“My name is Shino Aburame.
My dream is to raise extremely powerful kikaichū insects.
I like vegetable salad and winter melon.
I dislike food with strong flavors.
My hobby is collecting insects,” Shino said coolly.
“Eww!
He likes collecting bugs!
That’s so creepy!”
“He even wants to raise stronger bugs!
That’s terrifying!”
The girls in the classroom immediately cried out in horror, staring at Shino with frightened expressions.
Behind his dark glasses, Shino could only sigh helplessly.
Iruka smiled.
“Shino comes from the Aburame Clan.
Their clan’s secret technique revolves around insects.
The stronger his insects become, the stronger he becomes—and the stronger he is, the better he can protect the village.
Shino is someone you can definitely rely on.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Iruka-sensei,” Shino replied flatly, though gratitude could still be sensed in his voice.
“Alright, next.”
________________
“My name is Aida Ryohei.
My dream is to become Hokage and protect the village.
I like sweets, dislike bitter food, and enjoy playing ninja games where I’m the hero.”
A completely ordinary little boy finished his introduction.
“My name is Mori Naeko.
My dream is to become the most beautiful female ninja and amaze everyone with my beauty.
I like dango, dislike bugs, and my hobby is putting on makeup.”
Then it was Sakura’s turn.
“My name is Haruno Sakura.
My dream is…”
Naruto wasn’t particularly interested in learning everyone’s names.
He turned his head and gazed out the window.
The cherry blossoms drifting through the air were much more interesting.
________________
“Hey, Naruto.
It’s your turn.”
After an unknown amount of time, Shikamaru nudged him.
“Oh.”
Naruto stood up.
“My name is Uzumaki Naruto.
Nice to meet you all.”
After saying only that, he sat back down.
Immediately, whispers filled the room.
“That’s him!
The kid our parents told us never to play with!”
“He’s actually in our class?”
“Even if we’re classmates, we can’t play with him.
Mom and Dad would be angry.”
“Do you know why?”
“I do!
They say he’s the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon!”
“The Nine-Tailed Fox?”
Soon the classroom buzzed with discussion.
Iruka looked at Naruto with a complicated expression.
“Quiet.
We’ll continue with the introductions.
Next.”
Naruto paid no attention and simply turned back toward the window again.
________________
“My name is Nara Shikamaru.
I don’t really have any dreams.
There’s nothing I especially like or dislike.”
His introduction was as lazy as expected.
Then Ino stood up proudly.
“My name is Yamanaka Ino!
I’m going to become the strongest and most beautiful kunoichi!
I love winning and hate losing.
I refuse to lose!”
She glared directly at Sakura, openly declaring war.
Finally, Hinata stood nervously.
“M-My name is Hyūga Hinata…
P-Please take care of me.”
Blushing furiously, she hurriedly sat back down.
________________
Once everyone had introduced themselves, Iruka nodded.
“Good.
Now everyone has a basic understanding of your classmates.
From now on, you should work together, help each other, and improve together.
That’s how you’ll become outstanding ninja.”
He clapped his hands.
“Alright, pay attention.
It’s time for our first lesson.”
He wrote several large characters on the blackboard.
“Chakra Extraction.”
________________
The Ninja Academy didn’t really use textbooks for ninja skills.
Most techniques were taught directly by the instructors.
Only general academic subjects had textbooks.
As for ninja education, students were mainly evaluated on ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
________________
Naruto had already mastered chakra extraction years ago.
Whether he listened or not made little difference.
Still, he wondered whether Iruka might teach something useful that differed from what the Third Hokage had taught him.
The answer came quickly.
Iruka’s version of the chakra extraction method was noticeably inferior.
Both its efficiency and quality were worse than the version the Third Hokage had personally taught Naruto.
Before long, Naruto’s attention wandered again.
________________
“That’s the basics of chakra extraction,” Iruka concluded.
“Now everyone, begin practicing.
Those who have already learned how to extract chakra may rest quietly, but don’t disturb those who are still practicing.”
Immediately, about half the class put their heads down.
“Tch.
They’re already six years old and still can’t extract chakra?
Pathetic.”
Someone whispered arrogantly.
Naruto noticed that Sakura had also stopped practicing.
Apparently, she’d learned chakra extraction before entering the Academy as well.
After all, unlike Naruto, she still had both parents.
Sasuke wasn’t extracting chakra either.
Instead, he sat quietly with a faint smile.
Naruto guessed the boy was probably thinking about training with his beloved older brother, Itachi, after school.
Back then, the Uchiha massacre hadn’t happened yet.
________________
Extracting chakra wasn’t easy.
Especially for children with no prior experience.
Even when the school bell rang…
Ring!
Ring!
Ring!
…not a single beginner had successfully extracted chakra.
Iruka smiled reassuringly.
“Alright, class is over.
Don’t worry if you haven’t succeeded yet.
Even talented children usually need several hours the first time.
Taking two or even three months to master chakra extraction is perfectly normal.”
The children immediately protested.
“I don’t want it to take three months!”
“Me neither!
I’m not that untalented!”
“I’m skipping lunch!
I’ll definitely extract chakra today!”
Iruka smacked the desk.
“Quiet!
Anyone saying they’ll skip lunch clearly wasn’t paying attention.
Chakra is formed from spiritual energy and physical energy.
If you don’t eat, where will your physical energy come from?
Everyone go eat lunch, get some rest, and continue practicing this afternoon.
Class dismissed!”
Only then did the children reluctantly take out their lunch boxes.
________________
“Naruto, want to eat lunch together?” Shikamaru asked.
Naruto shook his head.
“No thanks.
I don’t usually bring a lunch.
I live pretty close to the Academy, so I’ll just go home and eat.”
“I see.”
At that moment, Chōji walked over.
“Shikamaru, let’s eat.”
“Yeah.”
He nodded before turning back to Naruto.
“See you this afternoon.”
“See you.”
Naruto smiled, stood up, left the classroom, and headed home for lunch.
ADD TO COLLECTION.