Joining Team 7

Seeing the system prompt, Su Bai nearly jumped for joy.

Not only had he successfully unlocked Ryujin Jakka, but the system knew he could not use a sword and had thoughtfully gifted him swordsmanship as well.

Su Bai felt something extra in his clothes pocket.

When he took it out, he found a scroll. Written across its seal in flamboyant strokes were the words "Ryujin Jakka."

Apparently, the system had issued Ryujin Jakka to him in the form of a "ninja tool."

Su Bai gripped the scroll tightly. "With Ryujin Jakka, there'll be a place for Sū Bai of the Moonlight Clan in Konoha from now on!"

At that moment, he could not wait to find somewhere secluded and properly examine Ryujin Jakka.

But this was not the time.

Just as the classroom descended into chaos, Iruka-sensei rushed in.

He swept his gaze over the disorderly classroom, and his face immediately turned green with anger.

"Stop it, all of you!"

Iruka roared, and the entire classroom instantly fell silent.

"You little brats, always causing trouble!"

"Listen carefully, every last one of you. How can ninjas fight at the drop of a hat? How are you supposed to serve the village and complete missions like that?"

Iruka berated them furiously.

Every student below lowered their heads, hardly daring to breathe.

Only after everyone had quieted down did he soften his tone. "Today is the big day when you are assigned to teams. From now on, you will form groups of three and begin carrying out missions under your teachers' guidance. I hope you all remember your identities and do not do anything that dishonors a ninja's reputation again!"

The students answered in unison, their eyes filled with longing for the future.

Su Bai curled his lip. These kids had no idea how cruel the outside world was!

"All right, I'll announce the team assignments now. Listen carefully!"

Iruka cleared his throat and began reading the list one name at a time.

The moment Su Bai heard they were being assigned to teams, he perked up.

"Given how the system works, I need people nearby to fight in order to gain experience and unlock skills. I can't miss any future battles."

"I know the later plot developments of Naruto, and I know Team 7 best. Getting into Team 7 is my best choice."

"If I get assigned somewhere else, that'll be bad!" Su Bai worried.

Iruka-sensei picked up the roster, cleared his throat, and read aloud, "I will now announce the team assignments. Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. Your instructor will be Kakashi Hatake."

"Yes! I got assigned to the same team as Sakura!"

Naruto leaped up excitedly and nearly knocked over a desk.

Sasuke snorted coldly and turned his head away, ignoring Naruto.

"Why did it have to be that idiot Naruto?" Sakura looked miserable. "Give me someone else. It would be best if it were Su Bai."

"Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. Your instructor will be Kurenai Yuhi."

Iruka continued reading.

Hinata shyly lowered her head and softly said, "P-please take care of me." Kiba whistled excitedly, while Shino pushed up his glasses without changing expression.

"Team 10: Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi. Your instructor will be Asuma Sarutobi."

"Ah, why did it have to be these two..." Ino wailed. Looking at the lazy Shikamaru and the bewildered Choji, she felt as though her life had gone dark.

Shikamaru sighed helplessly and muttered, "What a drag." Choji, meanwhile, pulled out a bag of chips and began crunching away leisurely.

As Su Bai listened to the team assignments from the front, his heart pounded nervously.

"How can I get into Team 7?"

Iruka suddenly called his name. "Sū Bai of the Moonlight Clan, you are a special case. Due to the number of students, you may freely choose to join any of the teams mentioned earlier."

When Su Bai heard that, he nearly burst with delight!

His luck was incredible. Wasn't this practically inviting him to join Team 7 and farm experience points?

"Iruka-sensei, I want to join Team 7!"

Su Bai quickly raised his hand.

"Oh? Why do you want to join Team 7?"

Iruka asked in surprise.

Su Bai smiled. "Because it's interesting."

When Naruto heard that Su Bai wanted to join Team 7, he was enthusiastic. "That's great, Su Bai! We can be friends from now on!"

Sasuke snorted and eyed Su Bai sideways. "Hmph. Sū Bai of the Moonlight Clan, don't try anything funny."

He did not believe Su Bai would join for no reason. This guy definitely had another motive.

Still, having an evenly matched opponent was not bad.

Sakura was inwardly ecstatic. Su Bai is joining us? Yes! My dream came true! Su Bai is one of the top geniuses in class, just like Sasuke. I'm so happy!

The thought of Team 7 having two handsome geniuses made Sakura feel as if she had struck gold. Maybe she would even get to watch the two of them battle!

Ino, standing nearby, was somewhat disappointed. "It would have been great if Su Bai had come to our team. Sasuke and Su Bai are both in Team 7. Sakura is ridiculously lucky. Damn it."

Iruka nodded and announced, "Since Su Bai has chosen to join Team 7, then it is decided. The members of every team have now been confirmed. I hope you work well together and contribute to the village in the future!"

Su Bai smiled faintly and nodded at the others.

He looked calm on the surface, but inwardly, he was secretly delighted.

He had thought getting into Team 7 would take some effort, but he had succeeded so easily.

Now that I'm in Team 7, with Naruto and Sasuke, those two cheat-code kings, I won't have to worry about chances to pick up experience points.

Su Bai spoke coldly. "I'm not here to play house with you. I joined only because I'm somewhat interested in Team 7's strength. That's all."

With that, he closed his eyes and pretended to rest, no longer paying attention to the others' surprised or dissatisfied looks.

After the team assignments ended, Su Bai was about to leave the classroom when Sasuke stopped him.

"Hey, Sū Bai of the Moonlight Clan, don't leave so quickly. Aren't you interested in Team 7's strength? Then spar with me!"

Sasuke crossed his arms and looked at Su Bai provocatively.

He did not believe this guy was really anything special. He was just someone whose swordsmanship was decent, wasn't he?

At those words, a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of Su Bai's lips.

He had been worrying over not having a chance to test Ryujin Jakka's power. Hadn't Sasuke just delivered one to his doorstep?

"Fine. Then let me see what the Uchiha Clan's sole remaining heir is capable of!"

Su Bai snorted disdainfully and strode out of the classroom.

Seeing this, everyone hurried after them, afraid of missing the duel.

"Hey, hey, Sasuke is showing off again. Who does he think he is, challenging Su Bai?"

Naruto shouted indignantly, though he ran out after them as well.

"What do you know? Sasuke is a genius of the Uchiha Clan! How could he possibly lose?"

Sakura glared at Naruto and watched the field nervously.

"But Su Bai is strong too!" Ino retorted.

Iruka sighed. He knew there was no stopping these children, so he could only supervise from the side to keep anything from going wrong.

The two arrived at the wooded area outside the academy and took up fighting stances.

Su Bai took out the Ryujin Jakka scroll that the system had just issued. The instant he injected chakra into it, white smoke billowed out.

Then, a long sword appeared in his hand.

Ryujin Jakka had a brown scabbard, a deep purple hilt, and an oval guard.

Since Su Bai still had the body of a child, Ryujin Jakka was like a horse-slaying saber in his hands.

As Su Bai felt the Zanpakuto in his hand, it was as though the blade were a part of his own body and soul.

A warm power flowed from the Zanpakuto, making Su Bai feel incredibly refreshed.