Graduation Season, Class Assignments

"Hyakawa Yamei, perfect score on the Three Basic Jutsu! You're graduated!"

"Uchiha Sasuke! Perfect score on the Three Basic Jutsu! You're graduated!"

"Yamanaka Ino, perfect score on the Three Basic Jutsu! You're graduated!"

"..."

As one graduation score after another was announced, those waiting below began to show expressions of relief.

Yamei's gaze fell upon Mizuki, standing beside Iruka.

With his current guidance, Naruto's Three Basic Jutsu would pass without issue, so there was no longer any reason for him to fail graduation.

Would Mizuki still instigate Naruto to steal the Scroll of Sealing?

Besides, Yamei had already taught Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique. Even if Naruto really stole the Scroll of Sealing, was he going to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?

It seemed history had shifted somewhat. Naruto had successfully passed his graduation exam! Mizuki hadn't even glanced at Naruto.

After all the graduation exams were completed, Umino Iruka looked at the many students present. "Students, from today on, you have graduated! Come to the classroom in three days, and a Jonin instructor will be assigned to lead you."

"Alright, you're all dismissed now."

Watching Iruka and Mizuki leave, Yamei blinked.

Could it be... because Naruto wasn't the dead last anymore, Mizuki wouldn't betray them?

"Waaah, Yamei! We're graduating! We won't be able to see you all the time once we're assigned to teams. I'm going to miss you so much!!"

Ino completely disregarded the gazes of others and lunged into Yamei's arms.

?(Ino.jpg)

Yamei smiled, stroking her soft hair, and gently comforted her. "It's okay, it's not like we won't see each other ever again. We have a long future ahead of us."

"But I just feel sad!" Ino pouted, acting cute and pulling Hinata over. "Hinata, don't you feel sad too?"

"I... I'll miss Yamei too." Hinata felt Yamei's embrace and the gazes of those around her, her face blushing slightly, but she still spoke her true feelings.

The many students present were already immune to Yamei's scene of having one girl on each side. This had been evident since they first enrolled.

"Yamei's so lucky!" Choji exclaimed, munching on potato chips.

"Hmph! Someone without a dog companion isn't happy!" Kiba affectionately ruffled Akamaru's head.

Shikamaru gave Kiba a helpless look and shook his head. "Feelings... they're really troublesome."

On the other side, Sakura looked enviously at Ino and Hinata, then turned her gaze expectantly towards Sasuke.

When will I be able to act cute in the arms of someone I like like them? Waaah...

"Everyone! To celebrate your successful graduation, I'm treating you all to yakiniku!!" Yamei extended his hand, drawing the attention of the nine rookies.

"Long live Yamei!!" Choji was the first to cheer.

"Yamei's treating us to yakiniku? I'm so excited!" Naruto, despite his improved living situation, still couldn't afford to eat yakiniku often.

The ten of them headed towards the yakiniku restaurant in a grand procession. It wasn't until nightfall that they finally bid each other farewell.

Returning home, Yūhi Kurenai sat quietly on the sofa and handed a scroll to Yamei.

"The Third Hokage wants me to be a Jonin instructor."

"So, you're saying...?" Yamei asked suspiciously.

"I've included you in my team," Kurenai said with a smile.

"Huh??" Yamei was taken aback. Team 8?

But if he joined Team 8, then one of Hinata, Shino, or Kiba would have to be pushed out, right?

"I don't know what the Third was thinking, putting a bug user, a dog user, and a Byakugan user—three reconnaissance ninjas—in the same team..."

Kurenai complained frankly.

Yamei's expression became a little awkward. Although he also thought Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangement was a bit crazy, he wondered if Kurenai wasn't afraid of being targeted for speaking her mind.

"So, I explained things to the Third and requested that you be assigned to my squad. Therefore, our Team 8 will have five members."

"!??"

Yamei froze. Five members!?

But the way Kurenai put it, he felt like he was just being tacked onto Team 8!

"Fine, it's not too bad being in your class," Yamei said lazily, lying down on Kurenai's lap.

"You just think it's a good way to slack off, don't you? Besides, one of your little girlfriends is in my class!"

Kurenai pinched the face of this brat whom she both loved and hated, then helplessly rubbed his shoulders.

"Don't say that, I act as a stabilizing force..." Yamei waved his hand.

"Hmph!" Kurenai didn't retort.

She now knew Yamei's strength. A year ago, when she had intended to test him, he had used a Genjutsu that left her frozen in place.

Afterward, the released Chakra pressure had made her question her entire life. So, with Yamei around, there was indeed no need to fear danger.

"The Third Hokage seems to have figured out some of your strength," Yūhi Kurenai said after a moment's hesitation.

"It's fine, he won't do anything to me," Yamei replied nonchalantly.

After all these years of special training he'd given Sasuke and Naruto, if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know he was extraordinary, then he wasn't fit to be Hokage.

But the fact that he hadn't sought him out yet meant Hiruzen Sarutobi must have a grudging trust in him, even if it wasn't much.

Seeing Yamei's calm expression, Yūhi Kurenai felt a lot more at ease, gazing at the young man with a gentle look.

He's thirteen or fourteen now... almost an adult...

Thinking of something, her pretty face flushed slightly.

The moment Yamei opened his eyes, he saw her expression with a hint of red on her cheeks.

Over the past few years, Yūhi Kurenai's feminine charm had reached its peak. Combined with that shy, budding look, Yamei was completely mesmerized.

As if sensing it, Yūhi Kurenai smiled at his dazed gaze. The two drew closer to each other.

Yūhi Kurenai did not return to her own courtyard that night.

The next morning, Yamei woke up and smiled at the breakfast on the table, while also looking at his body with a wry smile.

"Two more years!!"

Time passed quickly. On the third day, the students who graduated as Genin hurried towards the Ninja Academy.

Since Yūhi Kurenai had gone to the Hokage's office, Yamei tidied himself up, tied the protective headband to his shoulder, and then also headed to the Ninja Academy.

Just as he reached the entrance, Yamei heard a commotion from inside and then witnessed a famous scene.

Sasuke and Naruto's forbidden kiss.

"Ahem!"

Hearing Yamei's cough, Sasuke and Naruto immediately separated, glaring fiercely at each other!

"You bastard!!"

"It's over! My Sasuke-kun is tainted!"

"I haven't even kissed him yet!"

Many girls around, including Haruno Sakura, glared at Naruto at that moment. If looks could kill, Naruto would have died countless times over.

"Ahem, everyone quiet down. We will now begin the class assignments," Iruka said, walking in with a list and starting to call names.

Yamei already knew the results, so he lost interest and slumped onto the desk.

"Team 7! Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura..."

"Yes!!" Uzumaki Naruto cheered, while Haruno Sakura looked dejected.

"Uchiha Sasuke!"

"Yes!" This time, it was Haruno Sakura's turn to cheer, and Naruto looked dejected.

"Team 8: Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino... and..."

Huh!?

Everyone present was stunned. And...? Each team had only three Genin, so why was there another?

"Hyakawa Yamei!"

As the words fell, everyone's gaze turned towards Yamei.