Class Assignment

Everyone in the graduating class at the Konoha Ninja Academy was stunned, and Naruto and Sasuke were no exception.

Just as everyone was in a daze, a voice came from behind Naruto: "I got here first, Ino-pig." It was Sakura's voice.

At this moment, Ino's voice rang out: "Big forehead, you seem to have bumped into someone."

Sakura looked ahead and saw Naruto's white Hokage Cloak. Realizing she had bumped into him, she immediately bowed and apologized: "I'm sorry, Naruto."

Sakura looked curiously into the classroom, wondering why it was so quiet. As soon as she looked up, she saw Naruto and Sasuke kissing. She let out a startled shriek.

Naruto and Sasuke recovered from their shock, both of them retching uncontrollably. Meanwhile, all the girls in the class glared fiercely at Sakura and Ino. Sakura and Ino immediately felt a wave of pure malice directed at them.

Naruto was having a mental breakdown; he finally understood where that sense of unease he'd felt all day had come from.

Although he knew the general development of events in this life, he hadn't paid much attention to the anime in his previous life—most of it he'd only watched because his girlfriend dragged him to—so he had forgotten most of the trivial details. Naruto now hated himself for not having watched the entire series properly.

Naruto glared at the person who had bumped into him, but seeing the pitiful look on Sakura and Ino's faces, he felt helpless. He could only say: "It's fine, but I hope you won't do things that affect others like this again."

Hearing Naruto say this, Sasuke could only glare at Sakura and Ino before walking back to his seat in frustration. Naruto had no choice but to pull a still-dazed Hinata toward their seats.

If anyone was having a mental breakdown at this moment, it was undoubtedly Hinata. Only one thought echoed in her mind: Naruto-kun's first kiss is gone; that should have been mine. Waaah...

Meanwhile, in the Hokage office, the Jonin instructors and the Third Hokage, who were huddled around the Third's crystal ball spying on the graduating class, were also completely stunned.

The Third coughed to regain everyone's attention and said: "Regarding the teams you will be responsible for, I will now inform you of their situations."

Kurenai asked: "Lord Third, do you have any instructions?"

The Third nodded and said: "This year's graduating class includes the future heads of several major clans, which is why we need elite Jonin like you to serve as instructors."

Asuma bit his cigarette and said: "Just tell us how you've arranged it." The Third nodded: "Asuma, you will be in charge of Team 10. Your students are Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi."

Asuma was slightly surprised: "Oh, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. That's interesting."

After showing Asuma their profiles, the Third continued: "Kurenai, you will be in charge of Team 8: Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, and Hinata Hyuga."

Kurenai said uncertainly: "The young lady of the Hyuga clan—am I qualified for this?"

The Third looked at Kurenai and said: "I believe you can do it. Have confidence."

Kurenai steeled her resolve and said: "I will, Lord Third. Please rest assured."

After showing Kurenai the three students, the Third looked at Kakashi and said: "Kakashi, your mission is the heaviest."

Kakashi was a bit surprised: "Oh? I wonder who you want me to be responsible for?"

The Third looked at Kakashi and said: "You are to be responsible for the future successors of the Hokage. This is a decision made by myself, the two advisors, and Danzo." Everyone present was shocked.

The Third continued: "Kakashi, you must pass on the Will of Fire to these two children. I believe they will become the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha of Konoha's future, and will lead our village to the pinnacle of the world once again."

Kakashi asked in surprise: "May I ask, Lord Third, who these two are?"

The Third said leisurely: "You will be in charge of Team 7: the Fourth's son, Naruto Uzumaki; the Uchiha clan's Sasuke Uchiha; and a girl named Sakura Haruno. The two I mentioned are Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke has already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. As for Naruto..."

The Third considered for a moment before saying: "Naruto is quite special. I'll give you the full picture so you don't get caught off guard."

Kakashi was puzzled, thinking, Aside from being the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, what else could be special about the teacher's child?

Before Kakashi could finish his thought, the Third continued: "Naruto possesses the most unique bloodline. His lineage has undergone an atavistic awakening; not only does he possess all the abilities of the Uzumaki Clan, but he has also awakened the Sage Body, the White Eye, and the Sharingan."

"Therefore, you must pay special attention to him and ensure he does not make any mistakes. He is the future hope of Konoha. That is why, Kakashi, I hope you will become their Jonin instructor."

The Third looked at Kakashi with expectation. Kakashi felt immense pressure, still struggling to grasp what the Third was saying. It wasn't just Kakashi; the other elite Jonin listening in were also completely bewildered.

Seeing Kakashi's expression, the Third smiled, understanding their confusion: "As for why Naruto possesses the White Eye and the Sharingan, it is related to his bloodline. Here are the files on Naruto and Sasuke. Once you have read them, remember that they must never be leaked."

The Third gave everyone a document containing the details on Naruto and Sasuke. After reading them, everyone was utterly astonished.

Once everyone had regained their composure, the Third said: "What you know now is the greatest secret of Konoha, so it must never be leaked, do you understand?"

Everyone replied: "Yes." The Third nodded and looked at Kakashi: "Kakashi, what is your decision?"

Kakashi looked at the Third solemnly and replied: "I, Kakashi Hatake, am willing to become the instructor for Team 7. I will certainly teach them the importance of teamwork and the Will of Fire."

The Third nodded with satisfaction: "Good, it is settled then."

Back in the classroom, Iruka arrived and told the students: "Although you are all now ninjas of Konoha, you are still the lowest-ranking Genin. Therefore, you must be divided into teams of three, each led by a Jonin instructor who will impart experience and teach you ninjutsu. Now, let the team assignments begin."

All the students prayed in their hearts to be placed in a team with the person they liked.

Iruka read out: "Team 7: Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha."

Sakura happily said to Ino: "I won." She seemed very excited.

Hinata, sitting next to Naruto, said regretfully: "I didn't end up in the same team as Naruto-kun."

Naruto comforted her: "It's alright, Hinata. We're just not on the same team; it's not like we won't see each other anymore, so there's no need to be sad."

Hearing Naruto's comfort, Hinata cheered up and smiled: "That's right, as long as I am in Naruto-kun's heart, that's enough."

Seeing Hinata brighten up, Naruto smiled and held her hand, wanting to offer her more comfort.

Ino said enviously: "I didn't expect Sakura to be on the same team as Sasuke and Naruto. I'm so jealous."

At this, Shikamaru, who was next to Ino, said helplessly: "I really don't know why you girls like those kinds of guys."

Ino retorted: "That's why no one likes you. I definitely don't want to be on a team with someone like you."

Just as Ino finished speaking, they heard Iruka continue: "Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka. Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi."

Ino had just finished speaking to Shikamaru when she heard that she and Shikamaru had been assigned to the same team, causing her to collapse in despair, while Shikamaru, standing to the side, heartlessly teased her.

Just like that, after the team assignments concluded, Team 8 and Team 10 were picked up one after another by their respective jonin instructors.

Only Team 7 remained, waiting for their own instructor. Sakura said impatiently, "Sasuke, why hasn't our instructor arrived yet?"

Sasuke did not answer her; he remained with his hands folded, resting his chin on the desk, his face a mask of indifference. Naruto, meanwhile, had been slumped over on the desk sleeping ever since Hinata left. Watching his two teammates, Sakura felt like she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Seeing that Sasuke wouldn't answer and knowing he still hadn't accepted her, Sakura had no choice but to shake Naruto and say, "Naruto, wake up."

After being shaken awake by Sakura, Naruto said with dazed eyes, "Hinata, is it time for dinner already?"

Upon hearing Naruto's words, Sakura's temper flared instantly: "Eat, eat, eat! Naruto, all you ever think about is food."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, confused: "Oh, it's Sakura. Is something the matter? Why are you so angry?"

Seeing Naruto like this, Sakura lost her temper and asked helplessly, "Naruto, why do you think our instructor hasn't come yet? The other teams left hours ago."

Knowing Kakashi's habit of being late, Naruto could only say, "He's probably contemplating the meaning of life. Don't worry, he should be here soon."

Naruto looked toward Sasuke and said, "By the way, Sasuke, I'm coming over to your place for dinner tonight. Did Aunt Mikoto prepare the food I like?" Sasuke replied coldly, "I don't know. I left early this morning; go ask her yourself later."

Seeing Sasuke's cold expression, Naruto said with dissatisfaction, "Sasuke, if you keep acting like this, you'll never find a wife. Look at me, I already have Hinata, and you're still single. Stop wearing that cold face all the time, as if someone owes you hundreds of millions and hasn't paid it back."

Sasuke remained cold: "I don't need an idiot like you worrying about me."

Naruto pointed at Sasuke in anger, unable to get a word out, only managing to stammer, "You... you..." but in the end, there was nothing Naruto could do to him.

He could only sigh helplessly: "Sigh, I really miss the old Sasuke. You're as cold as ice now; it's really annoying. If you keep this up, you really won't be able to find a wife. Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto will be so heartbroken."

Sasuke was also annoyed by Naruto and said indignantly, "Are you looking for a fight? If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime."

Naruto waved his hands and said, "No way. I've been fighting you for seven or eight years; just let me rest for a few days. I've been trying to get on Uncle Hiashi's good side lately. He hasn't been letting Hinata out much, saying she needs to focus on practicing the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. I have to butter him up so he'll let her out to go on dates with me, so I don't have time to spar with you right now."

Upon hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke said arrogantly, "Suit yourself. I can train just fine on my own without you." After saying this, he ignored Naruto, leaving Naruto with a helpless expression. Standing to the side, Sakura felt as if she were redundant.

Watching the interaction between Naruto and Sasuke, she felt a sense of envy. She thought to herself, When will I ever be like Naruto? When will I be able to make Sasuke care about me like that?

Just then, the classroom door slid open, and the three of them looked toward the entrance simultaneously.

They saw a young man of twenty-two or twenty-three years old walk in, sporting a head of silver hair, a forehead protector worn at an angle to cover one eye, and a mask over his face. The moment Naruto saw him, he knew it was Kakashi, their team's instructor.

Kakashi looked at the three people in the classroom and said, "My first impression of you all is actually quite good."