Although Mizuki, the small-time villain from the original story, had long since been thrown into the rehab ward for the disabled, the content of the graduation exam remained unchanged: a Clone Technique test.
The requirement wasn't high—just two clones were enough to pass.
Thus, the result was rather theatrical.
"Nyahahahahaha~~! That's why! This great me is gonna be Hokage! No matter how I've hidden it before, when it comes to a real exam, I just can't help but show my true power!"
Arms folded, Uzumaki Naruto's nose nearly pointed straight to the sky from how hard he was laughing.
That's right… the reason for his joy was because he'd ranked first in the entire class.
Even though his shuriken techniques and theoretical knowledge had just barely passed the line, during the clone test, he had created ten Shadow Clones in one go. Since this was the highest-weighted category, he scored a perfect mark and managed to snatch the top spot from Uchiha Sasuke by a single point. Hence, this idiotic grin had lasted nearly the entire day.
"No way... Am I really worse than Naruto?"
Inuzuka Kiba muttered in despair, holding his head low. As a brash teen with a similar personality to Naruto, his impression of the blond had always been stuck back when Naruto couldn't even use the Transformation Technique.
He hadn't expected him to land the top rank this time and completely humiliate him.
"Honestly, Naruto's clone and transformation techniques have always been the best among us. Even Hinata's not better than him in those areas. So this is pretty normal, y'know~"
Akimichi Chōji happily munched on his chips as he looked at the bustling classroom. Yesterday's exam had ended, and today marked the team assignments. This would likely be the last time the Hinata group gathered all together for a while. Starting today, they would each meet their assigned jōnin instructors and begin half a month of team training to adapt to ninja life.
So even just sitting here together in one classroom was a rare final moment.
"Man… good thing I didn't have any scenes yesterday. If I had to die from overwork on the first day of graduation, that'd really be the worst."
Laid flat over his desk, Nara Shikamaru mumbled wearily. In order to meet the printing deadline for Fox's Tale's final issue before the two-week hiatus, Hinata had mercilessly demanded the whole cast pull overtime even right after the graduation exam. After a hectic day, they'd finally finished filming the episode and the selected photos for printing had already been sent to Konoha Publishing House so by morning, the fresh-ink-scented issue was hot off the press.
"Alright~ everyone quiet down. It's time to announce your team assignments. From here on, you'll be grouped in teams of three as genin, so pay close attention."
Wearing his forehead protector, Umino Iruka stood on the podium, full of energy. He first called Team 10—Ino–Shika–Chō—as expected. Being clan-based ninja who practiced complementary secret techniques and having grown up together, it made perfect sense.
"Next, Team 7 will consist of: Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke… and…"
At this point, Iruka glanced up at Haruno Sakura, who sat between Naruto and Sasuke with eager eyes. With a slight shake of his head, he resolutely announced the last name.
"Hyūga Hinata."
Without a doubt, this team assignment made Hinata's brow twitch slightly. This was the second clear divergence from the original timeline she had noticed—Sakura, who was supposed to be on Team 7, had been replaced by herself.
"Then, Team 8: Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and… Haruno Sakura."
Sakura visibly drooped her head in dismay, while Yamanaka Ino gloated beside her. "As expected of Big-Forehead. In the end, you still didn't end up on the same team as Sasuke."
"Mind your own business, Ino-pig!"
Sakura and Ino's usual frenemies-style bickering failed to surprise anyone. Hinata merely shrugged. Well, tough or not, Sakura still made it into the group of Twelve—so she was a main character no matter what.
"Okay, okay~ Everyone just wait here for now. Your jōnin instructors will come to fetch you one by one. Dismissed~!"
Having completed his job, Iruka cheerfully exited the classroom. As a ninja himself, he knew his role was done.
"Sigh… so I didn't end up on a team with Sakura…"
Naruto was also visibly down. Beside him, Sasuke snorted. "Dead last. Just don't drag me down."
"What'd you say? You arrogant jerk! I'm the top student this time, you second place nobody can't talk!"
"That was just luck. Next time, I won't go easy on you."
"Hmph~ Second place~ Second place~"
"Shut up, dead last!"
Unsurprisingly, the classroom's chaotic banter was being watched through the crystal ball in the Hokage's office. In front of the Third Hokage stood a group of jōnin—those selected to lead teams as instructors.
"Yare yare~ I can't believe that guy got top marks this time."
Scratching his head, Hatake Kakashi clearly looked distressed. Judging from things, the team he'd be assigned to might just be the most troublesome of the whole year.
"First, second, and the clan heiress. Kakashi, looks like you've drawn the short straw."
Yūhi Kurenai chuckled while casting a glance toward Sakura's profile. As the only girl not from a ninja clan, she lacked those inherited advantages—but she also didn't bear their burdens. Reports indicated she had a talent for chakra control and had self-studied medical ninjutsu. Perhaps she might even be a good heir for Kurenai's genjutsu skills.
"This year's class has graduated, and I ask you all, as instructors, to fulfill your duty and pass on the Will of Fire. As the Hokage, I sincerely entrust this to you all."
Standing up, the Third spoke gravely. The jōnin lowered their heads and responded in unison: "Of course! We'll give it our all!"
That said, dealing with those three brats was going to be a challenge.
Kakashi knew exactly what kind of kids he was getting.
Naruto—the only son of the Fourth Hokage, destined to be Konoha's golden boy, yet ostracized due to village politics.
Sasuke—the last scion of the proud Uchiha, now a lone survivor.
Hinata—once disowned by the Hyūga clan, now walking a radically different path through her own power.
These three bore more weight than any ordinary child. That they became the strongest of the graduating class was hardly surprising.
The Fourth had been Kakashi's sensei. Within the Uchiha, he had once cherished Uchiha Obito as a best friend.
Given the past bonds, it was no wonder the Hokage had assigned Team 7 to Kakashi. Among all the jōnin, he had the deepest ties to its members.
"Sensei, Obito… I'm going to be Naruto and Sasuke's teacher now. Please watch over me, and let me pass on what you once taught me."
Standing before the memorial stone, Kakashi exhaled slowly. For the first time in years, a spark of fighting spirit burned in his tired eyes. He knew exactly what needed to be done.
Time passed. As expected, the only ones left waiting in the classroom were Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto. Hinata silently confirmed to herself—yep, the most legendarily late jōnin in the village was without a doubt the mop-headed dead-fish-eyed one.
"Ahhh o(≥口≤)o!! So slow!! Who even is our teacher?!"
Naruto, hopping around like a monkey, finally lost his patience. He picked up the chalkboard eraser to prepare a repeat of his classic prank. But just as he reached the door—
Without warning, it slid open from the outside.
"Hmm?!"
Hinata's brows knitted slightly. That was unexpected.
"You three. Come with me."
No doubt about it—Hatake Kakashi had arrived. But unlike the laid-back greeting from the original story, this time, he was brisk and cold, throwing out the line without even a glance before walking off.
"Huh? Wait, why you?! Hey~!"
Naruto, startled and frustrated, chased after him. Hinata and Sasuke shared a glance before rising. Their combat instincts, keener than Naruto's, immediately sensed it—this wasn't going to be a friendly meeting.
Soon, the four of them left the school and arrived at the familiar Konoha training grounds—the same one with the memorial stone, just like in the original story.
"No need for small talk. We all know the basic stuff. So let's get to something a bit more real."
Taking out two bells, Kakashi's voice and expression were utterly cold. "Get these bells from me. Whoever doesn't get one goes back to the academy."
"Hey~ You're acting real weird, mop-head! We're supposed to be—"
Pointing indignantly at Kakashi, Naruto's complaint was cut off as the silver-haired jōnin continued, expressionless:
"Understood? No time limit. No rules. Any weapon, technique, or method. Whoever can take these two bells from me—passes."