Perhaps time was a factor.
But with too small a sample size, the results were inconclusive.
Naruto stretched and lay back down. If he remembered correctly, there was class reassignment tomorrow—one of the most important events for a new genin.
The next day, in class.
As soon as Naruto entered the room, all eyes turned toward him.
Before the students even had time to talk about what happened yesterday, they were once again stunned by his change.
His outfit was the same—white hoodie, gray capris—the only difference was the Leaf Village headband tied around his left arm.
Even though they had just seen him yesterday afternoon, for some reason, it felt like years had passed since their last meeting. Like a long-lost reunion.
Naruto seemed so much more mature, like an adult.
Their chattering dropped to whispers, cautious not to let him overhear their discussions.
Sasuke Uchiha glanced back at him several times, as if he wanted to say something, but the crowded classroom kept him from speaking up.
Naruto noticed but didn't intend to ask.
He and Sasuke weren't exactly close, and Sasuke wasn't his subordinate—he had no reason to worry about him.
Iruka-sensei soon arrived and began announcing the team assignments.
Name after name was called until—
"Team 7: Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke."
Bang.
Sakura slammed her desk and stood up.
"What is it, Sakura?" Iruka looked at her.
She instinctively glanced at Naruto. "N-Nothing."
Despite her reluctance, Sakura had always been a good student and couldn't bring herself to defy the teacher.
She really didn't want to be on a team with Naruto.
She already disliked him enough.
And lately, he'd gone too far—beating up Sasuke, and just yesterday, attacking a teacher.
Naruto caught her gaze and tilted his head.
He seemed to recall that he used to have a crush on this girl.
Now it felt a little ridiculous. He couldn't even remember why.
That look...
It wasn't any different from how the rest of the village looked at him.
Iruka continued calling out the teams.
The dust settled—some students were happy, others disappointed.
After lunch, the jōnin instructors arrived to take their new students.
Except Team 7's teacher didn't show up.
Sakura grew impatient, her eyes darting around. Sometimes they brushed past Naruto but mostly stayed fixed on Sasuke.
She was uncomfortable.
Yet both Naruto and Sasuke remained calm and unbothered.
"Naruto," Sasuke finally spoke, firm and steady. "What did you do yesterday?"
He had made a difficult decision.
Abandoning his pride, he was going to ask someone he had always considered inferior.
Naruto blinked. "Yesterday? What about it?"
To him, "yesterday" had been six long years ago.
But the memory was crystal clear.
Nothing had happened that involved Sasuke.
"You defeated Mizuki-sensei. How did you do it?" Sasuke gritted his teeth, spelling it out.
The blond boy hadn't done anything outrageous, but his casual attitude stung deeply.
It had only been one night.
Just yesterday afternoon.
And he'd already forgotten?
Did it mean so little to him?
He beat a chūnin!
Naruto responded honestly, "Was it that hard?"
"Mizuki wasn't anything special."
Compared to the Hollows and countless enemies he'd faced in the Soul Society, Mizuki was nothing.
Sasuke clenched his fists tightly.
A chūnin!
Such blatant, matter-of-fact contempt.
Just how strong had Naruto become?
"How did you get so strong?" Sasuke didn't hide his thirst for power, his voice trembling slightly.
Get stronger?
Naruto's thoughts drifted to the Soul Society.
He shook his head with a soft laugh. "I no longer seek power. I seek something to protect."
"Face your heart."
"Then, give it your all."
He had no intention of telling anyone about the Soul Society.
That was his secret.
Sasuke stared at him, a little dazed.
Protect...?
Did it have to be like this?
He had nothing—only a heart full of vengeance.
He was about to ask more when—
The door slid open.
A lazy voice floated in: "Sorry I'm late."
"It's been a while since I've been to the academy. Got a bit lost."
A silver-haired man with most of his face hidden behind a mask and forehead protector walked in, revealing only one eye.
Despite saying "sorry," there wasn't the slightest trace of apology in his dead-fish eye.
"You guys are the last group, right?"
"Then let me borrow this classroom."
He casually sat on the teacher's desk. "Let's start with introductions."
Naruto and Sasuke stared silently.
Sakura blurted out, "Sensei, you go first. Show us an example."
The man tilted his head. "Me?"
"My name is Hatake Kakashi. My likes and dislikes are classified. As for dreams... nothing much. I have a lot of hobbies."
He paused.
Sakura stared wide-eyed.
That was it?
"Alright." Kakashi clapped his hands. "Your turn."
"Let's start with—"
He pointed at the wide-foreheaded, pink-haired girl.
Sakura's intro was plain, mostly about Sasuke.
Next was Sasuke.
His intro was as dark as his demeanor. When he spoke of his dream—reviving the Uchiha clan and killing "that man"—his tone was full of hatred.
Weak but real killing intent.
Then Naruto.
When it came to his dream, he paused, looking a little lost as he stared out the window. "Haven't really decided yet. If anything, I'd like to meet my parents."
Kakashi lowered his head silently.
Naruto immediately turned and caught the shift in his mood.
Why the change when he mentioned his parents?
But it vanished quickly. Kakashi said softly, "That's it for introductions."
"Now for something serious."
"Starting tomorrow, your first mission."
"Survival training."
Sakura groaned in disappointment. "Why a drill? We did so many of those in school."
"It's not an ordinary drill," Kakashi stood up. "Your opponent is me."
He raised his left hand, placing four fingers of his right hand against it to form a "9."
"Out of 27 graduates, only nine will actually become genin."
"Tomorrow's survival training is the real test."
Sakura panicked.
Naruto and Sasuke remained unmoved.
"Well then, see you tomorrow." Kakashi formed a hand seal and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What the—he shows up late and leaves just like that?" Sakura complained.
Naruto stood up.
He stared at the spot Kakashi had stood.
When Iruka announced the teams, Naruto had already sensed something—some students were clearly paired based on special circumstances.
Like the trio who'd been inseparable since childhood: Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino.
He was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki; Sasuke was the last Uchiha.
Sakura? Nothing stood out.
But even if she was ordinary, just having Naruto and Sasuke on the same team was reason enough for special arrangements.
And that strange emotional reaction earlier—
That Kakashi guy must have some connection to his parents.
"Naruto, you still haven't told me—" Sasuke pressed, unwilling to drop the earlier topic.
Naruto shook his head. "Let's focus on tomorrow's test."
"Meet me at the school gate in three hours."
Sakura blinked. "Meet? What for?"
"Obviously, to exchange intel on Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied matter-of-factly. He paused and asked, "You weren't planning to gather info?"
"Kakashi-sensei did say he'd be our opponent tomorrow."
"Intel is the first step of a ninja's battle."
Sasuke stayed silent.
So this is the gap between us? He hadn't even thought of that.
Sakura stared at Naruto in awe.
This guy... he really has changed.
"See you in three hours." Naruto leapt out the window and vanished.
(End of Chapter)