The Predestined Class Assignment

"So, Naruto, is there anyone you want to be on a team with?"

Choji asked, looking at Naruto with a hint of curiosity.

Despite his somewhat dazed and cute appearance, Choji Akimichi was actually a very observant person. Over the past six years, Naruto seemed to get along with everyone, yet he didn't appear to be particularly close to anyone. Now that graduation was imminent, Choji was curious if there was any classmate Naruto wanted as a teammate.

"Me? I'm fine with anyone."

Naruto was slightly taken aback, not expecting Choji to ask such a direct question. However, he didn't hesitate and replied immediately. It wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't a lie either, because Naruto knew very well that unless something unexpected happened, his teammates were already a foregone conclusion.

His gaze drifted as if by accident.

Sasuke Uchiha sat in the seat diagonally in front of him, and Sakura Haruno sat on the other side, looking at Sasuke with eyes full of admiration. If the original plot held true, these two would be his teammates for a long time to come.

Although he couldn't rule out the possibility of an accident, Naruto believed there was a high probability that things wouldn't change.

At this stage, Sakura Haruno was a hundred-percent fangirl with zero combat effectiveness.

Sasuke Uchiha was a man whose mind was filled with thoughts of revenge, a total poker-faced guy.

Just thinking about being on a team with these two gave Naruto a headache.

If he were to be honest, there was actually one person in his heart he wanted to be on a team with.

Thinking of this, Naruto's gaze couldn't help but drift toward another white-clad figure. At that very moment, the owner of that figure happened to turn her head, her bright eyes locking onto Naruto.

Perfect timing.

Their eyes met.

The girl's cheeks turned bright red instantly. The exaggerated steam rising from her head made her so shy that she lowered her head, not daring to meet Naruto's gaze for even a second longer.

"This girl..."

Such an exchange, especially the girl's shy expression, made Naruto feel a little bit uncomfortable himself.

Hinata Hyuga.

She was the girl Naruto cared about deeply.

She was also the person he wanted to be on a team with.

But Naruto also knew very well that it was absolutely impossible for him to be placed on a team with Hinata, whether because of his own status or because of Hinata's status as the princess of the Hyuga clan.

It was destined that the two of them would never be grouped together.

He felt a bit melancholy and a bit disappointed.

But this emotion lasted only for a moment before Naruto quickly pulled himself together.

Choji didn't notice, but Shikamaru, who was sitting to the side, quickly caught it. He raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile flashing at the corner of his eyes.

"Alright, quiet down. Everyone, return to your seats immediately."

The noisy chatter of the crowd ended the moment Iruka appeared at the door. By the time Iruka walked to the podium and clapped his hands, all the students had obediently returned to their seats.

As their homeroom teacher for the past six years, Iruka possessed that much authority.

"Very good, is everyone here? First of all, I want to congratulate you on successfully passing the graduation exam. From the moment you put on your headbands, you are official Ninja. However, I hope you remember that this is only the first step in becoming a Ninja. What a Ninja is, what a Ninja should do—the Ninja Academy has taught you everything it can. From here on out, you must verify it for yourselves. If you want to become qualified or even excellent Ninja, you are still far from enough. Today is both an end and a brand-new beginning. Keep your eyes on every step you take, and only then will you have a chance to become an excellent Ninja in the future!"

Iruka scanned everyone present. His eyes held concern, worry, and expectation. His steady, gentle words, filled with both warnings and encouragement, made the vast majority of the kids boil with excitement. A bright light flickered in their pupils as they straightened their backs, looked directly at Iruka, and shouted in response.

"Yes, Sensei!!"

Seeing these soon-to-graduate children all wearing their most serious expressions, the look on Iruka's face grew even more gratified. He nodded slightly and continued.

"I assume you all already know that in order to complete missions more effectively, Ninja generally operate in teams. As new graduates, you will also be organized into three-person squads. Each squad will have an experienced Ninja as a leader, which will allow you to familiarize yourselves with and complete missions more quickly. Today, we will officially assign your groups."

Although they had known this beforehand, when the moment of grouping actually arrived, the boys and girls in the classroom all showed even more excitement and anticipation. Each of them was wondering in their hearts who they would be teamed up with.

Especially those who had been at the top of the class in overall grades for the past six years—they were the ones many people flocked to.

Even someone like Naruto, who seemed a bit special, had a significant amount of appeal in this graduation assignment. Because of his excellent grades and a personality completely different from the original story—having inherited the genes of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki—he was definitely the second-most ideal teammate for the girls in this graduating class. The first, naturally, was that young master of the Uchiha clan—Sasuke.

From the perspective of these young girls in the prime of their youth, Sasuke was undoubtedly the embodiment of both handsome looks and formidable strength.

Everyone wanted to be on a team with Sasuke.

Even Ino, who knew full well that she would inevitably be grouped with Shikamaru and Choji, looked toward Sasuke at this moment with eyes full of longing.

Yet, Sasuke, the person in question, remained completely unmoved; even with the intense gazes surrounding him, his expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever.

Forming a team?

Teammates?

Don't make him laugh.

In the eyes of Sasuke Uchiha.

These so-called classmates were almost all nothing more than dead weight.

Even Naruto, who had often held back during their practical exercises over the past six years and had lost to Sasuke in several confrontations, was naturally not held in any regard by him either.

They were all merely defeated opponents.

He was the undisputed number one.

It made no difference who he was teamed up with, as long as they didn't get in his way.

A raw, naked avenger's mentality.

Ever since that night.

Sasuke Uchiha had only one goal.

And that was that man, his own biological brother—Uchiha Itachi!

Nothing more, nothing less!!