Chapter 28: Team

"Alright, settle down. We're starting team assignments."

The kiss of the century was just a blip.

Umino Iruka appeared at the classroom door, putting an end to the chaos.

The girls, still fuming, reluctantly returned to their seats.

Uzumaki Naruto, beaten to a pulp, plopped down behind Izayoi.

Beside him was Sakura Haruno, who, unable to sit next to Uchiha Sasuke, had claimed the spot behind.

As Iruka stepped to the podium, the noisy classroom hushed.

All eyes turned to him, brimming with anticipation.

Scanning the room, seeing none of his six-year students had failed, Iruka's face softened with a proud smile.

Then, steadying himself, he spoke with a smile, "Congratulations on graduating. From now on, you're true ninjas."

He raised his clipboard, continuing, "But you're still probationary, new to the ninja world. Until you can stand on your own, you'll be in teams of three, training under experienced Jonin instructors."

"Here are the assignments. Team 1…"

Iruka got straight to it, reading names.

As each name rang out, sighs filled the room.

The sighs came from girls.

Though Izayoi was 'claimed' by top-three Hinata, many still crushed on him, hoping to join his team.

Now, unable to team with either Sasuke or Izayoi, they felt utterly cursed.

But the remaining girls grew tense and excited.

Each team was two boys and a girl. With only ten girls in class, every name called raised their odds of landing with Izayoi or Sasuke.

"Team 6…"

Soon, Iruka reached Team 6, announcing, "Minako, Genichi Sawano, and… Inuzuka Kiba."

At that name, Izayoi's eyes glinted, his lips curling slightly.

The results were in!

Sarutobi Hiruzen, choosing between Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and top-student Izayoi, had sidelined Kiba to invest in Izayoi.

Clearly, Izayoi's consistent top ranking, outshining clan heirs, convinced Sarutobi he had the potential to be a pillar and ace of the village.

The Inuzuka clan had vast connections, but their combat relied on ninja beasts, rarely producing elite Jonin.

Unlike the Aburame, whose bizarre, deadly bugs made them near-invincible one-on-one, like the Uchiha's three-tomoe Sharingan.

Between the two clans, Sarutobi chose to slight the Inuzuka.

And only they wouldn't complain.

Konoha didn't lack sensory clans. Beyond the Hyuga's Byakugan, the Aburame excelled at scent tracking. They also had a near-extinct trump card: the Bikochu beetle.

Its sense of smell, a thousand times stronger than a ninja dog's, could pinpoint someone miles away from a single scent sample. Absurdly precise.

Offensively, their nano-poison bugs could produce elite Jonin, even daunting Kage-level foes.

Though lower in status, the Inuzuka were still a clan.

Izayoi hadn't expected Sarutobi to have the nerve to pick him over them.

Unbeknownst to him, Hyuga Hiashi played a big role.

Years ago, Hyuga Hizashi's sacrifice for the village had left Sarutobi indebted to the Hyuga.

When Hiashi visited, asking only for his daughter to team with the top student, Sarutobi couldn't refuse.

He'd already planned to invest in Izayoi—just hadn't settled on how.

Hiashi's request merely sealed the choice.

"Team 7, Sakura Haruno, Uzumaki Naruto…"

"Yesss!"

Iruka had moved to Team 7.

Hearing he was with Sakura, Naruto whooped, while Sakura's face fell, her future looking bleak.

But Iruka's next name flipped the mood.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Yesss!"

Sakura shot up, raising her hands in triumph.

She turned, flashing a smug look at Yamanaka Ino.

Ino and other girls gritted their teeth.

"Team 8, Hyuga Hinata, Aburame Shino, and… Izayoi."

Hearing she was with Izayoi, Hinata, in a rare move, grabbed his arm, voice trembling with excitement. "That's amazing, Izayoi-kun! We're on the same team!"

"Looks like luck's on our side today."

Already expecting it, Izayoi nodded with a smile.

The assignment genuinely pleased him.

Six years in, he'd grown used to Hinata by his side.

He didn't want to part with her.

"Team 10, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji, and… Nara Shikamaru."

Finishing the last name, Iruka set down his clipboard, giving his six-year students a final look. "Remember your team and teammates' names. Your Jonin instructors will come for you soon. Don't leave the classroom."

With that, he left.

No students said goodbye, all eager for their ninja careers.

Unaware, another hurdle awaited.

"Team 3, come out."

Minutes after Iruka left, a stern middle-aged man in a green vest appeared at the door, his commanding presence silencing the room.

Team 3, as nervous as their first day six years ago, stood and followed their Jonin instructor out.

"Team 5, I'm your Jonin instructor."

"Team 1, out."

"Team 9, out."

"…"

One by one, Jonin appeared, each taking three students.

Soon, the classroom was half-empty.

Then, a woman—not in a green vest but casual clothes, with a striking figure and long, wavy black hair—stood at the door.

Her red eyes scanned the remaining students, landing on Izayoi and Hinata. She smiled. "Team 8, come out. I'm your Jonin instructor."

She turned and left.

"Catch you later," Izayoi said to Sasuke and Naruto, then walked out with Hinata.

As for Aburame Shino, the low-key top student, he'd already slipped away.

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