Graduation

The teacher stood off to the side, nodding with satisfaction and wearing a pleased smile.

He stepped forward, handed Amada the Forehead Protector that signified his new status as a Genin, and said:

"Amada, congratulations on graduating."

Next came the wait to be assigned teammates and a team leader.

During that time, Amada was surprised to discover that Obito had graduated too.

Obito stood among the crowd, looking exhausted, with dark circles hanging beneath his eyes.

Looking at him, Amada couldn't help thinking that he must have spent the past few days studying through the night.

When Obito spotted Amada, his face lit up with excitement. He hurried over and said:

"Amada, I graduated with ease too! I've memorized all that theory inside and out these past few days."

Amada smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Obito. Now we're both Genin."

On the roof of the school building, a group of senior shinobi watched the students from above.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the rooftop railing, carefully scrutinizing every student who had taken the exam,

hoping to spot a promising young ninja with exceptional potential.

A cheerful young man with blond hair watched with interest and said:

"That Uchiha Obito seems interesting. He reminds me of Kushina."

Kushina, standing beside Minato, immediately protested when she heard that.

"Minato, are you saying you think I'm a Dead Last?"

She put her hands on her hips, her cheeks turning faintly red with feigned anger.

Minato hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "Don't get me wrong, Kushina. I just think that kind of personality is lovable—so full of passion and energy."

His eyes were full of sincerity. He was afraid Kushina might actually get angry.

At Minato's explanation, the displeasure on Kushina's face instantly faded, replaced by a bashful blush.

She lowered her head slightly and said nothing, though a sweet smile crept onto her lips.

The Third Hokage had seen it all, and a pleased smile appeared on his face.

He turned to Minato and said:

"Then I'll leave him in your hands. And please take care of Kakashi too, Minato."

"Yes, Lord Third!"

Minato immediately stood up straight and nodded solemnly.

Just as Minato accepted the assignment, Kushina's clear voice rang out:

"I want to lead a few Genin too! Minato can do it, so I can't lose to him. I'm going to be Hokage's wife!"

She clenched her fists, her eyes full of determination.

Hearing this, Minato instinctively scratched his head, wearing a helpless smile.

He knew Kushina's temper too well. Once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

The Third Hokage heard Kushina's request and frowned inwardly, feeling a headache coming on.

Kushina had a special status, and Konoha took her safety very seriously. She couldn't be allowed to take missions far from the village.

But Kushina was resolute, and he couldn't find a good reason to refuse her.

After thinking it over, the Third Hokage decided to assign her a few students with clean backgrounds and impeccable records,

satisfying her request while keeping her safe.

Some time later, Amada and the other students who had passed their graduation exams sat in the classroom, expectant but a little nervous,

waiting.

Suddenly, the classroom door opened, and a handsome blond young man appeared in the doorway, smiling.

"Uchiha Obito and Rin Nohara, come with me."

When Obito heard that he and Rin had been assigned to the same team, he jumped up excitedly and followed Minato.

As they walked, he stole glances at Rin, secretly delighted.

Being able to go on missions with the girl he liked made him feel incredibly happy.

A little while later, light footsteps approached, and the classroom door opened again.

A red-haired kunoichi strode in confidently.

"Sarutobi Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, Uchiha Amada. Come with me."

When Amada saw her, he understood. She was going to be his team leader.

He studied her discreetly, trying to gauge her strength.

When Asuma heard that he and Kurenai had been assigned to the same team, his face lit up with delight.

But when he heard that Amada was on the team too, his smile froze, and his expression turned sour.

The scene of Amada easily beating him in a practical lesson two years ago immediately surfaced in his mind.

It was a humiliation he had never been able to forget.

Asuma glared at Amada, his eyes full of hostility and resentment, and silently vowed:

"I've worked my tail off for the past two years, while this guy sleeps in class and gets average grades in every subject. I won't lose to him again. Next time, I'll show him what I can do!"

Amada noticed Asuma's glare and sighed softly.

"Still holding a grudge, huh?"

He grumbled to himself, but didn't give it another thought.

Kurenai, on the other hand, was quite pleased that Amada had become her teammate.

She sneaked a glance at him, her cheeks turning faintly red.

The four of them arrived at an empty rooftop. The red-haired kunoichi was the first to break the silence.

"I'm Kushina Uzumaki, a Jonin. I like tomatoes, and I specialize in Taijutsu and Sealing Jutsu. My dream is to become Hokage. Now, introduce yourselves."

Asuma stepped forward, a confident smile on his face.

"I'm Sarutobi Asuma. I specialize in Fire Release, and my dream is to become Hokage, just like my teacher."

His eyes gleamed with determination as he spoke of his dream, as though he could already see himself on Kage Rock.

As the son of the Third Hokage, he had been expected to achieve great things from an early age. Becoming Hokage had always been his dream.

Kurenai gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stepped forward, her voice soft.

"I'm Kurenai Yuhi. I specialize in Illusion Technique, and my dream is to become a powerful kunoichi like Lady Tsunade."

Her eyes were full of admiration. Tsunade's strength and confident bearing had always been her inspiration.

It was Amada's turn. His expression was calm as he said:

"I'm Uchiha Amada. I specialize in Taijutsu, and I know a little Fire Release. My dream is to stay alive and safe."

Hearing Amada's dream, Asuma instantly looked scornful. He curled his lip and said disdainfully:

"What a coward. Your dream is to be safe?"

As far as he was concerned, a ninja should strive for strength and glory above all else.

Amada's dream seemed utterly ordinary to him, even a little pathetic.

Amada only smiled nonchalantly at Asuma's remark. He didn't care what other people thought.

Kushina listened quietly to everyone's introductions, pondering to herself.

When she heard Amada's dream, she frowned slightly and thought:

Uchiha Amada is a strange one. Does he feel so unsafe that this is his dream?

In her experience, few ninjas dreamed of simply staying alive and safe.