At this moment, in a large classroom temporarily serving as the assembly point for class assignments, the students waited for the verdict of fate, some anxious, others expectant.
The Jiraiya group of four sat in a row by the window.
As if he had nails under his butt, Jiraiya twisted and fidgeted, his eyes constantly darting between the door and the academic ninja organizing the roster at the podium. He could not help muttering:
"Why is this taking so long... They're dawdling. Who exactly is our teacher going to be?
Could it be someone really amazing?"
Orochimaru, beside him, was much quieter.
He had just been freed from the high-intensity development work on the "Thunder Halberd" project, and the vacation personally approved by the Hokage happened to connect directly with the start of school.
Now, he enjoyed the long-lost leisure of not having to think about intricate runes. He simply leaned against the back of his chair, his golden vertical pupils half-lidded, as though resting his eyes—or perhaps observing the motes of dust drifting through the air.
Hearing Jiraiya's complaint, he parted his thin lips slightly, his voice calm and flat.
"Judging by the usual roster and faculty compatibility, it will most likely still be one of those Jonin instructors with class-leading experience.
There is no use rushing."
Tsunade was practically sprawled across the desk, her delicate face buried in the crook of her arms. Only the back of her listless head and her swirl of golden hair remained visible.
Yesterday, Mito Uzumaki had dragged her away for an entire day of "special training" in fine chakra control and the basics of the Yin Seal. Tsunade now felt completely drained. She did not even have the energy to argue; she only wanted to seize the chance to catch up on