Chapter Text
The room was lit by candles and lamps, dim despite the number of light sources. The air was heavy with decisions.
The third Hokage let out a deep sigh. "This class is not what we expected."
"It is not," agreed an elder. "This particular year is... unique."
"And we still have that problem with Team Nine Guy Sensei has brought to us." The Hokage took a deep pull of his pipe. "We should look at these constellations carefully."
"Iruka Sensei has already made suggestions about the team constellations," an advisor said, placing down the near damning scroll in front of the protector of the Hidden Leaf. "He has also taken the liberty of advising Senseis that might be beneficial to the students."
The Hokage picked up the scroll and studied it carefully, wise eyes tracing over the writing. The room waited with bated breath. The Hokage rolled it up and placed it back down before him, all eyes on him, waiting expectantly.
"Lord Third," one advisor asked, "We mean no disrespect and not to rush you, but have you made your decision."
The Hokage stroked his beard in thought. "This is certainly an interesting proposition. I will have to confer with the heads of the clans."
"Lord Hokage," an elder cried, "surely you do not wish to overthrow tradition as such. And to place the boy with a sensei that can not use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu would be—"
The Hokage raised his hand, silencing the room. "I will allow Iruka to inform the Genin of my decisions tomorrow. We've had enough excitement for one night, yes?"
He smiled politely. "I am sure the information will find its way to you shortly."
There was some mild grumbling, but challenging the Hokage had historically proven to be a bad idea.
The next day arrived quickly. Iruka, still recovering from the... problem from the day before, sat drinking his coffee as he opened the scroll containing the new genin teams this year.
He barely managed not to spit out his coffee when he saw what was written. Sure, he had suggested most of it, but he hadn’t considered the Hokage, in all his wisdom, to take the suggestion.
He hadn't done so in the years before.
Well, today would be interesting.
On the way to the classroom, he was practically accosted by Naruto.
"Iruka Sensei!" The blond was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Sensei, what team am I on? Can you tell me?"
"You'll find out with everyone else, Naruto." Iruka smiled patiently.
"Oh, come on!" Naruto pouted. "Not even a hint? A teeny, tiny hint? Please, Iruka Sensei!"
Iruka chuckled. "I can't. Sorry."
Well, he wasn't walking to school alone today. And he didn't have to chase down a paint-bespeckled punk defacing the Hokage's faces today, either. He was merely being accompanied by the sound of one hyperactive ninja wearing his old forehead protector and a bright orange tracksuit.
He almost didn't notice the stares the villagers were giving. Naruto's energy drowned a lot out if you let it.
Reaching the classroom, Naruto took his seat and started trying to shush others immediately. He could be incredibly goal oriented when he had motivation. Fortunately, he usually had that in spades.
"Alright, settle down class." Iruka waited for everyone to be seated. "I will now announce your new teams. You are genin now, so you'll be placed in the standard group of three with a jonin to guide you. These join will assess your abilities and help you find your way as the future of the Hidden Leafs Ninja. They are experienced in battle and will make good mentors."
He paused, scanning the room. They were hanging on to the edge of their seats. Shikamaru had awoken from his nap.
Both eyes were open. It was a near miracle.
Iruka unrolled the scroll. "I will now announce the teams. Team Seven, under Hatake Kakashi, will be Haruno Sakura—"
Sakura nodded to herself.
"Yamanaka Ino—"
Ino and Sakura glared at each other.
"And Inuzuka Kiba, with Akameru, of course."
Kiba scratched Akameru behind the ears, eyeing the girls warily.
Iruka continued: "Team Eight under Kurenei Yuhi will be Uchiha Sasuke—"
No reaction there.
"Aburame Shino—"
Also no reaction. Just a flat blink from Sasuke and Shino adjusting his dark glasses a millimetre higher onto his nose.
"And an experienced Genin from last years graduates, Hyuga Neji."
Murmurs washed through the classroom. Iruka didn't allow that to deter him. "Under Sarutobi Asuma, Team Ten, will be Hyuga Hinata—"
Hinata gave a barely-there nod and sunk further into her jacket.
"Akamichi Choji—"
Choji acknowledged that, glancing at Shikamaru, who looked like he was considering another nap.
"And another Genin from last years graduates: Tenten."
"You've broken up the Ino-Shika-Cho formation!" Ino cried suddenly, leaping to her feet.
Shikamaru groaned and dropped his head back on his desk.
"The Hokage thought it best." Iruka said, in lieu of an actual explanation. "I will continue, and you may ask your senseis about the matter individually if you wish."
Ino looked like she wanted to argue but sat back down.
Iruka went back to the scroll. "Team Nine, under Might Guy. Uzumaki Naruto—"
Naruto was already halfway out of his chair.
"Nara Shikamaru—"
Shikamaru slowly looked up from where he had been resting his head on his arm.
"and Rock Lee."
Somewhere outside, a voice full of youthful enthusiasm shouted, "YOSH!"
Iruka stared at the ceiling. "He's early."
The room exploded. Not literally, mercifully, that would have been the cherry on top of Irukas week, and he was still wounded from the day before. Apparently, the universe was still capable of small mercies.
Iruka surveyed the chaos one last time.
Sakura and Ino were arguing.
Naruto had somehow convinced Shikamaru to move desks.
Hinata had disappeared beneath hers.
Chōji was stress-eating.
Kiba was trying to protect Akamaru's ears.
Excellent.
They were officially someone else's problem.
Iruka smiled despite himself.
"I wish you all the best of luck."
He bowed, turned on his heel, and left before anyone remembered they still had questions.
Something in green zipped past him. Also not his problem. He was going to spend the rest of the day healing, at home, with his feet up. He'd still be there if they needed him.
Tomorrow.