Iruka entered the classroom to announce the team arrangements, and sure enough, they were arranged in teams of three.
Hearing this, Naruto was momentarily stunned, ‘The first on the list was Team 7? It must have been a decision made after much consideration by Sandaime.’
‘However, will the team arrangement be different from that in the original work?’
‘The first place in this graduation exam is me, the second is Sasuke, and the third is Sakura. If they only look at the results, wouldn't it be a bit biased to put us all in the same team?’
When called, Sakura froze for a moment, then became nervous again.
‘Sure enough.’ Naruto had already guessed the result.
Sakura on the side seemed a little happy. After all, who wouldn't want to have a strong companion?
After coming to Naruto’s body, Naruto didn't stick to her, so Sakura didn't hate Naruto, and the two of them still had a normal classmate relationship.
Even though Naruto was determined to take it easy, his strength was unmatched among his peers. This aroused Sakura's curiosity, making her feel like Naruto had grown up overnight.
She is curious, but not to the extent of having a liking for him.
As soon as the name was called, Sakura stood up instantly, with uncontrollable joy on her face.
"Troublesome." Sasuke snorted in displeasure.
"Next is Team 8." Iruka's voice rang out again.
Naruto listened quietly, realizing there was no difference from the original work. Suddenly, he seemed to sense something and turned sharply, looking at the back corner on the right, just in time to lock eyes with Hinata.
Hinata quickly looked away, her face burning like a clumsy peeper.
After the team assignment was over, Sasuke did not leave immediately.
"Let's go out and have a meal together," Naruto suggested.
"Sure!" Sakura seemed very happy. She glanced at Sasuke beside her and agreed to Naruto’s suggestion without thinking. In her heart, she silently gave Naruto a big thumbs up!
"I’m not going." Sasuke refused coldly.
Hearing this, Naruto wasn't too surprised. He stopped and turned to look at Sasuke, then asked, "Are you unconvinced and want to go home to train?"
"What does it have to do with you?" Sasuke's eyes were filled with detachment and indifference.
If it were anyone else treated , they might get angry, but Naruto completely ignored this young avenger’s tsundereness.
"Let’s get straight to the point, your attitude is just a waste of time." Naruto said, "We are already companions, and that can’t be changed."
"What? Don’t you even know what the power of teamwork is?" Naruto looked calmly at Sasuke, "Do you know what the power of cooperation is?"
"I don't need companions." Sasuke coldly glanced at Naruto and then tried to leave.
"Sasuke." Sakura was caught in the middle and reached out to grab Sasuke.
"Forget him." Naruto said, "He's just a self-righteous brat. If you don't want to get stronger and just want to waste time, then go ahead and leave."
“Forever being a loser.”
"Say that again!" Sasuke suddenly turned around and grabbed Naruto by the collar.
"I’ll say it a thousand times." Naruto also glared at him, "I thought you were smart, but you’re just an idiot."
"You!" Sasuke's face was as cold as ice.
"Naruto, Sasuke, stop it." Sakura stepped forward, grabbing their hands, trying to separate them.
"Aren't we companions?"
"He doesn't even consider you a companion at all. He only has himself in his eyes." Naruto said, "How can such a person have companions?!"
"I told you, I don't need any companions!" Sasuke said, "I’m fine on my own, companions are just a burden."
"Sasuke." Sakura, who was sandwiched in the middle, forced a smile and gently persuaded, "Naruto just suggested having a meal together. Maybe he has something he wants to share with us."
"Naruto has gotten much stronger recently. He must have some good training methods. It's worth listening to."
After the words fell, a trace of hesitation flashed across Sasuke's face. After a moment of struggle, he finally let go of Naruto.
Naruto didn't mind this. His original intention was to provoke Sasuke to join them for a meal and discuss matters.
Just as Sakura said, he had information he wanted to share with the two.
For a long time to come, the three of them will be undertaking dangerous missions together, risking their lives.
Any pitfalls they could avoid beforehand, they should.
Hardships aren't treasures, and suffering isn't a blessing, it's just something people can't avoid. All hardships lead to despair.
The three arrived at a barbecue restaurant, ordering a few plates of meat and some juice.
It seemed that this was Sakura's first time grilling meat by herself, and she seemed a little restrained in front of Sasuke. Sasuke sat coldly with his arms crossed, he seemed to be here just to listen to what Naruto wanted to say.
Relying on his experience of dinner parties before the crossing, Naruto skillfully brushed a layer of oil on the grill, followed by a layer of cheese.
The cheese-covered barbecue soon emitted a fragrant aroma, whetting their appetites.
"Naruto, do you eat barbecue often?" Sakura was slightly surprised.
"Well, I don't really have the money for it. It's just that I hunt often, so I have some experience with grilling meat," Naruto said modestly.
He then distributed the grilled meat to Sakura and Sasuke, and started grilling another batch in the same manner.
"Thank you." Sakura blushed for a moment.
"Thanks." Sasuke said somewhat awkwardly.
After finishing a plate of barbecue, the atmosphere among the three eased considerably. Sasuke quietly ate his meat. Although his face still looked like an ice block, his furrowed brows have relaxed.
"Delicious." Sakura took a sip of juice and exclaimed with satisfaction.
Seeing that the timing was right, Naruto didn't beat around the bush. He wiped his mouth and stared at the two for a while before speaking.
"Do you know the inside story about this team assignments?"
Sakura shook her head and said, "This is something that Hokage-sama has decided. It’s probably related to our grades."
Sasuke asked indifferently, "What does this have to do with us?"
"Of course, it matters." Naruto said, "Gathering intelligence is one of the most important aspects of Shinobi’s missions. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to winning a hundred battles."
"In the future, we might cooperate with or confront other teams. After all, there is still the Chunin Exam, right?"
"That makes some sense." Sakura nodded thoughtfully, "Naruto, do you know the inside story behind the team assignments?"
"Of course." Naruto nodded and said.
"Team 8 consists of members from Konoha's reconnaissance clans. The Hyuga Clan for visual scouting, the Inuzuka Clan for scent tracking, and the Aburame Clan for insect tracking.”
“This team assignment should be the result of a discussion among Konoha's higher-ups, who considered everyone's traits and personalities for the team assignments."