Chapter 42 : Classification
As long as someone wasn’t aligned with Danzo or one of his people, the Third Hokage would support them.
Back when the Fourth Hokage was being selected, he had originally planned to choose Orochimaru. But unexpectedly, Orochimaru ended up siding with Danzo.
In the end, he had no choice but to support Minato Namikaze. At that time, Minato had an outstanding military record and was widely respected, but he was also very young, and many among Konoha’s higher-ups were opposed to his appointment.
If it hadn’t been for the Third Hokage’s support, Minato would never have become the Fourth Hokage.
Now, the Third Hokage was aware that the new generation—particularly Sasuke and Naruto—held tremendous potential. The rest of the current academy students weren’t quite as impressive.
He valued Kakashi highly, so he tried every possible means to place both Sasuke and Naruto on Kakashi’s team.
As for Sakura, her role was to balance the dynamic between Sasuke and Naruto.
His vision was for the three of them to become a new version of the Legendary Sannin.
Before this, he had been wondering how to get Kakashi to accept another student.
Now, with this opportunity handed to him, the Third Hokage wasn’t about to let it slip by.
Kakashi thought it over. He realized that if he didn’t agree today, he might never get the chance to become Riku’s teacher.
Finally, Kakashi smiled and said, "Alright. A four-person team, huh? Isn’t that a bit unusual? How about we drop Haruno Sakura?"
The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Between Sasuke and Naruto, we need someone to mediate. It wouldn’t be good to remove any of the three."
To be honest, Kakashi didn’t have much of an impression of Sakura at all.
In his eyes, she was weak, and so far her potential seemed quite limited.
But he had no choice but to compromise. "Alright, but I’ll still be administering a test. Including Riku."
"Hopefully they all pass."
The Third Hokage smiled. "Don’t worry. Both Sasuke and Naruto have tremendous potential—you can count on that."
Kakashi nodded.
After that, he left the Hokage’s office with the team files in hand.
It was already afternoon.
Watching Kakashi leave, the Third Hokage sighed to himself.
"Riku... Kakashi has protected him so well over the years that no information has leaked. But Kakashi, you might still be underestimating his strength."
The Third Hokage could tell that Kakashi wasn’t being entirely forthcoming about Riku. Just being able to master five B-rank jutsu already placed Riku well above the level of a Chūnin.
That level of ability was more in line with a Jōnin—no, not just any Jōnin. An ordinary Jōnin wouldn’t be able to master five B-rank jutsu with that kind of control and efficiency.
Even more significantly, Riku possessed three chakra natures. Maybe even more than that.
Still, the Third Hokage hadn’t ordered the ANBU to investigate Riku. Though he knew Riku was powerful, Kakashi’s involvement made him hesitant to dig further.
His main focus now was on Naruto and Sasuke. Though he remained curious about Riku, he wasn’t particularly concerned.
Or rather—he didn’t want to strain his relationship with Kakashi over Riku.
The next day, Riku arrived at the classroom.
Sure enough, he saw Naruto sitting at his desk proudly, already wearing his forehead protector.
So, he really did pass. Looks like he’s going to be on Kakashi’s team after all.
Riku glanced around, wondering, I wonder which team the Third Hokage will place me on.
At this point, Riku had no idea that Kakashi had already requested him.
He figured there was little chance he’d be assigned to a well-known Jōnin sensei. From an outsider’s perspective, his grades were average at best.
He assumed no famous teacher would be interested in a student like him.
Hinata and Ino sat nearby, both visibly tense.
Hinata kept sneaking glances at Riku, while Ino clung to his arm repeatedly—although Riku gently pulled away each time.
But Ino couldn’t help herself; she was too nervous.
"Riku, I really hope I’m on your team," she said, fidgeting anxiously.
Hinata remained quiet, but her tension was just as obvious.
"M-Mr. Riku... I... I want to be on your team too..." she stammered shyly.
Seeing the two of them like this, Riku let out a small, helpless sigh. "Don’t get your hopes up. There’s no way I’ll be placed on the same team as either of you. Our scores don’t match."
As soon as he said that, Ino pouted. "What? Why are you so sure? Or do you just not want to be on a team with me?"
She looked at him, clearly annoyed.
Riku smiled slightly. "It doesn’t really matter which team we end up on. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. It’s not the end of the world."
Watching her act so nervous, Riku couldn’t help but feel a little amused.
At that moment, Hinata gently tugged on the sleeve of his shirt. She looked up at him with those soft, innocent eyes and said quietly, "But... when I become a ninja, I won’t be able to walk to school with you anymore... like before."
Riku looked down at her and smiled. "People have to grow up someday. Don’t you want to become a strong ninja?"
Hinata lowered her head. Truthfully, she didn’t. The reason she had worked so hard up until now was simply to keep up with Riku.
But Ino grinned. "Of course I want to! But I want us to become stronger together."
Riku responded calmly, "We were never meant to be in the same class. But we’re still in the same village—Konoha. We can always find time to meet."
In truth, Riku felt things might be a little quieter without those two around.
Just as Ino was about to argue with him again, the classroom door opened.
Kurenai Yuhi stepped inside.
Looking around at the students, she said calmly, "Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino—come with me."
Without another word, she turned and walked out.
After all, she was a Jōnin—one of Konoha’s elite shinobi.
Hinata looked visibly disappointed. "I’m really not on the same team as Riku..."
Riku smiled at her. "Go on. You’ve got strong teammates—don’t let yourself be outshone."
A new resolve lit up in Hinata’s eyes. She looked up at Riku and said earnestly, "Okay, Riku. I’ll do my best."
Then she turned and walked out decisively.
In Hinata’s heart, she promised herself she would work as hard as possible—so she would never let Riku down.
Once she left, Ino became even more anxious.
"Don’t tell me I really won’t be on the same team as you...?"
She gripped Riku’s hand tightly, her anxiety written all over her face.
Riku let her hold on for a moment before replying. "Don’t worry. You’re definitely going to be teamed up with Shikamaru and Chōji. Your three clans have always worked together—it’s tradition. Do you really think they’ll change that now?"
Just as he finished speaking, Asuma Sarutobi entered the classroom.
He scanned the room. "Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji, Yamanaka Ino—come with me."
Riku smirked. "Told you so."
Before he could say anything more, Ino gave him a light slap on the arm. "Ugh! It’s your fault—such a jinx!"
Riku just chuckled, saying nothing.
Ino stomped out, nearly in tears.
Honestly, Riku didn’t want to be teamed up with either of them, and he hadn’t expected it anyway.
All he wanted now was to be placed on a normal team—to quietly earn his qualifications and continue developing himself.
His main goal was growth—and learning how to live a better life.