Naruto: The New Beginning

30. New Jonin Sensei

The second day after receiving their forehead guards, the graduates returned to their classrooms one after another.

Today, the team arrangements will be announced.

A group of Konoha genin excitedly discussed who they would be paired with, and the girls, led by Sakura and Ino, had already started quarrelling over who would be with Sasuke.

Hinata, affected by the excitement, quietly asked, "Who does Naruto-kun want to be with?"

Naruto saw an opportunity to boast. He cleared his throat: "It doesn't matter what I think, it's mostly already decided."

Hinata was slightly disappointed but continued to listen quietly.

"For example, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji will form the 'Ino-Shika-Cho' trio, and they should be in the same class."

Hinata nodded, she had heard of the 'Ino-Shika-Cho' formation in Konoha.

Naruto continued, "Hinata, you'll probably be on a special reconnaissance team with Kiba and Shino. As for me, I'll likely form a team with Sasuke."

"Naruto-kun is amazing." Although Hinata was disappointed, she still praised Naruto.

Shikamaru, lying on the table in the front row, thought to himself that while Naruto's analysis made sense, it felt like the Fourth Hokage had tipped him off in advance.

Sasuke, who had been eavesdropping, was thrilled. He and Naruto would make a great team. He didn't care who the third member would be. With his and Naruto's strength, they could complete any mission; or was it his arrogance?

After a while, Iruka walked in and began to speak: "From today onwards, you are all ninjas. But remember, you're just genin. Many challenges await you in the future..."

Iruka spoke earnestly and emotionally. He had watched these children grow up, and now they were finally embarking on the path of ninjas, facing various dangers and tests ahead.

Iruka felt a mix of pride and sadness as he looked at the familiar faces, whether serious or distracted.

Finally, Iruka read the class list. After a bunch of names were called:

"Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha."

"Yes!" Sakura was ecstatic, turning to show a victory sign to Ino, who clenched her fists in frustration.

"Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame."

Despite Naruto's spoilers, Hinata still felt a pang of disappointment.

"Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi."

Ino looked at Shikamaru, who was still lying on the table, and Choji, who was snacking, feeling disheartened. Why did it have to be them?

After the class divisions, the jōnin came in one by one to lead their teams.

When only Team 10 remained, Asuma entered, cigarette in mouth, and said coolly, "Team 10, follow me."

Ino looked at Asuma, then at Shikamaru and Choji, feeling despair.

A smoker, a slacker, and a glutton—how unlucky! The little girl seemed to wear a mask of pain.

A few minutes later, an unexpected person entered.

"Mom?" Naruto jumped up in shock. What was going on? No one had told him about this.

"Aunt Kushina?" Sasuke was equally shocked. Since recognizing Kushina as his teacher, he has been put through many challenges. Was she going to be their jōnin sensei?

The other students were surprised too. Naruto's mother? Wasn't she the wife of the Fourth Hokage? And Sasuke's teacher?

"Hey, Naruto, Sasuke!" Kushina greeted them.

Naruto finally regained his senses and asked, "Mom, are you going to be our sensei?"

"I wanted to, but Minato didn't agree," Kushina said, somewhat annoyed. "He said he already decided who would take you."

Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief, only to be caught in a headlock by Kushina.

"Little Sasuke doesn't seem to want me as your jōnin," Kushina said, drilling her fist into Sasuke's head.

"No...no, I'm just...just disappointed," Sasuke quickly corrected, knowing better than to argue with Kushina.

Kushina let go of Sasuke and waved: "Team 8, follow me!"

The three obediently followed her.

Akamaru whimpered, sensing future difficulties, while Shino pushed up his sunglasses, remaining stoic. Hinata's mind was racing: "Naruto's mother... meeting the parents..." Her face turned as red as Kushina's hair.

Naruto pieced things together. In the original story, Team 8 was led by Kurenai Yuhi, but she was still a "new jōnin" and not qualified to lead the heirs of the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans.

As the son of the Third Hokage, Asuma was qualified but was destined to lead the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, as the Sarutobi clan witnessed their alliance. So, Kushina leading Team 8 made sense.

Only Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were left in the classroom. The three sat in a row. Sakura broke the silence: "Naruto, Sasuke, what just happened?"

Sakura's inner self was excited: "That red-haired woman was so cool!"

Naruto replied, "That's my mom, probably the strongest female ninja in Konoha right now."

Sasuke nodded, thinking she was the most terrifying woman in Konoha.

"Eh? Then why did you look so surprised?" Sakura asked.

"Because no one told me she'd be a jōnin sensei. It was a shock."

Sasuke nodded again, sharing the sentiment.

"Who will be our sensei then?" Sakura wondered.

"Probably Kakashi."

"Kakashi?" Sakura hadn't heard of him.

"Kakashi?" Sasuke knew him as the Copy Ninja, possessing the Sharingan, and more laid-back than many Uchiha clan members.

Naruto began explaining: "Hatake Kakashi, my dad's disciple, became a jōnin at twelve, known as the 'Copy Ninja'. He's very strong, but he likes reading erotic novels, being late, and being lazy. He's like a lazy sloth..."

"It's not nice to talk behind someone's back, Naruto," Kakashi's voice came from behind them.

****

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