A Ninja Calamity is a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts

"Four to a boat!" Hagrid's booming voice echoed across the dock as he gestured for the students to board the small boats.

The first-year students scrambled to find a boat, excited to begin their journey to Hogwarts. But as Kouchi observed, there was a subtle divide in the way people interacted. Most of the students didn't care where they sat, but a small group, notably surrounding Malfoy, seemed to make a concerted effort to distance themselves from everyone else.

Kouchi decided to avoid that side entirely, slipping into a more neutral boat toward the back. He didn't care about mingling, and he certainly didn't care about the suspicious glances thrown his way by Ron or the curious stare from Malfoy.

As soon as Kouchi settled into his seat, he regretted it. One of his boatmates immediately seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation.

"Hey, are you a Muggle? I don't think I've seen you before. But you also don't look surprised by all this magic. Maybe you're from a mixed family? Wow! That's pretty rare! Well, not so much these days, but people still tend to keep to themselves. It must be weird to be from a mixed family! Do you know which house you'll be in? I want to be a Gryffindor! But Ravenclaw would be fine, too!"

The boy's words tumbled out in a rapid-fire stream, too fast for Kouchi to get a word in edgewise. It was clear he didn't expect an answer, so Kouchi simply stared out at the lake, tuning out the endless chatter.

However, his attention was soon drawn to the dark waters below. He could sense a dozen magical signatures stirring beneath the surface, watching curiously. It didn't take long for Kouchi's chakra to pulse, and with a flick of his finger, he sent a subtle pulse of energy toward the water.

The response was immediate—and disastrous.

A massive head erupted from the lake, its jaws snapping dangerously close to Kouchi's outstretched finger. His reflexes were fast, and he managed to dodge, but the sudden movement caused the boats to rock, sending ripples through the water.

The creature, a gigantic serpent-like beast, focused its attention on Kouchi, its dark, glittering eyes narrowing in on him as it sensed the chakra he had released.

Maybe I acted too hastily, Kouchi thought, his hand instinctively gripping a kunai hidden in his sleeve. I should've been more careful. But this creature's too close now.

His eyes flicked around the boat. Too many students were nearby—he couldn't risk using his chakra freely or endanger them. But it seemed like no one was stepping up to handle the situation.

Kouchi, you may need to act after all.

Just as Kouchi prepared to defend himself, the creature lunged, and in that instant, a powerful blast of light struck the monster, forcing it back.

Hagrid's massive form appeared at the edge of the boat, his crossbow raised, the source of the light. The beast recoiled, stunned by the attack, and with a final angry hiss, it disappeared beneath the water's surface. But Kouchi felt its gaze linger, almost as if it were still watching him.

"Ya kids alright back there? The monster didn't hurt anyone, did it?" Hagrid's voice boomed over the students' murmurs.

Everyone quickly shook their heads, but Kouchi couldn't help but feel a tight knot of unease. He knew he had messed up, but no one seemed to suspect him. Hagrid, for all his strength, didn't seem to realize that Kouchi's chakra had drawn the creature to the surface.

The boat soon docked, and Kouchi quickly disembarked, trying to blend in with the other students. As they filed up toward the castle, Hagrid spoke quietly to Professor McGonagall, not realizing that Kouchi's enhanced hearing allowed him to catch every word.

"Professor McGonagall, I need to speak with the Headmaster. There was an incident during the first-year ride to the castle. One of the creatures decided to surface and target the kids. It's a serious concern."

McGonagall's face tightened as she processed the information, her eyes narrowing. Her quick reaction suggested that this was more than just an accident.

However, the moment her attention shifted to the students, her face became a mask of indifference, and her posture straightened. "First years, follow me. You will be sorted into your houses now. These houses will be your family for the next seven years."

Her voice was firm, commanding. The way she carried herself left an impression on Kouchi. She was a woman of authority, no doubt, and she carried the weight of her responsibilities like a shield.

Darn, that's an old-looking lady. None of the old hags in the Hidden Village would look like that, even at death's door, Kouchi thought, but he kept these words carefully buried inside his mind. He knew better than to vocalize such thoughts—especially when it came to someone like McGonagall.

She led them into the castle, and as they passed through the grand hall, many of the students gasped in awe. The enchanted ceiling above them seemed to stretch forever, an endless expanse of starry sky. The magical aura was so dense, it almost felt like a genjutsu. Kouchi's Sharingan flared instinctively, but he quickly suppressed it, not wanting to draw attention to his abilities.

He couldn't help but be a bit disappointed. Hogwarts was much grander than anything he had seen in the Hidden Village, but it was also predictable. Most of the school's magic felt like basic tricks—nothing new or revolutionary. He had seen more advanced techniques in the hidden villages, and the charm of this place was quickly starting to wear off.

As they entered the hall, Kouchi's eyes wandered across the room, cataloging everything. At the front, the Sorting Hat sat on its pedestal, seemingly alive, waiting to begin its task.

"Great, so now we have a hat that also likes to poke around people's heads," Kouchi muttered under his breath. "What's next? A talking broomstick?"

He crossed his arms, watching as the first few students nervously sat under the hat's scrutiny. This school, it seemed, was full of strange traditions. But Kouchi wasn't one for following rules—or for letting anyone tell him who he was supposed to be.