The Coming Class Assignments

These two were also among the people Menma had had several close encounters with over the past six years at the Ninja Academy.

They could not exactly be called close.

But they were familiar enough. At the very least, Menma would not greet them with a cold face. As for what the future held, that was impossible to say.

But that did not stop them from interacting normally now, did it?

"It's not that exaggerated. Hard work is one part of it, but sometimes you need a little luck too."

Menma replied softly.

"Luck? Hehe, that's a pretty tactful way of putting it, Menma!"

Kiba cast a meaningful glance at Sasuke, who sat diagonally ahead with an indifferent expression, then chuckled.

Menma could not help but smile wryly.

Kiba had a bit of a sly streak in him.

"But, Menma, the Ninja Academy is only the starting point for a ninja. The real deal starts after graduation. Akamaru and I won't lose to you!"

Kiba said with a confident look.

"Woof woof woof!"

The little white dog named Akamaru, sprawled atop Kiba's head, barked in eager agreement.

The twelve prodigies from the original work had all possessed distinct personalities.

Among them, Kiba Inuzuka was clearly the competitive, prideful type. That much could be seen from the Chunin Exams arc.

His various performances afterward further proved that this young man refused to admit defeat!

The reason he had taken the initiative to talk to Menma in the past was because he recognized Menma's strength. But that very recognition made Kiba want even more to surpass him!

If young people were not competitive or hot-blooded, could they still be called young people!?

At least, Kiba believed that was only natural!

"Mm, then I'll be waiting, Kiba."

Menma did not dislike someone with Kiba's personality at all.

After all, getting along with straightforward people was much easier!

"I don't think that's happening. In terms of effort, Kiba, you definitely can't compare to Menma! Over the past six years, the number of times you slept in class and skipped school was practically on par with mine. No way. It's absolutely impossible!"

Before Menma could say anything, Choji, who was munching on potato chips nearby, calmly drove in the knife.

And he did it quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly.

Kiba's face immediately turned a whole range of colors.

The next moment—

"Ah! Choji, you bastard! Akamaru, go! Let this guy see what we're made of!"

"Woof woof woof!"

With loud shouts, the two boys and one dog quickly began roughhousing.

"Sto... stop it... Make Akamaru stop, Kiba... Ah~~~~"

Watching the two of them fool around, a faint smile appeared in Menma's eyes.

There had actually been a few times in the past when Menma wondered whether it might be better to follow the path of that Crown Prince from the original work.

At least then there would not be so much resistance or so many problems, and he could gain quite a bit of support.

Moreover, in this life, he was not alone.

With a Younger Brother like Namikaze Naruto, it seemed he could walk a steadier path!

But Menma cast that thought out of his mind in less than a few seconds!

There was no particular reason.

He simply could not swallow the anger in his heart!

Perhaps one could say that Menma could wait until he had smoothly seized Konohagakure's power before doing what he wanted!

But first, how many years would that take?

And second, while Menma would not bother holding anything against those foolish ordinary civilians, the village of "Konoha" itself—

Menma did not want it to continue existing!

That was right!

A deepest, truest ambition hidden within Menma's heart was to destroy this so-called greatest shinobi village in the Shinobi World!

He could restrain himself somewhat and abide by the last shred of rationality, refraining from any mad revenge or massacre for his father's sake!

But this village!

The very name Konoha!

To Menma, it represented the utmost mockery and provocation!

And those so-called Konoha's Higher-ups were likewise one of Menma's deepest obsessions. Only by dealing with those people could he truly find peace of mind!

This village has already rotted beyond saving. Tearing it down and starting over is the right thing to do!

Menma thought silently to himself.

Although Shikamaru beside him seemed to sense the shift in Menma's mood, he did not ask about it. Everyone had their own secrets, and given Shikamaru's personality, he would not meddle in other people's affairs unless necessary.

The Graduation Ceremony arrived right on time.

It was a day of celebration for the graduates.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, also took time out to visit the Ninja Academy. On the main field, he delivered a speech before all the gathered graduates that made more than ninety-nine percent of them boil with passion.

Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's encouragement, each of them seemed to glimpse a future in which they became heroes of the village!

The expectation and excitement shining in their eyes

were enough to show that Sarutobi Hiruzen had truly maxed out his "pyramid scheme" skills!

It also made Menma sigh. As expected of a Hokage who had once saved Konoha in its time of crisis—even if he had now grown old and muddleheaded, his past achievements could not be ignored.

At the very least, when the Sannin were growing up, Hatake Sakumo was still alive, and he himself was at the peak of his prime, Konoha had enjoyed a period of renewed prosperity. It was only afterward that this Third Hokage rapidly decayed, becoming foolish, narrow-minded, and utterly laughable.

That made Menma recall a saying from his previous life, used to judge certain ancient emperors.

Everything was fine, except they died too late.

It seemed fitting for Sarutobi Hiruzen as well.

The lively Graduation Ceremony came to an end.

The final item, and the most important part of the graduation proceedings, was—team assignments!

After returning to their respective classrooms, every student stared at their teacher at the front with shining eyes!

Even an idiot knew that being assigned to a strong team would be highly beneficial.

Then there was the matter of the supervising shinobi.

Most of the Little Ones were still clueless, but some knew that every year, several Jonin were assigned to lead graduating teams!

Jonin and Chunin!

The difference between them was like heaven and earth!

Who wouldn't want their supervising shinobi to be a Jonin!?

The moment Teacher Iruka entered the classroom, he became the focus of nearly every student's attention. Their thoughts were obvious at a glance.

A gentle smile appeared on Teacher Iruka's face as well.

"First, I want to congratulate all of you on graduating successfully. From today onward, you are officially shinobi of Konohagakure. I hope every one of you will always remember what it means to be a shinobi. I look forward to seeing each of you become an outstanding shinobi in the future!"

Teacher Iruka braced his hands on the podium, his gaze slowly sweeping over every student below as he spoke in the gentlest tone.

"Yes, Teacher Iruka!"

The dozens of young men and women below answered in unison.