Nara Shikamaru watched as Ryuku healed Naruto's swollen face, taking note of their growing familiarity. A small, almost unnoticeable smile tugged at his lips.
Not bad…
But unlike him and the others, someone else was experiencing a very different mood swing.
What the hell?
How did a bottom-feeder like him learn Medical Ninjutsu? Wait… maybe Medical Ninjutsu isn't that hard to learn?
Haruno Sakura, baffled, simply couldn't understand how Ryuku—who, just a week ago, was a nobody—suddenly managed to learn something so advanced.
Back then, he was the kind of unsocial, creepy, unhygienic, pathetic loser she absolutely despised.
So how did he change so much… and in just a week?
When she noticed even her friend—though mostly her rival—Ino acting all friendly and relaxed around him, Sakura gritted her teeth in frustration.
Cha… What's his deal? He's seriously pissing me off…
Hmph. I want Sasuke-kun to beat him up!
Turning her oversized forehead toward her beloved, Sakura put on her sweetest fake smile and offered, in a falsely gentle voice,
"Sasuke-kun, here's some water to rinse your mouth. That Naruto doesn't look like he even brushes his teeth, so…"
She tried to hand him her water bottle with a shy blush...
Only to be flat-out rejected.
"Stop bothering me… This is the last time," Sasuke snapped with narrowed eyes, leaving Sakura utterly stunned.
Closing his eyes again, Sasuke's mind drifted—not to her—but to Ryuku.
The words Ryuku had spoken earlier… and the shock of seeing him use Medical Ninjutsu.
It's him again…! Why is it always him!? He used to be a nobody. A nobody who could only stand back and look up to me…!
Casting a glance from the corner of his eye, Sasuke stared at Ryuku. His dark eyes flickered with something unsettled.
And finally, he made up his mind.
I need to ask him…
He closed his eyes and ignored the same-as-ever Sakura, who was begging for his attention.
On the other hand, Naruto, all healed up, returned to sit beside Sakura despite the earlier beating.
Seeing this, Ryuku shook his head and settled down on the bench. He had no intention of stopping Naruto from going after the girl he liked—and it wasn't like Naruto would listen, even if he told him to stay away from Sakura. That's why he remained neutral and let the situation unfold on its natural course.
"What does he even find so attractive about that gigantic forehead?" Ino asked in bewilderment, watching Naruto rush back to the pink-head right after being treated.
Was there something wrong with his head? She could only wonder.
Even the quiet girl, Hinata, gave the slightest nod, which didn't go unnoticed by Ryuku.
"Let him be..." Ryuku said plainly, "...where his heart wants him to be."
Hearing Ryuku's words, and noticing how Naruto kept peeking at Sakura with those love-struck eyes, Hinata's pale lavender eyes flickered with a hint of doubt for the first time.
N-No… Naruto-kun isn't like that… He… he isn't…
----
Hokage Building
"So, what do you think?" Hiruzen asked with quiet authority, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. On the counter before him sat his crystal ball, displaying a clear image of the current situation unfolding in the classroom.
Surrounding him were eight Jonin-level shinobi of Konoha, each carefully selected for the upcoming task: evaluating the graduates and taking charge of the Genin groups already decided by the Hokage.
Sarutobi Asuma, Hiruzen's younger son, responded after a brief pause. "Only a few of them stand out. The rest are average..." He glanced at the crystal ball again. "With one clear exception, the top scorer of the batch, Uchiha Sasuke."
The woman beside him nodded. Dressed in a unique outfit, her thighs wrapped in bandages, she stood out even among the elite. "The sole survivor of the Uchiha Incident, huh…" Her eyes shifted to the gray-haired boy on the screen. "That one with the Medical Ninjutsu, he's a good seed."
Hiruzen gave a subtle nod. "His name is Ryuku, an orphan…" Taking a long drag from his pipe, he added, "He's shown talent in both Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu. A good kid."
Oh...?
Almost every Jonin in the room turned their gaze toward the crystal ball, now focused on Ryuku, a Genin even the Hokage held in high regard?
There had to be something unique about him besides his talent. Otherwise, it would have been hard to be recognized by the strongest Hokage of all time.
The only Jonin, wearing a face mask and a forehead protector covering his eye, didn't stare at the boy. Instead, his entire focus was on a specific yellow-headed brat.
He resembles you, Sensei...
----
The time had finally arrived.
Umino Iruka entered the classroom with a notebook, checked the twenty-four graduates, and began to speak in all seriousness.
"Listen carefully. As of today, you all have become full-fledged ninjas. However..." He paused for a moment, letting the tension build, "...you're still Genin—the lowest rank of all."
"The tough part's still to come. From here on, you'll be in a squad of three and carry out missions under your Jonin teachers."
"Ehh?"
"Why do we have to team up? That's not cool!"
Tch... What nonsense. They will only become a hindrance to me... Sasuke made an annoyed face and half-closed his eyes.
Hearing some of the students grumble, Iruka simply smiled and continued as he opened his notebook to clarify the Genin teams.
"You all, the groups have been determined in a way that balances the overall strength of each team. Understood?"
Not minding their disappointed mood, Iruka began to announce the teams. "Now for the assignments!"
At the back, Ino elbowed Ryuku, winked, and whispered softly, "I hope we're in the same team…"
This girl…
Ryuku gave a faint smile and nodded. "Let's hope so."
It didn't matter to him which team or Jonin teacher he got, he had already decided to learn every single jutsu from anyone he could. Of course, acquiring secret jutsu or techniques from ninja clans was just a pipedream… unless through stealing.
A few moments passed quickly, and four out of eight teams were announced by Iruka-sensei.
All twelve members were civilian-born. Their chances of passing were minimal. Unless they remained rational and demonstrated strong synergy, they would most likely fail the Genin test.
Hm… It all depends on teamwork. They still have a fair chance of getting through…
Ryuku pondered, his mind busy as ever.
Then, Iruka began to announce the next team. "Group Five: Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and…" His gaze shifted to the back of the classroom, landing on a particular student. A faint smile touched his lips before he continued, "Ryuku."
Hmm…? Me?