Iruka walked into the classroom and announced the team assignments. As expected, the students were grouped into squads of three.
"Team Seven!"
Naruto blinked. The very first team announced was his? That had to mean the Third Hokage had given this decision serious thought.
But… would the team compositions differ from the original story?
This year, Naruto had placed first in the graduation exam, Sasuke second, and Sakura third. If they put all the top scorers in one team, wasn't that a little unbalanced?
"Haruno Sakura!"
Sakura froze for a moment when her name was called, then grew nervous.
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Sure enough. Just as he had guessed.
Sakura actually looked a little pleased. After all, who wouldn't want strong teammates?
Since Naruto had a new soul inside, he hadn't clung to her like before. She didn't dislike him, and their relationship was just normal classmates.
Even though he preferred to slack off, his strength left everyone else far behind. That stirred her curiosity. To her, it seemed like Naruto had suddenly grown up overnight.
Curiosity aside, it wasn't enough to spark real affection.
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
The moment the name fell, Sakura jumped to her feet, joy flashing across her face.
"Yes!"
"Troublesome," Sasuke muttered with a cold snort.
"Next, Team Eight," Iruka's voice continued.
Naruto listened quietly. Everything matched the original timeline. Suddenly, he felt something and turned his head to the corner of the back row, only to lock eyes with someone.
Hinata quickly looked away, her face burning red, like a clumsy thief caught in the act.
After the teams were announced, Sasuke didn't leave right away.
"Let's go out and grab a meal together," Naruto suggested.
"Sure!" Sakura agreed at once, sneaking a glance at Sasuke. She didn't hesitate at all, silently giving Naruto a big thumbs up in her heart.
"Not going," Sasuke rejected coldly.
Naruto wasn't surprised. He stopped walking, turned toward Sasuke, and asked,
"You're planning to train instead, aren't you? Because you're not satisfied?"
"What's it to you?" Sasuke's eyes were distant and cold.
Anyone else might have gotten angry at that attitude, but Naruto ignored the second son's arrogance completely.
"Let me be blunt. Acting like this will only waste time," Naruto said. "We're already teammates. That fact won't change."
"So what?"
"So what? Don't tell me you really don't know." Naruto's expression stayed calm as he looked at him. "Do you understand the power of cooperation?"
"I don't need teammates." Sasuke glanced at Naruto indifferently and started to leave.
"Sasuke…" Sakura reached out instinctively, wanting to stop him.
"Don't bother with him," Naruto said. "He's just a self-absorbed brat. If you don't want to grow stronger and would rather waste time, then by all means walk away. You'll just stay a loser forever."
"Say that again?" Sasuke spun around, grabbing Naruto by the collar.
"I'll say it ten thousand times. It's still true," Naruto shot back, staring right into his eyes. "I thought you were smart, but you're nothing but a fool."
"You—!" Sasuke's face turned to ice.
"Naruto, Sasuke, stop it!" Sakura hurriedly grabbed their arms, trying to pull them apart.
"Aren't we supposed to be teammates?"
"He doesn't see you as a teammate. He only sees himself," Naruto said firmly. "A person like that will never have comrades."
"I told you, I don't need teammates!" Sasuke retorted. "I'm enough on my own. Teammates are just dead weight."
"Sasuke." Stuck in the middle, Sakura forced a smile and tried to mediate. "Naruto just suggested grabbing food. Maybe he has something he wants to share with us."
"Since he's suddenly gotten so strong, he must have some kind of training method. We should at least listen."
At those words, a flicker of hesitation crossed Sasuke's face. After a moment's struggle, he released Naruto.
Naruto didn't hold a grudge. In truth, he had deliberately provoked Sasuke to drag him along for the meal.
Just as Sakura said, he had intel he wanted to share.
From now on, the three of them would be risking their lives together on dangerous missions.
Better to avoid pitfalls ahead of time.
Suffering wasn't a treasure, and hardship wasn't a blessing. They were just unavoidable. At the end of suffering lay only despair.
The three of them went to a yakiniku restaurant and ordered several plates of grilled meat and juice.
It seemed to be Sakura's first time cooking barbecue herself. She was a little nervous in front of Sasuke, who sat with his arms folded, face cold, as though he were there only to listen.
Naruto, relying on his past-world dining experience, expertly brushed a layer of oil on the grill, then coated it with cheese.
The sizzling meat covered in melted cheese released a rich aroma, instantly whetting their appetites.
"Naruto, do you eat barbecue often?" Sakura asked in surprise.
"Not at all. I never had the money. I just went hunting a lot, so I picked up a few tricks." Naruto answered modestly.
He divided the cooked meat onto Sakura's and Sasuke's plates, then prepared the next batch on the grill.
"Thanks," Sakura murmured, her face turning pink.
"Tch… th-thanks," Sasuke said awkwardly.
After finishing one plate, the atmosphere at the table noticeably softened. Sasuke ate quietly, his face still stern, but his brows relaxed.
"It's delicious," Sakura said with satisfaction, sipping her juice.
Naruto decided it was time. He wiped his mouth, then fixed both of them with a steady gaze before speaking.
"Do you know the real reason behind these team assignments?"
Sakura shook her head. "That's up to the Hokage, right? Maybe it's based on grades."
Sasuke scoffed. "And why should that matter to us?"
"Of course it matters," Naruto replied. "For ninjas, the most important part of a mission is gathering intelligence. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll win every battle."
"There's a good chance we'll either work with or compete against other squads in the future. Don't forget, the Chunin Exams are coming."
"That… does make some sense," Sakura said uncertainly. "Naruto, do you actually know the inside story of the assignments?"
"Of course." Naruto nodded.
"Team Eight is made up of Konoha's scouting families, all second-generation heirs of their clans. Hyuga for sight-based detection, Inuzuka for scent-tracking, Aburame for insect tracking.
This whole grouping was arranged by the higher-ups based on each person's skills and personality."
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