Team 3

After leaving the examination room, Uchiha Kiyoshi finally let out a sigh of relief.

Though it had not been particularly difficult for him, this assessment carried a different meaning.

Ever since coming to this world, Uchiha Kiyoshi had constantly thought about how to improve his strength. Every day, he was either training or on his way to train.

Today, while Uchiha Kiyoshi had not made any breakthrough in strength, his status had truly changed. From now on, he was a Genin—a Konoha Genin officially recognized by Konoha as a ninja.

Beyond the change in status, this assessment also marked a shift in Uchiha Kiyoshi's way of training.

From now on, Uchiha Kiyoshi would no longer train blindly and arduously. Instead, he would continually push past his limits and grow through missions.

After informing Nawaki that it was his turn to take the assessment, Uchiha Kiyoshi headed toward the classroom.

With all the time spent lining up and taking the assessment, the written exam had already ended. Uchiha Kiyoshi could now go straight in and wait for the team assignments.

If nothing went wrong, the team assignments would be announced today. After a brief introduction among teammates, there would be tests like the Bell Test the next day, and then they would officially become ninja.

Before long, Nawaki returned to the classroom as well. The moment he found Uchiha Kiyoshi, he began lecturing him.

"Kiyoshi, how could you come back alone? I looked everywhere for you..."

After grumbling for a while, Nawaki saw that Uchiha Kiyoshi was still reading and helplessly gave up.

The book in Uchiha Kiyoshi's hands was no longer basic material, but Training Notes on Sealing Jutsu. After becoming a key cultivation target of the Uchiha Clan, he had gained a certain privilege: access to the second floor of the Archives. As long as he had enough money, he could borrow training notes and Ninjutsu scrolls from there.

However, they were all extremely expensive. Uchiha Kiyoshi had saved for years just to exchange for this one book. Before this, he had only read the notes left behind by his parents. They had both been Chunin, after all, so their notes still contained some useful things.

Nawaki quickly recovered and began chatting with Uchiha Kiyoshi about all sorts of things again.

Time quietly passed, and the entire afternoon went by just like that.

The other students gradually returned to the classroom as well, waiting for the results.

At a little past five in the afternoon, the first instructor finally arrived and called away the members of his team. The students of Class 1 began to grow excited, constantly discussing topics like who their instructor might be.

Then Orochimaru walked in. His sinister aura, though only unconsciously released, made everyone feel as though they had fallen into an ice cellar. The entire classroom instantly fell silent.

Looking at Orochimaru's pale face and cold vertical pupils, no one dared to speak. Even breathing felt difficult.

Orochimaru ignored the students' reactions and slowly spoke three names.

"Team 3: Nawaki, Uchiha Kiyoshi, and Sarutobi Saku. Come out for a moment."

Upon hearing the names, a broad, sturdy boy with a bit of stubble on his chin stood up alongside Uchiha Kiyoshi and Nawaki, then hurriedly followed him out.

This time, Nawaki did not dawdle. He moved faster than ever.

When Uchiha Kiyoshi heard the name Sarutobi Saku, he recalled the information he knew about him.

Sarutobi Saku's uncle was none other than Konoha's current Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen! Having received the finest training from the Sarutobi Clan since childhood, Sarutobi Saku ranked among the strongest in all of Class 1. If Ninjutsu were included, perhaps no one besides Uchiha Kiyoshi could confidently claim to defeat him.

Sarutobi Saku was also a genius within the Sarutobi Clan. Though his talent for Ninjutsu did not match that of his uncle, Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was still undeniably formidable. His three Chakra natures meant that he was virtually guaranteed to grow into a Jonin!

However, Uchiha Kiyoshi did not know Sarutobi Saku's exact Chakra natures. He only knew that there were three of them, having heard it from the clan head.

Over the past three years, Uchiha Kai had invited Uchiha Kiyoshi to his home several times. They had talked about quite a few things, naturally including intelligence on the talented figures of their generation.

Rather than leading them to the rooftop as they had imagined, Orochimaru brought the three of them to a dark corner of the Academy. Combined with Orochimaru's presence, even Uchiha Kiyoshi found the place eerie.

"Fine, this place will do. First, an introduction. I am Orochimaru, and from now on, I will be the Jonin instructor of your Team 3.

"We'll skip the introductions. I don't like that sort of thing anyway. It's too troublesome.

"I have already reviewed your information in the Hokage's office.

"As for the three of you, I believe that after four years, you have at least some understanding of one another.

"That is all I have to say. Go on. Just be at Konoha Training Ground 7 tomorrow morning at nine sharp."

With that, Orochimaru directly turned into a small snake and vanished.

After hearing Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Kiyoshi did not even react at first. Was he really that unconventional?

Seeing the expressions of the other two, Uchiha Kiyoshi accepted it.

At that moment, Nawaki let out a long breath and patted his chest, as though he had just faced some terrifying beast.

"Hey! Kiyoshi, and that... what was it, Saku? Even though Orochimaru... Orochimaru-sensei said we don't need introductions, we can still introduce ourselves and get acquainted."

Halfway through, Nawaki seemed to sense something. His body trembled twice, and he hastily addressed him respectfully as Orochimaru-sensei.

Neither Uchiha Kiyoshi nor Sarutobi Saku objected to Nawaki's suggestion, and both nodded.

Nawaki immediately introduced himself excitedly.

"My name is Nawaki. My hobby is becoming Hokage, and my dream is also becoming Hokage. Hahaha, remember that! I'm the man who'll become Hokage!"

As Nawaki shouted, he stared at Sarutobi Saku as though telling him that he would become Hokage, that the title of Hokage was his.

Uchiha Kiyoshi also stated his hobbies and dream. They were exactly the same as when school had begun, unchanged.

Sarutobi Saku had already looked into his two unusual teammates. After all, having a Hokage for an uncle came with certain conveniences.

He began his introduction.

"My name is Sarutobi Saku. I specialize in Wind Release Ninjutsu. My hobby is training, and as for my dream, it is to become strong and protect Konoha."

Hm! As expected of a child raised beside the Third Hokage—his head was full of the Will of Fire!

When Sarutobi Saku said his name, he enunciated every word clearly. At the same time, he stared at Nawaki, seemingly expressing his displeasure at how Nawaki had addressed him earlier.

"Got it, got it. You're that what's-his-name Saku! Right, Sarutobi Saku."

Nawaki really knew how to infuriate people, but seeing Sarutobi Saku's ugly expression and Uchiha Kiyoshi's meaningful look, he corrected himself.

Uchiha Kiyoshi also apologized on Nawaki's behalf. It would not be good to have conflict within the team before they had even begun, so he needed to mediate where he could.

"Sorry about that. Nawaki is just that kind of person. Don't take it to heart."

"Hmph!"

Sarutobi Saku was rather proud. He turned his head away, but after a moment, he still nodded, accepting Uchiha Kiyoshi's apology.

And so, Team 3 was officially formed. Over the coming years, the three of them would complete mission after mission together and all become fairly well-known ninja.

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