Ace

Team Ten

"Team Seven will be Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Choji Akimichi."

There was a resounding squeal from the pink haired girl, boasting her joy at being on Sasuke's team to Ino who was beside her. Such act was annoying the Yamanaka. Not necessarily about the Sasuke thing per se since deep down she'd expected to be on a team with Shikamaru and Choji. Just like their fathers had been forming the Ino-Shika-Cho formation that led to them becoming the second strongest team in history, just below the Sannin. Based on how they grew up so close to each other, there wouldn't be a surprise that those three would put in the request to having them be a team as well. However, she was surprised to see that Choji, instead of being on her team had already been assigned and wasn't with her or Shikamaru. No one was more confused on such placement than Shikamaru himself.

"Team Eight will be Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka." Iruka nodded to himself as there was silence which had been expected. It was this way until the announcement of team seven. "Team Nine is still in circulation so Team Ten will be Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Naruto Uzumaki. Your Jonin Sensei will be here shortly."

Shikamaru and Ino locked eyes at that announcement. Naruto, by far the largest puzzle the two have ever come across was now on their team. Perhaps progress to solving said puzzle could now actually be made. It would have sucked to never figure it out but at the same time, Naruto didn't seem to be all that great based on what the academy had them go through. Was solving the puzzle really worth this potential liability?

Once Iruka stepped out of the classroom, a group of Jonin came in. It seemed all the teams were being picked up now. Well, that was until they were leaving, and Naruto took note that Team Seven was still remaining in place as none of the Jonin had called them. As he walked past Sakura who was sitting at the end of the desk, he kicked her leg that was stuck out to trip him. He was tired of her constant attempts to strike out at him in some way. It resulted in the pink haired girl falling out of her seat and busting her nose. Something he ignored, walking by as though nothing had occurred. Hands in his pockets and all. His two assigned teammates that were behind him paused briefly before continuing on. Ignoring Sakura's crying. To be fair, she'd deserved it.

Once outside the class, they met up with the bearded man that had called for them. The walk they went on was silent. Entering a barbecue restaurant that was owned by the Akimichi clan. One that both Shikamaru and Ino were familiar with. Though they all stopped when they noticed that Naruto had not stepped foot inside. Looking to the sign of the restaurant almost emptily. What was wrong? Did he not like this place?

"Joining us, Naruto?" the Jonin said having turned to face the golden blonde.

"Uh, I'm not hungry..." that brought the two other Genin to quirk their brows. They hadn't seen Naruto eating lunch today at all. Even Ino was hungry, and she didn't eat as much as boys do.

"Then just come sit with us, I was going to have a talk with you three while we ate."

"Well eh..." Naruto closed his eyes, unsure of how to say what had to be said without saying it. "I pranked this place?"

"Are you telling, or asking me?" The bearded man said with a chuckle.

"We eat here quite a lot with our families, I don't remember ever hearing about you pranking this restaurant." Shikamaru said in his usual drawl that he was known for. Practically had it trademarked.

"Yeah, everyone hears about when a prank of yours is done." Ino said in affirmation to Shikamaru's statement. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the apprehensive, hesitant posture that Naruto had. In the years that they were in the academy together, never was he so hesitant. He was first up, and quickest up after being knocked down. All day he hadn't smiled once, yet he usually had a smile that was near permanent. The only exception being when he was frustrated.