The scene in the classroom was also being watched from the Hokage's office.
Several jōnin stood around a crystal ball, all staring at the image with awkward expressions.
Asuma Sarutobi muttered, "So that's this year's top student, Sasuke Uchiha…"
"Based on his grades, he's outstanding. He's not inferior to you back then, Kakashi."
Standing quietly with his eyes on the crystal ball, Kakashi Hatake replied calmly, "He might even be stronger than I was at that age."
He thought to himself: After all, he's an Uchiha.
The Uchiha clan held a heavy place in Kakashi's heart. His former friend and comrade had been an Uchiha, and Kakashi had seen the clan's strength firsthand.
Seeing the awkward scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed internally.
Naruto really knows how to cause unexpected trouble…
None of them paid attention to Orion.
Over the years, Orion's grades had been neither good nor bad. Even Hiruzen didn't have much of an impression of him.
That was normal. Orion had been just an ordinary student—no standout talents, no famous lineage. It was only natural that no one paid attention.
After a while, Iruka Umino entered the classroom.
Under the nervous gazes of the students, he pulled out the team assignment list.
Sitting beside Orion, Ino Yamanaka prayed in her heart:
Please let me be on the same team as Orion!
However, she didn't know that her path had already been decided by the Third Hokage and her clan elders.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio would not be separated.
In fact, the future team structure of the Konoha 12 had long been planned. There was no room for outsiders.
As expected, Iruka read several team names, and none included Orion.
When he reached Team 10, Iruka announced:
"Team 10: Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka."
Just as Orion expected.
Even though many details from the original story were fuzzy in his memory, he had lived in Konoha for over a decade and already understood the major clan structures.
There was no way the Ino–Shika–Chō formation would be broken.
Ino slumped over her desk.
"This team assignment is terrible… I'm not even on the same team as Orion."
Shikamaru sighed helplessly. "Hey, can you not say that right in front of us? We're teammates too, you know."
Ino snorted, then glanced at Orion.
He looked calm, as if he had already expected this outcome.
Disappointed, she muttered, "Orion, we didn't end up in the same team…"
Orion smiled gently. "The teachers probably have their reasons."
Iruka continued reading.
"Team 11: Yamata Jumoku, Orion, and Motoya Tako."
Orion thought to himself, Just as I expected. Two classmates I don't even recognize.
Team 11 consisted entirely of civilian-born students.
He was certain their team leader wouldn't be one of Konoha's well-known jōnin. Most likely, it would be an ordinary jōnin—or maybe even a special jōnin or chūnin.
Meanwhile, the two teammates Orion had never noticed were looking around the room, trying to find their team members.
Yamata Jumoku was a cheerful boy with a personality somewhat similar to Naruto's. Strangely enough, he tied his hair into a small ponytail.
Motoya Tako was a pretty girl with long golden hair flowing down to her waist. She wore a pure white top and a simple black skirt without patterns. Her demeanor was quiet and reserved.
Orion had never paid attention to them before, and the two of them had no impression of him either.
The two seemed to be good friends already. To them, Orion was the stranger.
Once the teams were announced, the instructors came to collect their students.
The first to arrive was Asuma.
He walked in and said, "Team 10, I'm your supervising jōnin. Follow me."
Before leaving, Ino turned back reluctantly and said, "Orion, my family runs the flower shop in the shopping district. I'm usually helping out there, so you should come visit me."
Orion nodded. If he refused, Ino probably wouldn't leave.
Shikamaru also said, "We'll be going first."
Orion smiled. "Go ahead."
After they left, Yamata Jumoku and Motoya Tako sat down beside Orion.
Jumoku was outgoing. He immediately extended his hand and smiled.
"Hey, Orion! I'm Yamata Jumoku. We'll be teammates from now on—let's work together!"
Orion smiled. "Nice to meet you, Jumoku."
Then Motoya Tako also reached out her hand.
"Orion, I'm Motoya Tako. Please take care of me."
Orion shook her hand lightly. "Nice to meet you, Tako."
With that, the three officially met.
As Orion shook their hands, he could sense their chakra reserves. Both were average—about the level of normal genin.
That perception came from the natural energy he had absorbed. He was now highly sensitive not only to chakra but also to energy and even danger.
From this first impression, Orion didn't dislike his teammates. Their personalities were decent.
Jumoku was cheerful like Naruto, but not as loud or reckless.
Tako's personality resembled Hinata Hyuga—quiet, but not overly timid. She was pretty, and her sense of fashion was better than Hinata's.
From her clothing, Orion could tell she didn't come from a poor family. Although not a clan heir, she clearly came from a wealthy background.
She's probably a little rich girl, Orion thought.
Jumoku and Tako were very curious about Orion.
"Orion… why don't I remember you at all? Are you a transfer student?" Jumoku asked.
Tako looked at Orion with curiosity as well.
Orion smiled wryly.
"In this class, aside from Shikamaru, it seems almost no one remembers me… even though we've been in the same class for six years."
"I've been in this class the whole time," he explained patiently.
Jumoku froze. "You've been here for six years?!"
He was stunned. After six years, he hadn't even noticed Orion.
Tako covered her mouth in surprise.
Orion sighed. "I guess I just don't talk to people much."
Jumoku nodded earnestly. "Yeah… I really didn't notice you. But that's fine! We're teammates now. You won't be alone anymore."
He grinned warmly.
Orion was slightly surprised.
Looks like it's not only the main characters who have kind hearts. Even side characters can be good people. They just lack the strength and end up fading into the background.
The unlucky ones even die in the Fourth Great Ninja War… and some don't even make it that far.