The brief meeting ended.
Iruka entered the classroom with a file envelope.
"Classmate, first of all, congratulations on passing your graduation exam. You're all ninja now."
"I'm proud of you."
The students immediately applauded, both for themselves and for Iruka-sensei. They were celebrating their successful graduation and thanking Teacher for all his hard work.
Iruka was thrilled. Easily moved to tears, he felt his eyes redden again: ,,Ծ^Ծ,,
"Thank you~ Thank you, Classmate."
Then Iruka composed himself and continued earnestly, "But Classmate, passing the graduation exam was only the first step. After you're assigned to teams, there'll be a second test..."
"Only after earning your Team Leader's approval will you become true Genin of Konoha..."
At that, the students began whispering among themselves.
Without keeping them in suspense, Iruka announced the assignments. "Team 1, Long Dao A... Little Soldier One... Passerby A... Your Team Leader is..."
"Team 2..."
"Team 3..."
"Team 4..."
"Team 5..."
"Team 6..."
"Team 7, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura..."
Naruto immediately jumped to his feet. "Yes~ Awesome! Iruka-sensei, you really get me... I'm on Sakura's team..."
Haruno Sakura, however, looked rather dejected.
What?! Why Naruto?!
My Sasuke...
She seemed to turn completely gray.
She was utterly disappointed.
Iruka continued, "Sasuke Uchiha..."
Haruno Sakura instantly bounced back to full strength, standing up and shouting, "Yes~ Awesome! I'm on Sasuke's team!"
Naruto's face immediately fell. "How did this happen?! Why am I stuck with that stuck-up Sasuke?"
"I don't want this..." He promptly stood and shouted, "Iruka-sensei, I don't want to be on a team with that stuck-up jerk Sasuke! I'm so talented. Why should I team up with him?"
A vein immediately bulged on Haruno Sakura's forehead.
That idiot?! How dare he insult my Sasuke! Does he have a death wish?!
She looked at Naruto and raised her