Chapter 55 – Team Assignments
"Good morning, Naruto-kun."
In the gentle breeze beneath the Treehouse, the gracefully standing girl, Hinata, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and greeted him softly.
"Morning."
Naruto took her hand. "Let's go to school."
Hinata nodded naturally, no blush on her face.
After so many years of liking each other, they were already used to one another.
Only the final veil— a confession— remained untouched.
Naruto felt it was still too soon; Hinata was simply too shy.
"After the graduation exam, tomorrow's the briefing and team assignments. I wonder if I'll be in the same class as Naruto-kun…"
Hinata lifted her gaze, sneaked a glance at Naruto, and murmured.
She didn't worry about his passing the exam, but the thought of being separated left her feeling lost.
"Well… we probably won't be in the same team."
Naruto didn't hide it; she'd find out sooner or later. He kept Hiruzen's arrangement to himself, though.
Following the original story's logic, he said, "Your Byakugan leans toward scouting, so you'll likely be assigned to a reconnaissance squad."
"But I can fight too!"
Hinata pouted, indignant, and waved her small fist to show she could be fierce.
Naruto, seeing her like that, pictured the "fierce dragon roar" meme.
He reached out and pinched her soft cheek. "It's fine if we're not on the same team."
Instantly deflated, Hinata nodded obediently.
"Your teammates should be Kiba and Shino— both pretty good."
Naruto analyzed as they walked.
"Eh, why's Kiba in reconnaissance?"
Hinata understood Shino, but Kiba usually fought like a wild beast.
"Because of his dog."
Remembering something amusing, Narutochuckled. "So your scout team will be you, Kiba, and Akamaru— three members."
"I see!"
Noticing nothing odd, Hinata looked at him admiringly and asked, "Then who are your teammates, Naruto-kun?"
"Sasuke and Sakura. The Ino–Shika–Chō trio always sticks together; Sasuke's the same type as me, and among the rest, only Sakura stands out."
Hinata pondered.
If it's Sakura… well, no threat.
First, she believed herself stronger; second, Sakuraliked Sasuke.
Compared with Sakura, Sasuke seemed the bigger threat— they trained together so often, taking time that should have been hers.
But her own advantages were obvious; no need to worry too much.
Hinata finished her analysis in an instant.
Soon they reached the classroom.
The moment Naruto stepped in, he saw Sakurafighting— no, arguing with Ino.
At the center of the storm, Sasuke
sat with chin propped, eyes half-closed, radiating "keep away."
But Naruto knew him well: "Human joys and sorrows aren't the same; I just find them noisy."
Sasuke spotted Naruto and Hinata, and joy flickered in his eyes.
Just as he rose to greet them and escape the girls, he saw Naruto lead Hinata to the back row without a backward glance.
"???"
Sasuke tugged the corner of his mouth and closed his eyes again.
Forget it.
Pretend they don't exist.
Naruto greeted Kiba and Shino, then nestled in a corner whispering with Hinata.
Kiba glanced at Akamaru and stuffed a handful of dog food into his mouth.
Shino froze.
Unbelievable!
Naruto actually noticed his existence!
A few minutes later
Iruka stepped to the podium and announced today's exam.
Shadow Clone.
The test room was next door.
After a moment Naruto heard his name and stood up.
"Do your best, Naruto-kun!"
Hinata cheered.
Naruto stroked her silky hair and went next door.
Besides Iruka, Mizuki was there.
In the original he egged Naruto on to steal the scroll of seals and ended up in prison.
But now— no chance of that.
Naruto casually produced two clones.
"Perfect!"
Iruka nodded approvingly. "Congratulations on graduating!"
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
Naruto bowed.
Iruka's kindness to him deserved it.
As for Mizuki—
if he didn't provoke him, he could count himself lucky.
After Hinata finished her exam, Naruto took her hand and left.
He didn't wait for Sasuke.
After all, the wife comes first.
They went to have their photos taken and officially became Ninja.
From today their names entered Konoha's Ninjaregistry, qualifying them for missions.
But Genin missions were all trivial chores.
The next day
the three of them came to class together.
Yes— one extra Sasuke.
The guy had shown up at the Treehouse even earlier than Hinata.
Naruto knew he didn't want a repeat of yesterday.
But do you even know what a third wheel is?
I worry about your love life and you stab me in the back.
Repaying kindness with betrayal!
What are you scheming!
On the podium Iruka spoke about team assignments and some parting words.
He really was a model teacher.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office, a circle of Joninwatched the students through a crystal ball.
They already knew which kids they'd be leading.
Kakashi in particular was calm.
He had to be.
Both Naruto and Sasuke were no weaker than he was.
His future teaching career should be pretty relaxed.
As for the third teammate—
any dog in the jungle could win with those two.
"Go to the classroom."
Hiruzen checked the time and sent them to meet their students.
The Jonin vanished at once.
"Kakashi, look after Naruto."
Hiruzen stopped Kakashi and instructed.
"I will."
Kakashi answered seriously.
Even without the order, he would— just as Minatohad looked after him.
"Team Seven: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura."
Iruka read the roster.
Sakura squealed the moment she heard Sasuke's name, hearts sparkling in her eyes.
Sasuke sat frozen.
He'd known already, so no surprise.
The other teams matched the original story as well.
Soon the Jonin sensei appeared one by one.
Naruto saw Asuma for the first time.
Different from the Shadow Clone memories, he looked more mature.
He took the Ino–Shika–Chō team.
His old flame Kurenai Yuhi led Hinata, Kiba, and Shino.
Gradually everyone left, until only Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura remained.
Just as Naruto thought Kakashi would be late like in the original, he stepped into the room.
Naruto was surprised.
The tardiness king actually on time?
As absurd as Tsunade turning into a gambling god.
"Hello, I'm your Jonin sensei, Kakashi Hatake."
The silver-haired Jonin greeted with eyes curved in a smile.
He knew both Naruto and Sasuke well—
Sasuke was practically his apprentice already.
Sakura was the stranger,
but her grades showed perfect scores in every theory subject.
"Follow me to the rooftop; let's get acquainted as a team."
Following his usual routine, Kakashi headed straight to the roof.
Naruto picked a step and sat down.
The rooftop was a great place—
for dancing, singing, heartbreak, shipwrecks, knives, confessions.
Everything played out right here.