The next day, the Third Hokage arranged for an ANBU ninja to escort Naruto to the Ninja Academy.
“Hanataro, you’re here too?”
“Big Brother Shunxi!”
“Byakkomaru, I’m definitely not going to lose to you and become a ninja!”
…
Little boys and girls excitedly greeted the friends they already knew.
“Makosan!
Reiko-chan, you’re here too?”
“Nanami-kun, is this your child?”
…
The adults also warmly greeted the parents they were familiar with.
However, the moment the ANBU arrived with Naruto…
The entire crowd fell silent.
“That’s that kid…
He’s actually still alive?”
“How could he die?
If you shopped at the market often, you’d know that if it weren’t for the Hokage’s order…”
“Shh!
Don’t say any more.”
“Hmph.
Someone like him should just die.”
“He’s got some nerve showing his face here.”
…
Countless adults glared at Naruto with hatred and resentment.
“Dad?
Mom?”
The children nervously tugged at their parents’ sleeves.
The adults immediately seized the opportunity to vent.
“Tatamaru, remember this!
Never, ever play with that child.
If I catch you hanging around him, I’ll beat you.”
“Fuko, see that boy?
Stay as far away from him as possible.
You’re not allowed to be his friend.”
“Doudou-chan, even if that child dies right in front of you, you’re not allowed to help him.
Understand?”
…
One after another, the parents threatened and warned their children in every way imaginable.
“I…
I won’t play with him.”
“I’ll stay far away.”
The children hurriedly promised.
________________
The Clan Children’s Reactions
Shikamaru, with his pineapple-shaped hairstyle, looked up at his father.
“Dad, what’s so special about that boy?
Why won’t everyone let their kids play with him?”
Shikaku Nara calmly replied,
“There’s nothing special.
If you want to be friends with him, then be friends with him.
If you think he’s someone worth making friends with, then do it.”
“Just listen to Shikamaru.”
Choza Akimichi patted Choji on the shoulder.
“The same goes for you, Ino.”
Inoichi Yamanaka smiled at his daughter.
“I don’t care about all that.”
Ino shrugged.
Then she spotted Sakura.
“Sakura!”
“Ino!”
Sakura immediately waved back excitedly.
The two girls had already met in the academy’s preschool class.
Indeed, the ninja clans all had their own preparatory classes before entering the Academy.
Even Sakura, despite her poor showing in the original story, technically came from a ninja clan—although by now the Haruno clan was tiny.
________________
The ANBU had no intention of lingering.
After completing Naruto’s enrollment paperwork, he immediately left.
Naruto had no intention of trying to force himself into anyone’s good graces.
He simply turned around and headed home.
The official first day of school would be tomorrow.
________________
Sasuke Arrives
Just as Naruto was about to leave…
Someone suddenly exclaimed,
“Look!
It’s the Uchiha!”
Everyone turned.
Sasuke Uchiha walked proudly toward the Academy, holding the hand of his older brother, Itachi.
“That’s Sasuke Uchiha!
The younger son of the Uchiha clan head!
He’s so handsome!”
“Yeah!
Standing beside the genius Itachi, he doesn’t look inferior at all.”
“It’s a shame they’re Uchihas…
Those hateful Uchihas.”
The adults still couldn’t hide their resentment toward the clan.
The little girls, however, reacted very differently.
“Wow…
He’s so handsome!”
They were instantly captivated.
Itachi smiled.
“It looks like Sasuke is very popular.”
Everything appeared peaceful.
Unfortunately…
It was only an illusion.
Naruto watched them quietly for a moment before calmly walking past.
Itachi paused slightly.
“Hm?”
“What’s wrong, Brother?”
Sasuke asked.
“Nothing.”
“Let’s go.”
Itachi shook his head.
He had already recognized Naruto as the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki.
After all, only someone with Uzumaki blood could become the Nine-Tails’ host.
Combined with Naruto’s blond hair…
For the major ninja clans, it wasn’t difficult to guess that he was the Fourth Hokage’s son.
As the future Uchiha clan heir, Itachi naturally knew this.
He also knew that Kushina Uzumaki had been close friends with his own mother.
Yet…
The reason Itachi frowned wasn’t because of Naruto’s miserable treatment.
Instead, from his perspective as someone who always prioritized the village, he thought:
“Is it really safe to let the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki attend the Academy?
What exactly is the Third Hokage planning?”
At the same time…
He believed the Fourth Hokage was a hero.
Treating the hero’s son this way would only encourage Konoha’s shinobi to protect the village even more.
In his mind…
The village was right.
The Uchiha were wrong.
Of course, Naruto couldn’t hear Itachi’s thoughts.
Otherwise…
He would probably have sighed,
“There are really a lot of lunatics in this world.”
________________
Opening Ceremony
“…Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, the Fire burns.
The light of that Fire illuminates the village and causes new leaves to sprout.
That is the Will of Fire.
I hope every one of you will become flames that protect Konoha and nurture the next generation.”
After speaking continuously for two hours, the Third Hokage finally concluded his opening speech.
Iruka stepped forward.
“Class A: Mota Tsuma, Iki Runga…
Uchiha Sasuke, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, Hyuga Hinata, Haruno Sakura…
Uzumaki Naruto…
Everyone whose name I called, follow me.”
Mizuki then began reading the Class B roster.
Since Class B had nothing to do with them, nobody from Class A paid attention.
Iruka counted his students before leading them toward their classroom.
________________
Class A
“This will be your classroom from now on.”
Iruka smiled.
“Unless we’re outside for practical lessons, all classes will be held here.”
“Now everyone, find a seat.”
The students immediately rushed toward the places they liked.
Naruto naturally walked all the way to the back.
He chose the window seat.
As soon as he sat down, someone sat beside him.
“Hello.”
“I’m Nara Shikamaru.”
Shikamaru extended his hand.
Naruto smiled and shook it.
“I’m Uzumaki Naruto.”
Just then, an annoyed female voice interrupted.
“Shikamaru, you lazy bum!
You’re sitting back here just so you can sleep again!”
It was Ino.
She immediately sat down beside Shikamaru.
“So?
Not sitting with your best friend?”
Shikamaru teased.
“Don’t mention her.”
Ino gritted her teeth.
Apparently, the friendship between her and Sakura had already begun to crack.
“You two had a fight?”
Shikamaru looked surprised.
“Hmph!
I’m not going to lose to her!”
“Sasuke is going to be mine!”
Ino declared proudly.
“Tch…
Women are such a pain.”
Shikamaru sighed.
________________
Introductions Begin
Iruka clapped his hands.
“Alright, everyone has found a seat.”
“Let’s begin with self-introductions so everyone can get to know each other.”
“I’ll go first.”
“My name is Iruka Umino.”
“I’m a Chūnin.”
“My dream was to become a teacher, and now that dream has come true.”
“My favorite food is Ichiraku Ramen.”
“I dislike mixed rice bowls.”
“What I value most is trust.”
“My hobby is visiting hot springs.”
“That’s about it.”
“Now we’ll start from the student in the corner over there.”
He pointed toward the boy wrapped up almost completely in heavy clothing.
Shino Aburame.
ADD TO COLLECTION.