That unforgettable "kiss scene" hadn't just stunned the classroom.
It had also been seen — by the entire Hokage office.
Inside the Hokage's chamber, several jōnin stood around the crystal ball, black lines practically running down their faces.
Asuma Sarutobi sighed.
"So that's Uchiha Sasuke, huh? The number one student of this batch…"
He rubbed his chin. "From his grades alone, he's outstanding. Not any weaker than Kakashi back in the day."
Kakashi, who had been quietly watching, replied casually,
"Maybe even stronger than I was… He is an Uchiha, after all."
Inwardly, though, Kakashi's thoughts were more complicated.
The Uchiha clan… I've seen what their power can do. Obito, Itachi…
Even now, that name carried a heavy weight in his heart.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could only sigh deeply as he stared into the crystal ball.
"Honestly, that boy Naruto… always finding new ways to surprise me."
None of the jōnin in the room even noticed Arata.
And that wasn't surprising.
His grades were average. His performance, unremarkable.
He wasn't from any famous clan — just another civilian student in the academy records.
To people like the Hokage, Arata was invisible — neither promising nor troublesome enough to warrant attention.
Later that morning, Iruka entered the classroom carrying a clipboard.
The students immediately fell silent. They knew what was coming — the team assignments.
Ino, sitting beside Arata, pressed her hands together and prayed under her breath.
Please, let me be in the same team as Arata!
Unfortunately for her, fate — or more precisely, the Third Hokage and her clan elders — had already decided otherwise.
The Ino-Shika-Chō formation was not something Konoha ever broke apart.
The "Twelve Little Leaves," as future generations would call them, had long been planned out down to the smallest detail.
There was no place for outsiders in that arrangement.
Iruka began reading the names.
One team after another — all familiar combinations from Konoha's history.
Finally, he reached the Tenth Squad.
"Team Ten: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino."
As expected.
Arata wasn't surprised.
Even though he had forgotten many of the anime's finer points, after living in Konoha for over a decade, he knew how these things worked.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio was a legacy formation — they were never separated.
Ino slumped forward on her desk, muttering,
"This sucks… I didn't even get to be in the same team as Arata."
Shikamaru sighed.
"Hey, hey, can you not say that right in front of us? We're supposed to be teammates, you know."
Ino huffed and crossed her arms, though when she glanced at Arata, she noticed how calm he looked — as if he had expected it all along.
"Arata," she said with a pout, "looks like we're not in the same team after all."
Arata smiled faintly.
"I'm sure the teachers had their reasons."
Iruka continued, flipping to the next page.
"Team Eleven: Yamada Itsuki, Motoya Tanako, and Arata."
Arata's lips curved slightly.
So my teammates are two completely unknown names. Figures.
Team Eleven — three students from civilian families.
Which also meant their sensei likely wasn't a famous jōnin.
Probably just a regular one… or maybe even a tokubetsu jōnin.
Across the room, the two other students looked around for their new teammates.
The boy, Yamada Itsuki, had a cheerful face — and oddly, a ponytail.
He radiated the same energy as Naruto, minus the chaos.
The girl, Motoya Tanako, had long golden hair that reached her waist and wore a crisp white top paired with a plain black skirt.
Quiet, elegant, and surprisingly refined for a civilian student.
Arata realized he had never really paid attention to them before — and they clearly hadn't noticed him either.
Before long, the classroom door opened again.
Asuma walked in, cigarette between his lips.
"Team Ten," he said, glancing at the trio, "I'm your new instructor. Let's go."
Ino stood, but before leaving, she turned back to Arata.
"Arata, I work at my family's flower shop on Market Street. You have to come visit me sometime, okay?"
Arata smiled politely and nodded.
If he didn't, she probably wouldn't leave.
Shikamaru gave him a lazy wave.
"See you around, Arata."
"Yeah," Arata said with a small smile. "Take care."
Once they left, Itsuki and Tanako walked over and sat near him.
Itsuki was the first to speak, grinning brightly.
"Hey, Arata! I'm Yamada Itsuki. Looks like we're in the same team — nice to meet you!"
Arata nodded and returned the handshake.
"Nice to meet you too, Itsuki."
Then Tanako introduced herself, her voice soft but confident.
"I'm Motoya Tanako. It's a pleasure to work with you."
Arata smiled, shaking her hand briefly.
"Likewise, Tanako."
The three of them officially became teammates.
As they chatted, Arata subtly sensed their chakra levels — one of the perks of his heightened connection to natural energy.
Both had the chakra reserves of an average genin. Nothing special, but stable.
Natural energy really enhances perception, Arata mused. I can sense chakra and danger more clearly now.
He quickly formed an impression of his two teammates.
They weren't bad.
Itsuki was outgoing but not reckless like Naruto.
Tanako was quiet, polite, and composed — more like Hinata, but with a better sense of confidence.
She also had good taste — her outfit alone screamed "wealthy family."
Probably not a clan, but definitely upper-class civilians.
So she's a rich girl, Arata thought with mild amusement.
Both teammates, in turn, seemed curious about him.
Itsuki tilted his head. "Hey, Arata, how come I don't remember you from class? Were you a transfer student or something?"
Tanako also looked intrigued.
"I was thinking the same thing. I've never seen you before."
Arata sighed inwardly.
It seemed his lack of presence was becoming a running joke.
"I've been in the same class for six years," he said patiently.
Both of them froze.
"Wha— six years?!" Itsuki nearly shouted.
He looked genuinely dumbfounded.
Tanako covered her mouth in surprise. "Six years? Really?"
Arata smiled wryly. "Guess I just don't stand out much. I've never been great at socializing."
Itsuki nodded solemnly. "Yeah, that must be it. Still… that's amazing. I've never gone six minutes without someone noticing me."
Arata chuckled. "Lucky you."
Itsuki grinned. "Well, from now on, you've got us. We won't let you be a loner anymore."
That actually made Arata pause for a moment.
So, it's not just the main characters who have good hearts. Even these so-called side characters… they're decent people.
He smiled faintly.
Too bad, though. In this world, no matter how kind they are, if they don't have strength, they'll just fade into the background.
Some die in the Fourth Great Ninja War… others don't even make it that far.
He leaned back in his seat, staring at the sunlight streaming through the classroom window.
Let's see if I can change that.