Boar-Deer-Butterfly

"Is there a problem?" Jiraiya asked curiously, noticing Uchiha Matsuri's darkening expression.

"N-nothing, hehe," Uchiha Matsuri scratched his head subconsciously.

However, Uchiha Matsuri then thought that Orochimaru probably hadn't started his wicked human experiments yet. As long as he distanced himself from Orochimaru later, he shouldn't be implicated in the conflict between Orochimaru and Konoha.

"I heard you, brat, ranked first in the graduation exam. You didn't disgrace me!" Jiraiya said smugly, as if he, not Uchiha Matsuri, had achieved a good result in the exam.

"Uh, Lord Jiraiya, weren't you the 'dead last' in your graduation exam back then..." Uchiha Matsuri looked at the smug Jiraiya on the sofa with disdain.

Hearing his past exposed, Jiraiya's face immediately darkened.

Sensing the situation was bad, Uchiha Matsuri seized the moment when Jiraiya wasn't paying attention and turned to run out the door.

"You brat, I'll break your legs!" Jiraiya grabbed a wooden stick and chased after him.

The next morning, Uchiha Matsuri, with bandages wrapped around his head, went to the Ninja Academy with Jiraiya.

Needless to say, walking with Jiraiya, people by the roadside were filled with envy and jealousy.

After the graduation ceremony began, the Third Hokage, Mito Kōmon, Shimura Danzō, Jiraiya, and others gave lengthy speeches. The content of the speeches was naturally about their expectations for the new generation of ninjas, hoping they would inherit the "Will of Fire" and contribute to Konoha.

Having witnessed the school principal's three-hour speech in his previous life, Uchiha Matsuri was naturally immune to such "leader's speeches."

He turned his head and saw that apart from Namikaze Minato, who was sitting upright and listening attentively, the other students were all dozing off.

Yamanaka Ino, seated on the stage, unconsciously swept his gaze towards his former students in the audience while the Third Hokage was speaking.

"Brat, when you're on missions in the future, don't... die easily..." Yamanaka Ino sighed inwardly.

Fortunately, two and a half hours later, the graduation ceremony "sensibly" concluded.

In the classroom.

All 30 students gathered, discussing amongst themselves and fantasizing about who their Jonin leader would be.

"Matsuri, did you hear? The Jonin leaders for our graduating class seem to be quite formidable," Kushina Uzumaki said with anticipation.

"They're all ninjas who just returned victorious from the battlefield, so of course, there are no weaklings," Uchiha Matsuri replied nonchalantly.

Bang.

The classroom door was pushed open.

The students, who had been chattering moments before, immediately quieted down and looked towards the person entering the doorway with anticipation.

"First squad, Akimichi Dōza, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Ino, you three, come out," a Chunin and a rough-looking man with a scar over his right eye entered, the Chunin opened the team assignment list in his hand and said loudly.

Dōza and the other two, hearing their names called, quickly walked out.

"I heard this ferocious-looking man is an elite Jonin who made great contributions in the recently concluded war," Nohara Shin said excitedly to his deskmate, Aburame Shimi, after seeing the three being led away by the man.

"..."

Back of the classroom.

Uchiha Matsuri said with emotion, "It seems the new generation of 'Ino-Shika-Cho' is about to be formed."

"Ino-Shika-Cho?" Kushina Uzumaki asked.

"Yes, 'Ino-Shika-Cho' is a famous combat formation in Konoha, composed of the Yamanaka clan symbolizing 'Boar,' the Nara clan symbolizing 'Deer,' and the Akimichi clan symbolizing 'Butterfly'," Uchiha Matsuri explained.

"These three clans formed an alliance as early as the Warring States period. After Konoha was founded, the three clans became one of the pillars of the Konoha village. Among them, ninjas from the Nara clan have repeatedly served as Hokage advisors and strategists for the Konoha army."

"The 'Ino-Shika-Cho' formations throughout Konoha's history have always consisted of one member from the head family of each of the three clans. During combat, 'Ino-Shika-Cho' is generally led by the highly intelligent Nara clan for planning, with the powerful Akimichi clan as the main attacker, and the Yamanaka clan, skilled in sensing and mental control, responsible for defense and support..."

As Uchiha Matsuri was explaining, the classroom door was suddenly opened again. The Chunin who had come earlier entered the classroom this time with a female ninja with short blue hair.

"Hello, everyone. I am the Jonin leader for Team Ten, Kishimoto Seiya," the female ninja introduced herself politely.

"Wow, this sister is so beautiful. I wish I could be assigned to her team," Nohara Shin exclaimed.

Hearing Nohara Shin's undisguised praise, the female ninja smiled.

"Team Ten, Mito Takuma, Senju Seiichi, Hagoromo Sakura," the Chunin glanced at the excited Nohara Shin, shook his head, and then read from the team assignment list.

Not hearing his name, Nohara Shin couldn't hide his disappointment.

"Idiot," Kushina Uzumaki looked at Nohara Shin with disdain.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't talk about me. You'd probably have the same reaction if you saw a handsome guy," Nohara Shin retorted unhappily.

"No way!" Kushina Uzumaki snorted.

At this moment, the Chunin entered the classroom with a man with short silver hair and deep eyes.

"Wow, wow, wow, this teacher is so handsome," Kushina Uzumaki stared at the male ninja on the podium like a fangirl, completely ignoring the black-lined Uchiha Matsuri and the disgusted Nohara Shin beside her.

As more and more students were led away from the classroom, only six students remained anxiously waiting: Uchiha Matsuri, Namikaze Minato, Kiba Inuzuka, Chōji Dōtō, Kushina Uzumaki, and Nohara Shin.

"Damn it, why isn't it our turn yet?" Kiba Inuzuka's patience was running out.

"Yeah, the Jonin leaders for the others are either handsome guys or beauties, or elite ninjas who have won many battles. Our teacher can't just be an ordinary Jonin, right!" Nohara Shin couldn't help but complain.

Hearing their undisguised complaints, Uchiha Matsuri chuckled.

There were only 6 people left in the classroom. Jiraiya had mentioned last night that he and Orochimaru were among the Jonin leaders during the meeting. This meant that the remaining six people were undoubtedly the luckiest. With the guidance of Jiraiya and Orochimaru, both "Sannin," the six present would surely have a brighter future than the other 24.

"Hey, Matsuri, who do you think our six Jonin leaders will be?" Kushina Uzumaki asked, turning her head.

"Who knows? Maybe it'll be an unknown ninja, or maybe a perverted middle-aged uncle!" Uchiha Matsuri shrugged.

"..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry for making you wait!"