Year 58 of Konoha.
Ninja Academy, Year 6, Class 1.
The classroom was currently buzzing with excitement.
The newly graduated Genin, who had just passed their exams, were gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing their upcoming team placements and life as Ninjas.
For most, the upcoming team placement would not only determine who they would spend the next few years with but also whether they could survive in this cruel Ninja World.
After all, if one's teammates were from major clans like the Hyuga, Ino–Shika–Chō, or Sarutobi, the lead teacher would generally be a Special Jonin or higher, greatly increasing one's chances of survival.
Civilian Ninjas or those from small clans stole glances at the children of the great clans, hoping to become their teammates.
Some even fantasized about becoming heroes and ascending to the position of Hokage amidst the cheers of the people.
At this moment, in a corner seat by the window, a student with black hair, black eyes, a handsome face, and a somewhat slender build was resting his chin on one hand, gazing wistfully out the window.
"It's already been twelve years since I came to this world," Aoki sighed inwardly.
In his previous life, he was just a "civil engineering dog" working overtime every day. During one such shift while pouring concrete, a muck truck suddenly charged at him, sending him to this world.
"Why would there be a muck truck on the 12th floor?" Aoki Yoru remains puzzled to this day.
"I wonder who the lead teacher will be. It'd be great if they're reliable. I'm only two years older than Naruto. With several major events coming up, I could be dragged in at any time. My small frame, without a clan or Bloodline Limit, won't hold up."
Thinking of the upcoming Konoha Crush, Pain's Invasion, and the most brutal Fourth Shinobi World War—where Jonin were no better than dogs and Kage-level fighters were mere cannon fodder—Aoki Yoru felt his future was bleak.
"Congratulations on successfully graduating from the Ninja Academy and becoming proud Genin of the Hidden Leaf Village. Under the leadership of the great Third Hokage, Konoha won the Third Shinobi World War, bringing about the peace we have today. I hope you all take the revitalization of Konoha as your own responsibility under the Sandaime Hokage's guidance..."
Teacher Sarutobi spent half an hour promoting the glorious history of the Third Hokage before stopping to take a sip of hot water.
"Alright, I will now announce the team placements."
As soon as these words were spoken, the students, who had looked bored and distracted, suddenly focused their gaze, sat up straight instinctively, and looked at the teacher with anxious expressions.
Teacher Sarutobi began reading the list.
"Team 1..."
"Team 2..."
As name after name was called, some were happy while others were worried.
Soon, Aoki Yoru heard his own name.
"Team 6: Aoki Yoru, Tanaka Kenta, Shimizu Yui."
Hearing his name, Aoki Yoru instinctively looked at his two teammates.
Tanaka Kenta had a rugged appearance, with light wheat-colored skin and a sturdy build; he looked like a natural for Taijutsu.
Shimizu Yui was a quiet and introverted girl with smooth, medium-length black hair and fair skin. Her face was delicate, simple, and unassuming.
The two of them also looked toward Aoki Yoru, and the three nodded to each other with smiles. Barring any accidents, they would likely be a team for several years.
Aoki Yoru was quite satisfied with this result.
All three had average grades. If nothing went wrong, civilians like them would be paired with an ordinary Chunin to handle tasks like catching cats and dogs or clearing out mountain bandits.
Furthermore, both teammates were introverted and didn't show off. During combat classes, he could tell they were both holding back.
Among peers who were often going through a "chunibyo" phase, trying their hardest to stand out and shouting "my fate is in my own hands," this quality was precious.
Like him, they seemed to understand the Great Path of Lying Low, which was the only way to live longer in this cruel Ninja World.
This way, as long as he deliberately avoided a few invasions and hid during the Fourth Shinobi World War, he could live peacefully until the series finale.
"Team 12..."
"Alright, that's it for the team placements. I hope you all support each other and strive to make a name for yourselves in the Ninja World soon. Your lead teachers will be here to pick you up shortly."
After saying that, Teacher Sarutobi left without looking back. He had seen many such parting scenes; more than half of these students would die in this cruel Ninja World.
As the teacher left, the classroom instantly became restless. Students found their teammates in small groups, greeting each other and discussing their upcoming lead teachers.
"I wonder if our lead teacher will be an Elite Chunin. It would be great if they were a Special Jonin."
"Stop dreaming," a student from a civilian background said dejectedly. "Even if there are Special Jonin, they wouldn't lead us. They're the teachers for the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Ino–Shika–Chō."
A middle-aged man walked in, glanced around casually, and said, "Team 1, follow me."
Three students immediately stood up and followed.
Afterwards, one lead teacher after another came to take their team members away, and the students in the classroom gradually thinned out.
Finally, the classroom was empty, leaving only Aoki Yoru's group of three.
Tanaka Kenta and Shimizu Yui occasionally craned their necks to look out the door, hoping for their teacher to appear.
Aoki Yoru, who had been lost in thought, suddenly froze and snapped his head up, an ominous feeling welling up in his heart.
"Wait, wait, wait, no way! I'm Team 6, not Team 7. It can't be such a coincidence, right?"
Before his reincarnation, he had read the original story and knew that Kakashi had been assigned as a lead teacher by the Sandaime before Naruto's time.
On those occasions, he had sent all the students back to the academy to repeat their classes. Although Aoki didn't know which specific classes they were, there were at least two. He hadn't thought about it before, but the current situation forced him to reconsider.
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed!
Given Kakashi's current depressed state of mind, he had no intention of leading a team at all. The probability of them being sent back to repeat was extremely high.
Don't be fooled by how Naruto's Team 7 eventually gained Kakashi's approval through teamwork.
That was because of their special identities.
The son of his teacher plus the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, along with the sole survivor of his best friend's clan, the Uchiha. As long as they met his requirements in character, he would gladly accept and teach them with all his heart.
But the three of them were different. The current Kakashi had experienced his father's suicide, killing his best friend with his own hands, and the death of his teacher. He was completely despondent and had closed off his heart.
Taking on a team was also at the Third Hokage's request, clearly preparation for Naruto and Sasuke's graduation in two years.
Whether or not he wanted to lead newcomers depended entirely on his mood. Aoki Yoru didn't think the three of them could make Kakashi see them in a different light.
In their three-person team, both he and Tanaka Kenta were civilians.
Shimizu Yui did come from a small clan, but calling it a "clan" was a stretch; there were only a few members left. Her father's generation had all died in the Third Shinobi World War and the Nine-Tails Incident.
No one would say anything if they were sent back to repeat their classes. No clan elders would stand up for them, and it would have almost no impact on the higher-ups.
Thinking of this, Aoki Yoru couldn't help but glance out the door, praying that that specific figure wouldn't appear.
"Forget it, forget it. Being sent back wouldn't be so bad. As long as I can survive until Boruto, I'll be a winner."
Just then, a figure appeared at the door, with silver hair, those signature "dead fish" eyes, and a listless expression as if he had been drained dry all night.
"Team 6, follow me," he said, turning to leave.
"Just as I thought!" Aoki Yoru let out a resigned sigh, stood up, and followed with his two teammates.