As the seconds ticked by, the academy instructor arrived in the classroom right on time.
Looking at the group of kids he had taught for six long years—now officially qualified genin—the teacher couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
Still, he quickly composed himself and spoke up.
"Today is the day you graduate and are assigned to your teams. I won't dwell on sentimental things."
"I'll simply wish all of you a bright future and smooth roads ahead."
Seeing the students below him wearing mostly indifferent expressions, the teacher sighed softly.
He'd seen this scene countless times—different students every year, yet always the same clueless looks.
"Team One: Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, Nara Shikaku."
As expected, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio was forever inseparable.
"Team Two: Urahara Hisuke, Shihōin Hiruichi, Kyōdo Akimizu."
"Team Three: Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Soifon, Sōgi Kuroya."
As name after name was called, the moment finally came—the legendary Team Seven that would later echo throughout the entire Naruto world.
Kyusei, who had been sprawled over his desk, lifted his head slightly.
He did want to be on the same team as Kaoru.
Even if he knew it probably wouldn't happen…
"Team Seven: Namikaze Kaoru…"
"Inuzuka Rei."
"Uchiha Naoriki."
As expected—Team Seven didn't include him.
Kyusei clicked his tongue. If Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't shoved him into Team Seven, then he was probably being tossed into some random filler arrangement.
But as the teacher continued reading, Kyusei's name still never came up.
In the end, the instructor simply closed the roster and prepared to leave.
At that moment, Kaoru suddenly raised her hand.
"Yes, Kaoru? Is something wrong?" the teacher asked gently.
Among all the students, Kaoru had always been his favorite—top of the class both academically and in character.
"Teacher, Kyusei hasn't been assigned to a team."
Her question echoed what everyone else was thinking.
Kyusei was a celebrity at the academy, with strength to match. Anyone else might be overlooked—but not him.
"Oh, that," the teacher replied casually. "Kyusei's situation is special. Someone will be assigned to guide him. You don't need to worry."
With that brief explanation, the teacher left the classroom.
Tch. Definitely something shady, Kyusei thought.
He'd already decided—no matter who they stuck him with, he'd just send a shadow clone to go through the motions.
"Kyusei…"
Kaoru clutched his hand, her blue eyes filled with worry.
She knew his status well. Given how important he was, there was no way the village would ever let him leave Konoha.
Which meant…
Unless something extreme happened—
He would likely spend his entire life inside the village.
Only if a war escalated to the point where the Nine-Tails was needed would that change—and by then, it would be a matter of survival.
"It's fine. Really," Kyusei said, smiling nonchalantly.
He'd long since come to terms with this.
Freedom was just a hollow concept anyway.
Who in this world truly had freedom?
Even the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who had pacified the Warring States Era, still fought Uchiha Madara at the Valley of the End—for the village, for peace.
Did Hashirama want to fight his closest friend?
It was the village. His comrades. Those bonds bound him.
Was he free in that moment?
No one was truly free.
Rules, responsibilities, and reasons always forced people to do things—whether they wanted to or not.
True freedom only belonged to someone who stood at the absolute peak of power.
And such a person would have no one beside them.
No friends.
No family.
No lover.
No children.
Nothing left that could restrain them.
That was freedom—but also loneliness.
Kyusei didn't want that.
He wanted friends. Family. Love. Children.
He liked beautiful things.
If the price for all of that was spending his life in Konoha, then that price was laughably cheap.
Watching the boy beside her, Kaoru felt a pang of pain in her chest.
Kyusei was bound by the village.
And only the Hokage could remove those chains.
She didn't want him to be restrained.
She wanted him to soar freely like an eagle in the sky.
And so—
She wanted to become Hokage!
Only by becoming Hokage could she truly help him.
As time passed, one jōnin or chūnin after another came to collect their teams, leading them out of the classroom.
Soon, only a handful of graduates remained.
Inuzuka Rei—Kyusei's loyal lackey and Kaoru's teammate—grinned as he squeezed up beside him.
"Boss, don't worry!"
"I'll take good care of sister-in-law. Won't let that Naoriki bastard bully her!"
"Wow, thanks so much," Kyusei replied dryly.
Naoriki was the leader of the so-called "fan club"—the Uchiha kid who had stood against Kyusei all the way to graduation.
He'd been beaten countless times, but never once gave in. Lose today, train tomorrow, fight again next time.
Both the Uchiha elders and Konoha's higher-ups had chosen not to interfere.
A real tough nut to crack.
But bully Kaoru?
Yeah, right.
If he didn't get beaten into a pig's head, it'd be a miracle.
"Hehehe, just doing my duty!"
"Team Seven—Namikaze Kaoru, Uchiha Naoriki, Inuzuka Rei. Assemble."
Jiraiya stepped into the classroom, his voice deep and commanding.
"I'll go now, Kyusei."
"Later, boss!"
Watching them leave with Naoriki under Jiraiya's lead, Kyusei felt utterly bored.
As Kaoru followed Jiraiya through the academy corridor, she suddenly noticed a figure passing by.
Someone unfamiliar… yet strangely familiar.
She instinctively looked over.
That man's back—
White hair.
A short blade strapped behind him.
Who was he…?
"Kaoru, what are you looking at?" Jiraiya asked, noticing her pause.
"Eh?!"
"No way… am I seeing things?"
"That's Lord White Fang?!" Inuzuka Rei exclaimed.
White Fang…
Kaoru remembered now.
Two years ago, when Kyusei lost control of the Nine-Tails—
This man, together with Namikaze Minato, had suppressed him.
Back then, she'd been too worried about Kyusei to pay attention to anyone else.
But now…
This man—
He seemed incredibly strong.
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