Naruto arrived early at the academy that morning. The classroom was still quiet, sunlight spilling through the large windows as dust floated lazily in the air. His eyes immediately spotted a familiar girl sitting near the front.
"Morning Hinata," Naruto said with a wave as he walked toward her desk.
"Morning Naruto-kun," Hinata replied softly, smiling as she stood up. She carefully handed him his red scarf. The metal leaf plate from his forehead protector had been neatly attached to it.
Naruto took the scarf and looked at it with bright eyes. "Thanks, I love it."
Hinata's smile grew warmer at his words. "I'm glad… I worked hard on it."
Naruto wrapped the scarf around his neck again and sat beside her. "It looks even cooler now. I swear this scarf keeps getting better every time."
Hinata giggled quietly. "I'm happy you like it so much, Naruto-kun."
A few moments later the classroom slowly began filling up. Ino walked in with Shikamaru and Choji, immediately spotting Naruto and Hinata sitting together.
Without hesitation she walked straight over and sat beside Naruto.
Hinata and Ino locked eyes for a moment, silent sparks passing between them. Neither said a word, but the rivalry in their gazes was obvious.
Shikamaru sighed as he watched the silent battle. "What a troublesome life…"
Choji simply sat nearby and opened a fresh bag of chips. Crunch.
Naruto chatted casually with both girls. "So, what do you think our teams will be?"
Hinata tilted her head slightly. "I hope… we can stay together."
Ino crossed her arms but smirked confidently. "Obviously Naruto will end up with the best team."
Naruto laughed. "That confidence is scary, Ino."
Soon the classroom was completely full. Iruka entered the room holding a clipboard and everyone immediately quieted down.
"Alright everyone," Iruka said loudly. "Today we will announce the team assignments."
Hinata straightened in her seat nervously. Ino also leaned forward, though she already had a feeling how things would turn out because of the traditional team formations.
Iruka began reading.
"Team 10 — Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Akimichi Choji. Your Jonin teacher will be Asuma Sarutobi."
Ino sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Yeah… I expected this."
Naruto gently tapped her hand under the desk and whispered quietly.
"Don't worry. I have something to give you later. If you need me, you can call me anytime with it."
Her eyes lit up instantly. "Anytime?"
Naruto made an innocent face and scratched his cheek. "Well… aren't we a little too young for that?"
Ino blinked in confusion for a second before realizing what he meant. Her face turned bright red.
"Y-you shameless guy!"
Shikamaru glanced over lazily. "What did Naruto say now…?"
Choji leaned closer. "Is this about food?"
Naruto laughed quietly while Ino kicked his leg under the desk.
Iruka continued reading the list.
"Team 7 — Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki. Your Jonin instructor will be Kakashi Hatake."
Hinata's expression immediately fell.
Ino's mouth twitched in annoyance.
If it had been Hinata with Naruto, she could have accepted it. But Sakura?
Naruto quickly grabbed both of their hands before they could spiral into gloomy thoughts.
He whispered to them, "Meet me at my training ground after you finish meeting your teams. I have something special for both of you."
Both girls looked surprised but nodded. Their curiosity immediately replaced their disappointment.
Iruka continued reading.
"Team 8 — Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame. Your instructor will be Kurenai Yuhi."
Naruto's mouth twitched slightly.
Yeah, she's a Jonin… but she's mainly a genjutsu specialist.
Naruto glanced at Hinata thoughtfully. I don't think she can teach Hinata everything she needs.
Damn that old monkey…
Soon the rest of the teams were announced. The Jonin instructors arrived one by one and took their teams away.
Naruto waved to Hinata and Ino as they left.
"See you later!"
Hinata smiled softly. "See you later, Naruto-kun."
Ino pointed at him dramatically. "Don't forget! Training ground!"
Naruto saluted playfully. "Yes ma'am."
Soon the classroom was empty except for Team 7.
Sakura clasped her hands together excitedly.
'I can't believe it… I'm in the same team as Naruto and Sasuke!'
Her heart was practically floating in the clouds.
Meanwhile Naruto simply yawned and laid his head on the desk, pretending to sleep.
But his senses were fully alert.
There he is…
Outside the window, a silver-haired man was leaning casually while reading a small orange book.
Kakashi Hatake.
And he's reading that stupid book while watching us.
Naruto sighed inwardly.
'Hey Kurama, what are you doing?'
Kurama's deep voice echoed lazily in his mind.
"What do you want, brat? I'm busy."
Naruto raised an eyebrow mentally. "Busy doing what?"
Kurama snorted.
"Watching anime and reading manga. Now talk quickly."
Naruto sighed. Of course you are…
"I have a question. You're the Yang half, right? Can your chakra make someone's body more Yang-rich if they're exposed to it constantly?"
Kurama paused.
"Yes. Yang chakra strengthens vitality and life force. With constant exposure it can slowly improve a person's body."
Naruto grinned.
"You want my chakra?" Kurama asked.
"Yep. I want it for Hinata and Ino."
Kurama blinked in confusion.
"Who?"
Naruto suddenly remembered something.
Ah.
He had blocked Kurama's outside vision most of the time, and the fox spent most of his time reading manga anyway.
Naruto chuckled. "They're my friends."
Kurama shrugged mentally.
"Now that those annoying ANBU watchers are gone, you can loosen the seal more without anyone noticing. Sharing chakra will be easy."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully.
"Then constantly supply them with chakra… but filter it. No hatred mixed in."
Kurama snorted proudly.
"Of course. I'm not some amateur."
Then the fox growled lazily.
"Now can you stop talking and let me continue my show?"
Naruto sighed. "Fine, fine. Go watch your anime."
A few hours passed.
Sakura and Sasuke were getting visibly irritated.
Finally the classroom door slid open.
A lazy voice spoke.
"Yo… did you wait long?"
Sakura exploded instantly.
"WAIT LONG?! Do you even know how long we've been sitting here?!"
Sasuke stared at Kakashi with visible disdain.
Naruto simply stood up and started walking toward the roof.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"
Naruto didn't even look back.
"To the roof, of course. You can play your childish games later."
Sakura blinked in confusion.
"What game, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto pointed behind them lazily.
"This guy was standing outside the entire time reading his porn book while watching our reactions."
He looked directly at Kakashi.
"Can you stop wasting our time, Mr. Kakashi?"
Naruto crossed his arms.
"Unlike some people who spend their lives reading porn in public, we actually have training to do."
Kakashi's eye twitched violently.
What do you mean by that, you little brat…
But he couldn't say that out loud.
So he simply scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Ahahaha… let's go to the roof."
A few minutes later they sat on the rooftop.
Kakashi lazily looked at them.
"Introduce yourselves."
After the introductions, Kakashi gave them a short explanation.
"Tomorrow morning you will meet me at Training Ground 3."
He looked at them seriously.
"And don't eat breakfast."
Then he vanished in a swirl of leaves.
Sakura looked confused.
Sasuke looked thoughtful.
Naruto simply stretched his arms and stood up.
"Well… time to go."
He started walking toward his training ground.
After all…
He had two very curious girls waiting for him.
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