"Team 8, Shishou Aburame..."
Upon hearing Shishou's name, all the remaining unassigned girls in the class turned their eyes towards him. Since they couldn't be in Sasuke's team, being with Shishou didn't seem like a bad option either.
Hearing he was assigned to Team 8, Shishou raised an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, Team 8 was led by Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai Yuhi... Looks like you can't escape from my grasp.
Over the past few years, due to Kurenai's resistance, Shishou had stopped trying to flirt with her. But he hadn't expected fate to bring them together like this.
What a twist of fate...
Of course, this was all assuming that Konoha hadn't changed their assignments for the Jonin leaders.
"And also, Kiba Inuzuka and Sakura Haruno."
Iruka continued, reading out the remaining two names.
"Sakura is in the same team as Shishou..."
Ino felt a wave of envy, jealousy, and resentment. 'I can't believe the civilian student who got added was Sakura. Poor Shino...'
Shikamaru glanced at Shino with sympathy upon hearing Iruka's announcement.
Among the remaining ninja clan children, only the Ino-Shika-Cho trio was left, meaning Shino was destined to be grouped with civilian students.
It wasn't that Shikamaru looked down on civilian students. It was simply a matter of differences in teacher quality and safety assurances.
Most of the civilian student groups wouldn't have an elite Jonin to guide them and ensure their safety during missions.
However, there was no way around it. Given the choice between Shishou and Shino, even Shino's father would probably choose Shishou.
On the other side, Sakura nervously stole a glance at Shishou after hearing they were on the same team.
To her surprise, he turned and greeted her with a wave.
The fact that Shishou, who usually kept his distance, was now acknowledging her made Sakura feel flattered, and she quickly looked down.
Seeing Sakura's reaction, Shishou smiled.
He had no ill feelings towards Sakura.
As for why she was placed on his team, Shishou could guess the reason.
Sakura's academic talents were excellent, and her chakra control was exceptional, making her highly suited for learning genjutsu under Kurenai Yuhi, a genjutsu master.
Originally, Kakashi had wanted Sakura to learn genjutsu, but it was later put on hold.
Later, Sakura began learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade, so Kakashi no longer pursued the genjutsu training.
Thus, after Hinata was assigned to Team 7 with Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura naturally ended up in Team 8 under Kurenai Yuhi.
This meant Sakura and Hinata switched places, and Shishou replaced Shino.
The team assignments continued, and soon it was time for Team 10.
Iruka looked at the list and called out three names.
"Team 10, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, Shikamaru Nara."
Hearing Iruka's announcement, Ino sighed, resting her chin in her hands, while Choji and Shikamaru were not surprised.
This had been determined ever since they first entered the academy together.
Once the team assignments were completed, Iruka stood at the podium and addressed the students.
"Soon, the Jonin who will be guiding you from now on will come to take you away."
"Lastly, congratulations on graduating from the academy."
With that, Iruka took the list and left the classroom.
After Iruka left, the room buzzed with excited chatter as the students eagerly discussed their upcoming lives as ninjas.
Becoming Genin meant they could take on missions, earn money, and buy whatever they wanted.
They could be independent, earning their own money without relying on their parents.
This was an exciting prospect for these young teenagers.
Before long, a Jonin wearing a Konoha vest appeared at the classroom door and called out, "First team, come out."
Hearing the Jonin's call, the three students assigned to the first team quickly ran out to follow their new leader.
"Second team."
"Third team."
With each Jonin's appearance, the number of students in the classroom rapidly dwindled.
Before long, Kakashi, with his silver hair, headband tilted to cover his left eye, and mask, arrived at the classroom door.
Because Tsunade was keeping an eye on him, Kakashi didn't arrive late like he did in the original story.
"Team 7, follow me."
Hearing Kakashi's voice, Naruto and Sasuke quickly got up and left the classroom.
Hinata gave Shishou a reluctant look before following Naruto and Sasuke out of the classroom with Kakashi.
With Team 7 gone, Shishou eagerly watched the door.
Then, a familiar figure appeared, making the corners of his mouth lift slightly.
Seeing Kurenai Yuhi, with her long black hair and red eyes, Shishou felt his plans to leave his three-man team might need to be reconsidered.
Kurenai Yuhi walked to the classroom door, giving the students a cold glance.
"Team 8, come out."
Hearing Kurenai's call, Sakura and Kiba quickly stood up and walked over to her.
"Ino, I'm leaving now," Shishou said, bidding farewell to Ino.
"Go on, Shishou." Ino waved goodbye with a lack of enthusiasm.
Kurenai glanced at Shishou, who wore a mask, and furrowed her brow slightly.
The name of this student reminded her of the one who flirted with her and then ran off.
Of course, since this student was far too young, Kurenai didn't associate him with that annoying person.
"I'll be waiting for you at Ichiraku Ramen."
With a glance at Shishou, Kiba, and Sakura, Kurenai performed a body flicker and disappeared.
"Shishou, Sakura, do you think our new sensei seems a bit cold?" Kiba asked, stroking Akamaru's fur.
"Woof!" Akamaru barked in agreement.
Sakura looked at Shishou and said, "Maybe she's just planning to test us."
"Let's go. We'll find out soon enough if she's cold or not," Shishou shrugged and began walking towards Ichiraku Ramen.
Kiba and Sakura exchanged a glance before quickly following Shishou.
With Shishou around, following his lead was always a safe bet!
When the three arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, they found Kurenai already sitting at a table, eating ramen.
"Order whatever you want. It's on me," Kurenai said, looking up briefly before putting a small sake bottle into her bag and continuing to eat.
Shishou, Kiba, and Sakura exchanged confused looks, unsure of Kurenai's intentions.
Seeing Kurenai put the small sake bottle into her bag, Shishou frowned.
Three years ago, Kurenai didn't have a habit of drinking.
And according to the original storyline, wasn't there supposed to be a bell test next?
But since Kurenai was offering to treat them to ramen, Shishou wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
Sitting across from Kurenai, Shishou called out to Ayame, who was clearing a table, "Ayame-san, I'll have a deluxe tonkotsu ramen, with extra noodles, extra meat, and all the toppings."
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek. change @ to a