“These two are trainee instructors.
From now on, they’ll assist me in teaching your classes.”
“Please introduce yourselves.”
One of the young men stepped forward.
“Hello, everyone.
My name is Iruka.
I’ll be spending a great deal of time with all of you from now on, and I hope I can be helpful.
If I ever do something poorly, I hope you’ll tell me immediately.”
The other young man stepped forward.
“Hello, everyone.
My name is Mizuki.
Like Iruka, I’m also a trainee instructor.
I hope we can get along well and improve together in the days ahead.”
Akira raised his head.
Until now, he hadn’t recognized anyone in the classroom.
He had never even heard any of their names, including those from prominent shinobi clans such as the Hyūga and Aburame.
That alone proved that none of the instructors or students present would accomplish anything remarkable in the future.
They were all ordinary people.
Iruka and Mizuki, however, were different.
Akira remembered both of them clearly.
One had played an important role at the beginning of the original story.
By deceiving Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals, he gave Naruto the opportunity to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
That marked the beginning of Naruto’s rise to power.
The other became Naruto’s mentor in life and someone Naruto regarded as a father.
At Naruto’s wedding, it was Iruka—not Kakashi—who appeared as the elder representing his family.
However, Akira soon looked away again.
The two were merely supporting characters.
Their strength would never rise beyond the level of a chūnin.
They were civilian shinobi without kekkei genkai, secret techniques, or exceptional talent.
Until their roles in the original story arrived, neither of them held any value to him.
The day’s classes ended.
Akira left the Academy and headed toward the Uchiha compound.
“Akira!”
A girl gathered her courage and chased after him.
“What is it?”
Akira turned toward her and frowned.
“Could we get to know each other?
My name is Yamabuki Yuki.”
Yuki extended her hand.
Akira looked her over.
She was fairly pretty.
She was also lively and radiated youthful energy.
“Not interested.”
Akira withdrew his gaze and continued toward the Uchiha compound, leaving Yuki standing alone.
Yuki froze, her eyes reddening slightly.
She had gathered all her courage to approach him, never imagining that she would receive such a response.
The rejection left her deeply embarrassed, as though everyone were already laughing at her.
She could already imagine what would happen once the other students learned about it.
A trace of resentment appeared in her heart.
However, when Yuki raised her head and looked at Akira’s retreating figure, that resentment disappeared.
Even though Akira had rejected her, she still seemed to like him.
“Why?” Yuki asked.
“Because I already have someone I like.”
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Uchiha Izumi.”
Akira noticed a familiar figure ahead.
“Izumi, wait up!”
Hearing Akira’s voice, Uchiha Izumi turned around with a pleasantly surprised expression.
“Akira?
What are you doing here?”
“Today was my first day at the Ninja Academy.”
“Oh, I see.”
Izumi waited for Akira to catch up before walking again.
“I can’t believe even you’re old enough to attend the Ninja Academy now.
But you addressed me incorrectly just now.”
“You should call me Big Sister Izumi.
You can’t address me by my name alone.”
Akira shook his head.
“That won’t do.
You’re the woman I’m going to marry.
How could I call you my older sister?”
Izumi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“That was merely a childhood joke.
I’m older than you, so that makes me your big sister.”
“Besides, I’m several years older than you.
It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to marry me.”
“That younger girl behind us is much more suitable for you.”
Seeing Izumi walking beside Akira, Yuki’s eyes became unfocused.
It felt as though her romance had been mercilessly destroyed before it could even begin.
“I only like Izumi,” Akira declared.
“Besides, a man must keep his word.
You’re only three years older than me.
That’s nothing.”
“I will definitely marry you.”
Izumi looked at Akira helplessly and could only play along.
“All right, all right.
Then I’ll wait for you.”
“At the very least, you’ll have to grow taller than me first.”
“You’re still far too young.”
“Your main responsibility right now is to study hard at the Ninja Academy.”
Akira reached out and took Izumi’s hand.
“Don’t worry.
I will.”
“Just wait patiently, Izumi.
Within three years, I’ll be taller than you.
Once that happens, we’ll get engaged.”
“I’ll ask Father to visit your family and formally request your hand in marriage.”
Izumi’s face immediately turned red.
She attempted to pull her hand away, but failed.