Jonin Kakashi Takes Charge

Naruto spent a pleasant afternoon with his little brother, Konohamaru.

Naruto took Konohamaru around town for research, then to a bookstore for more research, and finally to the bathhouse for personal research.

Ahem, scratch that, scratch that, the last one was purely accidental.

In any case, Naruto's Sexy Jutsu teaching was quite successful.

Naruto the great artist's aesthetic sense was no joke. Under his guidance, Konohamaru's Sexy Jutsu made Ebisu, Konohamaru's private tutor, spurt blood from his nose and nearly die of exhaustion.

The next day, on the way to the briefing session.

Just like yesterday, Naruto encountered Konohamaru ambushing him. Unfortunately, his disguise technique was too poor, and Naruto didn't want to play along, seeing through it at a glance.

"Konohamaru, check your homework, and show me it again."

"Okay, boss!"

Bang~

After a puff of smoke, a beautiful dark-haired woman appeared.

Not bad, he's already got thirty percent of my skill.

Naruto traced a wavy S-shape with his hands, continuing to impart the essence of the ninjutsu, "Curves, you must remember, curves must be beautiful."

"That's all for today. I have something to do," Naruto said, preparing to leave.

"Boss, where are you going?"

Naruto turned his head and pointed to his forehead protector, "See? I'm a ninja now. I don't have time to play house with you anymore."

"That's awesome, Aniki!"

This is awesome too?

This guy's emotional value is off the charts.

Upon arriving at the academy, Naruto found that most of his classmates were already there.

Before he could exchange greetings with anyone, Teacher Iruka entered to announce the rules.

"Congratulations, from today onwards you are ninjas who can stand on your own. But remember, you are still just novice Genin. The real hardship is just beginning now." Iruka's eyes flashed with memories as he scanned the classmates.

These students were the result of his six years of diligent training. He worried they wouldn't go far, and even more, he worried they would face danger.

After all, the profession of a ninja was extremely dangerous.

But he couldn't stop it, he could only hope they would all be safe.

"From now on, each of you will be formed into teams of three and follow a Jonin teacher to carry out missions together."

Oh?

Naruto's spirit perked up. Teams of three?

He thought he would be trained individually by a senior ninja.

That made sense, there were only so many Jonin, and the academy graduated students every year.

"To ensure each team is balanced in strength, the teachers will decide the groupings. First team..."

Until.

"Next is Team Seven: Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto: Seven? I like that number.

He didn't care who his teammates were, as none of them were stronger than him anyway.

But it would be even better if they were people he could get along with.

"Sakura Haruno."

Sakura Haruno glanced at Naruto with disdain. For the past six years, except for that one time in the first year when Naruto took on seven opponents by himself, he had performed mediocrely, and his exam scores had consistently been at the bottom.

Becoming a ninja meant undertaking dangerous missions, and she wanted her teammates to be as strong as possible.

Sakura Haruno: Why do I have to be in the same class as him?

Naruto: Sakura Haruno? We haven't talked much. I think she's one of Sasuke's admirers?

"Uchiha Sasuke."

Uchiha Sasuke: Naruto?

Sakura Haruno: Great!

Naruto: Sasuke, at least we can talk.

If we were to score on a scale of 0-10, where 0 is bad and 10 is good, with 5 being a stranger.

Then his relationship with Sasuke would be around 6-7, not close but not strangers, at least they could chat.

Ever since the Uchiha clan massacre, Sasuke had been shrouded in the shadow of Itachi Uchiha, cultivating with a bitter and resentful expression all day, rarely participating in group activities. The two of them had little contact even outside of class.

He hadn't expected to be placed in the same class as Sasuke.

He had originally thought that if they were separated due to the class assignments, he wouldn't be able to observe the protagonist's growth up close.

This class assignment result was truly perfect.

With that thought, Naruto glanced at Sasuke, who happened to be looking over at the same time. It was as if they had a telepathic connection.

Naruto made a V-sign, hinting at a successful partnership.

Sasuke didn't show much reaction, merely looking away.

Naruto wasn't discouraged. It was rare enough for the guy to even glance his way.

"That's all for the class assignments. I'll introduce your Jonin instructors this afternoon. For now, you're all dismissed."

Noon.

Naruto wanted to ask Shikamaru and Choji to grab lunch, but they had already left with Ino to go somewhere.

In the end, Naruto found Sasuke, and the two of them sat on the edge of the rooftop to eat.

"We'll be eating from the same bowl from now on, so I'll be looking out for you."

"Worry about yourself first, dead last."

Haha, Naruto grinned.

How was it that he could get the taciturn Sasuke to talk more?

However, noticing that Sasuke could only eat onigiri for lunch, Naruto made sure to eat his own meal of three dishes and one soup very loudly.

Before long, Sakura Haruno appeared from somewhere and joined them in a corner to eat.

Time moved to the afternoon, inside the classroom.

"So slow."

Naruto leaned back, looking at the ceiling, and grumbled impatiently.

All the other teams had already been taken away by their Jonin instructors. Only their Team 7 remained in the classroom.

Why hadn't their Jonin instructor arrived yet? He was waiting to quickly complete the main quest and become a Genin as soon as possible.

Only by becoming a Genin could he use the Duel Arena.

The System had been loaded for nearly 9 or 10 years, and he still hadn't had the chance to experience the Duel Arena. He had waited until he was blue in the face.

But who would be their team's Jonin instructor?

If it were a beautiful older woman, like the instructor for Kiba and Hinata's team, that would be the best.

He took the opportunity to glance at Sasuke.

He was sitting at his seat just like Naruto, appearing calm on the surface, making it impossible to guess his inner thoughts.

Sakura Haruno, whom he didn't know very well, had already grown restless and was pacing back and forth at the front, clearly showing her impatience as well.

"Hello."

A white-haired man walked in from outside, greeting them as he entered.

The three of them looked at the newcomer in unison.

White hair, a gray mask covering his entire face except for his eyes, and his left eye was covered by a forehead protector. Could he be blind?

He looked so strange and listless.

Give me back my beautiful older woman!

"I apologize for being late. Follow me now."

The rooftop.

The three of them sat opposite the white-haired teacher.

"Let's start with introductions."

"How should we introduce ourselves? Teacher, why don't you go first?" Naruto asked curiously.

Ever since he was young, when Naruto looked at someone, he always paid attention to their eyes.

Hate, disgust, coldness, curses – Naruto could tell at a glance.

But this white-haired teacher's eyes were unusual.

This was the first time Naruto had vividly and concretely encountered the term 'dead fish eyes' in a person.

They were dead, lifeless eyes, devoid of any light.

'Some people are alive, but they are already dead.'

This saying described the white-haired teacher perfectly.

Yet, according to Naruto's senses, this white-haired teacher was clearly a decent fellow.

What kind of experiences had this guy been through?

"Me? My name is Hatake Kakashi. I don't want to tell you what I like or dislike. As for my dreams... I have many interests..."

Naruto, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke: ...

It felt like he hadn't said anything at all.