"Right—will you be joining our team assignment too?"
Tenten suddenly asked as they walked.
Souma tilted his head. "Am I supposed to be special somehow?"
"You don't think so?"
Tenten looked more confused than he was.
What kind of normal Academy student created a new ninjutsu every few weeks?
At this point, if Souma didn't drop some new technique for a month, she felt strangely uncomfortable—like something in the world had gone missing.
"Hm… maybe a little? But unless something unexpected happens, I should get assigned like everyone else. As for who the jōnin leader is… no idea."
Souma shook his head.
Of course, he did have a guess.
If he remembered correctly, this was around the period Kakashi was officially stepping down from ANBU.
He'd read scattered intel—Kakashi had begun taking disciples these past few years, though his elimination rate remained an impressive 100%.
Judging from how often Kakashi has been showing up near him lately…
His future teacher was very likely Hatake Kakashi.
Which perfectly aligned with the Hokage's typical way of doing things.
As for Tenten, that was harder to say—maybe Might Guy, maybe even the same squad as himself.
This year's batch didn't have many standouts besides Tenten and Neji; teams would probably be thrown together casually.
Souma was thinking it over when he noticed Tenten staring quietly at him.
"What's with that face?"
"I—I didn't want to interrupt your creative process…" she murmured, embarrassed.
Souma chuckled. "It's nothing like that. But you should train more these days.
Try to get your chakra threads to a usable combat level. I heard there's an exam after graduation."
Tenten stiffened.
Another exam? After graduation?
That was outrageous!
Why graduate people just to make them test again!?
But Souma looked certain—
She reluctantly accepted her fate and nodded heavily.
Souma prepared to leave.
He wasn't close with most of their class—aside from Tenten and Lee—so he had no plans to linger.
As he turned, he spotted a familiar blond figure at the throwing grounds.
Uzumaki Naruto.
Right…
If Kakashi ended up leading his team, wouldn't that change next year's Naruto–Sasuke–Sakura formation?
Souma thought for a moment, then laughed softly.
Well… whichever team Naruto and Sasuke ended up on had nothing to do with him.
"What is it?" Tenten asked.
"Nothing. Just remembered something.
By the way, the hospital will start selling a strengthening medicinal bath soon. You should buy a few when you can."
"It's something you made?"
Tenten's eyes lit up.
Ah—so that's why he'd disappeared recently.
Souma made a silent "shh" gesture.
"Tell Lee. Don't spread it around."
"Mm!"
Three days later, Souma received a notice.
The medicine had passed evaluation—cleared for sale.
News was already circulating among the clans, especially the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
The Academy's exams had finished, and the announcement had spread across the village.
Two sales points were set:
Konoha Hospital
The Nara clan's herbal shop
The fourth morning.
Souma arrived at the hospital as usual—
only to find a massive line stretching from the lobby all the way out into the street.
It was packed.
A sea of bodies.
And among them he spotted one very… unique silhouette.
Everyone else stood upright.
One person was vertical—
but upside down, supported only by his hands.
Souma walked over helplessly.
"Guy-sensei… why are you here?"
"Ahahaha! No missions lately! A good line is also training, my youthful friend! And if I get to buy some medicine—bonus!"
Might Guy gave a thumbs-up from his inverted position.
Souma sighed. "Sensei…"
"Souma-kun!"
A cheerful voice cut through the crowd.
Souma looked up and saw Tenten waving enthusiastically near the front.
Behind her, a girl shrank backward as if trying to hide.
Souma vaguely recognized her—quiet, always sitting in corners—but her name…
He stared a moment longer before giving up.
Tenten patted the girl. "She is—"
"I—I deeply apologize, you may not remember me! My name is Tsukiko Kasumi! It's a great honor to meet you!"
Souma blinked, then snapped his fingers lightly.
"Oh—right. I once sat next to you when I came in late. Sorry, I forgot your name."
Kasumi lowered her gaze.
"I always sit in corners. Not being noticed… is normal."
Tenten glanced at the ever-growing crowd and whispered:
"Souma-kun, the line is too long. It's almost reached the main street.
Can you… think of something?"
Ah.
So that's why she called him over.
But she wasn't wrong—
Packed crowds like this made movement difficult.
Souma nodded.
"I'll talk to the staff. They can issue number tickets and call people by order."
"That would help so much!"
Souma waved casually. "It's nothing. This setup is actually inefficient. I'll speak to them."
But the moment he opened his mouth—
"Are you really Yagyu Souma, the prodigy?"
"Is the medicine really that effective?"
"What's the price?"
"How did you come up with it at your age?"
"Are you engaged yet?"
…The questions escalated alarmingly fast.
Souma's face went pale.
He bolted.
Tenten couldn't help but laugh—but felt guilty too.
If not for her greeting, the crowd might not have noticed him.
Kasumi peeked timidly after his fleeing figure.
Meanwhile, Souma dove into the Medical Corps area, finally safe.
Thank goodness—
No one in their right mind dared chase him in here.
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