"Asuma Sarutobi, graduation approved."
"Shimura Kazashiro, graduation approved."
"Uchiha Obito, approved... uh, where's Uchiha Obito?"
"Ahem, Hatake Kakashi, graduation approved."
Despite graduating early, Hiruzen still decided to personally attend the graduation ceremony in the auditorium, awarding all students their diplomas and Forehead Protector.
Looking at the joyful children before him with a complex expression, and thinking that they would all one day be sent to the battlefield by his orders, Hiruzen felt a pang of guilt.
But when he saw Asuma Kazashiro, his once tender heart hardened again.
Yes, his own child with Danzo was one of these people. For Konoha, anyone could sacrifice themselves, even himself.
"I won the bet. Remember to treat me to dinner after the class assignments are done."
Taking advantage of Hiruzen turning back to the podium, Kazashiro nudged Asuma. Just yesterday, he had made a bet with Asuma about whether Obito would arrive on time.
Because Kazashiro bet first that Obito would be late, Asuma had no choice but to grit his teeth and bet that Obito wouldn't be late.
"I know, you get more pocket money than me, and you're still taking advantage of me."
Asuma glanced helplessly at Kazashiro, sighed, and reached into his wallet, feeling its thickness.
"That Obito him all these instructions yesterday, and he still managed to be late. He doesn't get any dumplings today."
Seeing Obito's certificate and Forehead Protector lying forlornly on the podium, Asuma got angry at this king of lateness for the first time.
"Everyone, please welcome the Third Hokage to give a speech."
Just as the two were discussing how to help Obito get rid of his habit of being late, a ninja walked to the front of the stage, suppressed the whispers below with a loud voice, and respectfully stepped aside to stand behind Hiruzen, who was walking up next.
"On this vibrant and flourishing day, I won't waste your time. Let me just say a few words, starting from the founding of Konoha by the First Hokage..."
"They've already started talking about the First Hokage, and this is what you call a brief overview?"
Asuma didn't miss any opportunity to complain about his father, and said to Kazashiro.
"Keep your voice down, or your dad will hear you."
Seeing that Asuma didn't lower his voice at all, Kazashiro hurriedly whispered a reminder.
"What's there to be afraid of if I hear him? Is he going to jump down and hit me?"
Upon hearing Kazashiro's reminder, Asuma not only did not restrain himself, but instead raised his head and Hiruzen's gaze.
Hiruzen ignored his youngest son, focusing all his attention on the other children, which made Asuma even more upset.
"After the First Hokage's death, his First Hokage brother Tobirama Senju, became the Second Hokage..."
Hiruzen spoke at length for half an hour, making Kazashiro drowsy.
"I'm telling you, Obito is really something else. Your dad's been talking about him for so long, and he hasn't even shown up yet."
"Who says otherwise? When asked, he said he went to help the elderly. Where in Konoha would he find so many elderly people to run into?" Asuma nodded in agreement.
"Since the outbreak of the Second Shinobi World War, countless inheritors of the Will of Fire have appeared in the village..." On the stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued his speech.
Half an hour later, Hiruzen finally finished his brief remarks, smiled, and left the podium.
As the teacher announced the end of the graduation ceremony and the Genin began to leave, Obito rushed into the auditorium, panting heavily.
"Huff, huff, huff, did I... did I make it?"
Obito leaned against the wall, searching for a familiar figure.
"You've got a terrible idea. Here, take your graduation certificate and Forehead Protector."
Kazashiro, who had been squatting by the door waiting for Obito, rolled his eyes as he walked up to him and stuffed the graduation certificate and Forehead Protector into Obito's arms.
"You rascal, I got your enrollment file, and I'm the one who still handed you your graduation certificate. I'm practically your babysitter."
"Hehe, I met an old man on the street who Fudō things, so I helped him take them home. Hehe, I knew Kazashiro was the best; he would definitely help me carry these things."
Obito held up the Forehead Protector as if it were a priceless treasure, while also grinning foolishly to express his gratitude to Kazashiro.
"See? I told you you spoiled him."
Kakashi coldly delivered the finishing blow from the side.
"Kakashi, what are you doing here?!" Hearing the familiar voice, Obito bristled again. He had never heard of Kakashi applying to graduate early.
"Idiot, I submitted my application long before you did."
Kakashi put his hands in his pockets and looked at Obito with the same look he'd given an idiot, which Obito into another frenzy.
"Alright, alright, we're about to be assigned to classes. Maybe you two will end up in the same team."
"Who wants to be in a team with this guy?!" x2
"You know what, these two actually do have a bit of chemistry." Asuma looked the two up and down, seemingly lost in thought.
"Hyuga Kanetsugu, Shirakumo Hayama, Arashi, form Team Three!"
"Dole, Tokiyoshi Kan, Hatake Kakashi, form Team Five!"
Upon hearing that Kakashi wasn't on his team, Obito jumped for joy. "Hmph, Kakashi, it seems you won't have the chance to witness my heroic feats in battle!"
"Snort."
Kakashi snorted coldly, ignoring Obito, and glanced at Kazashiro beside him. "Then I'll go first."
"Okay, go ahead, and get along well with your teammates."
Kazashiro waved his hand, indicating that the other party could leave.
"That damned Kakashi, how dare he ignore me!"
Seeing Kakashi walk past him and interact with Kazashiro, Obito felt uneasy.
I wonder which squad I'll be on. I wonder if Old Deng will intervene and put me in Root?
As fewer and fewer people remained in the classroom, Kazashiro looked at the few familiar faces that were left and began to speculate about Danzo's thoughts.
"Shimura Kazashiro, Asuma Sarutobi, Uchiha Obito, form Team Eleven!"
A familiar voice rang out, and Kazashiro, upon hearing it, looked up in shock at the figure in a black trench coat standing at the doorway.
"Aburame Ryoma!"
"Well, here are the captains I chose for the two little ones."
When the topic turned to parenting, Danzo's tone became less indifferent than usual.
"Ryoma is indeed an excellent ninja. Whether it's infiltration or individual combat ability, he is among the best of the Jonin."
Hiruzen highly regarded Ryoma's strength.
Seeing that Hiruzen also acknowledged Ryoma's strength, Danzo face, but the thought that there was an Uchiha, whom he hated most, in his team immediately made his expression turn cold again.
"It would be better if there weren't any members of the Uchiha Clan in there."
Hiruzen ignored Danzo's complaints.
You hate the Uchiha? Well, I'll just add one to your team so he can spend Tenten with your son.