On the Ninja Academy playground in New Konoha, colorful balloons filled the clear blue sky—pink, blue, and yellow balloons.
They were imprinted with "Happy Graduation" in gold lettering, sparkling in the sunlight.
The children's faces were full of anticipation and excitement. Some clenched their fists to cheer themselves on, while others secretly exchanged glances with their companions.
Today, they would officially graduate from the Ninja Academy and become true ninjas.
At the front of the crowd, Sasuke, Hamamaru, Manaka, Seishin, Karin, Shiryu, Shion, and others stood in the first row.
A silver honorary badge was pinned to their collars, with "Outstanding Student" engraved on it, a reward for their excellent academic achievements over the past six years.
Sasuke stood with his arms crossed, his black hair and black eyes particularly striking in the sunlight. He pursed his lips slightly, appearing expressionless, but a subtle hint of anticipation was hidden in his eyes.
Hamamaru and Shiryu stood together, a head taller than their peers, exuding the composure of an adult.
Hamamaru turned to Shiryu beside him and whispered, "Shiryu, do you think we'll be assigned to the same squad after graduation? I still haven't beaten you when we practice Taijutsu."
Shiryu smiled and nodded. "Hamamaru, if we can be together, we can spar every day, but you'll have to catch up to me first."
Hamamaru clenched his fist, looking unconvinced. "Just wait, I'll definitely surpass you."
Their conversation drew laughter from their classmates.
Hamamaru wasn't annoyed. Instead, he grinned at everyone, revealing two small canine teeth, full of cheerfulness.
Manaka and Shion held hands, both girls' hair tied into ponytails with matching light purple ribbons at the ends, swaying gently with their movements. They would occasionally glance at each other, then smile in tacit agreement, their eyes full of anticipation for the future.
Karin and Seishin gathered around Sasuke, the three children huddled together discussing Ninjutsu.
...
"Next, I invite student representative Sasuke to come on stage and speak."
Minato held a golden microphone, his voice echoing across the playground through the amplifier, instantly quieting the noisy area.
Sasuke took a deep breath, adjusted his collar, and walked onto the podium.
As he took the microphone, his fingertips lightly touched its warmth, and his gaze slowly swept over the students and parents below.
He saw his father and mothers standing in the distant principal's office, watching them through the window.
Sasuke composed himself, his voice clear and firm. "Respected teachers, parents, and dear classmates, hello everyone. Thank you to the school for six years of nurturing, thank you to the teachers for their patient guidance, and to all my classmates for their companionship. From today on, we will become ninjas. I hope everyone remembers to protect our companions, our families, and this land where we all live."
His brief speech, devoid of elaborate rhetoric, earned rounds of warm applause.
Mikoto looked at her youngest son on stage, a gentle smile gracing her lips. She took out the camera she carried with her and quietly captured the moment.
Next were brief speeches from Hamamaru, Manaka, Seishin, Karin, Shiryu, Shion, and others.
Afterward, Minato began to present graduation certificates and Konoha headbands.
The seven children went on stage one by one to receive their certificates and headbands, each face beaming with a happy smile, the sunlight casting a golden halo upon them.
After the graduation ceremony, the playground instantly erupted.
The students hugged each other in celebration, some exchanging graduation gifts, others promising to go on missions together in the future.
Parents were busy taking photos, camera shutters clicking incessantly, and some brought out prepared snacks and drinks to share with the children.
The seven children gathered under a large camphor tree, scattered blossoms falling with the wind, landing on their hair and shoulders, like a blessing from nature.
"Which squad do you think we'll be assigned to?" Seishin sat under a cherry blossom tree, hugging his knees, asking with eyes full of anticipation.
He looked up at Hamamaru, his hand tightly gripping the wooden kunai he had just received, hoping to be in the same squad as his brother.
Hamamaru patted Seishin's head and said with a cheerful laugh, "No matter which squad we're assigned to, we must work hard. Oh, by the way, father once said that after we graduate, we're going to train on the Nameless Planet. The gravity there is twice that of the Ninja World, so the training effect is better. Do you remember?"
"I remember."
Sasuke immediately stood up, his eyes sparkling.
"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time. Practicing Taijutsu under double gravity will definitely make my strength increase faster."
Shiryu nodded in agreement. "I want to go soon and see how powerful double gravity really is."
Manaka and Shion exchanged glances, their eyes full of anticipation.
Karin said with a smile, "I heard that the Nameless Planet has abundant natural energy, making it easy to learn Nature Mode. After mother learned Nature Mode and absorbed natural energy, her skin became smoother."
Outside the crowd, Minato held the squad assignment list, his brows tightly furrowed.
He looked at the seven children excitedly discussing under the camphor tree not far away, his heart filled with conflict.
These seven were the children of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, Shun, both princes and princesses, each exceptionally talented, far surpassing their peers.
Sasuke, at 12 years old, had already activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Hamamaru's Taijutsu potential, Manaka and Shion's Genjutsu perception, Karin's medical talent, Seishin's agility, Shiryu's strength—each child possessed an immeasurable future.
Minato sighed softly, his fingertips repeatedly tracing the names of the seven children on the list, countless combinations flashing through his mind.
If the seven children were formed into a single squad, it would seem special.
If they were split into different squads, he feared improper pairings would waste their talents.
After much thought, he decided to report to Shun and seek his guidance, as he understood his children best.
Principal's office.
Thump... Thump...
Knocking sounded.
A guard's voice came from outside the door. "Your Excellency, Seventh Hokage Minato requests an audience."
Shun raised a hand to rub his brow, then gestured. "Let Minato in."
Minato entered the room, bowed, and spoke respectfully, "Your Excellency, I, Minato, have come to inquire about the squad assignments for the seven princes and princesses."
Shun took the list, his finger gently tracing the children's names on it, a gentle smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
He looked up at Minato, his tone calm, without any oppressive air of a superior. "Minato, you don't have to be overly reserved. This is your office, after all. I had them come to the Ninja Academy for three reasons."
"Firstly, their talent is excellent, and I hope they all become independent powerhouses."
"Secondly, I want them to interact more with ordinary children, to understand the weight of the word 'equality.' Only by training, enduring hardships, and growing together with ordinary companions can they truly understand the meaning of equality."
"Thirdly, I don't want my children to feel superior and ignorant of the suffering of the common people."
Upon hearing this, Minato's tone became even more respectful, even carrying a hint of admiration. "I understand, Your Excellency! I was previously worried that you might mind them being grouped with ordinary students, fearing that it would be unfair to the princes and princesses. It seems I was inconsiderate and overlooked Your Excellency's profound intentions."
Shun smiled and shook his head. "The growth of a ninja is inseparable from the tempering of companions. I already have a preliminary plan. Listen and see if it is feasible."
"First is Kakashi's squad, with members Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. Then there's Izumi's squad, with members Manaka, Karin, and Shion. Finally, Shisui's squad, with members Shiryu, Seishin, and Hamamaru ."
Minato listened to his arrangements and immediately bowed in response. "Your Excellency's plan is very comprehensive. The three squads each have their own focus, balancing complementary talents and allowing the princes and princesses to integrate into their teams, so they won't be isolated due to their special status. I completely agree."
Shun smiled and pointed at him. "Minato, you worry too much about the word 'status.' Actually, my children are more sensible than we imagine."
"Yesterday, Sasuke told me he was happy helping classmates with Ninjutsu at school. Hamamaru saved a junior who fell into the water. Shiryu stood up for Seishin. They have never considered themselves special."
Just as he spoke, a light patter of footsteps came from outside the door, and seven children skipped in.
They had just come from the playground, their faces still glistening with sweat, and a few leaves clung to their school uniforms.
Seeing everyone in the room, they bowed in unison.
"Father, mother. Good day, Hokage."
The children quickly went to their mother's side, looking at their father, Shun.
Sasuke was the first to speak, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Father, we want to know about training on the Nameless Planet. You once said that the gravity there is twice that of the Ninja World, and natural energy is abundant, making it very suitable for training. When will you take us there?"
Shun smiled and nodded, then suddenly changed the topic, "Before going to the Nameless Planet, I want you to do one thing. You have lived in the Land of Water since childhood, where it is stable and peaceful, which has led you to be unaware of the cruelty and chaos of the outside world. So, I want to arrange for you to travel throughout the Ninja World and see the world outside."
Hamamaru was the first to raise his hand, his tone excited. "Father's arrangement must be fine. I've been wanting to go abroad for training for a long time."
Sasuke smiled and nodded. "It would be great to fight ninjas from other countries. I want the entire Ninja World to know my name."
The other children also expressed their agreement, their eyes full of anticipation.
Minato looked at the scene before him and said in a steady voice, "Your Excellency, since the plan has been decided, I will proceed with the arrangements immediately, including all subsequent related matters and have the children begin their missions."
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