Chapter 79: Team Assignments
Inside the Hokage's office.
The Jōnin had gathered together, surrounding the crystal ball on the Third Hokage's desk as they observed this year's newly graduated prospective Genin.
Today was the day the Academy graduates would be assigned to teams.
A Konoha Jōnin would lead three Genin as one squad for missions and training.
Ever since the founding of Konoha's Ninja Academy, this had become the established system for cultivating shinobi.
"... Neji Hyūga and Hinata Hyūga both received extremely high evaluations."
Although he hadn't been assigned a team, Asuma clicked his tongue and looked up toward the Hyūga clan head standing beside his father with a smile.
"Lord Hiashi, the Hyūga clan really keeps producing talent."
"That's the result of their own effort."
Unlike his usual stern demeanor, Hiashi Hyūga nodded gently.
Clearly, he was also extremely satisfied with their performances.
"And there's Sasuke Uchiha too."
Another Jōnin added from the side.
"Although he isn't the top student this year, his strength is unquestionable. Even among Genin who graduated in previous years, very few can compare to him."
"They're all excellent children. Honestly, I was nowhere near their level back then."
"Weren't you dead last back then? Anyone from your year was stronger than you. I remember you even got beaten by juniors from the year below you!"
Asuma glanced sideways at that Jōnin and teased him.
"Not true! My grades were clearly excellent! Guy, you and I were in the same year. Back me up!"
"Hm?"
Might Guy turned after hearing someone call him.
He stared seriously at the man's face for a long moment.
Then asked sincerely:
"Who are you?"
...
Amidst the lively conversations between the Jōnin, only Kakashi remained silent off to the side.
He also seemed completely unaffected by the human disaster known as Guy beside him.
"Kakashi, what do you think?"
The Third Hokage seemed especially interested in Kakashi's opinion and deliberately threw the topic toward him.
"Compared to Sasuke, the surviving Uchiha, or the Hyūga children…"
Kakashi finally raised his head.
Since the Third Hokage asked, he still had to answer.
"I'm more interested in the current top graduate."
The moment Kakashi's words fell, the Jōnin discussing the Hyūga and Uchiha immediately shifted their attention over.
This year's top graduate.
Without any dispute—
Was Naruto Uzumaki.
Because of his identity, the Jōnin had instinctively avoided discussing him at first.
Now that Kakashi brought him up directly, everyone naturally turned their gazes toward the Third Hokage.
As though sensing their expectations, the Third Hokage smiled and smoothly shifted the image inside the crystal ball toward that blond-haired boy.
At this moment, Naruto was surrounded by classmates inside the classroom.
Like the moon surrounded by stars.
That was the overwhelming popularity brought by his legendary six-year undefeated record at the Academy.
Hinata, however, wasn't within the crowd.
She sat quietly alone at her seat, seemingly lost in thought.
Yet her gaze kept secretly locking onto Naruto whenever he briefly appeared through the surrounding crowd.
I hope I can be assigned to the same team as Naruto-kun.
That would be perfect.
And just as the saying went—
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
While Hinata focused entirely on observing Naruto, Neji Hyūga stared directly at Hinata from behind.
Lady Hinata really has placed her entire heart on that Naruto brat.
Sigh.
The clan head's worries are not without reason.
At this rate…
Tch.
That Naruto brat might really end up marrying into the Hyūga clan someday.
Meanwhile, while Neji watched Hinata, Rock Lee's burning gaze remained locked firmly onto Neji.
Neji-kun!
Your new technique yesterday was way too powerful!
Way too passionate!
I absolutely cannot let you pull ahead of me.
Youth does not permit laziness!
Tonight, I'll run five hundred laps around Konoha upside down!
Behind everyone, the adorable bun-haired girl Tenten tilted her head in confusion.
Because she sat near the very back, she had a full view of the entire classroom.
Hinata looking at Naruto and thinking about him goes without saying.
The whole class knows that already.
Neji must be worried about Hinata…
But what's with Lee?
That fiery passionate gaze…
Don't tell me those two are…
That kind of relationship?
The instant Tenten thought this, her face filled with horror.
As though she had opened the door to an entirely new world.
She even became unsure how she was supposed to interact with those two in the future.
Sasuke, seated in the second row beside the window, lazily rested his chin on one hand while watching everyone act ridiculous.
Then he snorted coldly.
"What a boring bunch."
Amidst all the commotion, Iruka finally arrived late.
"First of all, congratulations to everyone here."
"Starting today, you are all independent shinobi of Konoha."
Looking at the students he had spent years teaching, Iruka felt slightly emotional.
Still, as their teacher, he had a responsibility to remind them properly.
"But you absolutely cannot become careless."
"Right now, you are still only newly graduated Genin."
"Beginners among beginners."
"The truly difficult shinobi path only begins from here."
"Next, the village will divide you into three-person squads based on your grades. Each squad will follow a Jōnin-level teacher from the village and carry out missions together."
The moment those words were spoken, everyone's thoughts began moving differently.
Hinata clasped both hands before her chest and prayed silently.
Please let me be assigned with Naruto-kun!
Neji watched Hinata like that and couldn't help frowning.
I hope Lady Hinata doesn't become too dependent on Naruto…
Meanwhile, Lee was still thinking:
Are five hundred laps enough?
Maybe I should add more.
Straight to one thousand laps!
Tenten remained trapped inside the new world she had discovered.
Those two…
I-I've heard of that kind of thing before, but I really don't understand it!
Surely I won't end up on a team with them, right?
Only Sasuke seemed as though he had seen through everything, silently staring out at the scenery beyond the window.
And Naruto placed both hands behind his head, looking full of expectation.
"Then I'll now announce the members of Team One…"
Iruka read the names one by one while observing everyone's reactions.
"... Team Three."
"Neji Hyūga."
"Rock Lee."
"And…"
"Tenten!"
"Nooo! Anything but this!"
Tenten wailed instantly, grabbing the cute buns on her head with both hands before burying her face against the desk.
"?"
Neji and Lee both looked at Tenten in confusion.
They hadn't offended her, right?
Why did she seem so wronged?
"... Team Seven."
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"Hinata Hyūga."
"And…"
"Naruto Uzumaki!"
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