Team 10 Forms

Hearing that they would be placed in teams of three, the classroom quickly grew lively.

A flood of eager gazes turned toward Uchiha Sasuke and Lu Yu.

There was no hiding the longing in those eyes.

Even Hinata, seated beside Lu Yu, looked at him hopefully.

Before this, most people had been more interested in Uchiha Sasuke.

After all, as the last surviving member of the Uchiha Clan, his exceptional talent and handsome looks had made him the prince charming of many girls not long after he enrolled.

As for Lu Yu, aside from making the occasional appearance during exams, he was practically impossible to find.

But today, Lu Yu's appearance had started to make quite a few girls' hearts flutter.

After all, Lu Yu had been the Top Student for years. He was supposedly even stronger than Sasuke, and now he was even more handsome. Plus, aside from being a little lazy, he wasn't as aloof as Sasuke.

Before long, quite a few girls began sneaking glances at Lu Yu.

But as Iruka called out the names one by one, those eager gazes quickly dwindled.

Soon, all six teams had been assigned.

"Team 7! Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke."

"Huh? Iruka-sensei, why am I stuck with that idiot Sasuke? This doesn't match my abilities!"

"Idiot dead last."

"Damn you, Sasuke! Say that again if you've got the guts!"

"Quiet!"

Seeing the two about to start fighting again, Iruka glared fiercely at Uzumaki Naruto, then cleared his throat twice.

"Next, Team 8..."

At those words, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Hyuga Hinata..."

As Iruka called out her name, Hinata immediately tensed up.

"Aburame Shino, and..."

"Inuzuka Kiba."

Sure enough, she was going to be separated from Lu Yu.

Hearing that she hadn't been placed on the same team as Lu Yu, the little girl pouted sadly, tears welling in her eyes.

Seeing Hinata so upset, Lu Yu couldn't help moving closer and gently saying,

"Silly girl, don't cry. I'll come see you often."

Hinata's petite body trembled at his words. She looked at Lu Yu hopefully and asked uncertainly,

"Really, Lu Yu?"

"Silly, when have I ever lied to you?"

"Mm..."

Lu Yu's promise finally calmed Hinata down.

"Team 10! Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru, Nara Lu Yu."

As expected, Ino-Shika-Cho stayed together. He was still on Team 10, which meant his teacher was the bearded Asuma.

With Iruka's announcement of the final team, the assignments were complete.

After Iruka walked out of the classroom with the roster, one jōnin after another began entering through the doorway.

"Team 3, come with me."

"Team 5, all of you, get out here..."

"..."

The students whose teams were called left the classroom, each feeling either eager or nervous.

Before long, a tall figure walked in.

Asuma first glanced over the students still in the room, then fixed his gaze on the four lazy kids sprawled across their desks, asleep.

I knew it...

A kind smile appeared at the corner of Asuma's mouth. He had already thoroughly investigated the four kids' personalities and their performance at the Ninja Academy over the years.

Looking at the four lazy little brats, Asuma felt as if he were seeing his younger self.

As for the team assignments, he had only put on a show for Kakashi. Compared with the genuinely troublesome Naruto, he much preferred these four kids. At least they were easy to handle.

Asuma strode over to them and lightly rapped on their desks.

"Team 10, come on out with me."

"Ah, yawn..."

All four yawned in perfect unison. Lu Yu and Shikamaru's movements were so synchronized that Asuma could only sigh helplessly.

These four didn't seem to have much fighting spirit...

Once they had gotten up, Asuma turned and headed outside.

"Lu Yu, our teacher seems kind of scary."

Watching Asuma walk away, Ino said worriedly.

Asuma did give them quite an imposing impression. It was no wonder Ino felt that way.

Lu Yu patted Ino on the shoulder and reassured her,

"Don't worry. I know this teacher. He's a good person."

Soon, the four of them left the classroom and caught up with Asuma. They followed him out of the Ninja Academy and into a deserted clearing in the village, far from anywhere people usually went.

This was the first time they had left school without skipping class, and the experience felt completely different. Shikamaru and the others looked around curiously.

They saw trees all around them and several wooden posts in the distance. It looked like an abandoned training ground.

"Since this is our first meeting, let's introduce ourselves. Tell us about the things you like and dislike, your dreams for the future, and so on. I'll start..."

Click.

Asuma lit a cigarette and took a leisurely puff. Then he turned to the four of them, a particularly warm smile on his rugged face.

"I'm Sarutobi Asuma, your jōnin instructor from now on. You can call me Asuma-sensei. I'm good at Taijutsu and ninjutsu. I like smoking and traveling. I dislike sweets, and my dream is to train a group of remarkable students."

"What about you?" Asuma asked, turning his gaze to Lu Yu.

Feeling his gaze, Lu Yu started speaking without being prompted.

"My name is Nara Lu Yu. I'm good at a lot of things, like a lot of things, and dislike quite a few things too. My dream is to live carefree, watching the clouds in the sky."

The thoroughly perfunctory introduction made the corners of Asuma's mouth twitch. He had been rather looking forward to hearing it...