The next day.
It was the official opening day of the Ninja Academy.
After finishing breakfast, Asahi and Yūhi set off together toward the academy.
They walked quite quickly and hurriedly – well, to be more precise, they were running late…
As they walked along the road, Yūhi complained non-stop, directing all her blame toward Asahi.
“This is all your fault!
If we’re late, we’ll leave a terrible first impression on our teachers.
What are we going to do then?”
Asahi, however, didn’t seem to care in the slightest.
“There’s no need to panic.
If we’re late, we’re late.
They probably won’t even have any proper lessons today anyway.
We’ll probably just spend the whole day getting to know our classmates and making new friends…”
He had spent the entire previous day studying and practicing Hadō #1: Shō.
On top of that, he wasn’t used to not having an alarm clock set by the system to remind him when to sleep, so he had completely lost track of time.
He had only finally gone to sleep when it was already late at night and he was far too exhausted to stay awake any longer…
But this had also allowed Asahi to notice something rather unusual about his body.
Overnight, all the injuries and exhaustion he had suffered during his training the day before had completely healed and vanished.
Even though he had only slept for two or three hours, he felt completely refreshed and full of energy when he woke up in the morning.
Asahi couldn’t be sure if this was a result of the enhanced spiritual pressure aptitude he had received, or if it was simply proof that he truly did possess the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan.
It was also worth mentioning that after experimenting and practicing for a while, Asahi had discovered that he could already use the reward he had received for “defeating Rumi Ochiai” – Hadō #1: Shō – perfectly well in this world.
This made perfect sense.
After all, Kidō and ninjutsu shared many fundamental similarities and principles.
The only real difference was that the source of power had simply changed from spiritual pressure to chakra.
Hadō #1: Shō was essentially a basic technique and method for using and channeling spiritual pressure, and it didn’t involve the more advanced concepts of transforming that power into different elemental properties or forms.
It was also highly likely that because it was such a low-level technique, Hadō #1: Shō didn’t even require any spoken incantations to activate.
The effect of Hadō #1: Shō was quite similar to the Air Palm technique used by members of the Hyūga clan.
It released a concentrated blast of compressed air and energy, creating a shockwave that could cause damage or destruction to everything within a certain range.
As for how powerful it was… that depended entirely on how well it was used.
The exact same technique could produce vastly different levels of strength depending on who was using it.
Asahi still didn’t know if he would be able to replicate and use more advanced Kidō techniques in this world in the future – especially those that required specific incantations or involved manipulating elemental nature transformations.
But he supposed he wouldn’t be able to find out until he received more rewards…
Yūhi glared sharply at Asahi.
“Hurry up already!
We really are going to be late if you keep dragging your feet!”
“Alright, alright, I’m going faster already.”
The two of them picked up their pace, but when they finally arrived at the academy and found Class 1-B, they were already hopelessly late…
There was one other student who had also arrived late.
He was a young boy wearing a training jacket, with goggles pushed up onto his head and spiky hair.
As he came running toward the classroom, he shouted loudly as if trying to explain himself, “I’m sorry, teacher!
It’s just that I stopped to help an old lady cross the road, and that’s why I’m late…”
When he noticed that there were two other students who were also late, he let out a quiet sigh of relief and even gave Asahi and Yūhi a look that clearly said, “I see we’re all in the same boat here, aren’t we?” Find the original chapter at novelping.com.
Asahi looked over at him and immediately recognized who he was, whispering silently to himself, Arriving late on the very first day – you really do have quite a distinctive and memorable way of doing things…
This was none other than the future great villain and mastermind – Uchiha Obito.
He never expected that the very first “familiar face” he would meet at the academy would be someone of such importance and influence!
A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of Asahi’s mouth, and he couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild with some rather dark and amusing thoughts.
But honestly… are there really that many old ladies walking around Konoha that need help crossing the road?
Could it be that all these “old ladies” are actually White Zetsu in disguise, sent by Madara Uchiha himself?
There was no way there were that many elderly people needing assistance in Konoha, was there?
Asahi was more than half convinced that this was exactly what was happening.
Since it was the very first day of school, their teacher – a Chūnin with thinning hair and whose name Asahi did not yet know – didn’t make a big fuss or question them too harshly about why they were late.
He simply reminded them briefly to be on time in the future and then told all three of them to go back to their seats.
The Chūnin teacher clapped his hands to get the attention of every student in the class, cleared his throat, and began his opening speech.
“Good morning, students.
From today onward, you are officially members of the Ninja Academy… blah, blah, blah…”
After delivering a long, encouraging speech full of inspiring words and motivation, he finally introduced himself.
“I am the homeroom teacher for Class 1-B.
My name is Horime Kootada.
From now on, you may address me as Teacher Kootada…”
The students in the class were polite enough to show respect to their new teacher, and called out in a chorus – though rather uncoordinated and messy – “Good morning, Teacher Kootada…”
Only Asahi had to fight very hard to stop himself from bursting out laughing.
He almost couldn’t resist asking him, “Teacher Kootada… just what exactly is the One Piece anyway?”
Keep it together, Asahi… don’t laugh…
Kootada smiled gently and continued speaking.
“Now then, let us begin our first lesson.
We will start with everyone introducing themselves.
This way, you will all get to know one another, and I will also be able to learn more about each of you.”
He scanned the room briefly and pointed to one of the three students who had arrived late, who happened to be sitting in the very first seat in the front row.
He smiled and said, “Let’s start with you.”
“Understood, teacher!” Uchiha Obito showed absolutely no signs of shyness or nervousness.
He stood up straight and adjusted his goggles properly.
Clearly wanting to make a good impression on his new classmates, he spoke with great confidence and enthusiasm.
“My name is Uchiha Obito.
I am five years old.
My favorite food is ramen.
I don’t have many special hobbies or interests, but my dream is… to become the Hokage!!”
The moment he said those words, the expressions on the faces of the students around him varied widely.
Some looked at him with admiration and respect, others seemed completely uninterested, and a few looked as though they had finally found someone who shared their own goals and ideals.
But there were hardly any students who looked down on him, sneered at him, or showed any signs of contempt.
It was estimated that about six out of every ten children who attended the academy dreamed of one day holding that position, so it wasn’t exactly a rare or unusual ambition.
However, to say it out loud so openly and with such unshakable confidence in front of an entire class – that took a level of courage and determination that most people simply didn’t possess.
It seemed the members of the Uchiha clan really were quite extraordinary people!
Impressive, truly impressive!
I see quite a few familiar faces around here… Asahi looked around the classroom carefully, trying to identify as many well-known characters from the original story as he could.
Suddenly, he felt someone poking him repeatedly in the side and waist, which made him twitch and jump slightly.
He turned his head and saw his deskmate Yūhi raising her eyebrows and looking at him meaningfully.
Asahi understood exactly what she was trying to say just from the look in her eyes.
Look at him – that’s what a normal person’s dreams and ambitions are like.
Only you would come up with the ridiculous idea of opening a barbecue restaurant right next to a ramen shop!
Asahi: “…”
He simply ignored her.
They were in class right now – wasn’t talking when you weren’t supposed to be the height of bad manners?!
Clap, clap, clap…
Teacher Kootada clapped his hands to show his support and encouragement.
He had heard students say this same thing many times before, but…
This was the first time he had ever seen someone say it with such complete confidence and certainty.
Between arriving late and making such a bold declaration, Obito had definitely left a lasting impression on him.
He smiled and said, “That is a wonderful and admirable dream.
I hope you will work hard to make it come true, Obito-kun.”
“Next up is…”
“…”
One by one, the students stood up and introduced themselves, and the sound of clapping and cheering echoed throughout the classroom, creating a lively and warm atmosphere…
This continued until a young boy who was trying very hard to look cool and aloof stood up to introduce himself.
For a moment, the entire class fell completely silent, and then erupted into a wave of noise and chatter…
It was no wonder they reacted this way.
To sum up his entire introduction in just one sentence, he had basically said: My father is the Hokage, and one day I will definitely surpass him!
This was Sarutobi Asuma, the son of the Third Hokage!
Asahi couldn’t help but make fun of him silently in his mind, Wow, you really take writing essays about your father to a whole new level.
I wouldn’t even bother reading them if you weren’t the author…
Beside him, Yūhi started poking him in the side and waist again, giving him a look that said, Look at him!
He’s the son of the Hokage, and his dream is to become even greater than his father!
You should really learn from him instead of always thinking about opening a barbecue restaurant next to a ramen shop!
“…” Asahi swatted her hand away.
Her poking was right on his most ticklish spot – it felt absolutely terrible!
He glared at her, as if saying, Stop poking me there all the time!
It seemed Yūhi had just discovered one of Asahi’s “weak points,” and the reaction she got from him made her find it absolutely hilarious.
She couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle softly, “Hehe…”
“Schedule”
Monday – Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day
Saturday – Sunday – Off