But someone else often snatched first place in class away from him-
Hinata Hyuga.
A week later, Naruto finally scraped through with a passing grade.
He barely managed to get his forehead protector and passed the initial Genin exam.
All that remained was to wait for the team assignments.
In the Hokage's Office, Minato Namikaze looked overwhelmed by the attention. "Lord Xuan Zhe, is there someone in this graduating class you have a particular interest in? To think you'd take the trouble to come in person..."
Xuan Zhe had suddenly come to see him, saying he wanted to look at the team assignments for this batch of students. Minato Namikaze had been startled.
To think someone so important would take an interest in such a trivial matter.
"Just think of it as me having nothing better to do."
Xuan Zhe smiled, his expression impossible to read.
Minato Namikaze didn't have Hiruzen Sarutobi's ability to spy through a crystal ball. But every classroom had surveillance cameras installed, which were good enough.
On the screen, Sasuke approached Naruto as soon as he entered the classroom. Naruto was grinning foolishly.
"What are you doing here?"
Sasuke spoke up.
Naruto raised his thumb and proudly pointed at the forehead protector on his forehead. "Hmph! Can't you see what I'm wearing on my head?"
Sasuke turned his head aside and said stubbornly, "Heh, I hear they always put the best and worst students together in every graduating class to balance the teams' strength. I really don't want to end up on the same team as you."
"What did you say? You're saying you're the best and I'm the worst?"
Furious, Naruto grabbed Sasuke by the collar.
"I'm just telling the truth!"
Not to be outdone, Sasuke grabbed Naruto's collar in return.
"Oh dear..."
Minato Namikaze