be disappointed. He always said breakfast was the most important meal of the day.
"I packed some onigiri," Keiji assured. "Do you like seaweed in your onigiri?"
"It doesn't matter, Keiji."
"Yes, it does. Doesn't matter, it's going to taste good anyway."
"Can you two shut up?" Osamu ordered, causing the two to jump at his sudden burst of irritation. They smiled awkwardly in an effort to soothe him while he was already calm but with a scowl.
"Right. Off track." Keiji apologized.
"No. If you talk about food one more time, I will break something."
"Right, sorry. The plan."
Sasuke was counting the time they had left until it was official lunchtime. It was really quiet so he had his suspicions that the kids would come up with something by the end.
He looked down at the watch attached to his wrist to note the time.
By the end, he was quite disappointed by their lack of action. He was expecting a little more from them.
And then from a distance, he heard a yell. Without even having to look, he could tell it was Keiji chasing after him so he stepped off to the side and watched as the boy zoomed past him before halting to a sudden stop when he realized he didn't collide with the jonin.
Sasuke would chuckle if he didn't feel the presence of someone coming and with a swift shift back, three kunai landed where he would have been standing.
He appreciated the effort this time and the fact that some planning might've been involved as he blocked what would've been a kick to the side of the head from Osamu and grabbed the wrist of Usagi who was charging at him to punch on the opposite side.
For an up-and-coming shinobi, Keiji needed to work on being discreet.
"Ahh!" Keiji yelled as he charged forward.
As he approached, Sasuke tossed Usagi to him so they collided and plopped down on the ground with an eep.
Sasuke looked over just to make sure the two weren't seriously hurt. It would've been really bad and having to explain that would just be an earful from the blond Hokage.
Seeing the two were rubbing their sore parts, he nodded and was brought to the attention of a very noticeable smoke tag by his feet. Before he had a chance to react, it went off with a puff of smoke shooting up in the air.
"Get him!" Usagi shouted and she shot for his arm, hugging it tight and close to her chest. Sasuke would have acted to toss the girl once more off him but he soon found himself having another weight on the other side but this time, it was his leg that was suffering a tight hug.
The weight of the two children was a good enough distraction for the third student to sneak behind Sasuke and snatch their prize.
"I got it!" exclaimed Keiji with triumph.
Osamu and Usagi yelped in glory before they completely ditched Sasuke's limbs. With a quick run toward the woods, the three kids leave the jonin in disbelief.
The three were huffing, struggling to catch a breath and calm down the adrenaline of ambushing their sensei, playing dirty, and ditching. It might have been a little too childish and less professional in its planning but...you gotta do what you gotta do.
"Here," Keiji placed a bell in Osamu's hand, to which the other boy responded with a quick pull of his hand back. "Take it." Keiji tossed the other to Usagi who caught it in her two hands.
"What?"
"You take it. You're the one who said we should work together. You keep it."
"No, you're the one who snatched it off of him."
Usagi shoved the other to Osamu's chest. "Hurry. Take mine then."
"What are you two doing?"
"Hurry. Sensei's coming over." Keiji rushed.
With a loud cough, Sasuke was standing in the clearing with his hands on his hips, like a father waiting for his children to come to him before he gives them their punishment.
Reluctantly, the three stepped into the clearing with Osamu holding the other two's hands with the two bells hanging from their connected hands.
Once they stopped in front of him, they let go of each other's hands.
"You three broke the rules…" Sasuke started. The three stood next to each other, looking at the ground in shame. "You do understand that right?"
A small yes came from the three.
"You…" Sasuke could see the three cross their eyes in anticipation of what they already knew was something that would disappoint them. He smirked a little bit with a twitch of the corner of his mouth. But he returned to his stoic face to give them the news. "Passed."
That was a surprise. The three looked up at him like they weren't sure they heard correctly.
"What?"
"You three passed," Sasuke repeated, annoyed that he even had to do that in the first place.
"But you said we-"
"We broke the rules."
"What happened?"
"Let me teach you your first and most important lesson right here," Sasuke interrupted any other questions they had. He looked down at the three who were covered in dirt and leaves and with confused expressions. It almost made him laugh. He imagined this was what Kakashi felt seeing Team 7. "In this world, the ones who break the rules are scum. That is true," The trio nodded as if saying that makes sense. He crouches down to meet their eyes, a slight nervousness can be seen from the two children (Usagi and Keiji) and one of indifferent but internal struggle coming from the other (Osamu). "But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
He stood up straight. He could see the words were sinking in for the three and the moment of realization.
"Understood?" Sasuke asked, to which the three genin nodded. "Good."
"We passed...does that mean…?"
"You're staying? You're going to be our instructor? For forever"?"
"Not really. Maybe until you three don't need me."
"Oh my god! WE DID IT!" Usagi cheered, jumping like her name.
"We conquered him!" Keiji declared. "Yes, I am a genius!"
Osamu smacked Keiji's arm with a scowl. "Excuse me? I was the one who did most of the planning."
Sasuke sighed as he watched the bickering between the three continued. Out of all the ones he could've gotten, he got the loudest crew to handle. It was going to be an exciting next few years of his life.
"Did you like the children this time?" Hinata asked as she plopped next to him on the sofa in their living room.
After the morning bell test, Sasuke treated the three to lunch and let them relax and get used to each other since they will all be in the same team for the next few years.
So far, he can tell that Usagi and Keiji have the possibility of butting heads and getting along since they have similar personalities and demeanors. Sasuke will have to remember to silence them before any brawl can happen.
Osamu, though quiet and reserved upon first meeting, can get easily annoyed and cranky when hungry. He has to remember to bring snacks for the boy.
They were an interesting bunch.
He sent them home when the sun was starting to set, making sure that they all got home safely, before making his way down the road to his own home. As soon as he saw the house, he felt the stress dissipate and all he could think about was it was time to relax.
Hinata greeted him with a warm dinner and afterward, they sat in their loveseat with the TV on, playing quietly in the background while they talked.
She looked at him with an expectant look, waiting for his answer.
"It's not about whether I like them," Sasuke said. "I was looking for potential and how I can help them."
"C'mon, Sasuke-kun," Hinata smiled softly, gently shoving him as a way to coax an answer from the dark-haired man. "Be honest with me."
"They're…'' annoying brats who require a lot of teaching and honing their skills or else they will definitely be killed in the line of duty. "Fine." He finished as he sipped from his teacup.
"Fine? Does that mean...you're going to stay with them this time?" Hinata asked with a smile growing a bit bigger as the realization started to set in. Sasuke just gave her a look and it was enough to give her the answer.
"Sasuke-kun, this is amazing. You finally have your team!" She has a little jump of excitement on their couch.
"Mn."
Sasuke realized that he hadn't let it sink in that he was going to lead a team of small children and have them be his responsibility.
Hinata patted his arm and sat up, ready to get up to move. "Let's get to bed. You have to get up early tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah," He agreed. But he placed his hand on her arm, which halted her and she looked back at him. "Can we just sit together for a minute?" She nodded.
"Of course, Sasuke-kun." Hinata shifted closer to him and like it was rehearsed, Sasuke placed his arm around her and she found space in between his chin and shoulder.
With the TV playing with a hushed tone, it was a peaceful end to his day.