Chapter 28: Team Eight

Chapter 28: Team Eight

"Alright everyone, return to your seats. Team assignments are about to begin."

The so-called "century's kiss" was just an interlude.

Iruka Umino quickly appeared at the classroom door, ending the chaos. The girls who hadn't yet cooled off from their urge to pummel Naruto grudgingly returned to their seats.

Naruto Uzumaki, still sporting a swollen face, sat behind Izayoi. Beside him sat Sakura Haruno, who'd claimed the seat behind Sasuke Uchiha after failing to become his desk mate.

As Iruka Umino stepped onto the podium, the noisy classroom fell silent. All eyes turned to him with eager anticipation.

Scanning the room at the students he'd taught for six years—none of whom had failed—Iruka's face softened with pride.

He cleared his throat and smiled. "Congratulations on graduating. From this moment on, you're true shinobi. However, you're still rookie genin. Before you can stand on your own, you'll be grouped into three-man squads under experienced jōnin instructors."

Iruka lifted his clipboard. "First Team…"

As names spilled from his mouth, groans filled the room—mostly from girls. Though Izayoi had been "claimed" by Hinata Hyūga as top graduate, many still secretly hoped to join his squad. Now, excluded from both Sasuke and Izayoi's teams, their disappointment was palpable.

The remaining girls tensed with anticipation. With two boys and one girl per squad, every eliminated name increased their chances of landing with Sasuke or Izayoi.

"Sixth Team… Minako, Saya Gen'ichi… and Kiba Inuzuka."

Izayoi's eyes sharpened. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

The choice was clear—Hiruzen Sarutobi had bypassed Kiba to invest in Izayoi instead.

While the Inuzuka clan's connections were impressive, their combat strength relied on partnering with ninja hounds, making it rare for true Elite Jonin to emerge. By contrast, the Aburame's lethal chakra-consuming insects rivaled the Uchiha's Sharingan in one-on-one combat. Between these two clans, the Hokage had made his decision.

Kiba wouldn't protest. After all, Konoha had no shortage of sensory clans. The Hyūga's Byakugan and the Aburame's scent-tracking micro-bugs—some now extinct but reactivatable—easily outclassed the Inuzuka's canine-based detection. And with nanotech-level toxic insects capable of challenging even Kage-level shinobi, the Aburame's potential was undeniable.

Izayoi hadn't expected such boldness from the Hokage. But Hiashi Hyūga's recent visit had tipped the scales.

Years ago, the village owed the Hyūga for Hizashi's sacrifice. Now Hiashi had asked only for his daughter to join Izayoi's squad—a small favor Hiruzen couldn't refuse. The Hokage had already favored Izayoi; Hiashi simply pushed him to decide.

"Seventh Team: Sakura Haruno… Naruto Uzumaki…"

Naruto punched the air in triumph as Sakura's face fell.

"…Sasuke Uchiha!"

Sakura shot up with her hands in the air, cheering wildly. Turning, she smirked triumphantly at Ino Yamanaka.

The blond seethed, teeth grinding with frustration.

"Eight Team: Hinata Hyūga, Shino Aburame… and Izayoi."

Hinata, rarely showing such excitement, grabbed Izayoi's arm. "We're on the same team, Izayoi-kun!"

He nodded warmly. "Looks like our luck's held today."

For six years, Hinata's presence had been constant. He'd never wanted to part ways.

"Ten Team: Ino Yamanaka, Chōji Akimichi… and Shikamaru Nara."

Iruka set down his clipboard. "Remember your team numbers. Instructors will come for you shortly—don't leave the classroom."

No one noticed his exit. All buzzed with anticipation for their new lives as ninja. None yet suspected the challenges ahead.

Minutes later, a stern-faced jōnin in a green flak vest appeared. "Three Team, come with me."

The students scrambled up, tension written across their faces like first-day rookies.

One by one, jōnin arrived—each claiming three students. Soon, half the room sat empty.

Then a woman appeared in the doorway. No flak vest. Just a sleek black dress hugging her curvy frame, long dark curls framing crimson eyes that fixed on Izayoi and Hinata.

"Eight Team, follow me", she said, turning sharply.

"Later, Sasuke. Naruto", Izayoi waved, stepping into the hallway with Hinata.

As for Shino—the perpetually invisible honor student—he'd already vanished.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end