My Name Is Namikaze Naruto - Chapter 32
“Naruto, do you have anyone you want to be teamed up with?”
Choji asked curiously, looking at Naruto.
Despite his somewhat innocent appearance, Choji was quite observant. Over the past six years, Naruto seemed to get along with everyone but didn’t appear particularly close to anyone. With graduation imminent, Choji wondered if there was a classmate Naruto wanted as a teammate.
“Me? Anyone is fine.”
Naruto was slightly taken aback, not expecting Choji to ask such a question. However, he replied without hesitation. It wasn’t entirely the truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. Naruto knew that his teammates were likely already decided unless something unexpected happened.
His gaze drifted casually.
There was Sasuke Uchiha, sitting ahead and to the side, and Sakura Haruno, who was admiring Sasuke with adoration. According to the original storyline, these two would be his teammates for a long time.
Although unexpected changes could happen.
Naruto believed it was unlikely.
At this stage, Sakura, with her zero combat ability and fangirl tendencies, and Sasuke, consumed by thoughts of revenge and acting like a stoic, didn’t seem like ideal teammates.
Naruto felt a headache thinking about teaming up with them.
If he had to choose, there was actually someone he wished to team up with.
Thinking of this.
Naruto’s gaze couldn’t help but shift to a white silhouette nearby. Just at that moment, the owner of that silhouette turned her head, her sparkling eyes meeting Naruto’s.
At the perfect moment.
Their eyes met.
Hinata Hyuga’s cheeks instantly flushed red, and she shyly lowered her head, unable to hold Naruto’s gaze for even a second.
“This girl…”
The shy expression on Hinata’s face made Naruto feel a bit awkward.
Hinata Hyuga.
The girl Naruto cared deeply about.
And the one he wished to team up with.
However, Naruto knew very well that he and Hinata would not be placed in the same team, whether due to his identity or Hinata’s near-princess status within the Hyuga clan.
It was inevitable.
They wouldn’t be on the same team.
Feeling a bit melancholic and disappointed.
But these emotions were fleeting.
Naruto quickly composed himself.
Choji didn’t notice.
But Shikamaru, beside him, quickly picked up on it, raising an eyebrow with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
“Alright, everyone quiet down and return to your seats.”
The noise and chatter ceased as Iruka appeared at the door. Once he reached the podium and clapped his hands, all the students obediently returned to their seats.
As their homeroom teacher for six years, Iruka commanded that respect.
“Good, everyone is here. First, let me congratulate you on passing the graduation exam. From the moment you wear your forehead protectors, you are an official ninja. But remember, this is only the first step. What it means to be a ninja, what a ninja should do, has already been taught to you. Now, you must prove it yourselves. You still have a long way to go to become a competent and outstanding ninja. Today is both an end and a new beginning. Understand each step you take, and you might become an exceptional ninja!”
Iruka’s gaze swept over the students, filled with care, worry, and expectation. His steady and gentle words, full of admonition and encouragement, made most of the kids feel a surge of excitement, their eyes sparkling with determination as they stood up straight, facing Iruka.
“Yes, teacher!!”
Seeing the serious expressions on his soon-to-be-graduated students, Iruka’s face showed even more satisfaction. He nodded lightly and continued.
“As you know, to complete missions more effectively, ninjas generally operate in teams. Newly graduated students like you will also form three-person teams, each led by an experienced ninja. This way, you can familiarize yourselves with missions more quickly. Today, we will officially assign the teams.”
Though they knew this beforehand, the moment of team assignment filled the classroom with heightened excitement and anticipation. Each student wondered who they would be teamed up with.
Especially those who had consistently ranked at the top over the past six years.
Everyone wanted to team up with them.
Even someone like Naruto, seen as special, was attractive because of his excellent grades and his personality, which differed significantly from the original series. Naruto, inheriting the good genes of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, was highly sought after by the girls in this graduating class. He was their second ideal teammate, right after Sasuke Uchiha.
From the perspective of these blossoming girls, Sasuke represented both looks and strength.
Everyone wanted to team up with Sasuke.
Even Ino, who knew she would be grouped with Shikamaru and Choji, looked at Sasuke with longing eyes.
But Sasuke remained unfazed, his expression as indifferent as ever despite the enthusiastic gazes around him.
Teaming up?
Teammates?
What a joke.
In Sasuke’s eyes.
These classmates were mostly dead weight.
Even Naruto, who had often held back in practical exercises over the past six years, had frequently lost to Sasuke. Naturally, Sasuke didn’t take him seriously.
They were all just losers.
He was the undisputed first.
It didn’t matter who he was teamed up with as long as they didn’t hinder him.
An avenger’s mindset.
Since that night.
Sasuke Uchiha’s only goal was.
His brother, Itachi Uchiha!
Nothing else!!
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