As Umino Iruka's voice rang out, the classroom gradually quieted down.
Everyone looked around at one another, curiosity written plainly on their faces.
Seeing this, Iruka smiled. "Then I'll go first."
"My name is Umino Iruka. I'm a chūnin. I'm not particularly good at combat, but I do have quite a bit of experience when it comes to teaching students."
"There are many things I like—soaking in hot springs, eating ramen, and well-behaved children who pay attention in class and don't cause trouble… The food I dislike is mixed rice. My hope is to one day fight alongside my students as fellow ninja, and my dream is to become an outstanding teacher who earns everyone's recognition."
"From now on, I'll be your homeroom teacher. I look forward to working with all of you."
After listening to Iruka's self-introduction, the students more or less had a template to follow.
The first to step up was Sakura Haruno, seated in the front row. She spoke with a blank expression.
"My name is Sakura Haruno. I'm an orphan."
"As for things I like or dislike, I can't really say yet. I just want to keep filling myself with knowledge and strength."
"As for my dream… I want to work hard to realize my own value and earn Lord Yuzuru's approval."
After hearing Sakura's introduction, Iruka couldn't help rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Running into a student with this kind of personality right off the bat made him feel like his teaching career ahead would be full of hardships.
Even so, Iruka silently committed Sakura to memory, planning to find time later to learn more about her situation.
Once Sakura stepped down, Ino Yamanaka jogged up to the podium.
"My name is Ino Yamanaka. I like flower arranging and handsome guys. What I hate most is being called 'pig.' My dream is to run a flower shop, then have lots and lots of children with the handsome guy I like."
As soon as she finished, a wave of murmurs rippled through the classroom, many students wearing indescribable expressions.
Ino, however, showed no sign of stage fright. She simply bowed politely and walked back to her seat.
Iruka covered his forehead.
"She's much more normal than the last one, but talking about having kids… isn't that thinking a bit too far ahead for a girl this age…?"
Before he could recover, a chubby boy holding a bag of chips walked up.
"My name is Choji Akimichi. I like all kinds of food. There's only one thing I hate… people who steal my last bite."
"If anyone dares do that, I'll fight them to the death."
Choji gave his introduction while eating and speaking indistinctly. Right after him came Shikamaru Nara.
Though he felt this was troublesome, he figured that skipping the introduction would be even more troublesome later if he had to explain himself one by one, so he spoke fairly seriously.
"My name is Shikamaru Nara. My hobbies are taking naps, watching clouds, and playing shogi. I hate trouble. My dream is to live a carefree life."
Before Shikamaru even stepped down, Kiba Inuzuka dashed excitedly onto the podium.
"My name is Kiba Inuzuka. This on my head is my partner, Akamaru."
"My favorite foods are beef jerky and cartilage. I hate things that aren't chewy."
"My dream is to become Hokage and lead Konoha!"
"Woof! Woof!"
Iruka couldn't help reminding him, "Kiba, you can bring Akamaru to class, but you can't let him bark whenever he wants."
Kiba replied unhappily, "Teacher, don't underestimate Akamaru. He's very well-behaved."
"Woof, woof, woof!"
Iruka could only nod in understanding and gesture for the next student.
Shino Aburame slowly walked up to the podium and cleared his throat.
"My name is Shino Aburame. I'm someone with a very low sense of presence."
"As for why my presence is low, it's because people often ignore me."
"But I've long since gotten used to it, so under normal circumstances, I don't get angry…"
Iruka hurriedly coughed twice. "Shino, your self-introduction…"
"Oh." Shino brought the topic back. "My hobby is observing insects. I dislike things with overly strong smells. Insects are currently the only companions who never ignore my existence."
As he finished speaking, dense clusters of small black insects crawled out across the only exposed part of Shino's face.
At the sight, many students gasped and covered their mouths, and several girls were even scared into crying on the spot.
"Shino, there's no need to demonstrate that. Hurry back to your seat."
Shino nodded and silently returned to his place.
However, the people around him had already put a great deal of distance between themselves and him.
"Next…"
One introduction followed another. A girl with her hair tied into two buns stepped forward.
"My name is Tenten. I like meat buns and sesame dumplings. I'm very interested in divination, research, and taking care of others. My dream is to become a rich woman."
"Oh right, if anyone wants to buy ninja tools, you can go to the ninja tool shop my family runs."
After Tenten stepped down, a thick-browed boy with large eyes and a bowl haircut hurried up to the podium.
"My name is Rock Lee. I'm not good at most things, but I will definitely work hard. I want to prove that even a dead last can defeat a genius through effort. My dream is to become an excellent ninja."
Seeing Lee, Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara all brightened.
This guy looked exactly like Guy-sensei.
Naruto whispered excitedly, "This guy isn't Guy-sensei's illegitimate child in Konoha, is he?"
Gaara frowned. "Naruto, that's rude… though we could ask Guy-sensei about it."
Sasuke snorted lightly. "He looks weak. Not interested."
Time ticked by, and finally it was the turn of those in the back row, including Neji Hyuga.
Under Ino's expectant gaze, Neji spoke in a deep voice.
"My name is Neji Hyuga. I am a member of the Hyuga clan."
"I firmly believe that man can triumph over heaven, and that everyone can break free of their shackles and become a bird soaring freely."
"My dream is to become the head of the Hyuga clan and lead the clan in repaying Lord Yuzuru's kindness."
Most people had heard something about the Hyuga clan, so they all nodded thoughtfully.
Next, Gaara stepped up.
"My name is Gaara Uchiha. I am a kekkei genkai ninja capable of controlling sand. I like dried noodles and grilled beef tongue, and I dislike sweets."
"My dream is to protect my companions and become a reliable teammate."
After hearing Gaara's introduction, the classroom immediately erupted into excited chatter.
"Gaara Uchiha… he's actually a child of the Uchiha clan?"
"So that means he can awaken the Sharingan and also possesses another kekkei genkai? That's really enviable."
"He's such a cute boy—if you bullied him, he'd probably cry for a long time."
@@@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Discount-Discount-Discount!!!!!!!!!!@@@@
You want more chapters??? +50 chapters (or to the end of the raw) available on my patreon page:
patreon.com/Hard_Worker
If you like the novel so far, please leave me a 5-star review
I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a Review—Power Stones