A small number of people seemed to know something about this, so they didn't show too much surprise.
"Cough cough cough..."
Just then, Ibuki-sensei cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. The smile on her face slowly faded, and her serious expression returned.
His expression made it clear that he was about to say something important.
The students in the class fell silent, suppressing their earlier curiosity, and began to listen attentively to every word that Ibuki-sensei would say next, because they realized that what was about to happen would be closely related to them.
This evoked a very special feeling within them.
They harbored expectations and fantasies about their future ninja careers, but at the same time, they felt lost and uncertain about what would happen after leaving the Ninja Academy. Especially after not being able to see Ibuki-sensei, they had an indescribable fear of what might happen in the future.
It's like recent college graduates who don't know where their future lies, yet they go their separate ways.
University students, after all, have gone through years of study and already know the structure of society. They even underwent a series of internships before entering society. However, the students of the Ninja Academy are different. They are still just children and not very old, not much different from junior high school students in the real world.
What awaits them is not just their future position during the ninja era, but also a lack of clarity about everything; everything seems shrouded in a shadow.
The only thing they knew for sure was that they weren't like college graduates who needed to find jobs to make a living; instead, they were to join a ninja squad to accept missions and fight to the death with others.
In an instant.
Everyone was filled with a sense of unease.
This is something they themselves can't explain.
"From now on, you will be independent ninjas. However, you are still rookies among the Genin. The real test is yet to come. The village will assign you missions, and you will work in groups of three, following the guidance of your assigned Jonin instructors. Under their leadership, you will complete the missions assigned by the village. To ensure a balance of power among the various clans, your group assignments will be randomized. The results of the draw are already in my hands!"
"Ibuki-sensei said with a serious expression."
He had said this countless times, because many graduating classes had passed through his hands. Although he held a position similar to a homeroom teacher in the Ninja Academy, there were very few teachers in the Ninja Academy, so he was practically the homeroom teacher for every class. He had met almost every student who had graduated from the Ninja Academy.
For this type of grouping...
He claimed it was random grouping.
But in reality, these are all lists provided by higher authorities.
After Ibuki-sensei finished speaking, everyone present took a deep breath and stared intently at Ibuki-sensei, curious to know which group they would be in.
Next.
Ibuki-sensei read out one name after another.
He called out three people each time, forming a group.
Those whose names were called immediately breathed a sigh of relief, knowing at least they hadn't been left behind, and exchanged knowing smiles with their teammates.
Each of them knew that their teammates would be together for a long time.
They will form a very deep bond.
To become long-term friends in the future.
After reading a series of names, Ibuki-sensei paused for a moment, then looked into the classroom.
"Next group."
Ibuki-sensei's voice slowly rang out.
Minato Namikaze!
After Ibuki-sensei pronounced the name, the room fell silent, and almost everyone's attention was focused on it.
Everyone present was curious about who Minato Namikaze would be paired with.
They all knew that Minato Namikaze was extremely powerful.
Many people had previously fantasized about forming a strong bond with Minato Namikaze and becoming his friend.
Whether in the real world or the ninja world, people admire strength. Everyone hopes to become a friend of the strong, to be with the strong, to be in the same group as the strong, and to become close teammates!
Those who had already been assigned to groups were curious about who Minato Namikaze would end up with, while those who hadn't been assigned to groups were starting to look forward to it, hoping to be in Minato Namikaze's group.
Amidst everyone's curiosity.
Ibuki-sensei read out a name with a slightly strange expression.
" Araki!"
Chapter 3: Instructing a Jonin Teacher!
These words were spoken.
Everyone in the classroom looked towards Araki.
His gaze was complex.
Everyone's eyes hold a variety of different expressions.
They considered many possibilities, but failed to consider the possibility of Araki and Minato being in the same group. These two were almost universally recognized as the top two in the Ninja Academy, and now that they were in the same group, it was a powerful alliance.
Based on this situation...
Almost everyone experienced extremely complex emotions.
For a moment, the people present recalled the scene of Minato Namikaze and Araki's battle, which was nearly two years ago. They had thought that the two would have many more conflicts in the future, but it did not happen again.
After that, although Araki successfully entered a new grade, he became even busier, and Ibuki-sensei granted him leave, which meant that he was unable to face Minato Namikaze again in many mock matches.
In other words, neither of them knows who is stronger or weaker right now.
However, they were assigned to the same group.
So much so that they are now extremely excited about the other spot in this group.
Although they already knew that the group assignments were finalized and in Ibuki-sensei's hands, they were still praying in their hearts that they would hear their names called.
After all, the two strongest people in this Ninja Academy are now in the same group.
If I could be in the same group as these two people.
At least I learned a lot!
Everyone present, including Kushina, had their eyes burning with fervor.
However, Kushina's thoughts were slightly different from those of the people present. She simply wanted to be in the same group as Araki, nothing more, it was that simple.
At that very moment.
Minato Namikaze turned and looked in Araki's direction.
A subtle, almost imperceptible glint flashed in those azure pupils.
Then he looked back in Ibuki-sensei's direction.
Minato Namikaze is currently unaware of his group assignment. Like everyone else, he is filled with anticipation, looking ahead while also pondering his own thoughts. However, he also has a name he desires in mind.
Kushina Uzumaki!
Minato Namikaze dreamed that if he could be in the same group as Kushina Uzumaki, his future life would be much happier.
but...
To his surprise, he was in the same group as Araki. If Kushina were also in the same group, he wouldn't be in a particularly good mood either.
Immediately afterwards.
With such mixed feelings, Minato Namikaze looked towards Ibuki-sensei.
He also hopes to be in the same group as Kushina.
But they don't want Kushina and Araki to be in the same group.
This is a rather contradictory, but not particularly complex, psychological state.
Ibuki-sensei waited until the students in the class had calmed down before continuing to speak. He had anticipated how each person would react after he said those words, after all, Minato Namikaze and Araki were both ranked very high in the Ninja Academy.
If he were in charge of grouping them, he would be willing to put the two people together. However, from the students' perspective, they would prefer that the two people be in different groups, so that there would be some competition between them.
but...
Ibuki-sensei knew that this matter was not his concern.
He said it was all random.
But that's not actually the case.
By the time he received the list, all the group assignments were already done; he was merely a tool to relay all of this.
" Kushina Uzumaki!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes Ibuki-sensei uttered the last name of the clan.
It was Kushina Uzumaki!
"Yay!"
Kushina jumped up excitedly. Just moments before, she had been silently chanting her own name, hoping that this prayer would help her get into the group.
This made her very nervous for a time.
For a brief moment, she was stunned when she heard her own name called, filled with disbelief, before a surge of joy welled up inside her.
Sure enough, they were in the same group.
That's incredibly lucky.
At this moment, Kushina was extremely happy, feeling as if her wish had come true, because her greatest wish at that moment was to be with Araki.
After reading Kushina -Ibuki-sensei moved on to the next group without any pause, not wanting to leave any room for discussion.
Before long, the grouping of these people was completed.
Ibuki-sensei read out everyone's name.
Everyone now has two companions.
After saying these words, Ibuki-sensei breathed a sigh of relief. He had been under a lot of pressure when he was in the group. Some of the students there didn't get along very well, but they were put in the same group. Others got along very well, but they weren't able to be together.
"Now you can all gather together and get to know each other. You will be close teammates. Your Jonin instructors will come to see you later. I wish you all the best on your future ninja journey!"
After saying her final words, Ibuki-sensei turned and prepared to leave.
Gradually.