The classroom felt unusually quiet that morning.Naruto slipped into his seat beside Hinata, flashing his usual grin. "You're early today."
Hinata looked up, her voice barely above a whisper. "No… it didn't take long, Naruto-kun."Her tone was still shy, but to Naruto, that tiny spark of confidence was progress enough. Gone were the days when she could barely look him in the eye.
"Anyway, we're finally getting divided into teams," Naruto said, stretching his arms behind his head. "I hope I end up with you, Hinata."He already knew the odds were against it, but hope was free.
Hinata's cheeks pinkened. "M-me too. I'd like that…"
Before the moment could linger, another voice cut in."Then count me in."
Naruto blinked. "Ino?"
Ino Yamanaka stood by the door, hair perfectly brushed as always. "I've been here for a while," she huffed, crossing her arms. "But Naruto-kun only has eyes for Hinata. How would he even notice me?"
Hinata's blush deepened to a dangerous shade of red. Naruto rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I—uh—anyway, about team assignments…"
He cleared his throat and said quickly, "You're probably gonna be with Shikamaru and Choji. Your parents and the Hokage won't split up the Ino–Shika–Cho trio."
Ino's jaw dropped. "What?! You're telling me I'm stuck with a lazy bum and a guy who snacks more than he breathes? How could a girl like me be in that team?"
Naruto sweatdropped. "You don't have to yell about it…"
Before anyone could add to the chaos, the class bell rang.
Hokage's Office
Dozens of jōnin gathered as the crystal ball flickered to life, projecting the faces of two familiar boys.
"Class Seven: Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha," the Third Hokage said, looking toward Kakashi Hatake. "You'll take them."
Kakashi studied the image. "The teacher's son and an Uchiha… so that's how it is." He gave a short nod, already calculating how troublesome this pairing could be.
He knew Naruto well enough from their occasional meetings, but Sasuke… the boy was wrapped in vengeance."This won't be simple," Kakashi muttered, eyes half-lidded.
"Looks like they've got their share of admirers too," Asuma commented from the side, smirking at the crystal ball. "So many girls already hovering around them. Must be nice."
Might Guy pumped a fist. "Youth is burning strong in them!"
Kurenai leaned forward. "Hinata's with Naruto again, isn't she?" she asked softly, recognizing the shy girl sitting nearby. Her lips curved faintly. "Good. She's grown."
"They're the future of Konoha," said the Third, his tone warm but firm. "Take good care of them."
A chorus of voices answered, "Yes, Hokage-sama."
At the Academy
Iruka stood before the graduating students, his clipboard in hand."Congratulations on passing the exams," he began, his voice steady but sharp. "But let's get one thing clear—graduating doesn't mean you're ready to be shinobi."
Groans and mutters spread across the room like wildfire.
Iruka slammed a palm against the desk. "Quiet!"The room froze instantly.
"You'll be divided into three-person squads, each under a jōnin instructor," he continued. "That jōnin will decide if you're truly fit to become genin. Pass their test, and you'll advance. Fail, and you'll return here—or be sent home if you're deemed unfit for duty."
The silence that followed was heavy. Harsh, maybe—but better than sending kids to die unprepared.
Iruka scanned the list. "Now, for the team assignments…"
He began reading aloud:
"Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame."
"Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi."
As the names settled, the reactions began.
Hinata looked down, disappointed but trying to smile. Ino, meanwhile, froze in despair between a half-asleep Shikamaru and a snack-chewing Choji.
"It's over," she groaned dramatically, leaning her head on Hinata's shoulder. "Naruto was right… a slacker and a foodie. How could fate do this to me?"
Before Hinata could comfort her, Ino suddenly stood and yelled, "Iruka-sensei! Why are Naruto and Sasuke in the same team? That's unfair! Swap me with Sakura!"
Naruto sighed. "Here we go…"
Sakura spun around, furious. "What did you just say, Ino Pig?! You're jealous because my Sasuke is in my group!"
"Your Sasuke?" Ino barked. "Keep him! I want Naruto-kun! Switch me with her already!"
The classroom erupted in chaos.
"Quiet!" Iruka roared. "This decision came directly from Hokage-sama. If you have complaints, you can take them up with him!"
That shut everyone up. Mostly.
Naruto just slumped in his seat, whispering under his breath, "Great. First day as a real ninja, and it already feels like a war zone."