After that, no one really knew what happened.
Anyway, when those thirteen troublemaking boys went home, every one of them was bruised and battered.
And from then on, they never dared to appear in groups again.
Uzumaki Kushina also went home and learned that the Land of Whirlpools had already been destroyed.
She cried her heart out, completely devastated.
It took her a long time before she finally recovered.
But her relationship with Namikaze Minato actually grew much closer instead.
...
Time passed quickly.
The Second Shinobi World War arrived quietly.
The students at the Ninja Academy gradually reached the age to graduate.
But the team assignments gave someone a serious headache.
...
Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the files in his hands along with the students' academic records.
Among them were several truly outstanding individuals:
Namikaze Minato, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, Aburame Shiken, Aburame Shibi, Inuzuka Ryoha, Inuzuka Rinko, Senju Hideki, Hyūga Hiyasu, Hyūga Hiashi, Hyūga Hizashi, and Uchiha Kamito.
They were really difficult to divide into teams.
However, Hyūga Hiashi had already been confirmed as the next heir of the Hyūga clan's main family.
That made the numbers work out just right.
But still…
The civilian leader among a group of children from ninja clans.
A once-in-a-century genius of the Inuzuka clan.
A Senju ninja deeply devoted to clan ideology.
A two-tomoe Uchiha.
The extremely secretive Aburame clan.
A leader never before seen among the Hyūga branch family.
And the already-formed Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Good kids, all of them.
But the mix of backgrounds was just far too complicated.
"Call Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hatake Sakumo to the Hokage's office."
Swish, swish, swish, swish.
Four figures flashed away, clearly heading out to notify them.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help recalling the meetings he had held the previous night with three clan heads.
...
The first to come was the Inuzuka clan head, who barged in in his usual carefree manner.
"Hokage-sama, when our children graduate and are assigned to teams, I'd like them to be placed together. Do you think that's possible?"
"Inuzuka… team assignments after graduation are arranged by the academy teachers according to compatibility, teamwork, tacit understanding, and other factors. Even as Hokage, I don't have the authority to arrange them arbitrarily."
"Hokage-sama, more than eighty percent of the Inuzuka clan's ninjas will soon head to the battlefield. When that time comes, we hope to teach the children some things there. If they're in the same squad, it won't affect their regular missions and will also make it easier for us to guide them."
"Hahaha, I see what you mean now. Helping ninja clans train their younger generation is also my responsibility as Hokage."
"Then thank you very much, Hokage-sama."
After the Inuzuka clan head returned to the clan compound, Inuzuka Ryoha's mother came to find him.
"Clan head, mobilizing eighty percent of the Inuzuka clan's ninjas just for Ryoha and Rinko's team assignment… isn't that a bit much?"
The clan head grinned.
"Reika, who's stronger—you or Ryoha?"
"For now he's not as strong as me. But in the future, he'll definitely surpass me."
Inuzuka Reika thought about how Ryoha still fought nonstop with Eimaru at home every day and couldn't help sighing.
Everyone else hoped Ryoha would become exceptionally outstanding.
Only she wished that he could live a more relaxed life in the future.
"You're already one of the top jōnin in the Inuzuka clan. If Ryoha becomes stronger than you, do you think our clan might produce a Kage-level powerhouse?"
"A Kage-level powerhouse…"
"That's right. The ninja world has become more and more violent. In the past, a jōnin could dominate a region, but in the brutal environment of a world war, a jōnin is nothing more than high-grade cannon fodder. Without a Kage-level expert, a clan has absolutely no voice in the Leaf Village. That damned Shimura Danzō took more than a dozen children from our clan—wasn't it precisely because we didn't have a true powerhouse? Now that we finally have a promising seedling, how could I not devote everything to cultivating him?"
"If it's about training him, no matter how much attention you give it, that's fine. But mobilizing the clan just for a team assignment…"
Reika still didn't understand.
After all, eighty percent of the Inuzuka clan's combat strength heading to the battlefield just for her son's team assignment was something she found hard to accept.
"Do you think Ryoha will go to the battlefield?"
"If the battlefield situation becomes tense… Clan Head, are you saying…"
"That's right. What could be safer than an Inuzuka genius protected by the full power of the Inuzuka clan?"
"I understand, Clan Head. Ryoha definitely won't disappoint your expectations."
Ryoha, maybe you won't get to live such an easy life after all. The clan head has already placed everything on your shoulders.
"Hahaha, Reika, don't be so formal. In the future, we might even become in-laws."
"Clan Head, you mean Rinko and Misa?"
"Misa is my private wife. Rinko is my daughter. The Leaf Village isn't exactly peaceful—I don't dare reveal my wife and child openly."
"Ryoha will definitely treat Rinko well."
"I believe him. That kid's got more guts than I ever did. Five years old and already chasing girls—when has the Inuzuka clan ever produced such a bold brat? Hahahaha."
Inuzuka Reika withdrew.
She knew that the clan head had taken a real liking to Ryoha.
Ryoha, do your best. The hope of the Inuzuka clan rests on you. Let your mother escort and protect you this once.
...
Sarutobi Hiruzen held a scroll marked with the Aburame clan's emblem.
The Aburame clan truly understood how things worked.
But wasn't this method a little too straightforward?
He had prepared a whole speech, yet now he couldn't even say it.
Still, they were certainly generous.
This must be eighty percent of the Aburame clan's wealth.
They were really willing to go that far.
Inuzuka Ryoha, Inuzuka Rinko, Aburame Shiken, Aburame Shibi…
Who exactly were these children that two ninja clans were willing to make such sacrifices for?
Eighty percent of one clan's combat strength.
Eighty percent of another clan's wealth.
Even I, the Hokage, might not be worth as much as them.
Bang.
The high-ranking members of the Hyūga clan arrived.
"Third Hokage-sama."
"Oh, Hyūga clan head. What brings you here?"
"Hyūga Hiashi has already been confirmed as the future heir of the Hyūga clan. After graduating from the academy, he will be brought back to the clan for training. We hope Hokage-sama will approve."
"The inheritance of the Hyūga clan is, of course, extremely important."
"Then thank you, Hokage-sama. Clan affairs are busy, so I will take my leave."
The Hyūga clan head turned to leave immediately.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised.
Why are you so different from the others?
"What do you think about the team assignments for Hyūga Hiyasu and Hyūga Hizashi?"
"They are merely branch family members. Hokage-sama may arrange them however you like."
With that, he turned and left.
"What a cold clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought.
Outside, the Hyūga clan head was thinking to himself:
Trying to squeeze something out of me? No chance.
Just remembering the Inuzuka clan head he saw earlier and the scroll with the Aburame emblem on the Hokage's desk…
Trying to take advantage of me? Not happening.
...
Sarutobi Hiruzen's recollection ended.
"Sarutobi-sensei."
"Sensei."
"Old man."
"Hokage-sama."
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hatake Sakumo had arrived.
"Oh, you're here."
"You've just returned from the battlefield, so take some time to rest. I've already arranged for others to take over your posts."
"Yes."
"Oh right, take a look at this."
Sarutobi Hiruzen flicked four scrolls toward them.