Ch 93 - Team Selection

The Hokage's office was filled with an unusual tension, the air thick with the weight of an important decision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat at his desk, pipe in hand, eyes scanning the reports laid before him.

Around him, the village's top Jonin stood, waiting for the final announcement of the newly graduated genin teams.

Every year, these meetings followed the same pattern—divide the graduates into balanced teams, assign them a capable leader, and move on. It was a straightforward process.

But this year was different.

This year, two students shattered the norm.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha

The undisputed top two of their class. The kind of talents that appeared once in a generation.

Naruto, the son of the Fourth Hokage, had exceeded all expectations. He wasn't just the top student—he was the most consistent, the most well-rounded, the most dangerous in ways no one could predict. He was fast, precise, and relentless.

He wasn't the most powerful in raw offense, but his intelligence and adaptability were unmatched. He wasn't his father's equal—at least not yet—but he was undeniably gifted. 

Then there was Sasuke Uchiha. Another prodigy of the main Uchiha bloodline, a talent in his own right. His offensive capabilities were sharper, and his two-tomoe Sharingan gave him an edge in battle. He carried the pride of his clan on his shoulders, determined to prove himself as the best.

Normally, students of this caliber would be separated to ensure balance. The best were never put on the same team. It was common sense.

But that was the problem.

This time, the old rules didn't work.

Because how do you separate two forces of nature? Two storms destined to collide?

No matter how they looked at it, there was only one answer.

They had to be together.

"How can we put them together?" Asuma Sarutobi asked, arms crossed. His voice was firm, but there was a hint of unease. "Isn't that just making one team too strong?"

Across the room, Kurenai Yuhi leaned back slightly, her sharp crimson eyes flicking toward Hiruzen. She was far stronger than she had been in the original timeline—Naruto made sure of that.

Training under him had sharpened her and refined her instincts. She wasn't just another Jonin anymore.

"This isn't just about strength," She murmured, thoughtful. "Normally, the strongest students are separated for balance. This isn't just a power issue—putting those two together might lead to… complications."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

By the window, Kakashi Hatake let out a slow, lazy sigh, but his lone visible eye was sharp.

"It's not just about strength, is it?" His gaze flicked toward the Hokage. "You're worried about their identities."

The weight in the air thickened.

Naruto Uzumaki. Son of the Fourth Hokage. A prodigy in his own right. But more than that, a Jinchūriki. The vessel of the Nine-Tails. A walking weapon. A pillar of Konoha's strength—and, if things went wrong, a threat like no other.

And Sasuke Uchiha. The heir of the main Uchiha bloodline. A prodigy with the two-tomoe Sharingan. The Uchiha were powerful and his eyes? His Sharingan? If Naruto ever lost control, those eyes might be the only thing that could stop him.

Hiruzen exhaled, the smoke curling around his face like a ghost of the past.

"Exactly."

His fingers drummed against the table. "Naruto and Sasuke cannot be separated. If we put them on different teams, it will only cause friction. They will clash, and test each other from a distance, and in the end, we will have two blades dulled by rivalry instead of sharpened by it.

"Together, they will grow. Together, they will reach their full potential.

"And given their status, they need someone who can handle them."

A long pause.

Kakashi tilted his head slightly. His voice was unreadable, but there was something heavy beneath it. "So you're giving them to me."

Hiruzen met his gaze. "You were Minato's student. You understand Naruto's legacy better than anyone. And you've worked with the Uchiha before. You've seen what they're capable of.

"If there is anyone in this village who can guide those two... it's you."

The room was silent again.

Asuma sighed. "I suppose that makes sense. It's not just about balancing skill—it's about politics and security."

Kurenai crossed her arms. "Still, you'll need to be careful, Kakashi. Those two aren't the type to follow orders blindly."

Kakashi chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Hiruzen glanced at the remaining team assignments. "That leaves the other teams. Team 10 will remain unchanged—Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka under Asuma."

Asuma nodded in approval. "That team works well together. No need to change it."

Hiruzen continued. "Team 8 will be under Kurenai—Kiba Inuzuka, his ninken Akamaru, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame."

Kurenai gave a satisfied nod. "I'll handle them well."

Finally, the moment of truth. Hiruzen looked around the room before making his final announcement.

"And Team 7 will consist of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Their leader will be Kakashi Hatake."

The reaction was immediate.

A few raised eyebrows and some murmurs.

"Wait, you're putting Sakura with them?" Asuma asked, frowning. "She's not bad, but compared to those two—"

"Exactly," Hiruzen interrupted. "She's the balance. If I were to put another powerhouse with them, the team dynamic would suffer. We need someone who can grow alongside them, not compete with them."

Kakashi tilted his head. "Hmm… So that's the reason. Well, I suppose it makes sense."

Asuma let out a deep breath. "Alright. If that's the decision, then so be it."

Kurenai, however, narrowed her eyes slightly. Her gaze lingered on Kakashi before she smirked. "Good luck handling them, Kakashi. Especially Naruto."

Kakashi gave her an amused look. "Oh? You sound worried."

She chuckled. "You know that I had trained with him when he was young or have you forgotten? If you underestimate him, even for a second, he'll catch you off guard before you can blink."

Kakashi waved a lazy hand. "I know. I know. He is really a handful."

With that, the meeting came to a close. The teams were set.

Outside the Hokage's office, Naruto leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. A knowing smirk tugged at his lips. He had heard everything.

"Kakashi, huh?" He mused to himself. "Well… this should be fun."

As he turned to leave, a soft giggle caught his attention.

He glanced to the side, where Kurenai stood watching him with an amused expression. "Overhearing important meetings now, are we?"

Naruto grinned. "Just making sure I don't end up with some boring teacher."

Kurenai smirked, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, trust me. With you and Sasuke together? It's going to be anything but boring."

She stepped closer, just enough for Naruto to catch the faint scent of jasmine on her skin. Then, with a slow, deliberate wink, she turned on her heel. Her hips swayed ever so slightly as she walked away, confidence in every step.

Naruto watched her go, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Damn," He chuckled, shaking his head. "She really knows how to make me hungry."

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