Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 67: Team Assignments End

Watching the two gasping for breath and choking on their own spit, Katsuragi silently mused, "This is love, isn't it?"

Soon after, Iruka, whose injuries had almost completely healed, arrived in the classroom. Looking over all the students, a glimmer of satisfaction flashed in his eyes as he announced, "From today onwards, you are all full-fledged ninjas."

"However, since you are all novices, you will be grouped into teams of three and will carry out missions under the supervision of a Jonin teacher."

Knowing this already, Katsuragi displayed no surprise. In the days leading up to the team assignments, he had been busy, particularly since he was already acquainted with Guy. Katsuragi had approached Guy to undertake missions together.

After a series of intense battles, Guy, who had always recognized Katsuragi's abilities, had readily accepted him into his team, allowing Katsuragi to successfully complete his first task.

He had intended to seek out Kurenai and Kakashi as well, but both seemed busy, so Katsuragi had not managed to find them—perhaps Kakashi was avoiding Guy as well.

"Next, Team Seven, Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto's eyes widened in anticipation as he looked at Iruka. Since Katsuragi had not shared the details of the team formations with Naruto, he was unaware of who his teammates would be.

"Haruno Sakura."

"Yay!" Naruto cheered excitedly, looking even more hopeful and muttering under his breath, "Next is Katsuragi, it has to be Katsuragi."

"Sigh."

Sakura, on the other hand, reacted with a sigh of resignation. Before she could feel too downcast, she perked up the next second when she heard, "Uchiha Sasuke."

"Great, I'm with Sasuke." Sakura gazed dreamily at Sasuke sitting next to her, her youthful infatuation making romance seem more important than anything else.

Sasuke himself showed little reaction but unconsciously glanced in Katsuragi's direction, perhaps feeling that besides Naruto, only Katsuragi could be his teammate.

"Team Eight, Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino."

Although Katsuragi had secretly informed her, Hinata still felt a slight disappointment upon confirmation that Katsuragi was not in her team.

Seeing Hinata's expression, Katsuragi quickly took her hand to reassure her, "It's okay, didn't I tell you? I can switch teams anytime, so we are still in the same team."

"Uh-huh," Hinata blushed and nodded softly, choosing not to speak further.

"Team Ten, Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Choji. That concludes all the team assignments," Iruka concluded as he put away the list.

However, as he finished speaking, two people immediately stood up and called out:

"Iruka-sensei, what about Katsuragi?"

"How come Katsuragi isn't assigned to a team?"

Facing questions about his status from both Sasuke and Naruto, Katsuragi was filled with resignation; these two seemed determined to stick with him even after graduation.

"Uh..."

Iruka himself was a bit startled by their questions. Seeing the two begin to glare at each other, he said helplessly, "Katsuragi has a different arrangement. If you want to know more, you can ask him later."

Seeing both were eager to inquire, Iruka glanced at the resigned Katsuragi and smiled, "Alright, we'll be introducing the Jonin teachers this afternoon, so let's break for now."

As soon as Iruka left the classroom, Naruto quickly approached Katsuragi and asked, "Katsuragi, what's going on with you? How about you join Team Seven instead of Sasuke?"

"I'm not going to disrupt your harmonious duo," Katsuragi thought wryly to himself before Sakura intervened fiercely on Sasuke's behalf, "I think it should be you who gets kicked out, Naruto."

At that moment, Sasuke also approached, frowning at Katsuragi, "Why are you the only one without a team? Are you on a team by yourself?"

"Sigh."

Katsuragi sighed before reluctantly explaining, "Didn't you notice that with teams of three, there's exactly one person left over? So the Hokage put me on an independent team, but I still have to work with you on missions."

"With us?" Naruto looked confused for a moment, then brightened up, "So you're still part of our team!"

"No, I'm with Hinata."

Katsuragi moved closer to Hinata, nearly leaning against her, which made her almost faint from embarrassment in front of everyone.

Watching Naruto make a fuss about "How could this be?" Katsuragi ignored him, then stood up and said, "Alright, alright, stop crowding around. Go have lunch. We're meeting the teachers this afternoon, and you can't meet them on an empty stomach."

Sasuke watched silently for a moment before turning to leave.

"You go too. Get to know your teammates. Didn't you see Sakura already went with them?" Katsuragi chided Naruto, then added resignedly, "I'll consider joining your team later, alright?"

"Hehe, then I won't disturb you and Hinata." Hearing Katsuragi's promise, Naruto finally let him be, chuckling as he went to find Sasuke.

During lunch, Katsuragi explained his situation to Kiba and Shino, telling them about the Third Hokage's plans for him. Both were fine with Katsuragi, the top student, joining them.

As everyone knew about Katsuragi and Hinata's relationship, there was no issue.

In the afternoon, as Jonin after Jonin appeared and the classroom emptied, only the trio known as the "Rookie Nine" remained. Just as Katsuragi idly wondered if Kurenai was lost like Kakashi, the classroom door opened.

A burly man with a full beard entered, causing Katsuragi to pause, reminiscing about a scene from his childhood and muttering, "Asuma."

"It's been a while, Katsuragi."

Just as Katsuragi uttered his name, Asuma greeted him with a smile.

"Asuma-sensei," Katsuragi quickly responded, prompting Naruto to ask curiously, "Are you our teacher?"

"No," Asuma shook his head, then walked up to the podium and announced, "Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji, I am your Jonin instructor, Sarutobi Asuma. Follow me, we have a meeting now."

"Okay!" Shikamaru and the others promptly stood and followed Asuma, also waving goodbye to Katsuragi, Naruto, and the others, "See you later."

Seemingly with Asuma, Kurenai entered just minutes after they left and addressed Hinata's team, "Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, I am your Jonin, Yuhi Kurenai. Please take care of me."

"Kurenai-sensei, what about me?" Katsuragi quickly waved, indicating his presence.

Seeing Katsuragi, Kurenai smiled, recalling what Asuma had told her about Katsuragi's childhood antics, and nodded, "You must be Katsuragi. I look forward to working with you too."

End of Chapter 67