Squad Seven, Assemble

"I am not your servant."

Naruto looked at Sakura indifferently.

"There's no need for me to grovel to you or let you insult me."

He gently released Sakura's hand, turned his head to look out the window, and ignored her.

Sakura's face turned a little pale.

Just now...

It felt as if she wasn't facing the usual boisterous and impulsive Uzumaki Naruto.

But a...

Sky-Covering Giant Beast exuding an overwhelming ferocity!

She felt that with just a single thought, her life would be gone!

Uzumaki Naruto...

When did he become so terrifying...

The farce had come to an end.

Iruka's expression was also unpleasant.

What did he mean he took a bribe from the God of Wealth?

That was a blatant slander!

Uchiha Kei had at most treated him to a few bowls of noodles...

"Alright, Uzumaki Naruto's first place is beyond doubt. I will continue the announcement..."

Iruka continued to read.

The children whose names were read out showed expressions of pleasant surprise and cheered.

Those whose names had not yet been read looked anxiously at the stage, their ears perked up, afraid they would miss their names.

"The above are the students who passed this assessment."

Iruka stacked the papers and smiled at the students below.

"Whether you can pass the assessment and become a ninja, I don't think it's important."

Iruka's gaze grew gentler.

These little ones, when they first came to school, many of them were still sniffling.

Now they were all young men.

Especially Uzumaki Naruto...

Iruka's gaze fell on Uzumaki Naruto.

To be honest, his feelings for Naruto were complex.

He hated that Naruto was the embodiment of the Fox Demon, and his parents had died in the Night of the Nine-Tails.

He pitied Naruto's tragic childhood, how he was always looked at differently wherever he went.

He had once thought of ostracizing Naruto.

But his responsibility as a teacher would not allow him to do so.

After all...

This was his student!

"Konoha is our home. This home needs not only ninjas, but also people engaged in all walks of life."

"Every profession is a part of Konoha, and they are all our family."

The dejected expressions on the faces of the children who had not passed the assessment gradually faded.

In their place was hope.

Hope for Konoha to become better and better!

"Alright, those who have passed the assessment, please gather on the training ground downstairs."

The group of children said their reluctant goodbyes to each other.

Going downstairs this time would mean facing a different life for them.

After all the successful candidates had gathered on the training ground, their parents, who had been watching intently, widened their eyes, searching the crowd for their children.

"Hey, I see my son!"

"I see my daughter too!"

"Hahahaha, I told you long ago, my son Kiriro has the potential of a shadow-level ninja!"

"Wait... who is that?"

"Is that... Uzumaki Naruto?"

"How did he pass the exam too? Wasn't he the perennial dead last?"

"I heard he's on good terms with the God of Wealth... could it be..."

The discussion below gradually shifted to Naruto.

Standing in the crowd, Naruto clearly heard the whispers, his expression growing increasingly grim.

Thanks to Kei's training, his heart had grown considerably stronger.

But with so many people pointing and gossiping about him, it still made him uncomfortable.

It felt like...

He was back to those lonely days...

Alone in his room.

Going hungry.

Alone...

Watching the myriad lights of Konoha.

Naruto's held-high head gradually lowered.

"Naruto, look here~"

A teasing voice cut through the murmurs, sounding utterly out of place.

Naruto blinked, and the lowered head slowly lifted into a smile.

You're here?

Naruto raised his head, looking towards the source of the voice.

There stood a slightly thin figure, with a handsome face and a roguish smile.

I knew you'd come.

Kei!

Uchiha Kei stood amidst the crowd, waving a card in his hand.

"Ichiraku Ramen lifetime free pass~"

Naruto's eyes lit up.

Lifetime...

Free pass!

"You wait! I'll go get it right away!"

Watching Naruto regain his energy and bounce with excitement, Uchiha Kei breathed a sigh of relief.

Over the years, he had intentionally and unintentionally trained Naruto, all to make him able to withstand the world's gossip.

He had originally thought this would make Naruto happier.

Who would have thought that these three years would make Naruto even more withdrawn and taciturn, only able to return to his former self in his presence.

His appearance hadn't brought Naruto joy.

Instead...

It had affected him...

"Cough, cough, cough."

On the high platform erected on the training ground, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked to the center.

"Little ones, congratulations."

"Congratulations on passing the exam today. From this day forward..."

"You will officially become Genin!"

"Three years ago, I stood here and told you that you would be the future jewels of Konoha!"

"I say the same today. I have never doubted your future!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen took off his Hokage hat, looking at the vibrant faces below with emotion.

"Little ones of Konoha, Konoha is yours! The future is yours!"

"Ours! Ours!"

The little ones below were flushed with excitement.

Wasn't three years of hard training for this very day?

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction, placed his right hand over his chest, his expression solemn.

"Where the leaves dance."

"A fire will also continue to burn!"

On the training ground.

Both the little ones and the adults watching simultaneously placed their right hands over their chests.

"Where the leaves dance."

"The fire shall also burn eternally!"

The voices echoed, spreading from this training ground to every corner of Konoha.

All Konoha residents who heard the voices turned their heads towards the school and placed their hands over their chests.

"Konoha..."

Uchiha Kei, amidst the crowd, made the same gesture, murmuring to himself.

"Third Hokage, oh Third Hokage, truly the old ginger is the spiciest. You've won this round again."

A smile played on Uchiha Kei's lips.

"However, you are old..."

"There is no place for you in Konoha's future!"

***

After the Third Hokage's speech, the people on the training ground were still filled with excitement.

"Next, we will form teams. The three people whose names are called will stand together."

Silence fell over the training ground.

All eyes turned to Iruka on the stage.

"Team Ten—Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, with Sarutobi Asuma as their teacher."

The crowd showed no surprise.

The Ino-Shika-Cho formation had always been in the same team.

While individuals from these three clans might not be exceptionally strong, the combined explosive power of the three was immeasurable!

"Team Eight—Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, with Kurenai Yuhi as their teacher."

Little Hinata below showed a hint of disappointment, her eyes secretly glancing at Naruto.

Not in the same team as Naruto-kun...

What a shame...

"Team Three—Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, Tenten, with Might Guy as their teacher."

A flash of green suddenly leaped from the onlookers.

"Little Lee!"

The watermelon-headed, green-clad figure looked at Rock Lee with teary eyes.

"Teacher Guy!"

Rock Lee looked back at him with equal affection, tears welling up in his eyes as well.

The people around them instinctively took a step back.

This...

This scent...

The sour smell of love?

"Ahem, ahem, next is Team Seven..."

Iruka, getting goosebumps all over, continued to announce with a lump in his throat.

"Team Seven—Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, with their teacher..."

"Uchiha Kei!"

Silence!

From the little ones to the watching crowd, even the teary-eyed Might Guy, everyone fell into absolute quiet.

Uchiha...

Kei?