Why Do I Feel Like I'm the Substitute?

The next day, when he returned to the classroom, Wu Liang heard the students discussing something. Last night, Mizuki had actually ordered Meichuan Kuku Longtao from their class to steal the Sealing Scroll, only for him to be caught by the Anbu on the spot.

Well, well. It seemed that even without Naruto's involvement, Mizuki would still find a chance to steal the Sealing Scroll. He had just picked someone too useless, who spilled everything the moment he was caught. Before Mizuki could even react, the Anbu ninja had subdued him. The whole thing had not even taken half an hour.

"Could there have been some mistake? I thought Mizuki-sensei was pretty nice. He was gentle and polite, so how could he do something like that? Oh, right, A Liang, what even is the Sealing Scroll? Why does this seem like such a huge deal?" Naruto, who had just entered, asked Wu Liang.

Wu Liang gave Naruto a strange look. In the original story, Mizuki had manipulated Naruto. Yet Naruto still thought the man was good? All he could say was, "Naruto, you can know a person's face but not their heart. Be more careful in everything you do, or you might get sold out without even realizing it. As for the Sealing Scroll, it's no small matter. It has been kept by the Hokage throughout the generations, and it records ninjutsu that can cause tremendous harm or even death to the user. Do you think it wouldn't become a huge incident if Mizuki dared to steal something like that?"

"Th-this..."

After hearing Wu Liang's explanation, Naruto could not say a word. This was a matter of betraying the village.

Wu Liang ignored him and returned to his seat. After greeting Hinata, he resumed his training.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, several Jonin who would be leading teams were observing the students in the classroom through the Telescope Technique. These were the students they would soon be assigned to lead.

When Kakashi was watching Sasuke and Naruto, he happened to see the two accidentally kiss. He said, "Oh my, they're full of youthful energy. Oh-ho, impressive."

The Third Hokage said helplessly, "That brat Naruto is still caught up in trouble as always. Although he no longer deliberately causes problems these past few years, trouble always follows him around."

Then the Third Hokage ended the Telescope Technique, looked at the Jonin before him, and said, "Then I'll leave these children to you all."

In the classroom, Wu Liang stared speechlessly at the scene before him. Even though Naruto had changed a lot compared to the original story and had not even learned the Multiple Shadow Clone, it seemed fate would still correct itself in some way. This scene had still happened.

Hinata's face was flushed red as she said, "How could this happen? Naruto's first kiss is gone just like that?"

Looking at the people in the classroom shouting and fighting, Wu Liang nodded. "Yeah, it's gone. And it was stolen by another man. Hahaha."

At that moment, Iruka opened the door and walked in. "All right, everyone, return to your seats and sit properly."

Iruka stepped onto the podium and smiled. "First, congratulations. Starting today, you are ninjas capable of standing on your own. However, you are still rookie Genin, and the real hardships are only just beginning. From now on, you will form groups of three and become a team under the guidance of a Jonin teacher, carrying out missions together. To ensure that every team is balanced in strength, the teachers will decide the groupings. I will now announce the assignments.

"First Team: Akishu Zo, Kai Yuya, Shiranui Ten'en. Second Team..."

Iruka assigned the teams from the podium. Those placed together with friends cheered, while those grouped with enemies or romantic rivals cursed endlessly. Seeing that most of the class had been assigned and only a few remained, Naruto could not help feeling happy. I should be grouped with A Liang or Hinata, right?

Sakura Haruno, meanwhile, kept glancing at Sasuke. How great would it be if I could be assigned to the same team as Sasuke? But when she saw who remained, she worried that Sasuke would be assigned together with Ino.

"Next, Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto, Sakura Haruno, Uchiha Sasuke." Iruka turned a page, saw a final note, and added, "Wait. Team 7 also has a substitute member: Ryo Senju."

Wu Liang had thought he would simply be grouped with two random people. He never expected to be made a substitute. "Hey, hey, hey, Iruka-sensei. Three people per team plus one Jonin instructor has always been the rule. Since when was there such a thing as a substitute? And why am I the substitute?"

Iruka did not get angry at Wu Liang's rude question. "This was the Third Hokage's decision. Since you never participated in the exams, you should not have been allowed to graduate. However, in consideration of your skill in Medical Ninjutsu, the Third Hokage permitted you to become Team 7's substitute member. In other words, Team 7 will have four students and one instructor. This was specially approved by the Third Hokage."

After saying that, Iruka continued, "Next, Team 8: Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino."

"Skill in Medical Ninjutsu, my ass. Couldn't the Third Hokage come up with a better excuse?" Wu Liang was speechless.

The students' gazes toward Wu Liang immediately became more amused. Naruto and Sasuke, meanwhile, were both thinking, Why do I feel like I'm the substitute? With this guy's strength, I can't afford to provoke him. The Third Hokage is such a good man. To save his own face, he actually made A Liang take the blame. Nice.

Sakura Haruno looked at Wu Liang with even more disdain. So you usually acted all high and mighty, but you're just a substitute. I thought you were so amazing. Looks like the only thing you're good at is eating. Hahaha.

Iruka paid no attention to what the students were discussing. He was only there to announce the teams. "Next, Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji. All right, that concludes the team assignments. Tomorrow, your team leaders will come collect you and take you on missions. Class dismissed." With that, Iruka left.

"A Liang, the Third Hokage must not know how strong you are to say something like that. Don't take it to heart. You're the strongest," Hinata said softly.

When Sakura heard Hinata say that, she mocked her. "Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter. If you mean he's the strongest when it comes to eating, then you're right. Him? Hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

At once, everyone in the class except Naruto, Sasuke, and the others who knew Wu Liang's strength began laughing. After all, Wu Liang's status as a substitute had been personally designated by the Third Hokage. That could not be changed.

Shikamaru, however, did not laugh. Seeing his serious expression, Yamanaka Ino asked, "What's wrong? Did Forehead Girl say something wrong?"

Shikamaru nodded. "Have you thought about it? Someone who had just graduated, yet the Third Hokage personally pointed out that his Medical Ninjutsu was impressive—do you really think such a person is only good at eating? As far as I know, to train in Medical Ninjutsu, one's Chakra usage and control must be extremely precise. Otherwise, it cannot be learned at all. And someone capable of that, you're telling me he isn't strong? Are you stupid?"

After hearing Shikamaru's analysis, Ino also stopped smiling. "So he's hiding his strength?"

"No, it should be the Third Hokage acting deliberately. He probably wants to protect him. And when it comes to Medical Ninjutsu, I think of someone. I wonder if you've heard of Lady Tsunade, one of the Three Legendary Sannin," Shikamaru said.

"Lady Tsunade, one of the Three Legendary Sannin? Of course I've heard of her. But what does that have to do with that Ryo Senju?" Yamanaka Ino asked in confusion.

"Lady Tsunade of the Three Legendary Sannin is fully named Tsunade Senju. What do you think?" Shikamaru said calmly.

Upon hearing that, Yamanaka Ino was stunned. "Tsunade Senju, Ryo Senju... Th-this... I didn't even know Lady Tsunade's surname was Senju. So the Third Hokage really is protecting this Ryo Senju?"

"I think so. But as for his strength, I'll reserve my judgment. He definitely isn't simple," Shikamaru said.

Wu Liang did not care what the students thought of him, nor did he bother arguing or refuting them. He simply left the academy to train. To him, strength was the most important thing. Before he came here, Seria had told him that the higher his cultivation in the Naruto world, the better the converted rewards would be after he returned. Since he might not have another chance to return to this world in the future, there was no need to care too much about what others thought. His own strength was what mattered most.

The next day, Wu Liang unusually slept in and did not go train. He knew Naruto and Sasuke would not be training that morning either. They wanted to find out early who their team leader would be. Wu Liang could not be bothered to tell them it was that scumbag Kakashi. Letting them learn a lesson would be good.

It was nearly noon when Wu Liang finally strolled into the classroom. Looking at the few people slumped over their desks, he said, "Yo, the teacher still hasn't come?"

"Seriously, what's going on? I thought you weren't coming today. Did you see any other teachers when you came? Why hasn't our Jonin teacher arrived yet?" Sakura asked weakly.

Just then, Kakashi poked his head in through the classroom door and said to them, "Hey, kids, are you the students of Team 7? I'm your Jonin leader, Kakashi."

Faced with Kakashi's sudden appearance, Naruto said resentfully, "Sensei, you're so slow. The other teachers took their students away ages ago."

"Now, now, don't worry about such minor details. Let's leave this place first and find somewhere to talk," Kakashi said with a smile.

The four followed Kakashi to the academy rooftop. Kakashi looked at them with dead-fish eyes and said, "All right, let's start with introductions. My name is Kakashi Hatake. As for my hobbies and interests, I don't feel like telling you. As for future dreams, I don't think I have any. How about you?"

"What was that? You said all that and told us nothing," Sakura said with a pout.

"Exactly! Sensei, that's way too irresponsible. Watch me." Naruto complained about Kakashi before saying, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto. What I like is Ichiraku's ramen. What I hate is A Liang forcing me to train. My hobby is competing with A Liang to see who can eat more ramen. My dream is to surpass the Hokage!"

"Yeah, yeah. Next," Kakashi replied, still as lazy as ever.

"Huh? Is it my turn? My name is Sakura Haruno. What I like..." Sakura blushed as she looked at Sasuke and continued, "And my hobby is..."

"All right, I know you like Sasuke. Do you have to make it so obvious?" Wu Liang really could not bear to watch any longer. Did she have to be so blatant?

"Oh my, for a girl your age, is love more important than ninjutsu? Then what do you dislike?" Kakashi asked.

"Naruto and Ryo Senju," Sakura said without hesitation.

"Do I really make you hate me that much?" Naruto muttered, deeply hurt by Sakura's blunt answer.

"Okay, got it. Next."

Sasuke sat calmly to the side as though none of this had anything to do with him. When Kakashi looked at him, he said, "Uchiha Sasuke. There are many things I hate, but nothing I particularly like. Also, I do not merely have a dream. I have an ambition. I will restore my clan, and then I will personally kill that man."

"Okay, got it. And the last one? Hmm, handsome boy, introduce yourself," Kakashi said as he looked at Ryo Senju, who was even lazier than him. He was lying on the ground as though he could fall asleep at any moment.

"My name is Ryo Senju." That was all Wu Liang said. There was nothing else.

"Uh... what about your hobbies, interests, dreams, and so on?" Kakashi asked Wu Liang with a headache.

"Eating, sleeping, beating Naruto. Does that count?" Wu Liang said.

"Forget it, that's enough. All right, we'll begin carrying out missions tomorrow. We'll start with a mission that only the five of us can complete," Kakashi said.

"What mission? Is it difficult?" Naruto cheered the moment he heard there would be a mission.

"It's nothing too difficult. Just a survival exercise," Kakashi said.

"It's obviously a mission, so why are we doing some survival exercise? The academy holds survival exercises every year," Sakura said.

Kakashi sneered. "This is no ordinary exercise. Out of the thirty-one graduates, only nine will be acknowledged as Genin. The rest will be sent back to the academy. In other words, this exercise is an extremely difficult test with an incredibly high elimination rate."

Sakura's expression turned ugly. "Why do we still need to take a test after graduating? Then what was the point of the graduation exam?"

"Oh, that? That was only set up to select those who have the qualifications to become Genin. That's it. Gather at Training Ground 3 tomorrow. I'll decide whether you pass. Remember to bring your ninja tools. Assemble at five in the morning.

"Dismissed. Oh, I forgot to mention something. A word of warning: don't eat breakfast, or you'll throw up." With that, Kakashi vanished from the rooftop.