The next day, inside the Ninja Academy.
Last night, after handing over Mizuki—who had been completely reduced to an ordinary person—to the Third Hokage, Naruto clearly sensed that Iruka-sensei's emotions were unusually low, his entire being shrouded by an invisible gloom.
Naruto completely understood Iruka's feelings. That complete bastard Mizuki had been lurking beside Iruka since childhood under the guise of a "close friend," his disguise so masterful and deception so thorough that it was truly despicable.
He hadn't genuinely cared for Iruka—it was all just to attract the Third Hokage's attention, playing the role of a model student who "cared for orphaned companions."
Even more disgusting was that Iruka's deepest inner pain—his parents who had sacrificed themselves in the Nine-Tails attack and were honored as heroes—had actually beco Mizuki's reason for secretly envying Iruka!
Because in Konoha, the status of a hero's orphan naturally brought a certain amount of attention and sympathy... Well, Naruto still had so complaints about that.
However, Iruka's current depression didn't stem solely from anger and heartbreak at being betrayed by a friend of many years. The deeper cause was self-bla.
After seeing Mizuki tear away his disguise and witnessing those vicious words he spat at Naruto, along with his savage appearance as he unhesitatingly hurled that giant shuriken with killing intent, Iruka's heart filled with fear and guilt.
He hated that he hadn't seen through Mizuki's true nature hidden behind his smile earlier, allowing Mizuki the opportunity to manipulate Naruto and nearly place him in extrely dangerous circumstances. He felt that as a teacher, he had failed in his duties.
In the end, it was actually Naruto who took the initiative to comfort the dejected Iruka. He patted Iruka's shoulder. "Co on, Iruka-sensei, don't feel sad or guilty over that kind of scum anymore—it's not worth it. Look, I'm fine now, aren't I?"
Hearing him comfort him instead, the weight and guilt in Iruka's heart finally eased sowhat.
To dispel this oppressive atmosphere, the teacher and student decided to do sothing most familiar and comforting before completely resting—Naruto suggested with a smile.
"Co on, Iruka-sensei, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ran! Consider it a late-night snack."
So on the quiet nightti streets, teacher and student walked to that small shop with its warm lights, using a steaming bowl of char siu ran to put a period on this night filled with betrayal, reversals, and ultimate peace.
That was everything that happened last night.
Now, all the graduates were gathered one last ti in their familiar classroom, the air filled with a complex atmosphere mixing feelings of farewell with excited anticipation for the future.
Today would announce sothing that would determine their fate for a very long ti to co—the team assignnts.
The new Genin discussed enthusiastically about possible teammates and speculated about who their supervising Jonin might be. So boys couldn't help but sneak glances toward the quiet, black-haired girl in the corner of the classroom—Uchiha Satsuki.
But when they saw that Satsuki remained as always, staying practically inseparable by that blonde's side, they all simultaneously let out disappointed "tch..." sounds and turned their heads away dejectedly.
At the sa ti, they couldn't help harboring a glimr of hopeful fantasy—maybe... maybe the team assignnts would separate these two who were always stuck together? What if... what if I got assigned to the sa group as Satsuki? With daily interaction, maybe my chance would co?
If Naruto could hear these inner thoughts, he'd probably just sigh helplessly at the attractive power of the second mc's looks... Even though Satsuki had barely spoken a few words to them, just that face alone was enough to keep these guys from giving up hope.
But at this mont, Naruto's attention was completely focused on the girl beside him. He tilted his head slightly, noticing that Satsuki seed to be sitting closer than usual, almost pressing against his arm.
And... he caught a trace of barely perceptible unease from her slightly pursed lips and occasionally wandering gaze.
"Um... Naruto," Satsuki's voice carried a hint of hesitation, "we're about to be assigned teams... who... who would you want to be grouped with?"
Naruto answered almost without any thought, speaking without hesitation. "Do you even need to ask? Of course I'd want to be on the sa team as you."
This statent imdiately made Satsuki's eyes light up. She lowered her head slightly, trying to hide the unstoppable upward curve of her lips. "...That's only natural. After all... in this class, it seems like only you would be qualified to be my teammate."
Naruto wasn't quite sure if this counted as tsundere speech—it sounded a bit chuunibyou, a bit prideful, but the tone conveyed nothing but relieved softness.
However, that trace of unease deep in Satsuki's heart hadn't completely disappeared. From what she understood, team assignnts were supposedly "randomly" matched after comprehensive consideration by the Hokage and Jonin class, full of uncertainty.
What if... what if she really wasn't assigned to the sa team as Naruto...
Just thinking about how after becoming ninja they'd have to start executing various missions and might no longer be able to see Naruto every day like now, that panic of losing sothing important quietly began spreading again.
She instinctively moved even closer to Naruto's side, her voice carrying a trace of... reckless determination?
"Naruto..."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"...If we're not assigned to the sa group..." Satsuki raised her head, her eyes holding an extrely serious, willful light, "how about we... repeat the year?"
"...???"
Satsuki put on a "I'm not joking" serious expression—she was genuinely considering this option.
Because Satsuki had already unilaterally decided in her heart that if it was a team without Naruto, then she didn't want that team!
Nara Shikamaru, who had wandered to the back corner of the classroom to rest because the front was too noisy, inadvertently overheard that "earth-shattering" conversation between Naruto and Satsuki, and couldn't help feeling his scalp tingle.
He had long noticed that since the Uchiha massacre incident a few years ago, Satsuki's dependence on and clinginess toward Naruto had increased exponentially, reaching a jaw-dropping level.
It was no longer simply being inseparable—it had reached "conjoined twins" level. When Naruto went to the bathroom, Satsuki would wait not far from the restroom entrance. When Naruto was tired from training and resting, Satsuki would imdiately hand over water and towels. Sotis when Naruto just talked a bit more with Kiba or Choji, you could feel substantial icy stares coming from Satsuki's direction...
Honestly, this nearly suffocating dependence and possessiveness made Shikamaru, just as an observer, feel enormous pressure that left him breathless.
Just thinking about it made him feel it was extrely troubleso, making him want to stay far away.
But... that guy Naruto seed to actually enjoy it?!
Shikamaru glanced at the blonde beside him who seed to think nothing was wrong and would even occasionally take the initiative to ruffle Satsuki's hair, his heart filled with incomprehension.
Whatever... since they're both willing participants, I'd better not get involved in such troubleso matters.
Shikamaru wisely decided to continue playing dead and turned his attention toward the window.
Just then, the classroom door was pushed open, and Iruka-sensei entered with a list in hand. The classroom noise instantly died down as all eyes focused on the podium.
Iruka stood behind the podium, his gaze slowly sweeping over each familiar young face below, beginning what would be his final speech as their horoom teacher.
"From today onward, you are no longer students of the Ninja Academy... you are registered Konoha ninja. However, you are rely 'Genin' for now. On the road ahead, there will be many difficulties you cannot imagine..."
Iruka spoke slowly and seriously. His words were filled with pride at watching the children finally grow up, reluctance at their impending separation, but most of all, heartfelt blessings from the depths of his soul.
He sincerely hoped that these students he had taught could rely on their own strength to bravely overco all trials and tribulations that lay ahead on this thorny ninja path.
After his final earnest teachings ended, the classroom atmosphere beca sowhat solemn yet full of anticipation. Iruka composed himself and picked up the list that would determine everyone's future squad assignnts.
"Now then, I will announce the team assignnts. Students whose nas are called together will be mbers of the sa squad, and afterwards a designated supervising Jonin will co to lead you."
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