The next day.
Ninja Academy.
A briefing for the students who had passed the exam was being held in the classroom.
On the podium, Oda-sensei looked at the students he had spent three years with, and his heart was filled with emotion.
Three years had passed so quickly.
Cough, cough.
He cleared his throat and said with a smile to the dozens of students present, "Starting today, you are all officially ninja. However, you're still rookies among rookies, and there are many trials ahead."
After some words of encouragement, Oda finally brought up the topic the students were most concerned about. He spoke seriously, "I imagine many of you already know this, right? Newly graduated students must be guided by a Jōnin Instructor to familiarize themselves with and complete missions assigned by the village."
"Ninja squads are generally formed in groups of three. The list has been finalized, and I will now announce the team assignments."
Oda looked down at the notebook in his hand and announced, "Team One: Nara Ran, Yamanaka Inosa, Akimichi Choso."
The Ino–Shika–Chō are one and will not be separated.
He continued, "Team Two: Might Guy, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma."
Guy, upon hearing his name, paused for a moment, then gave a thumbs-up to Ebisu and Genma.
"Please take care of me from now on, Ebisu, Genma!"
He didn't care who he was paired with. No matter who it was, it would be a very youthful matter.
He was fired up.
"Ah, please take care of me from now on, Guy."
"I won't hold you back."
Ebisu and Genma also responded.
Ignoring Guy's eccentricities, his combat strength wasn't weak.
In class, he should be second only to the geniuses Seiryū and Kakashi.
Teaming up with Guy, Ebisu and Genma felt it wasn't bad at all.
They just needed to be mentally prepared from now on, because Guy's behavior was truly a bit odd, and they wondered if they could get used to it.
Listening to Oda's announcement, Seiryū muttered to himself, 'It seems there hasn't been much change.'
In the original story, Guy's teammates were indeed Ebisu and Genma.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Might Duy kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen into a "Lucky Three Treasures" just to protect the three of them.
Oda continued, "Team Three..."
"Team Four: Seiryū, Kurenai, Shizune."
Hearing she was indeed assigned to the same team as Seiryū, Kurenai was very happy.
"Hehe, that's great!"
Although Seiryū had already told her they would be on the same team, hearing it confirmed still made her happy.
Shizune also smiled at Seiryū. She already knew she would be on the same team with Seiryū and Kurenai.
"Please guide me from now on, Seiryū."
Seiryū just smiled.
"Please guide me too."
He was muttering in his heart, so it really was Team Four.
On the other side, Rin pursed her lips, a little disappointed.
'So I'm not on the same team as Seiryū?'
Not only Rin, but many other girls also looked disappointed.
Not being on the same team as Seiryū...
"Is it my turn next?"
Obito was a little nervous and a little happy.
Rin wasn't on the same team as Seiryū, so he still had a chance.
He started praying.
"Team Five: Sarutobi Asuma, Hyūga Tetsu, Inuzuka Mei."
"Team Six..."
"Team Seven: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin."
Hearing he was on the same team as Rin, Obito's face lit up with joy.
"Rin, we're really on the same team, that's great!"
Rin smiled.
"Mhm, I'm happy too."
When she heard Seiryū, Kurenai, and Shizune were assigned to the same team, she had felt a little disappointed.
But being able to team up with Kakashi and Obito was also good.
They were good friends.
Then Obito glanced sideways at the expressionless Kakashi.
"Kakashi, I hope you don't hold me and Rin back!"
Kakashi: "..."
He couldn't be bothered to argue with this idiot.
He didn't really care about the team assignments. Anyone was fine.
Team Seven. Well, no surprises there.
Seiryū pondered: However, these groupings must have been carefully arranged. Asuma's two teammates were both from clans close to the Hokage faction.
Team assignments were usually handled by the Third Hokage.
They definitely weren't decided by drawing lots, but rather with careful planning.
This class was full of talent, with many well-known ninja clan members from Konoha gathered together.
It felt as if the Third Hokage had done it on purpose.
To pave the way for Asuma's future?
That was possible.
However, Seiryū didn't dwell on it, instead becoming curious about something else.
Who would be the Jōnin Instructor for each team?
Seiryū was quite interested in this.
Yesterday, from Yūhi Shinku's words, it seemed like he would also be taking on Jōnin Instructor duties.
"Team Eight: Ryota..."
Oda continued the announcements.
But Seiryū was no longer paying attention. He only cared about these familiar classmates.
Soon, Oda finished explaining the team assignments and said with a smile, "Alright, your guiding teachers will be coming to get you shortly. All students, please wait in the classroom for a bit. They should be arriving soon."
With that, he left the classroom, giving the students some time.
Immediately, the classroom buzzed with conversation. The students chatted with their new teammates and speculated about who their guiding Sensei would be.
A good guiding Sensei was very important.
As expected of one of the fastest men in the ninja world, Minato was the first to arrive.
Walking into the classroom and looking at the students, he smiled gently.
"I am the guiding Sensei for Team Seven. Students assigned to Team Seven, please step forward and come with me."
Minato also saw Seiryū, but only gave a nod of acknowledgment without exchanging pleasantries.
Obito was the first to raise his hand, saying excitedly, "Me, it's me!"
Kakashi, upon seeing Minato, was also a bit surprised.
Jōnin Minato? Seiryū's senior disciple.
He knew Minato, a disciple of Jiraiya, and also Seiryū's senior.
His father also held Minato in high regard.
Kakashi stood up and said, "Let's go."
"Mhm."
Rin replied, smiling at Seiryū and a few other classmates.
"Then we'll be going now. See you next time."
Obito also chased after them.
"Wait for me!"
Shortly after, Shinku arrived.
He glanced at the two little ones from his own clan, then calmly addressed the class.
"Members of Team Five, follow me."
Hearing this, Asuma, Hyūga Tetsu, and Inuzuka Mei from Team Five stood up and left the classroom with Shinku.
(To be continued.)