Chapter 97
But he also knew that he couldn't expose his personal desires too much.
He cleared his throat and continued to announce.
"Second place, Uchiha Sasuke!"
"Third place, Hyuga Hinata!"
"Fourth place, Sakura Haruno!"
"Fifth place, Ino Yamanaka!"
"Sixth place, Shino Aburame!"
..."Eleventh place, Inuzuka Kiba!"
..."Thirty-second place, Akimichi Choji!"
..."Fiftieth place, Nara Shikamaru!"
Finally, the results were announced, and only Shikamaru remained as steady as a mountain.
Iruka-sensei sighed, his eyes a little moist.
He said emotionally: "Everyone, starting today, you have officially graduated from the Ninja Academy..."
"Congratulations to you all."
Everyone couldn't help but cheer with joy, and the entire classroom was filled with flying books and boisterous excitement.
Iruka-sensei smiled.
"However, this is not the end, but just the beginning..."
"Next, you will be true Ninja, no longer students."
"Ninja life is very cruel, and various missions are extremely dangerous. It will no longer be a calm harbor like the Ninja Academy. Each of you faces the test of life and death..."
"The teacher hopes that you will all work even harder to survive better in this cruel world..."
"You are all excellent students with boundless futures. The teacher wishes you all smooth sailing and the realization of your dreams!"
Everyone's eyes reddened.
"Iruka-sensei, that's too sentimental!"
"Don't be like that, Iruka-sensei, do you have to make us cry?!"
Iruka himself secretly wiped away a tear and forced a dry laugh.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry, it just slipped out..."
Naruto, however, was deeply touched. He only then realized that he was about to truly leave the Ninja Academy, and after becoming a Ninja, he would probably see Iruka-sensei less and less... He couldn't help but feel immense sadness and reluctance.
"Iruka-sensei..."
Iruka-sensei also seemed to glance at Narutoinadvertently, seeing the tears at the corner of his eye, his heart also trembled, but he quickly hid it.
"Hahaha, alright, alright, no more sentimental talk!"
"Ahem, now for the main topic!"
"Starting now..."
"Ninja team assignments!"
The noisy classroom instantly fell silent.
Everyone knew what this meant.
Team assignments marked the beginning of truly becoming a Ninja. They would also have a Joninpersonally leading their team, executing various missions while improving their own strength.
Which team they would be assigned to, who their teammates would be, and more importantly, what kind of Jonin would lead their team—this was something everyone was eagerly anticipating and curious about.
Iruka-sensei scanned the class, then began the final pronouncement.
Naruto's heart also pounded wildly.
"I wonder who I'll be on a team with..."
"Whatever, as long as it's not that bastard Sasuke!"
"As for the Jonin leader, it's a shame it won't be Bushy Brow Sensei, but I heard Asuma-sensei will also be leading a team this year, so I hope I can be assigned to his team!"
Hinata's small fingertips gently touched, silently praying.
"I, I hope I can be on a team with Naruto-kun..."
"But... even if I can't, it's okay. I just hope Naruto-kun will be well..."
Sakura Haruno: "As long as I'm on a team with Sasuke-kun, nothing else matters!"
"Please, heavens!"
Ino Yamanaka: "It's best if I can be on a team with Sasuke. If not, being on a team with Hinata is also good!"
Uchiha Sasuke: "Hmph, as long as it's not that Loser, anyone is fine!"
Although Naruto was already first place, Sasukestill called him Loser in his heart.
Everyone harbored their own thoughts, and for a moment, there was complete silence, so quiet that one could even hear everyone's heartbeats.
Iruka-sensei said in a deep voice: "Ahem, the first team..."
"Team 7!"
"The Jonin leader is, Kakashi Hatake!"
"The Ninja assigned to Team 7 are..."
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
"And..."
"Hyuga Hinata!"
Chapter 93: A Different Team 7! Kakashi's Test! Please vote for monthly tickets!!!
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto's heart trembled when he heard his name.
"Me? Team 7, the Jonin leader is..."
"Kakashi Hatake?!"
Naruto knew this person. He had pieced together some information about him from Bushy Brow Sensei Might Guy and Asuma-sensei.
From Naruto's half-understood impression... he seemed like a guy very similar to Sasuke!
A young genius, exceptionally talented, famous throughout the Ninja World, but with a gloomy and cold personality, seemingly having suffered some major blow... Naruto pouted, a little unhappy.
"It's not Asuma-sensei..."
"This Kakashi Hatake doesn't seem like much fun..."
"But as long as he can help me get stronger, that's enough."
"So, who are my teammates?"
"Please, please don't be Sasuke!"
"I hope one is Hinata, and the other..."
"Hmm... in terms of relationship, Choji or Shikamaru would be best, but both of those guys are too lazy!"
Just as Naruto was lost in thought.
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
He instantly heard that name and was struck by lightning.
"Ah!"
"Why, why is it that bastard Sasuke?!"
Naruto clutched his head, his expression as if he had eaten dirt.
But Sasuke also had a constipated look on his face.
"Why, why is it that Loser?!"
Hinata, Sakura, and Ino all felt a stir in their hearts.
"Naruto-kun and Sasuke on the same team?"
"This... is this to make them compete with each other?"
"Sasuke-kun! I, I want to go to Team 7 too! Even if that Naruto guy is there!"
"Naruto and Sasuke? I can go too..."
But at this moment.
"Hyuga Hinata!"
Iruka-sensei announced the last spot.
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then cheered joyfully.
"That's great!"
Hinata was also instantly dumbfounded, her small face flushed, both shy and incredibly excited.
"On, on a team with Naruto-kun?"
"That's... that's wonderful..."
Thinking of fighting side by side in the future, traveling together day and night, Hinata's little heart was already trembling wildly, her whole body hot, her face red and her heart pounding.
Ino covered her mouth, secretly chuckling nearby.
"Hinata, congratulations, you got what you wished for!"
Hinata lowered her head, blushing, wanting to deny it, but even she couldn't convince herself... Sakura Haruno, on the other hand, frowned deeply, her face pale.
"Is, is it Hinata?"
"Which means, I won't be able to be with Sasuke-kun anymore..."
To her, this felt like the sky had fallen, a complete despair... Uchiha Sasuke, however, was indifferent.
He was already assigned Naruto, did it make a difference who the third person was?!
Naruto's thoughts were... "Worst case scenario, I'll just go on missions with Hinata from now on. As for Sasuke, he can do whatever he wants!"
Although Ino herself wanted to be on a team with Sasuke, she could accept this outcome.
After all, her good friend Hinata had realized her dream.
And... she also keenly noticed something.
"Iruka-sensei, is this Kakashi Hatake-sensei very powerful?"
"After all, his Team 7's three disciples, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, are the top three in this graduation exam!"