After handling the matter, Noah went home to rest-though more accurately, he entered his system space for further rest.
He didn't care what was happening outside. It was the same old story anyway-Naruto had earned Iruka's acknowledgment and would graduate as expected.
Noah didn't bother thinking about how exactly he would graduate. Because of his intervention, Naruto hadn't had the chance to fully show what he had learned from training.
The real question was how the Chief would respond.
Noah's display yesterday had seemed ordinary to him. In his memory, ninjas at later stages were far stronger than these kids playing at being shinobi. What he showed should have been within reason.
Yet in reality, his performance had been a complete show-stealer.
His chakra control was precise. His reserves were large. His integration of ninjutsu and timing was flawless.
And most importantly, he was one of those rare sensory ninjas.
The Chief was happy to see such a young talent but also sighed. Pulling an all-nighter was inevitable.
If a student like this existed and the school didn't know, it would be suspicious. Investigation was necessary-especially since the kid was still at the school. Who knew what the next generation might face?
Overnight, the village machinery began turning, and pieces of information about Noah were presented to the Chief.
After reading everything carefully, the Chief was speechless.
Noah's background was clean. Nearly everything was on record. His school performance, frequent solitary training in the forest, even the ninjutsu he had learned-all documented.
The Chief had a headache.
He hadn't expected a kid who hated the spotlight and nearly let him slip from attention.
Well, not entirely-reports about Noah's combat ability had reached him. But small-scale Ninja Academy skirmishes were trivial compared to the Chief's other responsibilities, especially after Danzo's death.
He wasn't young anymore. Energy was limited. Many things were overlooked.
Now that he'd found Noah, he wasn't going to let him slip away.
The next day, after completing ninja registration and passing by Naruto and Konohamaru's "Sexy Jutsu" battle, Noah arrived at school early on the third day.
Ninja registration and team distribution took time.
Noah didn't think it would take long. Many teams were likely predetermined-Team 7, Team 10.
Team 7 needed no explanation. Team 10 probably carried some of the Chief's personal intent. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was a small alliance of clans with enough voice in the upper echelons. Their descendants were linked with the Chief's son, Asuma.
No one would believe the Chief had no ulterior motives.
These three kids would be the future core of the village. If Asuma became Chief, they would support him fully.
During the assignments, Noah realized the village had played a joke on him.
"Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Noah."
"????"
Noah froze.
What kind of situation was this?
He looked at Naruto, grinning like an idiot, and Sasuke, sitting silently with a constipated expression. Noah had no words.
There were nine priority graduates this year. Eight had backgrounds; the only one without was Sakura Haruno.
Coincidentally, Sakura had a special status. Naruto liked her. She liked Sasuke. Being caught in between, she acted as a bridge for Naruto and Sasuke.
Noah's own relationship with Naruto was average-not bad, not great. He neither looked down on him nor got overly close.
And Sasuke? The guy probably wanted to kill him. Sasuke had never won against Noah in combat class. He was beaten every time. Noah's control of ninjutsu was too precise, and his physical arts were lacking, leaving Sasuke frustrated.
Noah tilted his head, propped up his own head, and thought it over.
He basically understood.
Sasuke wasn't the "pseudo-orphan" from the original story. His clan still existed. The Uchiha bloodline was intact.
Sasuke was the heir. Naruto was the son of the Fourth Chief. Their growing bond served the future.
As for Sakura? With the Uchiha surviving, her role was less critical. The girl's original position had become awkward.
Noah sighed. His suggestions to Shisui and Itachi had indirectly preserved the Uchiha, changing many things.
Team 7 it was.
The main plot centered on this team, with a higher chance of encountering Orochimaru.
Assignments ended. Some were happy. Some worried. But the result was fixed; further thoughts were pointless.
High-ranking ninjas led their students away one by one.
Noah lay on his desk, bored, and slept. Naruto wanted to talk but dared not disturb him.
Sasuke, meanwhile, had accepted it. Being in a team with Noah wasn't bad-at least he'd have opportunities to challenge him in the future.
"But isn't this lead ninja a bit unreliable?"
They waited. Even Sasuke grew impatient. Naruto had been jumping around for a while.
Noah remained oblivious.
He guessed who would lead them. Likely the same as the original story: someone who could teach Sasuke about the Sharingan and treat Naruto well.
That could only be Kakashi.
Noah knew Kakashi's nature. He was probably still wandering around Naruto's house with the Chief and wouldn't arrive for a while.
By the time Noah woke, a white-haired man stood before them, giving them a "dead fish" stare, saying their first impression was annoying.
Noah sighed. Of course.
The introductions and dream discussions were formalities. Noah went through them casually.
Sasuke's words amused him:
"I want to become a great ninja and kill a certain person to regain the lost honor of the Uchiha, to prove the Uchiha name in the Hidden Leaf, and make it known across the ninja world."
Itachi had clearly influenced Sasuke. Their love-hate dynamic was a history of a silly older brother and a moronic younger brother.
Even with the altered events, Sasuke still hated Itachi and aimed to kill him-just as Itachi likely expected.
Kakashi didn't care. He reminded them the Uchiha name didn't need proving and announced they would meet at the training grounds at five a.m. tomorrow.
Noah had expected as much.
For his self-introduction, he bluntly mimicked Kakashi: too much to say, telling them was useless. At Kakashi's insistence, he added he liked life in the Hidden Leaf and wanted to protect it.
Kakashi had a headache. He knew this kid was special. He needed to personally verify Noah's abilities and keep an eye on him.
"So this guy is our lead ninja." After Kakashi left, Naruto couldn't hide it.
"Why does he feel so unreliable?"
"He does feel unreliable," Sasuke agreed.
"And I really didn't expect to be on a team with you."
"I didn't expect it either," Noah shrugged.
"But it's fine. At least with you here, our team finally has someone to foot the bill."
"Eh? Foot the bill?" Naruto looked between Noah and Sasuke.
"What do you mean? Treat us?"
Naruto didn't understand the difference between great clans and ordinary ninjas. No one had told him.
Sasuke's face darkened slightly. The Uchiha were wealthy. With his family intact, he still had the personality of a normal kid. He rolled his eyes at Noah and left.
"Don't think too much. We have practice tomorrow. Whether we even pass is a question. Watch out for yourselves."