"Alright, everyone, go back to your seats. The team assignments are about to begin."
The "Kiss of the Century" had been nothing more than an amusing interlude. Iruka Umino swiftly appeared at the classroom door, bringing an end to the chaos that had ensued.
The girls, still seething from their earlier confrontation, reluctantly returned to their seats. Uzumaki Naruto, his face swollen to comical proportions, sat behind Izanami, while next to him was Sakura Haruno. Unable to sit beside Uchiha Sasuke, she had taken a seat further back, looking dejected.
As Iruka Umino approached the podium, the noise in the room gradually faded. The classroom, now silent, was filled with expectant gazes. Iruka scanned the room, noting that none of the students he had taught for six years had been left out. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Congratulations on successfully graduating. From now on, you are all true Ninjas," he said, his voice carrying a tone of pride. After a moment's pause, he continued, "However, you are now officially probationary Ninjas—rookies. To become fully-fledged Ninjas, you will be placed into teams of three and assigned to experienced Jonin instructors for further training."
The mood in the classroom shifted slightly, as the students' anticipation grew.
"Now, let's begin the team assignments. Team One..."
Iruka Umino wasted no time and began reading off the names.
As each name was announced, a chorus of sighs followed. Most of the sighs came from the girls. Though Izanami had already been claimed by Hinata, who was one of the top three students in the grade, many girls still harbored feelings for him. They had hoped for a chance to be on the same team as him.
But, as expected, not only was Izanami off-limits, but Uchiha Sasuke was also excluded from many of the girls' teams. Some of them had truly terrible luck. But as more names were called, the remaining girls couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. With each girl eliminated, the odds of landing on a team with Izanami or Sasuke increased.
"Team Six..."
Finally, Iruka read off the names for Team Six: "Minako, Sawano Genichi, and... Inuzuka Kiba."
At this, Izanami's eyes lit up for a brief moment, the corners of his mouth lifting into a small, knowing smile.
The result was clear now. Hiruzen Sarutobi had opted to bypass Inuzuka Kiba and focus on Izanami, the top student of the year. Between Kiba and Shino Aburame, Sarutobi had clearly seen the potential in Izanami to be a future pillar of Konoha's strength. His accomplishments had proven to be more than just the sum of his abilities; they reflected a raw, untapped potential that could be honed into a formidable force.
The Inuzuka Clan, known for their bond with ninja dogs and their powerful sensory abilities, had significant influence, but their true strength depended on a partnership with their beasts, limiting their versatility in solo combat. In contrast, the Aburame Clan, with its diverse range of deadly insects, was almost invincible in one-on-one combat, similar to the Uchiha Clan's Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
In this comparison, Sarutobi had chosen to invest in Izanami, much to the likely chagrin of the Inuzuka Clan, but they would not make a fuss. After all, Konoha was not short on sensory capabilities, with the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and even the Aburame Clan's scent-sensing abilities. Moreover, Sarutobi had his reasons—Hyuga Hiashi had helped him solidify this decision.
As the team assignments continued, the students listened with bated breath.
"Team Seven: Sakura Haruno, Uzumaki Naruto..."
"Yes!" Uzumaki Naruto cheered loudly, his voice full of excitement as he bounced in his seat. But his joy was short-lived when Sakura Haruno slumped in defeat, realizing she would have to share a team with him.
However, the next name Iruka read flipped the situation on its head.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Sakura, now grinning ear-to-ear, jumped to her feet and pumped her fist into the air. "Yes!" she shouted, her joy evident.
She immediately turned around and shot a smug glance at Ino Yamanaka, who was visibly seething with frustration.
"Team Eight: Hyuga Hinata, Shino Aburame, and... Izanami."
The moment Iruka spoke Izanami's name, Hinata's eyes brightened, and without thinking, she grabbed Izanami's arm, her voice filled with excitement. "That's great, Izanami! We're on the same team!"
"Yes, seems like we're lucky today," Izanami replied, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone of affection. He had already anticipated the outcome, but hearing Hinata's enthusiasm still made him smile.
Over the past six years, Izanami had grown accustomed to having Hinata by his side, and he didn't want to be separated from her. The thought of their future teamwork made him feel a surge of pride.
"Team Ten: Ino Yamanaka, Akimichi Choji, and... Nara Shikamaru."
The classroom, now filled with mixed emotions, settled into a new rhythm as students adjusted to their team assignments, each with their own thoughts on what the future would hold.
After reading the last name, Iruka Umino placed the clipboard down and took a moment to look over the students who had been under his guidance for the past six years. A sense of pride filled his chest, but his expression remained composed as he addressed them one last time.
"Students whose names have been called, remember your teams and your teammates' names. Your Jonin instructors will find you shortly. Do not leave the classroom without permission during this time."
With those final words, Iruka Umino turned and walked out of the classroom. No one spoke a word in response. The air was thick with anticipation, and every student was lost in thoughts of the Ninja life that awaited them.
None of them knew, however, that a difficult challenge still lay ahead.
"Team Three, step forward."
It had only been a few minutes since Iruka left when the door swung open once again. This time, a middle-aged man entered, wearing a green vest that contrasted sharply with the serious expression on his face. His commanding presence filled the room, and just like that, the classroom fell silent.
The students of Team Three, visibly nervous as if they had just entered the academy six years ago, stood up and followed their Jonin instructor out the door, their heads held low in nervous anticipation.
"Team Five, step forward. I am your Jonin instructor."
"Team One, step forward."
"Team Nine, step forward."
One by one, Jonin instructors appeared at the door, each one ushering out a group of three students. The rhythm of their appearances quickly created a wave of emptiness in the classroom.
And then, just as the last few seats were about to empty, a woman entered. Unlike the others, she wasn't wearing a green vest but rather casual attire that showcased her striking figure. Her long, curly black hair swayed with every movement as she stepped into the room. Her red eyes scanned over the remaining students, finally resting on Izanami and Hinata. A smile curved her lips.
"Team Eight, step forward. I am your Jonin instructor," she said, her voice both smooth and authoritative.
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, her confidence leaving an unmistakable impression.
"I'll be going ahead. Goodbye," Izanami called to Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, giving them a quick wave before turning to follow Hinata out the door.
As for Shino Aburame, the quietest of them all, he had long since disappeared, his presence barely even noticeable as he slipped away without drawing attention.
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