Looking at the vibrant and youthful faces below him, Iruka smiled warmly, but inside, he let out a quiet sigh.
He didn't see any tension or urgency in these children. Even though he had emphasized countless times over the past six years the dangers they would face as ninja, very few of them truly took it to heart.
Without experiencing it personally, it was hard to truly empathize.
As a Chūnin, Iruka knew this all too well.
These children, currently full of confidence and dreams... who knew how many of them would still be alive in a year or two?
But he had fulfilled his duty as a teacher. The rest was up to their own efforts.
"Alright, now I will announce the team assignments. As you probably know, to better complete missions, ninja usually operate in squads. A squad is typically limited to three to five members. Since you've just graduated, the village will also assign an experienced senior ninja to lead you. When I call your name, please respond. Afterward, your team leader will come to collect you. Understood?"
"Yes!!"
This was the most anticipated moment.
And also the most nerve-wracking.
As mentioned before, no one wanted to be teamed up with mediocre ninja. These fresh graduates understood the importance of teammates perfectly well!
Even the aloof Young Master Sasuke cared. In the original story, he was indifferent, but in this life, things were slightly different.
If possible, he really wanted to be on a team with Menma.
Not just because Menma had displayed absolute dominance over the past six years—something Sasuke acknowledged internally, even if he wouldn't say it out loud.
But also because of his repeated failures.
At this stage, Sasuke had developed a bit of an obsession.
He had to defeat Menma!
And not just a simple victory—he needed to surpass him in every aspect. Otherwise, if he couldn't even beat a peer his own age, how could he hope to take revenge on his "genius brother"?
Therefore, being on the same team as Menma would be the best outcome.
Thinking of this, Sasuke couldn't help but steal a glance at Menma. He thought he was being subtle.
But Menma noticed it clearly.
He didn't even need to look directly. With his current sensory abilities, the moment someone focused their attention on him, Menma knew instantly.
And he could guess pretty accurately what Sasuke was thinking.
If possible, Menma would also be happy to be on a team with Sasuke.
After all, in his future plans, Sasuke occupied a very important position!
But whether that wish would come true wasn't up to Menma.
His existence was the biggest deviation from the original plot. The Fourth Hokage in the anime didn't have two sons!
So, Menma was genuinely curious about how the Third Hokage would arrange the teams in this timeline. Of course, some assignments were practically predestined.
For example, Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio always teamed up. If there were members of the same generation graduating together, they would 100% be on the same squad. It had been a tradition for decades. Their fathers' team had made quite a name for themselves in the ninja world.
Other clan kids were also frequently grouped together.
The idea of "fair and impartial" team assignments was a joke.
Mediocre people would never be grouped with geniuses. Even Sakura Haruno, who seemed mediocre in the original early arcs, possessed unrivaled theoretical talent and outstanding chakra control!
Later, under Tsunade's tutelage, she learned most of the Sannin's techniques in just three years, proving her excellence!
Sakura being assigned to Naruto and Sasuke's team in the original story might have involved some luck, but not just anyone could have replaced her!
Remember, a Jōnin represented the top tier of a village's combat power!
They weren't casually assigned to babysit Academy graduates. Only the most promising talents of the next generation were qualified for such treatment. And the assignments were tailored: Kakashi led Team 7 because he had the Sharingan and was the Fourth's direct subordinate. Asuma led Team 10 because the Ino-Shika-Chō clans were staunch supporters of the Hokage, and Asuma was Hiruzen's son!
None of this was random!
There were deep-seated reasons for everything.
For ordinary graduates to team up with these clan heirs was almost impossible.
Unless you showed extraordinary talent during your Academy days and caught the village's eye, you would be randomly assigned to a squad led by an ordinary Chūnin.
The fate of those people represented the most common experience in the ninja world.
The original story only showed the tip of the iceberg—the hot-blooded struggles of the main characters. The vast majority of ninja lived lives that were far less glamorous and far more tragic.
"Team 1: Nobita Nobi, Shizuka Minamoto, Suneo Honekawa!"
"Here!"
"Team 2: Makoto Furukawa, Mineko Fuji, Conan Edogawa!"
"Here!"
"Team 3: Daigo Madoka, Saburo Shinoda, Reina Yanase!"
"Here!"
The assignments were announced methodically.
Everything unfolded according to the script.
These ordinary students were grouped with equally ordinary peers and assigned to generic Chūnin leaders.
Their lives would likely cap out at Genin.
Those who could advance to Chūnin were the minority, as Chūnin were the backbone of the village's forces.
Menma had zero interest in these ordinary classmates and ignored them completely.
Until the names for Team 6 were called.
"Team 7: Menma Uzumaki..."
When Iruka called out "Team 7" and his name, Menma's spirit perked up, and his gaze sharpened.
This was the critical moment.
Iruka didn't pause at all.
"...Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Namikaze!"
As he listed the three names following Menma's, the entire classroom erupted in an uproar.
Even Menma froze for a moment.