The Academy was buzzing with excitement. Naruto sat in his usual spot, lazily leaning back in his chair, listening to Iruka call out the names of the teams. Around him, students whispered about who they might be paired with.
"Alright, everyone. Settle down!" Iruka's voice cut through the noise. "We've finalized the teams based on your strengths, weaknesses, and… compatibility."
Naruto's interest piqued. He was eager to know who his teammates would be. He leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on the desk.
Iruka began reading the assignments. "Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Your jonin-sensei will be Kakashi Hatake."
Naruto blinked. "Sasuke? And Sakura?" He glanced at the Uchiha sitting near the window, brooding as usual.
Sakura, meanwhile, squealed in excitement. "Yes! I get to be on a team with Sasuke!" She quickly turned to Naruto and scowled. "But why do you have to be here too?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head with a nervous grin. "Heh, lucky me, I guess."
Inside his mind, Uzuhiko spoke.
"Naruto, this arrangement is perfect. You need to observe Sasuke closely. Remember, he's Indra's reincarnation, and his darkness is inevitable unless guided."
Naruto's expression became serious as Uzuhiko's words sank in. He clenched his fists. "I'll do whatever it takes to stop him from going down that path."
A Notification and a Quick Plan
While Iruka continued assigning teams, Naruto received a notification from Uzuhiko.
"Warning: Third Hokage and Kakashi Hatake will enter your apartment within the next fifteen minutes. Hiruzen is showing Kakashi the living conditions of his future student. What are your orders?"
Naruto's eyes widened in alarm. "What the—? They're going into my apartment?!"
Uzuhiko's calm voice reassured him. "You have time. What should I do about the seals and systems in the house?"
Naruto thought quickly. "Turn off all the seals. Make the house look… normal. Throw in some clutter, like expired milk or something. They can't know about my setup."
"Understood."
A "Normal" Apartment
As Hiruzen and Kakashi entered Naruto's apartment later that morning, it was a completely different scene from its usual brilliance. The house was dimly lit, with a half-empty carton of expired milk sitting on the dining table. There were unwashed dishes in the sink and clothes tossed around carelessly.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. "So… this is Naruto's home?"
Hiruzen sighed, his expression tinged with guilt. "Yes. Unfortunately, his living conditions have been… less than ideal. We've provided him with financial support, but he insists on living independently."
Kakashi walked around, his sharp eyes scanning the space. Despite the disarray, something felt off.
"Hmm…" Kakashi muttered, kneeling by the dining table. "This place looks messy, but not neglected. Almost like he's trying to make it seem worse than it is."
Hiruzen chuckled softly. "You think so? Naruto has always been resourceful, though I doubt he has the means to live any better than this."
Kakashi didn't respond but made a mental note to keep a closer eye on his new student.
Naruto's Thoughts About Sasuke
Back in the classroom, Naruto rested his chin on his hand, watching Sasuke from the corner of his eye. The dark-haired boy stared out the window, as usual, his face a mask of indifference.
Uzuhiko spoke, breaking Naruto's focus. "Naruto, Sasuke's darkness isn't something you can simply fix overnight. He is the reincarnation of Indra, after all. His pride, his loneliness, his thirst for power—they're ingrained in him."
Naruto frowned. "I don't care if he's Indra or whoever. Sasuke's my teammate now. I won't let him fall into the same trap as before. If I can help him, I will."
Uzuhiko was silent for a moment, then replied, "If that is your resolve, I will support you. But remember, Sasuke's path is his own to choose. Your role is to guide him, not force him."
Naruto nodded. "I get it. I just want to show him there's another way. That he doesn't have to go down that dark path."
Meeting Kakashi
Shortly after, Iruka announced that the jonin instructors would be arriving to meet their teams. When Kakashi finally entered the room, Naruto immediately recognized him.
"This guy looks so lazy!" Naruto whispered to himself.
Kakashi surveyed the room, his visible eye half-lidded. "Team 7, meet me on the roof."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura followed Kakashi up to the Academy roof, where they sat in a small circle.
"Let's start with introductions," Kakashi said. "Tell me your names, your likes, your dislikes, and your goals."
Sakura went first, gushing about Sasuke. Sasuke followed, keeping his answers brief and cryptic.
When it was Naruto's turn, he grinned. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen, training, and spending time with my friends. I dislike people who judge others without knowing them. My goal is to become Hokage and protect everyone in the village!"
Kakashi nodded. "Interesting. Alright, that's enough for now. Meet me tomorrow morning at Training Ground 7 for your first mission as a team."
Determination and Plans
That night, Naruto sat in his room, staring out the window. The notification about Hiruzen and Kakashi's visit still lingered in his mind.
"Uzuhiko, do you think Kakashi suspects anything?"
"It's possible," Uzuhiko replied. "But you handled the situation well. For now, focus on Sasuke and the team. Your training and goals are aligned with their success."
Naruto nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll help Sasuke, no matter what. I'll show him that we're stronger together."
As Uzuhiko began outlining plans for Naruto's next steps, the young shinobi felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would protect his friends, his team, and his village—no matter the cost.