"No, Sasuke, don't misunderstand."
Naruto rubbed his forehead with a headache.
"I really don't have my own training method."
But Sasuke didn't believe him at all.
Now, Sasuke didn't even want to be a ninja anymore.
Iruka, seeing that the two had been going back and forth with no result, asked tentatively:
"How about you both return to the classroom first, wait for Mizuki-sensei to inform the Hokage, and let Lord Hokage make the final decision?"
"That's fine," Sasuke replied quickly.
The Hokage represented absolute authority in Konoha. If the Hokage told Naruto to become a ninja, Sasuke didn't believe Naruto would refuse.
So the three of them returned to the classroom.
Before long, students arrived one after another.
Naruto sat beside Hinata, resting his chin on his hand and gazing up at the ceiling, quietly enjoying the moment.
Iruka entered and began announcing the team placements.
Soon after, the class lists were finished.
Hinata lowered her head slightly, disappointed.
"I'm not in the same team as Naruto…"
"Don't worry, Hinata. Even if we're not in the same class, we can still meet anytime~" Naruto gently placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
After so many days together, Hinata had grown used to Naruto's casual touches. She still blushed slightly, but no longer fainted in exaggerated embarrassment.
Just then—
Haruno Sakura suddenly raised her hand and exclaimed:
"Eh?! Iruka-sensei, why don't I have a team!?"
Off to the side, Ino covered her mouth, snickering.
Although she wasn't on Naruto's team, at least she had one.
But Sakura didn't even get assigned.
The comparison spoke for itself.
Iruka rubbed his temples and explained patiently:
"Sakura, you originally had two teammates, but their situation is… a bit special. So let's wait for Lord Hokage's decision."
Lord Hokage himself would decide?
Haruno Sakura's frustration instantly turned into excitement. Being singled out by Hokage-sama personally felt like an honor.
Naruto understood her mood well.
It was like graduating from technical school—while others were assigned jobs in factories or construction sites, you were told your placement would be arranged by the nation's leader himself. Of course, it felt special.
Time passed.
One by one, Jōnin arrived to pick up their new students.
Sakura remained in the emptying classroom, her anticipation growing. She never imagined that her "special" teammates would turn out to be Naruto and Sasuke!
Both were extremely popular students at the Academy.
And Naruto—handsome, confident, and striking—was almost impossible to resist.
If she had to describe him in one phrase, it would be: exactly like the Fourth Hokage.
And everyone knew how precious those words were.
Just as Sakura shamelessly scooted closer to Naruto, ready to start chatting him up—
The classroom door opened.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, stepped inside, followed by Mizuki and Iruka.
Sasuke and Sakura quickly stood at attention, excitement in their eyes.
After all, the Hokage only appeared during the Academy's annual entrance and graduation ceremonies. To see him up close was rare.
Not to mention—Sarutobi Hiruzen was called the strongest Hokage in history, the Professor of Ninjutsu, and the leader of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. His strength was beyond imagination.
It was said he had once trained three terrifyingly powerful disciples. Though they had all left Konoha, it only proved how incredible his teaching was.
To become a student of Sarutobi Hiruzen himself…
Sasuke's eyes burned with desire at the thought.
But Hiruzen ignored Sasuke's hopeful gaze and instead looked straight at Naruto.
"Naruto," the Hokage asked gently, "why don't you want to be a ninja?"
Naruto had already prepared his answer.
"Because I don't want to be restrained."
In that single sentence, Hiruzen understood the problem.
Ninjas had to obey orders and restrictions. But Naruto's nature was free-spirited and independent. That was the root of it.
Hiruzen spoke earnestly:
"Naruto, your parents were both ninjas. They gave their lives for Konoha. I believe they hoped you would inherit their will…"
He was playing the emotional card.
Sakura and Sasuke, who had never heard this before, perked up in curiosity.
Uzumaki Naruto—
The lonely boy.
The one whispered about as a "monster."
The one said to have no family.
"Naruto… has parents?" Sasuke muttered.
Naruto twitched his mouth and smacked him lightly on the head.
"Of course I do. How do you think I was born without them?"
Sasuke paused, then lowered his head in shame.
"…I'm sorry."
Sakura, who had nearly blurted out the same thing, swallowed her words. Whew… good thing Sasuke spoke first. Otherwise I would've been the one getting smacked.
Naruto shook his head.
"No, I don't want to be like them—sacrificing their lives in the end. Maybe I'm selfish, but I want to live differently."
Sakura clasped her face in her hands, sighing dreamily.
"As expected of Naruto, admitting his flaws so openly. He has such courage…"
Naruto: "…"
Girl, stop flattering me. It's embarrassing.
Sasuke, too, was surprised. Even Hokage-sama's words weren't enough to sway Naruto. He had underestimated Naruto's stubborn will.
Hiruzen exhaled, troubled. He knew Naruto's personality, and he bore some responsibility for how it had turned out.
At that moment, Sasuke analyzed the situation.
Naruto didn't want to be a ninja because he disliked restrictions. Hiruzen wanted Naruto to be a ninja because he was a prodigy.
So Sasuke thought of another solution.
He stood and declared,
"Hokage-sama, why not let Naruto be the Instructor of our team?"
"What?" Hiruzen shook his head at once.
"No… although Naruto is strong, he lacks experience. He isn't suited to lead."
Sasuke's eyes widened with excitement.
Being praised by the Hokage?
So it was true—Uzumaki Naruto was already this powerful!
"Experience is gained little by little," Sasuke argued. "I believe in Naruto's strength—and in his ability to guide us!"
Sakura eagerly chimed in as well,
"Yes, Hokage-sama! Naruto-kun is really strong!"
Hiruzen: "…"
Are all children this stubborn nowadays?
Still, he considered it. This arrangement might work. Let Naruto take on missions he wanted, rest when he didn't, and still hold the title of a ninja. It would satisfy Naruto's need for freedom while honoring Minato and Kushina's legacy.
But he couldn't simply agree outright.
Hiruzen sighed heavily.
"Very well. Since you two are so insistent, I will give you a chance. If Naruto can pass my test, then he will be the instructor of Team 7!"
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