"Alright!"
"This is the last lesson your teacher will give you. Therefore, I will overlook the matter of the Fifth Hokage's disruption of classroom discipline this time."
Mizuki Iruka teased Kushina, then looked at the energetic children with a sigh.
"First of all, I want to congratulate all of you who are here today."
"Congratulations on successfully passing the Ninja Academy graduation exam and becoming glorious Leaf Genin."
The children below immediately straightened their postures, and some couldn't help but adjust the forehead protectors on their heads.
Mizuki Iruka saw their actions and nodded with satisfaction.
"However, before you leave school, I need to pour a bucket of cold water on you."
"Becoming a Genin is only the beginning of your ninja career."
The children immediately restrained their proud expressions and listened attentively to Mizuki Iruka.
"After the accumulation phase as a Genin, you will undergo the Chunin selection. After becoming a Chunin, if you continue to improve, you can become a Jonin who participates in the village's important decisions."
"Even if you perform exceptionally well, as many of you dreamed of when you enrolled, becoming the Kage of the village is not an impossible feat."
The innocent children were instantly ignited with fighting spirit by the grand vision painted by Mizuki Iruka. They clenched their fists, eager to start missions, become Jonin as soon as possible, and then contend for the qualification to become Hokage.
Mizuki Iruka's face shone with the "Will of Fire" as he gently encouraged the excited children.
Once everyone's enthusiasm was fully ignited, he lightly picked up the roster on the table.
"Therefore, in order to provide better training conditions for you after graduation, Lord Orochimaru has made a request to the Third Hokage."
"That is..."
"Starting from your generation, specialized Leaf Jonin will take over your guidance after you become Genin, until you become a strong Chunin capable of independent action."
The children, except for those who already knew through their clans, suddenly had their eyes lit up, their faces flushed with excitement.
To be taught by a powerful existence like a Jonin? They were actually fortunate enough to receive their guidance?
These children did not know that this treatment was only for the elite class.
Leaf Jonin were not ordinary cabbages.
Mizuki Iruka smiled and calmed the slightly restless emotions in the classroom, then announced loudly:
"Based on your usual performance, Lord Orochimaru has compiled a distribution plan."
"Students whose names are called, please sit with your future teammates and patiently await your Jonin instructor."
"Team One, member Sarutobi Hiruzan..."
"Jonin Instructor Sarutobi Hiryu!"
"Team Two, member..."
"Jonin Instructor..."
...
"Team Seven, members Uzumaki Kushina, Namikaze Minato, Yakushi Nonou, Nawaki."
"Jonin Instructor, Orochimaru!"
"Team Eight, members Inuzuka Tsume, Aburame Ryuma, Hyuga Suzune."
"Jonin Instructor, Kato Dan!"
...
"Team Ten, members Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku."
"Jonin Instructor, Akimichi Torifu!"
...
"That is all!"
After the allocation of over a dozen teams was completed, Mizuki Iruka closed the roster.
"I hope everyone can adhere to their ninja way under the guidance of their respective Jonin instructors and carry forward the Will of Fire."
"Finally, I wish all students a bright future!"
...
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi surprisingly used the crystal ball for its intended purpose.
After watching the team allocation process for each class, he cheerfully instructed the assembled Chunin and Jonin.
"The team assignments are complete. Take your students and go."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The ninjas who were about to become instructors left after receiving their orders, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru in the office.
"Orochimaru, aren't you going to pick up those children?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed the crystal ball, his tone with a hint of urgency.
Orochimaru's lips twitched, and he pretended not to understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's intention, shaking his head slightly.
"No need!"
"The entire village knows that those children are my designated disciples. I have already informed them that they can find a place to train on their own after the team assignments are complete."
"Is that so..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi regretfully wrapped the crystal ball carefully in a cloth and put it into the drawer with some reluctance.
"By the way, what is Amaru holding in her arms..."
Seeing that Orochimaru seemed to have guessed his thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi reluctantly let go of some unhealthy ideas and shifted his focus to more important matters.
Recalling the scene he had just seen through the crystal ball at the back of the elite class, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked.
"It's the Four-Tails!"
Orochimaru did not deny it.
"When it was captured in the Land of Demons, the Four-Tails' spirit was contaminated by a large amount of negative energy, and its emotions were very unstable."
"Kurama wanted the Four-Tails to stay in the Leaf Village, so he asked the Four-Tails to try spending some time with Amaru."
"Now, it seems to be working quite well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile.
More than just "quite well."
The Four-Tails looked so docile in Amaru's arms, no different from pets being petted.
"It is naturally good to have another Tailed Beast in the village."
"However..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his pipe from his robe, packed it with tobacco, and lit it, taking a satisfying puff.
"The Chunin exams are in a month, and the invitations have already been sent out."
"The fact that Nawaki's Wood Style has been exposed will surely attract the covetous eyes of those villages."
"Coupled with the Four-Tails being a free agent now, I worry that Iwagakure might have some restless thoughts."
"Why not ask Amaru if she wants to become the Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails?"
"Or, that child sent back from the Land of Rain by Dan..."
Orochimaru gently shook his head.
"Unless Iwagakure and Kumogakure join forces, Onoki alone doesn't have the guts to act presumptuously in the Leaf Village."
"As for Amaru, she was chosen by Kurama as a partner for the Four-Tails, and I don't want to force her."
"As for Uzumaki Nariri..."
"Tsunade does not wish for more people of the Uzumaki clan to bear the fate of becoming Jinchuriki. Let her continue to study medical ninjutsu by Tsunade's side!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.
"Fine, I won't interfere with your decision."
"Speaking of which, Asuma is becoming more disobedient as he grows older. I've been having a headache managing him lately."
"And Shinnosuke, after his injuries were healed by Tsunade, he's busy with missions all day."
"I don't know when my wish to hold grandchildren will be fulfilled, alas..."
"Not a single one is obedient!"
"When are you planning to take over this burden from me? That way, I'll have more time to properly discipline them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly seemed to be getting old, and his words were quite rambling.
He now looked like an ordinary old man complaining about his unfilial children.
Orochimaru chuckled lightly and walked to the window.
His gaze was distant, looking past the towering Hokage Rock, as if it reached all the way to the east of the ninja world.
There lay the directions of the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning.
"Let's wait a bit longer."
"Some things are not appropriate to obtain with the identity of the Hokage."
"Teacher, please endure a little longer!"