Team 3

Leaving the examination room, Uchiha Kiyoshi let out a sigh of relief.

Although there had been nothing particularly difficult for him, this assessment carried a different meaning.

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

Today, although Uchiha Kiyoshi had not improved in strength, his status had truly changed. From now on, he was a Genin, a Konoha Genin officially recognized by Konoha as a ninja.

Besides the change in status, this assessment also marked a shift in Uchiha Kiyoshi's training methods.

From now on, Uchiha Kiyoshi would no longer simply train bitterly. Instead, he would continuously break through his limits and grow through missions.

After being notified that Nawaki had entered 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 everyone got to know each other briefly, there would be assessments like the Bell Test the next day, and then they would officially become ninjas.

Before long, Nawaki returned to the classroom as well. The moment he found Uchiha Kiyoshi, he launched into a barrage of complaints.

"Kiyoshi, how could you come back by yourself? I looked for you for ages..."

After grumbling for a while, Nawaki saw that Uchiha Kiyoshi was still reading and could only sigh helplessly.

The book in Uchiha Kiyoshi's hands was no longer basic reference 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, all of them were extremely expensive. Uchiha Kiyoshi had saved for several years just to exchange for this single book. Before this, he had read the notes left behind by his parents. They had both been Chunin, so their notes still contained worthwhile knowledge.

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

Time quietly passed, and the entire afternoon slipped away.

The other students in the class also gradually returned to the classroom to await the results.

At around five in the afternoon, the first supervising ninja finally arrived and called away the members of his team. The students of Class 1 began growing excited, constantly discussing topics such as who their instructor would be.

At that moment, Orochimaru walked in. His sinister aura, though released unconsciously, made everyone feel as if 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 speak. Even breathing felt difficult.

Orochimaru paid no attention to the students' reactions and slowly spoke three names.

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

Upon hearing their names, a sturdily built boy with stubble already growing on his chin stood up alongside Uchiha Kiyoshi and Nawaki, then hurriedly followed him out.

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

When Uchiha Kiyoshi heard the name Sarutobi Saku, he recalled the information he had on him.

Sarutobi Saku's uncle was Konoha's current Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen! Having received the Sarutobi Clan's finest training since childhood, Sarutobi Saku ranked among the strongest in all of Class 1. If Ninjutsu were included, perhaps no one besides Uchiha Kiyoshi could claim with certainty that they could defeat him.

Sarutobi Saku was also a genius throughout the Sarutobi Clan. Though his talent for Ninjutsu did not match that of his uncle, Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was still unquestionably exceptional. His three Chakra affinities meant that he would almost certainly grow into a Jonin!

However, Uchiha Kiyoshi did not know Sarutobi Saku's specific Chakra affinities. He only knew that there were three of them, something he had heard from the clan head.

Over the past three years, Uchiha Kai had invited Uchiha Kiyoshi to his home several times. They had talked quite a bit during those visits, and information on the talented figures of his year naturally came up.

The three followed Orochimaru, but rather than going to the rooftop as they had expected, they arrived at a dark corner of the Academy. Combined with Orochimaru's aura, even Uchiha Kiyoshi felt a chill run through him.

"All right, this will do. First, let me introduce myself. I am Orochimaru, and from now on, I will be the supervising Jonin of your Team 3.

"Let's skip the introductions. I dislike that sort of thing. It's too troublesome.

"Besides, I have already read your information in the Hokage's office.

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

"All right, that's all I have to say. Go. Be at Konoha Training Ground 7 at nine tomorrow morning."

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

Even after hearing Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Kiyoshi had not reacted. 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 if he had just faced some ferocious beast.

"Hey! Kiyoshi, and that... Saku or whatever. Even though that guy Orochimaru... Orochimaru-sensei said introductions aren't necessary, we can still introduce ourselves and get to know each other."

Halfway through, Nawaki seemed to sense something. His body trembled twice before he respectfully addressed him 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! Got that? I'm the man who's going to become Hokage!"

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

Uchiha Kiyoshi also stated his hobbies and dream. They were exactly the same as what he had said at the beginning of school, unchanged.

Sarutobi Saku had already learned about these two odd teammates beforehand. After all, with a Hokage for an uncle, he was bound to have certain advantages.

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."

Hmm! As expected of someone raised beside the Third Hokage since childhood—he was full of the Will of Fire!

When Sarutobi Saku said his name, he enunciated every syllable 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 Saku guy! Right, Sarutobi Saku."

Nawaki was truly infuriating without even trying. But seeing Sarutobi Saku's ugly expression, and under Uchiha Kiyoshi's pointed look, he finally corrected himself.

Uchiha Kiyoshi also apologized on Nawaki's behalf. It would not be good to start off with internal team conflict, so he had to mediate where he could.

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

"Hmph!"

Sarutobi Saku was rather proud as well, turning his head away. However, he nodded afterward, acknowledging Uchiha Kiyoshi's apology.

And so, Team 3 was officially formed. Over the coming years, the three would complete mission after mission together and all become ninjas of considerable renown.

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