The classroom buzzed with excitement.
This was the Uchiha clan.
A legendary clan with the Sharingan—renowned throughout the shinobi world for their prowess in one-on-one combat.
They were proud. Exclusive. Rarely did their clan members even attend the Ninja Academy.
Even Iruka couldn't help but look at Sasuke with a hint of admiration.
As expected of an Uchiha.
Ambitious.
After all, Sasuke's older brother, Uchiha Itachi, had been specially recruited into the Hokage's direct ANBU unit at a young age.
If a prodigy like that came from his class…
Iruka swallowed.
Maybe even the Hokage would personally commend him.
That would be an honor.
"He's the second son of the Uchiha clan head!"
Sakura stared at Sasuke, starry-eyed.
"Strong background, talented, and handsome… no wonder!"
Sasuke stood tall under the praise.
As long as they admired the Uchiha, they were acceptable.
Naruto glanced at the system panel floating before him.
[Option 1: Provoke Sasuke's pride.Reward: Attribute Point +1]
[Option 2: Flatter Sasuke.Reward: Random B-Rank Ninjutsu]
Naruto briefly tried muttering both options under his breath.
No notification.
Only one reward per trigger.
Figures.
He stood up lazily.
"Sasuke," Naruto said casually, "you can't become your brother."
"For the simple reason that there's only one Uchiha Itachi."
The classroom fell quiet.
System prompt:
[Reward Acquired: Attribute Point +1 (Freely Allocated)]
A chubby civilian boy muttered nervously,
"My dad says we should stay away from the Uchiha… He said the Second Hokage didn't trust them…"
Sasuke's eyes flickered briefly—but he ignored it.
The words of the weak did not matter.
Naruto's statement, however—
Hmph.
I'll show you in combat training.
Iruka looked at Naruto with complicated eyes.
His parents had died during the Nine-Tails' attack.
Resentment still lingered.
But seeing Naruto isolated like this…
Iruka suppressed his emotions.
If I treat him like everyone else does… what kind of teacher would I be?
He clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright. Let's continue."
"Next."
Naruto stepped forward.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
"My dream is to become the Hokage."
His tone was calm.
The classroom reaction was mild.
After all, most children dreamed of becoming Hokage.
Iruka nodded approvingly.
Shikamaru watched with half-lidded eyes.
Troublesome.
Becoming Hokage sounded exhausting.
Then Hinata stepped forward.
"I… I'm Hinata…"
Her voice was barely audible.
When she raised her head and saw everyone staring at her, panic filled her chest.
Her eyes instinctively drifted toward a certain blonde boy.
Their gazes almost met—
Her cheeks burned instantly.
She lowered her head, unable to continue.
Naruto watched quietly.
Hinata's weakness at this age was obvious.
Hyūga Hiashi's strict expectations only worsened her self-doubt.
A vicious cycle.
Ironically, her bloodline was among the purest in the Hyūga clan.
Even Ōtsutsuki Toneri would one day target her.
Ino, who had been half-listening, suddenly noticed Hinata's glance.
Her golden bangs twitched.
Was she… looking at Naruto?
Does Hinata know him already?
Soon, Chōji took the stage, munching on potato chips mid-introduction.
Iruka nearly sighed, but he remembered the Akimichi clan's dietary needs and let it slide.
After introductions, Iruka distributed textbooks.
The Academy curriculum included:
Basic theory
Chakra extraction
The Three Basic Techniques (Clone, Transformation, Substitution)
Shuriken practice
Taijutsu fundamentals
Field mission basics
School ended shortly after.
Chōji approached first.
"Hey, Naruto! Want to grab barbecue at Yakiniku Q?"
Kiba slung an arm around Chōji's shoulder.
"Yeah, come with us!"
Naruto liked them.
They were sincere.
Ino joined them, smiling brightly.
"Come on, Naruto~"
He was about to agree—
When he sensed something.
Out of the corner of his eye—
Hinata was staring from the back of the room.
The moment he looked her way, she ducked her head like a startled animal.
Naruto blinked.
She's definitely trying to say something.
"Next time," he told the group.
Chōji looked disappointed, but nodded.
After they left, Hinata slowly approached.
Step by step.
Her fingers nervously poked together.
"Na… Naruto-kun…"
She didn't dare look up.
"My father… wants to thank you… for helping me."