Chapter 316: Team Assignments | Box of Paradise

“It’s team selection time again,” Sakura said, glancing shyly toward Sasuke. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I wonder if I’ll be on the same squad as Sasuke-kun this time.”

“I wanna be on Sasuke’s team too!” Naruto declared enthusiastically, throwing a thumbs-up with his usual grin. “So we can keep our youthful rivalry burning!”

“I refuse,” Sasuke said flatly.

Naruto froze mid-pose, blinking in confusion. “Huh?!”

“If you’re on my team,” Sasuke continued coolly, “you’ll hog the spotlight and mess up my score.”

Naruto scratched the back of his head, looking more lost than offended.

“What about me, Sasuke-kun?” Sakura asked quickly, leaning forward with hopeful eyes.

“You can.”

Sakura gasped—her cheeks lighting up in pure surprise. It was the first time Sasuke had ever given her a straight “yes.”

She turned to Naruto with a silent look of triumph.

“Tch.” Naruto crossed his arms and sulked.

“Who ends up with who doesn’t matter anyway,” Shikamaru said through a yawn. “Kitazawa-sensei decides the teams. Talking about it is just a waste of energy… troublesome.”

Hinata’s gaze drifted toward Kitazawa, who was speaking with the other instructors in the distance. She sighed softly.

If Kitazawa followed his usual pattern, she probably wouldn’t be on his team this time. He rarely picked the same students two exams in a row.

Still… maybe next time. She’d just have to find a subtle way to hint at it.

“Tayuya,” Ino asked curiously, “which team leader do you want?”

“Anyone but Kitazawa-sensei.”

Ino blinked. “Eh? Why?”

Everyone knew Kitazawa’s reputation—talented, fair, and terrifyingly capable. For a student, that was basically the dream mentor.

“I…” Tayuya paused, realizing she didn’t actually have a solid reason. Was it because he’d defeated Orochimaru—the one person she once thought was invincible? Or was it because he kept teasing her about it afterward?

Either way, she wasn’t about to admit that aloud.

She folded her arms, scowling. “I don’t need a reason.”

Ino sighed. “You’re impossible.”

“What about you two?” she asked, turning to Kimimaro and Jugo.

“I’m fine with anything,” Jugo replied quietly.

“…The Third Hokage-sama,” Kimimaro said after a moment’s thought.

Everyone looked at him in mild surprise.

“I’ve always been curious about Orochimaru-sama’s teacher,” Kimimaro explained calmly. “Since I once served under him, it feels… meaningful to learn from his master.”

“Oh, so it’s an emotional thing,” Ino said, nodding with mild amusement.

Kiba suddenly smacked his fist into his palm. “I just realized something—the tougher the mission, the higher the score, right?”

“Wow,” Hana said dryly, glancing at her younger brother. “It’s rare for you to make sense.”

“Hey! I’m smart when I need to be!”

Shikamaru shook his head. “Not exactly. Missions that match your skill level are what earn the best evaluations. Too easy, you get docked for effort; too hard, you fail. Balance, Kiba. Balance.”

“Kitazawa-sensei’s coming!”

Kiba perked up immediately as everyone turned their attention to the approaching instructor.

The air grew a little more serious.

After all, even if missions mattered most, the team composition could decide everything—the leader, the synergy, even survival chances. Some hoped for strong teammates. Others prayed for familiar faces. And a few—like Ino and Hinata—quietly hoped for Kitazawa himself.

Kitazawa stopped in front of the gathered students, his expression calm as always.

“Like last time,” he said, “we’ll form six teams. Your goal is to complete the mission within two weeks.”

He glanced down at the clipboard in his hand.

“Team One will be led by me. Members: Tenten, Akimichi Choji, and Tayuya.”

Tenten and Choji exchanged neutral looks, but Tayuya’s jaw dropped.

“Wait—what?!” she blurted, sitting bolt upright.

Choji scratched his head. “Huh, sounds fine to me.”

Tenten simply nodded. “Same here.”

Hinata sighed softly, trying not to look disappointed. She’d already guessed she wouldn’t be chosen this time.

Ino, on the other hand, gave Tayuya a teasing grin. “Wow, your first mission with Kitazawa-sensei leading you! Lucky~”

“Lucky?!” Tayuya snapped. “This is the worst luck ever!”

Kitazawa ignored her protest and continued, “Team Two will be led by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Members: Nara Shikamaru, Kimimaro, and Jugo.”

Shikamaru groaned instantly. “Figures… I get the old man and two ex-Otogakure elites. This is gonna be so troublesome.”

But Kimimaro’s eyes brightened slightly. Jugo, too, looked content.

Both of them respected power, and Hiruzen was a living legend—a man who had once taught Orochimaru himself.

In a sense, Kimimaro thought, this made them… disciples of the same lineage.

“Having those two under Hokage-sama’s supervision makes sense,” Kitazawa added. “If Jugo’s Sage Transformation loses control in an area rich in natural energy, the Third can suppress it easily.”

“Guess that makes sense,” Shikamaru muttered.

Jugo nodded quietly, relieved.

Kimimaro, meanwhile, looked out toward the previous Hokage with quiet resolve. Orochimaru-sama’s teacher…

If he could learn even a fragment of that man’s wisdom—perhaps he would finally understand what drove his former master.

“Team Three will be led by Kosuke-senpai,” Kitazawa announced, scanning the list in his hand. “Members: Uchiha Sasuke, Ino Yamanaka, and Hyuga Hinata.”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly.

How to put it?

It wasn’t a bad lineup—both Ino and Hinata were capable—but compared to having Naruto or Yakumo as partners, it felt a bit… underwhelming. Still, acceptable.

“Whaaat?!” Sakura cried, clutching her head.

“Too bad, Sakura,” Ino teased with a triumphant grin, elbowing her lightly.

“Hmph, don’t gloat!” Sakura snapped, puffing her cheeks. “Just you wait! I’ll get a higher mission score and surpass you in the rankings!”

Ino blinked innocently. “Oh? My team has Sasuke and Hinata. We’re practically guaranteed a top score.”

Sakura froze, mouth open. “You—!”

Her eye twitched as realization sank in. With that kind of team composition, Ino’s squad was bound to draw a high-difficulty mission. She had to admit—that lineup was stacked.

At least Ino wasn’t fighting her for Sasuke’s affection anymore… or she might’ve actually lost her mind.

“Team Four will be led by Kakashi,” Kitazawa continued smoothly. “Members: Uzumaki Naruto, Sakura Haruno, and Rock Lee.”

Kakashi’s visible eye blinked.

“…?”

He tilted his head, a question mark practically floating above it.

Why would you put Naruto and Lee together? Did I offend you somehow?

For a brief moment, he seriously considered resigning.

“Wait—Naruto and Lee?!” Sakura’s expression froze in horror.

Two teammates who never stopped shouting about youth and hard work?

She could already imagine it—constant motivational speeches, synchronized push-ups, and maybe a few tearful hugs of “manly spirit.”

Ino patted her shoulder sympathetically. “Cheer up, Sakura. Naruto and Lee are great teammates!”

“Yeah, great teammates… for each other,” Sakura muttered darkly.

“Ha ha! Naruto, we’re finally on the same team!” Lee jumped up, eyes blazing with enthusiasm. “Let us show the world the fiery power of youth!”

“You said it!” Naruto grinned, flashing a thumbs-up bright enough to rival the sun. “Let’s make our enemies tremble before our youth!”

Ino turned away, trying not to laugh. “…Good luck, Sakura.”

At that moment, Sakura and Kakashi shared the same expression—half-dead eyes and silent despair.

“Team Five will be led by Kosuke-senpai,” Kitazawa went on, suppressing a chuckle. “Members: Kurama Yakumo, Haku, and Inuzuka Hana.”

Hana smiled faintly. “With Yakumo, this should be an easy mission.”

Yakumo’s Genjutsu alone was overwhelming, and Hana’s role as a sensory-type balanced the team nicely.

Haku, meanwhile, nodded respectfully. “I’ll do my best and learn as much as I can,” he said softly.

It would be his first real mission outside the classroom, and his calm demeanor masked quiet excitement.

“Team Six will be led by Kakashi,” Kitazawa announced the final group. “Members: Hyuga Neji, Inuzuka Kiba, and Shino Aburame.”

Kiba groaned. “Man, my teammates are too strong! How am I supposed to stand out?”

Neji and Shino both had impressive all-around abilities—combat, defense, and sensing. Compared to them, Kiba’s toolkit seemed limited, especially without a ninken.

“To beat them in score,” he muttered, “I’ll need a miracle.”

As Kitazawa lowered his clipboard, a realization struck him.

Every single one of the top eighteen students in the Genius Class had a name that would go down in history.

Unlike before, when there were still nameless faces among them, the class had evolved into a lineup of main characters.

He couldn’t help but feel oddly satisfied—like a gamer who had just completed an entire collection.

The Konoha 12… might just have to become the Konoha 18, he thought with amusement. Add Karin, and we’re at nineteen. Thirty-four would be pushing it—unless we start kidnapping geniuses from other villages.

“Grouping is complete,” Kitazawa announced, snapping everyone back to attention. “The first four teams will gather here tomorrow morning before departing for your missions. Everyone else, stand by until your rotation next week.”

He gave them a rare, easy smile. “Good work today. Go home and rest.”

The students chorused a quick “Yes, sensei!” before dispersing in high spirits.

The challenge matches between classes—where other students could face the bottom ten of the Genius Class—had been quietly scrapped. The power gap had grown too wide; it was no longer fair, or meaningful.

Still, Kitazawa knew the Genius Class model wasn’t perfect. He’d been drafting ideas for a new kind of academy reform—a system more like the universities of his previous life. A place for long-term development rather than constant battle readiness.

But for now, such a vision was impossible.

Peace was fragile, and Konoha couldn’t afford to keep its youth in classrooms for sixteen years while war still lingered beyond the borders.

For now, the Ninja Academy’s six-year structure would have to do.

As the students drifted away, Kitazawa exchanged a few polite words with the Third Hokage before heading home.

But he could feel Kakashi’s stare burning into the side of his head.

He turned slightly—Kakashi was still standing there, visible eye twitching beneath the headband.

Kitazawa sighed inwardly. Yeah… I know what you’re thinking.

Pairing Naruto and Rock Lee together was, admittedly, a choice.

He hadn’t meant to cause Kakashi psychological damage—it just… sort of happened. The selection had been semi-random, and by the time he noticed the “Youth Duo,” it was too late.

At least he’d spared Kakashi from the worst-case scenario.

He hadn’t assigned Might Guy to the same team.

Now that would have been apocalyptic.

Kitazawa smirked slightly as he walked off. “Hang in there, Kakashi. Youth builds character.”

“You’re back?”

Kurenai turned as the door opened, her soft voice carrying through the quiet house.

Kitazawa stepped inside, closing the door behind him with an easy smile. “Guess who ranked first today?”

Her crimson eyes flicked to him, then down—her silk nightgown shimmered faintly in the lamplight, tracing elegant curves as she crossed her arms.

“Hmm… Naruto, I’d say,” she guessed after a brief pause. “He’s been holding that spot quite often lately.”

Kitazawa chuckled, slipping off his cloak. “You’re right. If that kid could ever bring his theory grades up, there’d be no suspense left in the entire Genius Class.”

Kurenai laughed softly. “Fortunately, he hasn’t. Otherwise, Sasuke and the rest would have a collective identity crisis.”

As she moved, the light fabric of her nightgown rippled gently—the faintest breeze of domestic normalcy in a life built on chaos.

She could relate to those students more than anyone. After all, she’d grown up under the shadow of a prodigy herself—Kakashi Hatake, the youngest jōnin in Konoha’s history.

And now, she found herself standing beside someone who had risen even faster.

Kitazawa had been a simple academy instructor not long ago… now he was an elite, the Hokage’s direct student, and head of ANBU.

Kurenai smiled faintly. “So, where are we headed tomorrow?”

“The Land of the Sea,” Kitazawa replied. “You’ll finally get to test our Compound Ninjutsu—the Hurricane Water Vortex Technique.”

Her eyes brightened with anticipation. “Excellent. I’ve been waiting to see how our chakra natures blend in real combat.”

He grinned. “This time, I’ll make sure your wish comes true.”

Their quiet laughter mingled as they moved to the kitchen. After a brief chat, they prepared lunch together—an unspoken rhythm in sync from long familiarity.

Later that afternoon, Kitazawa strode into the ANBU base.

Even though he rarely interfered with day-to-day operations, he still made it a habit to stop by—to scan reports, to stay aware. After all, as head of the ANBU, ignorance was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

ANBU intelligence was divided into two categories.

Internal—movements and surveillance within Konoha, tracking figures like Jiraiya, Hiruzen, or even certain clans.

And external—the shadows cast far beyond the village, through spies embedded in other nations.

“Kitazawa.”

Konan rose from her seat.

He nodded. “I’ll be away on a mission tomorrow,” he said, sitting down at his desk. “While I’m gone, return to the Akatsuki and bring that member we discussed. We’ll regroup next Tuesday.”

“Understood.”

She inclined her head, then stepped back wordlessly as Kitazawa picked up a document from his desk.

A familiar name on the report caught his eye—Hōzuki Castle.

His brows lifted slightly.

The prison in Kusagakure—not under any single nation’s control, but established jointly at the Grass Country’s request. In other words… an international detention facility.

Even Konoha sent certain high-risk criminals there.

The warden, Mui, was a specialist in Fire Release—known for Heavenly Prison and Great Fire Heavenly Prison, both hybrid ninjutsu with sealing properties. Kitazawa himself had already learned them through the system.

But what interested him wasn’t Mui.

It was what lay beneath the prison—the Box of Paradise.

A relic said to grant any wish—but in truth, a twisted tool that consumed chakra and unleashed the monster Satori. A pseudo–divine weapon born of Yin Release.

The report stated that a Konoha prisoner had died two days ago during an “escape attempt.” Mui’s explanation was that the man resisted and was killed by the guards.

But Kitazawa didn’t buy it.

From what he remembered of the original events, Mui had been secretly extracting chakra from inmates to fuel the Box, hoping to open it and revive his son, Muku—a child who’d been devoured by the very box Mui once sought to control.

That “accident” sounded far too convenient.

And if the box really was active again…

Kitazawa leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the armrest thoughtfully.

This could be useful.

His mind flashed to one of his unfinished missions—the system’s condition for Sasuke to awaken his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Satori was a creature of pure Yin Release—a being that created form from nothing, born from corrupted wishes. If Sasuke encountered it, the evolution of his Sharingan would be almost guaranteed.

And as for the box itself?

If opened, he’d just seal Satori back. He had more than enough sealing techniques to handle that.

Then, as if on cue, glowing text appeared before his eyes:

[Current Mission: Defeat Satori.]

[Mission Reward: Contract Seal.]

Accept?

Kitazawa’s lips curved slightly. “How timely.”

It seemed fate—or perhaps the system—had already made his decision for him.

He didn’t particularly care about Kusagakure anymore. After what happened to Karin and her mother, this would simply be… repayment.

Still, there was no need to rush.

Naruto and Sasuke had just been assigned to their new teams and would depart for their own missions tomorrow. His trip to the Land of the Sea came first.

He’d let ANBU handle the reconnaissance.

Once confirmation came in, he’d head to Hōzuki Castle personally—officially under Tsunade’s orders, of course. He needed a legitimate reason to retrieve the Box of Paradise.

A Konoha prisoner dying from chakra extraction was the perfect pretext.

He tapped the file once, decisively. “Itachi will lead the scouting team.”

Hōzuki Castle was well-guarded—too much for standard ANBU to infiltrate effectively. But Itachi was another matter entirely.

Kitazawa closed the report and exhaled slowly.

One mission at a time.

Tomorrow—the Land of the Sea.

After that—the Box of Paradise.

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