Not to mention, it was Team 7, a class with all buffs maxed out… Kizuna subtly rolled his eyes, too exhausted to complain.
Oh, destiny~
"We're teammates now, Kizuna-san, please take care of me!"
While Kizuna was still holding his forehead, complaining, Nawaki had already walked over to greet his future teammate.
Kizuna turned to look; Nawaki revealed his pearly white teeth, smiling as brightly and confidently as the sun.
"Please take care of me too, Nawaki-san," Kizuna responded with a smile.
Looking around, he noticed many people had already started searching for their assigned teammates, and Teacher Moku had also left after announcing the teams.
Next was probably waiting for the Jonin instructor.
The seat next to him was already empty, and Nawaki naturally sat down and started chatting.
"Do you know our Jonin instructor? Don't let him being called the 'Cold Prince,' one of the Sannin, fool you. Actually, Lord Orochimaru is super nice! Sometimes, he and Brother Jiraiya even train me together…"
"Oh, is that so?"
Kizuna nodded, using the universal formula for conversation to humor him, while pondering a very important question.
Why was he teamed with Nawaki?
You see, Konoha's team assignments were very particular, not just decided by the Hokage on a whim.
They focused on the best combination of combat power, background, and personality.
For example, the Ino–Shika–Chō combination, which existed even before the Ninja Village was established.
There was also the balanced combination of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—a Hokage's son, a clan heir, and a civilian, representing a Tailed Beast, Sharingan, and precise Chakra control.
So, what role was Wei Fang Ban Ren playing in this team?
Sakura… No, no, no.
Kizuna closed his eyes, as if unwilling to believe the deduction he had just made.
His balanced scores, fourth in theory and fourth in practical, only placed him behind those from the great clans in his class.
Hiss~
Looking at it that way, he really was like a Sakura with a power-up.
When his two teammates got into a conflict, he would stand in the middle and shout:
'Stop fighting! Fighting like this won't kill anyone!'
Think about Nawaki and… and who was it again?
Kizuna was startled, came back to his senses, and asked Nawaki.
"I remember we seem to have another teammate, right?"
"Eh? Oh, right!"
Nawaki, who had been speaking excitedly, paused, suddenly realized, and began searching the classroom.
Perhaps Orochimaru's and Nawaki's names and backgrounds were too eye-catching, or perhaps Shibi Aburame had activated his clan's innate talent for reducing his presence.
In short.
Kizuna and Nawaki had completely forgotten they had another teammate.
"I'm glad you thought of me so quickly, Kizuna-san."
A low voice suddenly sounded. Nawaki and Kizuna simultaneously turned to look at the other side.
They saw a guy, wearing a forehead protector and sunglasses, with the lower half of his face hidden by a wide, high collar, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, speaking faintly.
"But I guess you and Nawaki-san have probably forgotten my name."
Although it was a question, his tone was full of certainty.
"Ahaha, how could that be, Aburame-san!" Nawaki scratched the back of his head, letting out an awkward laugh.
"Then why do you call me by my surname, and not my given name, Nawaki-san?"
When he said "name" at the end, he deliberately emphasized it. Even though he wore sunglasses, Nawaki felt an unyielding gaze directed at him.
Nawaki's eyes darted around, subtly signaling to his good teammate, Kizuna, for help: Save me!
They had just met, and weren't very familiar… Kizuna, unable to recall the name, averted his gaze.
Explosive curly hair, likes to cover his face, no presence unless he speaks. Your Aburame Clan are the true Ninja… Kizuna silently complained in his mind.
"Nawaki, Wei Fang Ban Ren, Aburame… Shibi."
Just as Nawaki was enduring the intense gaze of his teammate, a man with long, black hair flowing down his back stepped into the classroom.
His slightly swaying long hair, pale complexion, forehead protector, and wartime grey vest, along with his hoarse yet magnetic voice, though not loud, clearly reached every corner of the classroom.
The chilling and powerful aura he exuded instantly silenced the noisy classroom. The Genin closest to him were already breaking out in cold sweat, feeling immense pressure.
The three whose names were called turned to look, with Nawaki being the most excited. That unique, hoarse, and indifferent voice could not be found in a second person in all of Konoha.
"Brother Orochimaru!"
Nawaki raised his hand, shouting with a wide smile, and secretly sighed that Lord Orochimaru had arrived just in time. He was almost overwhelmed by his new teammate's intense gaze.
"You should call me 'sensei,' Nawaki."
Orochimaru's thin lips curved into a smile. He nodded to Nawaki and reminded him about the proper address with a smile.
Kizuna also saw for the first time the snake… brother, the future Snake Aunt, full of villainous charm from the original Hokage story.
His narrow eyes were framed by a circle of purple eyeshadow, extending to both sides of his nose, and his golden pupils were like being stared at by a python.
Alright.
But these were Kizuna's psychological effects. The current Orochimaru only exuded a detached coldness, not the outwardly and inwardly twisted scientific madman from the original story.
While Kizuna observed Orochimaru, Orochimaru also looked at him… and Shibi Aburame.
"Orochimaru-sensei (Lord Orochimaru)."
Kizuna and Shibi Aburame greeted him respectfully and politely. They were not Nawaki, and they needed to maintain a proper attitude towards a Jonin.
Kizuna, however, glanced at Shibi Aburame from the corner of his eye, thinking, "Why did you just call him 'Lord'? It makes my 'sensei' sound a bit too polite."
And here I thought you were an honest person, Aburame… Shibi!
"Hmm."
Orochimaru's smile faded from his lips. He nodded slightly to the two and said,
"Go to Training Ground 3. I'll be waiting for you there."
With that, Orochimaru disappeared with a 'poof,' scattering into a puff of white smoke.
"Phew~"
"He's finally gone."
The Genin closest to Orochimaru immediately felt the pressure lighten, letting out a long, held breath.
Was it a Shadow Clone?… Witnessing such a miraculous Ninjutsu, Kizuna felt a little more anticipation.
"Brother Orochimaru is so sly, sending a Shadow Clone to inform us," Nawaki said, a little disappointed and grumbling with dissatisfaction.
"Lord Orochimaru seemed to briefly forget my name just now," Shibi Aburame said quietly.
Dude, you listen pretty carefully… Kizuna looked at his teammate, who was unusually persistent about his own presence.
Nawaki didn't dare to respond, because not only had he forgotten Shibi Aburame's name, but if Kizuna hadn't reminded him, he would have even forgotten about the person entirely.
"Hahaha, let's hurry to Training Ground 3!" Nawaki stood up, waved his hand, and walked towards the classroom door, trying to gloss over what had just happened… "Introduce your dreams and the Ninjutsu you're good at."
Standing in front of the three old wooden stakes at Training Ground 3, Orochimaru, with his arms crossed, scrutinized the three students assigned to him and spoke.
"Senju Nawaki, skilled in Water Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu. My dream is to become a Ninja stronger than anyone else and loved by everyone!" Nawaki was the first to answer, without hesitation, with a loud voice and ample spirit.
Still so energetic, Nawaki… Orochimaru looked at the vibrant Nawaki, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips.
"Shibi Aburame, skilled in the clan's secret insect manipulation technique. Besides combat, I'm also good at reconnaissance. My dream is to become a man who won't be overlooked."
Shibi Aburame pushed up his sunglasses, his tone calm.
"Hmm."
Orochimaru nodded, then looked at his last student, Wei Fang Ban Ren.
Feeling Orochimaru's gaze, Kizuna tried his best to suppress the unusual feeling in his heart and calmly said, "Wei Fang Ban Ren, skilled in the Three Body Technique. My dream is to become a Ninja more powerful than Hokage-sama."
Come on, I've got a system, so of course, I'll set a small goal first:
Like surpassing the First Hokage or something!
"As expected of my teammate, but I won't lose to you," Nawaki said with a grin, giving a thumbs-up, offering the first compliment between teammates.
"Indeed, a grand ambition," Shibi Aburame nodded, praising him.
"Oh, that's an interesting dream."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. He recalled his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, telling him about Kizuna's background, possessing thin bloodlines from two clans.
But he only found it amusing. Although he was already a Ninja, he was still a child after all, without having personally witnessed the Third Hokage's strength, he was full of impractical fantasies.
To become a Special Jonin would already mean a talented Ninja. He hoped that in the future, after witnessing the Third Hokage's strength, he would be able to accept the insurmountable gap between them.
His thoughts returned in an instant. Orochimaru expressionlessly scanned the three pairs of eyes looking at him.
"My name is Orochimaru. For a period of time, I will be teaching you to become qualified Ninja."
Ding ding!
As he spoke, the three saw Orochimaru's pale hand pinching two thin strings, the ends of which were connected to round, golden bells, making a crisp jingling sound as they lightly collided.
The ancestral bell-stealing test, huh?… As Kizuna complained inwardly, a 'ding' system notification sounded in his ears.
[Establishing Shallow Bond: Companion]
[Story Characters: Senju Nawaki, Shibi Aburame]
[Obtained: Earth Release Chakra / Kikaichu Rearing]
[Evaluation: All-around attribute for offense, defense, and support / The Aburame Clan's secret technique, now you can raise insects in your body]
[Establishing Shallow Bond: Teacher-Student]
[Story Character: Orochimaru]
[Obtained: B-rank Ninjutsu: Earth Clone]
[Evaluation: Guess if my body is flesh and blood or mud]
As the series of system notifications ended, Kizuna felt a rush of information instantly filling his brain and body.
Both in his mind and body, there was an immediate, irresistible feeling of being completely filled.
His mind was full of the hand seals and Chakra circulation routes for Earth Clone, and the Chakra in his body gained a heavy, earthy attribute.
Another 'ding' system notification sounded in his ear, and his attribute panel projected into Kizuna's vision.
[Character Panel]
[Name: Wei Fang Ban Ren]
[Age: 12 years old]
[Status: Konoha Genin]
[Chakra: Earth, Lightning, Water, Yang]
[Bloodline: Senju 30% / Uzumaki 30%]
[Kekkei Genkai: /]
[Ninjutsu: Chakra Control and Refinement / Three Body Technique / Rope Escape Technique / Water Clone / Earth Clone]
[Taijutsu: Basic Taijutsu / Basic Ninja Tool Throwing]
[Genjutsu: /]
[Secret Technique: Kikaichu Rearing]
?
Senju and Uzumaki bloodlines??
Looking at the bloodline section displayed in the attribute panel, Kizuna felt a bit bewildered.