Chapter 048: A Fateful Encounter

Before long, the students who had passed the exam gathered in the classroom. Despite being ostracized by many classmates from commoner backgrounds, Naruto remained well-liked. Many students from ninja clans had good relationships with him. Besides being warned by their families about Naruto’s background, their clans had, in one way or another, benefited from his help.

Take the Aburame clan, for instance. “I really wish I could be on the same team as you two, Naruto, Sasuke,” Shino Aburame said, tapping the metal capsule hanging from his waist. “Why? Because you’re both the top attackers, and versatile enough to fill any role in a team.”

“If I were on your team, I could handle reconnaissance and infiltration, and you two could focus on the assault. With teamwork like that, we’d be unbeatable in the upcoming Chunin Exams. Unfortunately, for our cohort, it’s just not possible for us to be grouped together.”

Naruto asked curiously, “Shino, what do you mean by that? Sounds like you know something about how we’ll be assigned this time.”

Shino was just about to reply when Kiba Inuzuka suddenly barged in, exclaiming loudly, “I know, I know! I overheard my mom talking about it last night! Apparently, this time, the teams are being assigned in a pretty interesting way—they’re grouping all the rookies based on similar specialties to form specialized squads!”

“You two—top-notch attackers—will definitely be put in the assault team! Shino and I are both expert scouts and infiltrators, so we’ll be assigned to the reconnaissance team!” As he spoke, Kiba threw an arm around Shino’s neck, chuckling. “The reconnaissance team is the first line against the enemy! I bet I’ll rack up achievements before you, Naruto! Isn’t that right, Akamaru?”

“Woof! Woof! Woof!” barked the little pup on Kiba’s chest, brimming with energy.

The Inuzuka clan was rather unique; they specialized in working with ninja beasts, particularly ninja dogs. Members of the clan could even use beast transformation techniques, becoming more animal-like themselves and making their ninja dogs more human-like, allowing for seamless cooperation.

“If that’s the case, I think I understand,” said Naruto, nodding. “So, your team’s last member should be Hinata, right? She’s the only one left in our class who could work with you two in reconnaissance.”

“And then the Ino-Shika-Cho trio must be a fixed combination, right? They’re the ultimate multi-purpose support squad.”

“If Sasuke and I are paired together, maybe we’ll get an extra support member—someone skilled in medical ninjutsu or intelligence, or maybe just an ordinary person who isn’t particularly skilled, and it’ll be up to us and the jonin leader to help them grow.”

Naruto didn’t say anything about abandoning teammates, or about carrying them through missions. That wasn’t even an option in his mind. He had always insisted on growing together with his teammates; otherwise, if they weren’t strong enough, they’d be killed on the battlefield.

“I wonder who our teacher will be. Who could possibly handle the two of us?” Naruto mused.

Sasuke stroked his chin. “My guess is Asuma Sarutobi, the Third Hokage’s son. I’ve done my research—he’s starting to take on students this year. With our unique backgrounds and strengths, if the old man isn’t a fool, he’ll assign us to Asuma. That way, the Hokage has direct control of the village’s strongest tactical force.”

Naruto made no comment.

Not long after, Iruka entered the classroom with a folder in hand. Unlike his usual self, Iruka didn’t greet Naruto with a smile. Naruto scratched his nose awkwardly. Yesterday, Iruka had promised to treat Naruto to ramen at Ichiraku to celebrate his graduation. Lost in the joy of eating, Naruto hadn’t paid attention to the portions and ended up consuming two months’ worth of Iruka’s salary. Iruka, currently dating someone and strapped for cash, had every reason to be upset.

After announcing the team assignments, Iruka left the classroom. As he walked out, he shot Naruto a fierce glare, pointing at him emphatically. Naruto quickly pressed his palms together in a plea for forgiveness, promising to treat him next time. Only then did Iruka turn and leave.

The team assignments were pretty much as Naruto had guessed: the Ino-Shika-Cho trio formed one team—no surprises there. Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga, the three reconnaissance specialists, were grouped as the scouting team. Hinata was noticeably disappointed; she had really wanted to be on Naruto’s team.

Hinata’s uncle, Hiashi’s twin brother Hizashi, had noticed her feelings for Naruto and, ever the mischief-maker, encouraged her to go after him. Hizashi got a beating from his brother Hiashi for it, but his advice stuck with Hinata. She had even resolved that if she ended up on Naruto’s team, she’d use that opportunity to get closer to him and maybe even start a relationship.

Who would have thought they wouldn’t be on the same team? If Naruto knew what Hinata was thinking, he’d be both amused and exasperated. For now, he didn’t see her as a potential romantic interest; in his eyes, Hinata was still just a child. Maybe once she grew up into a graceful young woman, he’d reconsider.

There were two things Naruto hadn’t expected. The first was that his and Sasuke’s third teammate was a girl named Sakura Haruno. He didn’t have much of an impression of her—just that she was from a civilian family, did well in academic classes, and was a bit of a fangirl. Naruto could sense a powerful obsession in Sakura, dark and intense, almost frightening. Fortunately, this obsession was directed at Sasuke, so Naruto was content to watch from the sidelines.

Sure enough, as soon as she was assigned to Sasuke’s team, Sakura clung to him and wouldn’t let go. Sasuke was clearly uncomfortable, never having been so close to a girl before—not even Akiyo had ever been this physically near him.

The second surprise was that their team’s teacher was not Asuma Sarutobi. When Sasuke had analyzed the situation earlier, Naruto hadn’t commented, though he’d thought it made sense. But in the end, Asuma chose the Ino-Shika-Cho trio: Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka. The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans were all major ninja families in the Leaf Village and considered important allies to the Sarutobi clan.

It seemed that, rather than consolidating raw power, Hiruzen Sarutobi valued maintaining ties with allied families more. “The old man really is getting on in years,” Naruto thought to himself with a sigh.

Before long, the newly minted genin were each taken away by their respective teachers. Some would pass their sensei’s test and become full-fledged ninjas; others would be sent back to the academy for retraining.

In the end, only Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura remained in the classroom.

“Sasuke, I’ve got a bad feeling,” Naruto muttered, watching as Sakura clung to Sasuke. “Our teacher might just be that guy... the perpetually late white-haired one.”