Chapter 71: "The Will of Fire"

Konohamaru was stunned for a long time.

It wasn't that he recalled what he had again; it seemed that most of it was related to his identity as the grandson of the Third Hokage. Even though he was eager to shed the label of being the Hokage's grandson, he was also using that identity to his advantage.

The reason why others never called him by his name wasn't complicated. Without that identity, he felt like he was nothing.

"If you want to rely on others and continue to ask for this and that, then keep clinging to the identity of the Hokage's grandson! But if you want to get rid of this identity, act on your own. I won't spoil you like others do."

Listening to this straightforward advice, Konohamaru lowered his head and reflected on what he had done since he started trying to prove himself, which was a bit terrifying.

How could he be such a person?

"Master Konohamaru, I finally found you. How about not being the Hokage's grandson for once?"

Ebisu appeared at this time, slightly out of breath.

As a special Jonin, it was clear he had been running around and had exhausted himself.

But he still maintained respect for Konohamaru in his words, while being extremely wary of Naruto.

Hearing this, Naruto looked at Ebisu and asked, "Are you afraid I'll lead Konohamaru astray? Because you actually dislike me, right, Ebisu-sensei?"

"Correct your understanding, I am very proud of my education," Ebisu said, then added, "Hmph! Isn't it normal for people like you to be disliked?"

"What kind of person is this? Am I... doing something wrong? Or is it another reason?"

Those blue eyes looked over, reflecting Ebisu's figure.

There was once an order about Naruto that he remembered again at this moment. There was a secret about the identity of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, which was absolutely forbidden to be revealed.

But now... had he accidentally exposed something?

"Anyway, you're just a new ninja who isn't even sure if you can graduate. If you take Konohamaru with you, isn't it normal for him to be led astray?" Ebisu reorganized his words, trying to point out something Naruto hadn't done well.

But aside from that incident years ago, he couldn't think of anything else.

This was a bit embarrassing.

"Is it the identity of a new ninja? Or something else? My... different identity?"

Naruto took two steps toward Ebisu.

Surprisingly, Ebisu took two steps back, almost breaking into a cold sweat.

But at this moment, Naruto didn't continue to press. He simply handed Konohamaru over to Ebisu and placed his forehead protector on his head: "I don't care what identity you see in me. Even if it's annoying, or if that identity is indeed me, it won't change who I am now.

"Ebisu-sensei, please remember that I am Naruto Uzumaki, a registered ninja in Konoha Village. If I do anything wrong, you can criticize me.

"But please acknowledge this forehead protector. It's Iruka-sensei's recognition of me!"

"Konoha Ninja..."

The Third Hokage, who watched this scene through the Will of Fire, rarely regained his smile, "Minato, your child is indeed very similar to you."

The leaves bathed in the sun danced in the wind.

The boys under the shade of the tree embarked on a new journey.

This made the old man unconsciously recall the ignorant and impatient years of decades ago.

...

The short break passed quickly.

Ninja Academy.

While the students of other grades were already on holiday, the group of students in the graduation season returned to this familiar teaching building and gathered in the same large classroom, waiting for the teacher to give the final explanation.

And about the team assignments for graduation season.

Sasuke arrived very early and randomly selected a spot to read his books. There was no familiar white kitten next to him.

However, this one-person and one-cat combination had not always appeared in the ninja academy, so no one questioned it.

A blond-haired boy next to him kept writing with paper and pen, looking a little absent-minded.

Shikamaru followed Choji, who was still eating and drinking, and looked surprised: "Naruto, why are you here? And what are you writing?"

"Secret," Naruto said, pointing to the practice plan he had made in his notebook. "I'm memorizing what Iruka-sensei taught me in advance."

"Wow, the sun must be rising in the west!"

Shikamaru looked surprised, feeling a little guilty about playing shogi the day before.

There were a lot of people who were introverted these days!

He felt that if he continued like this, he would have to work hard many times over just to be an ordinary ninja.

Sakura and Ino naturally came to the classroom door side by side. Then Sakura asked Ino to go in first, and she followed afterward, and the two friends looked happy.

After picking directions from left to right, they looked at each other and chose to sit behind Sasuke.

It looked quite harmonious.

"In the future, the village will assign tasks to you, and you will also team up with three people... obey the guidance of the appointed Jonin-sensei."

Iruka on the podium said to the students below with his final words, and he had already divided the teams.

Sakura and Ino were both looking forward to new teachers and communicating with each other.

"Sakura, after graduation, we each have our own tasks, and the distance might be far, so we may not be able to meet every day."

Ino sighed, seeming very reluctant to part.

"Yes! I'll miss you, but maybe we'll be assigned to the same team!" Sakura said, asking, "Ino, I heard that you and Shikamaru and the others have been close since childhood. Won't you be assigned to a group?"

"Who knows!"

Ino shook her head, "What are you hoping for?"

"No, nothing, I'm just wondering if I can be assigned to Sasuke's team."

Sakura finally voiced her thoughts.

"How could that happen with so many people in the class?" Ino shook her head, "But don't be sad. We'll work hard after graduation and become excellent ninjas. Many years later, the small circle will naturally get together again, otherwise, we'll only waste our energy on those low-level tasks."

Not long after, Iruka finished announcing the team assignments.

Sakura restrained her smile and gave the prepared lunch box to Ino: "It's true, no one expected this kind of thing! Don't be sad... Don't be sad, Shikamaru and the others are also very good, so we'll have time to meet in the future!"

"I won't look over! I've seen your smile."

Ino was quite annoyed but didn't do much. She just opened the bento and ate it in big mouthfuls, "You deserve it, Sakura."

At this moment, she wanted to take back her initial comforting words.

Choji was still eating heartily.

Shikamaru had a vague premonition.

Not far away, Kiba greeted Shino and Hinata: "We'll be teammates in the future. After becoming ninjas, we'll strive to surpass Team 7."

"Possible."

Shino nodded without comment, not very sure about this. He felt that Sasuke needed two teammates, and he might be the only reason, and he wouldn't be able to take on the task without them.

Hinata nodded slightly, agreeing with the passionate boy's motivation.

...

While Iruka arranged these ninja students, the Jonin leading the teams also checked the new ninjas they were about to lead.

Near the village's busy area, as the new silver-haired ninja responsible for the Genin, because of his special status, he came directly to visit the home of his first subordinate under the leadership of Naruto himself.

"Is this Naruto's home?"

Kakashi glanced at the familiar door, his eyes as if people and things that were familiar many years ago appeared again.

There was no waiting for the Third Hokage to speak.

The person guarding the door interrupted Kakashi's memory first: "Hey, Kakashi, this place is not for special situations.

"Lord Hokage!"

After checking Kakashi's presumptuousness, he looked at the Third Hokage, and his expression changed again.

As the longest-reigning Hokage in Konoha Village, the reputation of the Third Hokage had indeed spread to every corner.

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