The entire scene was also being observed by the gathered jōnin inside the Hokage’s office.
Everyone stared at the Third Hokage’s crystal ball with speechless expressions.
Asuma Sarutobi commented, “So that’s this year’s top student, Sasuke Uchiha.” “Based on his grades, he’s exceptionally talented.
He’s no worse than Kakashi was back then.” Kakashi, who had remained silent while watching the crystal ball, replied calmly, “He might even surpass the old me.” At the same time, he thought to himself: “After all… he’s an Uchiha.” The Uchiha Clan held special meaning in Kakashi’s heart.
His old friend and his former subordinate had both been Uchiha.
He had personally witnessed the power of that clan.
Even the Third Hokage looked rather speechless after seeing what had happened.
“Naruto really does create the most unexpected situations…” None of them paid any attention to Kai.
His grades over the years had been average—not particularly good, but not bad either.
Even the Third Hokage barely remembered him.
That was perfectly normal.
In the past, Kai had simply appeared to be an ordinary student.
Nothing about him stood out, and since he did not come from a ninja clan, naturally no one paid him much attention.
After waiting a while, Iruka entered the classroom.
Under the nervous gazes of the students, he opened the team assignment list.
Beside Kai, Ino silently prayed: “Please let me be assigned to the same team as Kai…” Unfortunately, she had no idea that her future had already been carefully arranged by the Third Hokage and the clan heads long ago.
The Ino–Shika–Chō formation would never be separated.
Or rather, the Konoha 12 had already been assigned into predetermined teams from the beginning.
There was no room for outsiders.
Sure enough, Iruka read through several teams without mentioning Kai’s name.
Then came Team 10.
“Team 10: Shikamaru Nara, Chōji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka.” Exactly as Kai expected.
Even though he had forgotten many details of the story, after living in Konoha for more than a decade, he already understood the rough structure of the village’s clans.
How could the Ino–Shika–Chō trio possibly be split apart?
Ino immediately slumped over her desk weakly.
“What kind of terrible team arrangement is this?
They didn’t even put me and Kai on the same team.” Beside her, Shikamaru sighed helplessly.
“Hey, could you at least not say that right in front of your future teammates?” Ino snorted.
Then she looked toward Kai and noticed that he seemed completely calm, as though he had expected this outcome from the start.
With a disappointed expression, she said, “Kai… we didn’t end up on the same team.” Kai smiled gently.
“I’m sure the teachers had their reasons.” Iruka continued reading.
“Team 11: Itsuki Yamada, Kai Kagefumi, Tano Motoyo.” Kai thought to himself: “As expected, my teammates are two completely unknown students.” Team 11 consisted entirely of civilian-born students.
Kai was fairly certain their instructor would not be one of Konoha’s famous elite jōnin.
Most likely, they would get an ordinary jōnin instructor.
Possibly even a tokubetsu jōnin or a chūnin instead.
Meanwhile, the two students whose names Kai barely recognized were currently scanning the classroom for their teammates.
Itsuki Yamada was a cheerful boy with a personality somewhat similar to Naruto’s.
Oddly enough, he wore his hair in a ponytail.
Tano Motoyo, on the other hand, was a rather pretty girl.
She had long golden hair flowing down to her waist, wore a pure white top, and a plain black skirt without any patterns.
She gave off a quiet and refined impression.
Kai had never really paid attention to either of them before.
Likewise, neither of them had much impression of him.
Still, the two seemed to already know each other fairly well.
To them, Kai was practically a stranger.
Once the team assignments were complete, the instructors began arriving to take their students away.
The first to arrive was Asuma.
The moment he entered, he looked toward Shikamaru’s group.
“Team 10.
I’m your jōnin instructor.
Come with me.” Before leaving, Ino looked at Kai reluctantly.
“My family owns a flower shop in the shopping district.
I help out there all the time, so you better come visit me.” Kai nodded slightly.
If he refused, she probably would not leave at all.
Shikamaru also waved lazily.
“See you later, Kai.” “Yeah.
See you.” After the three of them left, Itsuki Yamada and Tano Motoyo moved over and sat beside Kai.
Itsuki’s personality was very outgoing.
The moment he sat down, he turned toward Kai with a grin and extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Kai.
I’m Itsuki Yamada.
We’ll be teammates from now on, so let’s get along.” Kai smiled and shook his hand.
“Nice to meet you too, Itsuki.
Looking forward to working with you.” Tano Motoyo also extended her hand openly.
“I’m Tano Motoyo.
Please take care of me from now on as well.” Kai lightly shook her hand before releasing it.
“Likewise, Tano.” And just like that, the three officially became acquainted.
During the handshakes, Kai could clearly sense that neither of them possessed particularly large chakra reserves.
They were roughly at the level of ordinary genin.
This was one of the side effects of natural energy.
It greatly heightened his sensitivity to all forms of energy—not just chakra, but even danger itself.
At this point, Kai already had a basic understanding of his two teammates.
And honestly, he did not dislike them.
Both seemed like genuinely decent people.
Itsuki’s personality was similar to Naruto’s, but far less hyperactive.
He was simply cheerful and friendly.
Tano’s personality somewhat resembled Hinata’s, though she was not nearly as shy.
She was simply quiet and gentle.
In terms of appearance, she was no less attractive than Hinata either.
And her fashion sense was significantly better.
Kai could tell at a glance that although Tano Motoyo was not from a ninja clan, her family was definitely wealthy.
The clothes she wore were clearly expensive.
If nothing unexpected happened, she was probably a rich girl.
Meanwhile, both Tano and Itsuki were extremely curious about Kai.
They genuinely had almost no memory of him.
Itsuki finally asked, “Kai… how come I barely remember you at all?” “Were you a transfer student or something?” Tano also looked toward him curiously.
Kai sighed helplessly.
At this point, aside from Shikamaru, it seemed almost nobody in the class actually remembered him.
Even though they had spent six whole years together.
Still, he patiently explained, “I’ve been in this class the entire six years.” Itsuki froze.
“Y-You were in our class for six years?!” He simply could not believe it.
After six years together, he had absolutely no impression of Kai whatsoever.
Tano covered her mouth in surprise.
She was equally shocked.
Kai smiled bitterly.
“Maybe it’s because I don’t interact with people very much.” Itsuki nodded immediately.
“That really is strange.
I honestly barely remember you at all.” “But from now on, we’re teammates.” “We won’t let you be alone anymore.” Itsuki grinned brightly.
Kai was genuinely surprised.
“So it’s not just the main cast who have people like this around them…” “These side characters are actually pretty decent too.” “It’s just that their strength never reaches the level needed to avoid becoming background characters.” “The unlucky ones probably die during the Fourth Great Ninja War…” “And the even unluckier ones might not survive long enough to make it that far.”