Chapter 69 Yamanaka Ino Joins

"Fortunately, neither of us were seriously injured."

Naruto flashed a sunny and warm smile, stood up, casually tucked his kunai into the Ninja tool pouch strapped to his leg, and then stretched.

The eyes that were like an arctic glacier one second were like a clear, cloudless sky the next.

"…"

Sasuke silently got up, clenched his fists, said nothing, did nothing, but just turned and left the training ground, seemingly admitting his defeat.

"Sasuke… Sasuke-kun…"

Sakura Haruno saw that Sasuke was actually leaving and wanted to approach him to comfort him, but she didn't know what to say or do, so she could only stand there, her outstretched hand stiff in mid-air.

Unfortunately, besides her, no one paid attention to the loser.

The entire venue erupted.

The Ninja Academy teachers and students were collectively in an uproar.

Iruka Umino's eyeballs seemed to be on springs, bulging out of his eye sockets and then retracting, his face full of disbelief.

Mizuki Sensei, who rushed over from the classroom, witnessed Naruto defeating Sasuke, and his jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

"I was going to instigate you to steal the Scroll of Seals, but how did you learn it in advance?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi even sprang from his chair, so surprised that he was a bit dazed, his mouth open, and the pipe he was holding slowly falling out.

"Hey, hey, hey, are you kidding me? Uchiha Sasuke lost, Uzumaki Naruto won?"

"The biggest upset in the Ninja Academy! The top student lost to the dead last!"

"I knew Naruto wasn't simple. This kid usually pretends to be uneducated, but secretly he's working himself to death!"

"How come I feel like today's Naruto is a bit handsome?"

"You just noticed? I've long thought he was a bit handsome. He gives off a very sunny and cheerful vibe, hehe~"

Though Hinata didn't quite like the fickle, infatuated girls, she was genuinely happy for Naruto becoming popular.

She didn't even realize that this would lead to more and more competitors for her.

For example, Ino Yamanaka seemed to be developing a strong interest in Naruto.

On the training ground.

Naruto calmly asked with a smile, "Hokage Grandpa, I won. The commendation we agreed on…"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

He was in a difficult position now and could only agree.

"Tell me, who do you want to be in a team with? I recommend you choose Uchiha…"

"Uchiha Sasuke is second in the entire school. The first and second place can't be in the same class, can they?"

If the two strongest people were in one class, how would the other classes perform in the Chunin Exams?

"Then, based on the principle of 'male and female working together makes for less fatigue,' I choose Hyuga Hinata, and also…"

Naruto looked back, hesitating who to choose, and seeing Ino Yamanaka standing shoulder to shoulder with Hyuga Hinata, he immediately had a candidate in mind.

"Ino Yamanaka!!"

"What?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face stiffened.

"You're breaking up my Ino–Shika–Chō?"

"Is that not allowed?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

He was just suggesting it, as the Ino–Shika–Chō combination was quite tightly bound, so he didn't hold out much hope.

It wouldn't be impossible to choose another girl.

At worst, let Inuzuka Kiba join to eat dog food.

As for Tenten, she was a year older than Naruto and was already a member of Team Three, training with Hyuga Neji and Rock Lee under Might Guy.

"Hokage Grandpa, I'm willing! I want to be in a team with Naruto!"

Ino Yamanaka raised her fair arm high and waved it excitedly.

Among the crowd, Akimichi Choji, after finishing one bag of potato chips, tore open another, continuously tossing chips into his mouth with a crunching sound, and casually mumbled, "Heh, women."

Nara Shikamaru, standing next to him with his hands in his pockets, looked as usual, only his eyes flickered a few times, and he whispered, "Don't you find it interesting?"

"No, it's boring. Potato chips taste better."

Akimichi Choji seemed uninterested, but Nara Shikamaru stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi, very much anticipating what decision the Third Hokage would make.

To be honest, the team assignments were not a big deal.

Not being in the same team wouldn't break the Ino–Shika–Chō bond or end the friendship between the three clans.

However, some things were conventional, and if you broke them, someone would always be dissatisfied and grumble a few words.

"Ah, what a headache."

"I'm already this old, I can't go back on my word in front of so many Ninja Academy teachers and students, can I?"

"Let Inoichi Yamanaka and the others complain, anyway, his daughter is willing herself, what can I do?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, caught between a rock and a hard place, reluctantly agreed to preserve his reputation.

Next, there were practical combat exercises for the Ninja Academy graduates, but with such a dazzling gem before them, their battles paled in comparison to Naruto and Sasuke's.

After the exam, Iruka Umino proceeded to issue the "graduation certificates" based on the practical combat results.

"This is a Ninja headband."

Iruka Umino stood before a wooden table covered with Ninja headbands, one hand behind his back, the other holding up a Ninja headband, his tone becoming solemn and serious: "It is a symbol of a Ninja's identity!"

"The design on it, like a leaf, signifies life, growth, and prosperity, representing Konoha Village."

"Once you wear it, you will be a member of Konoha Village's Ninja. I hope each of you will remember the meaning of the Ninja headband, uphold your own Ninja way, and inherit the ever-flowing Will of Fire, understood?!"

"Understood—!!"

The remaining qualified Ninja Academy graduates on the training ground, one by one, as if injected with adrenaline, excitedly and enthusiastically shouted in unison.

"Good."

"Graduates whose names are called, step forward and receive your Ninja headband."

Iruka Umino casually picked up a clipboard and began calling out names.

Mizuki Sensei sat behind the table, assisting Iruka Umino in distributing the Ninja headbands, propping his chin with one hand, and couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Tch, why make it so passionate?"

"Anyway, after the team assignments, there's still the survival exercise waiting for them. If they don't pass the assessment, they'll be sent back for more training."

"This batch of graduates, in my opinion, are all excellent. They will definitely pass the survival exercise, especially…"

Iruka Umino's gaze fell on Naruto as he stepped forward.

"Naruto, congratulations, you've successfully graduated!"

"Honestly, hahahahaha, your performance just now really startled me, Sensei."

Iruka Umino laughed heartily, scratching the back of his head, then handed a brand new Ninja headband to Naruto, his expression becoming serious again, and he earnestly advised, "Keep it up, Naruto, follow your own Ninja way, and keep going!"

Naruto felt a warmth in his heart, gripping the cloth band of the Ninja headband with both hands. First, he performed a student's bow, then raised his arm and immediately tied the Ninja headband to his forehead, knotting it at the back of his head, and answered decisively, "Iruka Sensei, don't worry, my Ninja way is right under my feet, right ahead, and no one can stop me!"