"Third Hokage-sama, I... I want to be in a class with Naruto and the others," Furen said.
The Third Hokage, who was smoking a pipe, paused in surprise; he hadn't expected Furen to make such a request. He thought Furen might choose a powerful jutsu or something that could improve his life.
"A class with Naruto…" The Third Hokage recalled the classes that had just been assigned that morning.
That would be Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke… and their teacher Kakashi of Team Seven.
This team had been specially selected by the Third Hokage himself, featuring the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the last of the Uchiha clan, and Kakashi, who had removed his mask as an Anbu during a bloody mission…
Furen's reason for wanting to join Naruto's team was quite reasonable; after all, children always want to be with their friends. According to Iruka, Furen had a good relationship with Naruto.
Furthermore, after hearing from Iruka and several Chunin last night, the Third Hokage learned that Furen was thought to be a child who had sacrificed himself for the village. After looking through Furen's file, he discovered that Furen was actually the descendant of a Leaf Village Jonin who died in battle, which prompted the Third Hokage to visit.
A child with no apparent flaws, who was wholeheartedly dedicated to the village, joining Kakashi's team was certainly not an issue.
Taking a deep puff from his pipe, the Third Hokage, whose face was covered in age spots, smiled and said, "Let's make an exception and allow you to form a five-person team with Naruto and the others."
Furen expressed his gratitude with a bow, saying, "Thank you, Third Hokage-sama."
"I will inform Kakashi. You just focus on your recovery, little one." The Third Hokage stood up and walked toward the door.
After watching the Third Hokage leave, Furen quickly replaced his feigned gratitude with excitement. He had deliberated for a long time on which class to join, and ultimately decided to enter Kakashi's Team Seven.
Among the teachers for this year's graduates—Kakashi, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi—Kakashi was undoubtedly the strongest. Moreover, most of the main storylines in Naruto involved Kakashi's Team Seven, which would be more advantageous for Furen.
"Today is likely their bell-snatching day…" Furen glanced out the window and then noticed the large pile of gifts at his bedside—various fruits and other items for visiting patients.
Without a doubt, he knew these had been sent by Sakura, Ino, and the others.
"This is a cosmos flower sent by Ino, right?" Furen picked up the transparent vase from the bedside.
Just as he leaned down to inhale the floral scent, the door to the hospital room was pushed open a crack, and Ino's little head peeked in.
"Furen-kun, are you awake?"
Seeing Furen sniffing the flowers, Ino's eyes lit up.
"Ino, come in," Furen said, lifting his head.
Ino entered and stood beside Furen, asking with concern, "Furen-kun, are you feeling better?"
Furen scratched his head and smiled, pointing to the bandages on his body. "I was lucky; none of my vital areas were injured. I should recover by tomorrow."
Ino looked at the bandages on Furen's body with a touch of pity. "Furen-kun, you're really brave."
"It's nothing much," Furen replied, holding his forehead protector. "It's my duty to contribute to the village…"
After chatting a bit more, Furen learned that all the newly graduated Genin were meeting their chosen teachers that morning, just as he had expected, with no changes from the original story.
The reason Ino could come so early was that she had asked for leave from her teacher, Asuma; otherwise, she would be with Sakura and the others.
Ino noticed the gifts on the bedside from Sakura, Tenten, and even Hinata, and felt a bit smug when she saw Furen still holding her flower vase.
"It seems my gift is what Furen likes most."
Looking at the vase in Furen's hands, Ino curiously asked, "Furen-kun, do you know what flower this is?"
Ino had a deep love for flowers, and the ones she sent to Furen were carefully selected.
"This is a cosmos flower…" Furen placed the vase back on the bedside and extended his hand. "These two flowers… should be placed separately."
"I didn't know Furen-kun understood flower arrangements!" Ino's eyes sparkled. Upon entering the hospital room and seeing Furen with the flowers, she had initially thought he just liked the one she sent, but she didn't realize he was knowledgeable about floral art.
Furen smiled gently. "I really like floral arrangements. I've learned quite a bit, for example…"
Furen began explaining floral art.
"Furen-kun, you know so much…" Ino looked at Furen's handsome face, even with a few bandages, and her heart raced.
Sharing a common interest in floral art, his stunning looks, and his bravery in protecting the village… Furen was simply the perfect man in her eyes!
"Furen…" Ino's voice suddenly softened.
"Hmm?"
Your favorability with Yamanaka Ino has increased by 10%.
Ding!
Congratulations, host! You have gained the transformation of the "Mind Body Switch Technique" into "Mind Body Chaos Technique."
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A/N:
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