Team 10 Is Formed

The classroom buzzed with excitement upon hearing the announcement of three-person teams.

A flood of intense gazes turned towards Second Pillar and Lu Yu.

These gazes held undisguised longing.

Even Hinata, sitting beside Lu Yu, looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Previously, many would have favored Second Pillar.

After all, as the sole survivor of the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke's immense talent and handsome appearance had made him the prince charming for many girls shortly after he enrolled.

Lu Yu, on the other hand, only appeared occasionally during assessments, otherwise remaining elusive, like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail.

However, Lu Yu's appearance today had begun to stir the hearts of many girls.

After all, Lu Yu, the perennial top student, was rumored to be stronger than Sasuke, looked even more handsome than him now, and unlike Sasuke's aloofness, Lu Yu was only a bit lazy.

For a moment, many girls' gazes began to shift subtly towards Lu Yu.

But as Iruka called out names one by one, those intense gazes quickly subsided.

Soon, the six teams were assigned.

"Team 7! Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Second Pillar."

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

"Idiot dead last."

"Damn you, Sasuke, say that again if you dare?!"

"Quiet!"

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

"Next, Team 8..."

Hearing this, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Hyuga Hinata..."

As Iruka uttered the name, Hinata beside him immediately tensed up.

"Aburame Shino, and..."

"Inuzuka Kiba."

As expected, I have to be separated from Lu Yu-kun.

Hearing that she wasn't grouped with Lu Yu, the little girl pouted with disappointment, tears welling up in her eyes.

Seeing Hinata's sad expression, Lu Yu couldn't help but move in front of her and say gently, "Silly girl, don't cry, I'll come visit you often."

Hinata's delicate body trembled upon hearing this, and she looked at Lu Yu with hopeful eyes, asking with uncertainty, "Really? Lu Yu-kun."

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

"Mhm..."

Hearing Lu Yu's promise, Hinata finally calmed her emotions.

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

As expected, the Ino-Shika-Cho are inseparable. I'm still in Team 10, so my teacher will be the bearded Asuma.

As Iruka announced the roster for the last group, the team assignments concluded.

After Iruka left the classroom with the list, figures of Jonin gradually entered through the doorway.

"Team 3, follow me."

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

"..."

Members of the called teams left the classroom, each with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

A moment later, a tall figure walked in.

Asuma first scanned the remaining students in the classroom, his gaze finally settling on the four lazy figures dozing at their desks.

I knew it...

A gentle smile touched Asuma's lips. He had thoroughly investigated the personalities of these students and their performance in the Ninja Academy over the years.

Looking at the four lazy youngsters, Asuma saw his younger self.

Choosing them earlier was merely a show for Kakashi. Compared to the truly troublesome Naruto, Asuma preferred these four; at least they were less of a worry.

Asuma quickly walked up to the four youngsters and lightly tapped their desks:

"Team 10, all of you, come out with me."

"Ah, yawn..."

The four yawned in perfect synchronicity, Nara Lu Yu and Shikamaru's movements so identical they made Asuma Asuma sigh in exasperation.

These guys don't seem very motivated...

Seeing them finally stir, Asuma turned and walked toward the exit.

"Lu Yu, our teacher seems really fierce."

Watching Asuma's retreating back, Ino said with a hint of worry.

It had to be said that Asuma's presence carried a significant pressure, and it was rare for Ino to feel that way.

Nara Lu Yu patted Ino's shoulder and said reassuringly:

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

Soon, the four left the classroom and caught up to Asuma, following him out of the Ninja Academy and to a deserted, rarely trodden open space in the village.

For the first time, they weren't skipping class but leaving school legitimately, and the feeling was entirely different. Shikamaru and the other two looked around with curiosity.

The three noticed that the surroundings were all trees, and not far away were several wooden stakes, seemingly from an abandoned training ground.

"It's our first meeting, so let's introduce ourselves. Like our favorite things, dislikes, and future dreams. I'll start..."

Click.

Asuma lit a cigarette, took a satisfying drag, then turned to look at the four, a warm smile on his rugged face.

"My name is Sarutobi Asuma, and I'll be your Jonin instructor from now on. You can call me Teacher Asuma. I'm skilled in taijutsu and ninjutsu, I like smoking and traveling, I dislike sweets, and my dream is to train a group of outstanding students."

"And you?" Asuma's gaze fell on Nara Lu Yu.

Sensing his attention, Nara Lu Yu spoke up of his own accord:

"My name is Nara Lu Yu. I'm skilled in many things, like many things, and dislike quite a few things. My dream is to live a carefree life watching the clouds in the sky."

His perfunctory introduction made Asuma, who had been somewhat expectant, twitch the corner of his mouth...