Unexpected Teammates

A specially cleared classroom served as a waiting room, where the graduates gathered.

There were four such classrooms, and this was waiting room A, with nearly fifty people waiting inside.

Jonin instructors would come in sequence to take groups of three students to conduct individual tests to become Genin.

Only by passing this test could they truly become official ninjas.

If they failed, they would only be able to return to the Ninja Academy.

Theoretically, they still had a chance for another test, but this was the first period of war preparation in over a decade.

Now, if they failed the Genin test, they would have to participate in practical combat exercises with the underclassmen, and only after passing a selection of 200 people could they become Genin.

By then, although they would be Genin, they would lose the precious guidance of Jonin instructors and be thrown directly onto the battlefield.

After all, the number of Jonin was limited, and during wartime, there wouldn't be enough time to train students as there was during peacetime.

According to the passing rate of previous years, about seventy percent of students would smoothly pass the test and become Genin.

Although the passing rate wasn't low, it was by no means something students who were just slacking off could easily pass.

Of course... it wasn't as low as the 1/3 some Jonin claimed.

As the students were nervously discussing, speculating about who their Jonin instructor would be, whether they would pass, and who they would be grouped with, the door opened.

The classroom fell silent, and then the students breathed a sigh of relief.

"What the heck, I thought it was a Jonin instructor, but it's not."

"Haha, is this kid the last to arrive? Good thing he got here before the teacher."

"Huh? I have an impression of everyone in this graduating class, but I've never seen him. And isn't he a bit too young? Is he even ten?"

"Oh? I think I've seen him at school... he should be a junior from a lower grade, and not just by one year."

The students looked at Satoru, who pushed the door open and walked in, and began to buzz with discussion.

"Did he come to the wrong room? Juniors should be going to the main hall."

"Haha! Satoru! Come over here!"

As the students were wondering, they heard a cheerful voice calling out to the junior who had just entered:

"Big sister really didn't lie to me, you actually came!"

Nawaki stood up and waved at Satoru. Satoru grinned and had no choice but to lower his head and walk towards Nawaki.

"Bad planning... I chatted with Choza and the others for too long. Everyone's here now. I originally wanted to avoid attracting attention."

Satoru muttered softly, and Nawaki heard him. The latter chuckled:

"Haha, Satoru, you're mistaken. You're so much younger than us, you'll be conspicuous no matter when you come!"

"I told you, you're a true genius. Your brilliance cannot be buried!"

Nawaki became excited. This was his junior. Yesterday, his sister Tsunade had already told him about the decision of Konoha's higher-ups:

"Our village's talent discovery mechanism will not overlook you!"

"..."

Satoru looked at Nawaki speechlessly, wishing he could immediately complain about his sister meddling:

"Hey, hey, senpai, don't draw hatred for me. Don't you see the strange looks from the seniors around us!?"

Nawaki blinked and quietly turned to look around...

"Hmm, they probably don't believe me."

"Of course, they wouldn't believe you!"

Satoru shrank back into his seat, trying his best to keep a low profile, even pulling out his special trump card for Nawaki:

"Senpai... I learned how to turn into a turtle!"

"..."

Nawaki silently covered his mouth.

"Click!"

The classroom door opened again, and a young man with long black hair... wearing a Jonin combat vest walked in.

One of the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's three proud disciples, Orochimaru, known as a genius.

This wasn't just being called a genius in his youth; Orochimaru was called a genius even among the elite Jonin, which showed the weight of his title.

"Wow! It's Lord Orochimaru!"

Some students exclaimed in surprise and whispered, "Lord Orochimaru is actually taking disciples this year. Who will be lucky enough to be chosen?"

Meanwhile, Orochimaru scanned the anxious students and showed a meaningful smile.

"Nawaki, Satoru Mitokado, the two of you, step forward and follow me."

"..."

The students in the classroom fell silent.

What was going on, only two people?

Nawaki and the others knew about each other, but Mitokado Satoru...

Nawaki and Satoru exchanged a glance and stood up, walking towards Orochimaru at the door.

"Why is it just the two of us? Shouldn't there be three people?"

"I'm not sure... When I got the news yesterday, the third person hadn't been decided yet. Could it still not be decided?"

The students silently watched Satoru, who was much younger than them, and Nawaki walk towards the door together. They now fully understood Nawaki's earlier comment about "geniuses."

If Nawaki's words didn't count, did Lord Orochimaru's words count?

At the door, Orochimaru was looking with great interest at the excited Nawaki and the strangely expressioned Satoru.

Nawaki had known Orochimaru for a long time; after all, both Tsunade and Orochimaru were disciples of the Third Hokage.

As for Satoru...

He had long admired the man's reputation.

This was the first time he had truly met Orochimaru.

"Hmm... I believe you have questions too... but there's no rush. I'll take you to meet another classmate."

Orochimaru curved his lips, his vertical pupils narrowing slightly, and turned to walk out of the school:

"Follow me."

Satoru and Nawaki exchanged another glance and silently followed – they were both very curious about the classmate Orochimaru mentioned.

Orochimaru led Satoru and Nawaki to an open space where a child was already waiting.

"It's a girl?"

Satoru raised an eyebrow, his attention drawn to her clothing.

There was a fan emblem on it.

"Uchiha..."

"Let me introduce you. This is Uchiha Mikoto, a sixth-year student this year, meaning she'll graduate next year."

"Mikoto's parents are just ordinary members of the Uchiha clan, not ninjas... but Mikoto's ninja talent is unexpectedly good."

Orochimaru introduced the girl who turned to look at them to Nawaki and Satoru. He said with admiration:

"She doesn't receive full support from within the Uchiha clan, but this talent shouldn't be buried. She will be an excellent ninja."

Upon seeing Orochimaru bring two boys over, Uchiha Mikoto's face flushed slightly.

"Teacher Orochimaru, and you two classmates, hello..."

"..."

Satoru and Nawaki looked at each other.

This... was an Uchiha?

The Uchiha clan, rumored to be arrogant and domineering, almost hated by everyone in the village?

It seemed that staying away from the Uchiha clan had its benefits.

"Mikoto, this is Nawaki, a student from last month's graduating class. And this is Satoru Mitokado, two years below you... but don't underestimate him just because he's younger."

Orochimaru introduced Satoru and Nawaki to Mikoto.

Even though he knew Orochimaru was still a good young man at this time, Satoru still found this version of Orochimaru very unaccustomed.

He was more familiar with the Orochimaru who had a long neck and a wagging tongue, spent all day playing dress-up, and was like a parasitic beast – Snake Sannin.

"Uh... Senior Mikoto, I'm Satoru. Please guide me."

"I'm Nawaki. Please guide me!"