"Sarutobi Asuma, graduation approved."
"Shimura Takeshi, graduation approved."
"Uchiha Obito, approved—uh, where is Uchiha Obito?"
"Ahem, Hatake Kakashi, graduation approved."
Even though this was an early graduation, Hiruzen still decided to appear in person. Inside the auditorium, he held the graduation ceremony and personally handed out graduation certificates and forehead protectors to all the students.
Looking at the joyful faces of the children in front of him with a complicated expression, Hiruzen felt a twinge of guilt in his heart as he thought about how these kids would one day be sent to the battlefield under his orders.
But when he saw Asuma and Takeshi among them, his softened heart hardened once again.
Yes… he and Danzo's children were among these kids too. For the sake of Konoha, anyone could be sacrificed—even himself was no exception.
"I won the bet. Remember to treat me to a meal after team assignments."
While Hiruzen turned back toward the podium, Takeshi poked Asuma. Just yesterday, the two had placed a bet on whether Obito would arrive on time.
Since Takeshi had bet that Obito would be late, Asuma had no choice but to bet the opposite, despite his doubts.
"Got it, you jerk. You've got more pocket money than me and you're still trying to fleece me."
Asuma sighed and shot Takeshi a helpless look, then reached into his wallet, rubbing its thinning contents.
"That Obito guy, seriously. I gave him such clear instructions yesterday, and he still shows up late. No dango for him today."
Asuma scowled as he looked at Obito's certificate and forehead protector sitting lonely on the podium. For the first time, he was genuinely annoyed by the chronically late Obito.
"Everyone, please welcome the Third Hokage-sama for a few words."
As the two of them were discussing how to help Obito fix his bad habit, a shinobi stepped forward. With a loud voice that drowned out the murmuring crowd, he respectfully stepped aside to make way for Hiruzen, who slowly walked forward.
"On this bright day full of life and vitality, I won't take up too much of your time—just a few brief words. Since the founding of Konoha by the First Hokage-sama..."
"He starts with the First Hokage and calls this 'a few brief words'?"
Asuma didn't miss a chance to mock his own father and turned to Takeshi.
"Keep it down, or your dad's gonna hear you."
Seeing Asuma make no effort to lower his voice, Takeshi quickly whispered a warning.
"So what if he hears me? What's he gonna do, jump off the stage and hit me?"
Rather than be intimidated, Asuma held his head high and made direct eye contact with Hiruzen.
Hiruzen, however, completely ignored his youngest son. His gaze remained fixed on the other children, which only made Asuma more frustrated.
"After the First Hokage-sama passed away, his brother, Senju Tobirama-sama, became the Second Hokage..."
Hiruzen's speech dragged on for half an hour, and Takeshi was nearly nodding off.
"I'm telling you, Obito is unbelievable. Your dad's been talking forever, and he still hasn't shown up."
"Right? Every time I ask, he says he was helping an elderly person. Since when did Konoha have so many old people needing help?" Asuma nodded in agreement.
"Ever since the outbreak of the Second Shinobi World War, countless successors of the Will of Fire have emerged in the village..." Hiruzen continued speaking from the stage.
Another thirty minutes later, Hiruzen finally concluded his "few words" with a smile and stepped down from the podium.
As the teachers announced the end of the ceremony and the Genin began to file out, Obito finally rushed breathlessly into the auditorium.
"Huff... huff... I... I made it, right?"
Obito leaned against the wall, searching for familiar faces.
"You made it, my ass. Here, take this—your graduation certificate and forehead protector."
Takeshi, who had been waiting by the door, rolled his eyes and shoved the items into Obito's arms.
"You know, I was the one who grabbed your admission form, and now I'm the one giving you your graduation certificate. I'm practically your babysitter."
"Hehe... well, I ran into this old man who couldn't carry his stuff, so I helped him get it home... Hehe... I just knew you'd be the best, Takeshi. I knew you'd grab my things for me."
Obito cradled his forehead protector like a treasure, grinning stupidly as he expressed his gratitude.
"See? I told you, you've spoiled him."
Kakashi, standing nearby, added a cold remark.
"Kakashi?! What the hell are you doing here too?!" Obito snapped at the familiar voice. He hadn't heard anything about Kakashi applying for early graduation.
"Idiot. I submitted my application way before you guys."
Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets and gave Obito a condescending look, making the latter fume.
"Alright, alright. Team assignments are about to start. Who knows? You two might end up on the same team."
"Who would want to be on the same team as this guy?!"X2
"Honestly, the two of them do have a weird kind of chemistry," Asuma said thoughtfully, glancing between them.
...
"Hyūga Iroha, Hakuyun Sōken, Aranka—form Team Three!"
"Dokura, Tokikan, Hatake Kakashi—form Team Five!"
Hearing that Kakashi wasn't going to be on his team, Obito practically jumped for joy.
"Hmph! Looks like you won't get to witness my epic moments on the battlefield after all, Kakashi!"
"Hmph."
Kakashi snorted and ignored Obito, glancing instead at Takeshi.
"Then I'll head over first."
"Mm, go on. Be nice to your new teammates."
Takeshi waved him off casually.
"That damned Kakashi! How dare he ignore me!"
Seeing Kakashi bypass him to talk to Takeshi only made Obito feel worse.
I wonder who I'll be teamed up with... Would that old geezer step in and shove me straight into Root?
As more students left the classroom, Takeshi looked around at the remaining familiar faces, starting to speculate about Danzo's intentions.
"Shimura Takeshi, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Obito—form Team Eleven!"
A familiar voice rang out, and Takeshi's head shot up in shock, eyes locking onto the black-cloaked figure standing at the door.
"Tatsuma Aburame?!"
...
"So? How do you like the captain I picked for our two little brats?"
When it came to issues of child education, Danzo's tone was gentler than usual.
"Tatsuma really is an excellent shinobi. Whether it's infiltration or solo combat, he's among the best of the jōnin."
Hiruzen nodded in full agreement with Tatsuma's abilities.
Seeing that Hiruzen also approved, Danzo could barely hide a satisfied smirk. But the moment he remembered that the team included an Uchiha—the clan he despised the most—his expression darkened again.
"If only there weren't a member of the Uchiha in that team."
Hiruzen pretended not to hear Danzo's grumbling.
You hate the Uchiha? Well, that's exactly why I'm putting one in your team—to have him spend every day with your son.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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