Kushina's Boastful Words

The classroom in the Ninja Academy had a tiered structure, higher in the back and lower in the front, forming a lecture hall. The students didn't have assigned seats; friends could sit closer together, while those who were aloof and domineering might take up an entire desk by themselves.

Overall, the classroom was quite large, with not too many students – a rough count revealed only about twenty.

Katsuki stood on the podium, silently grinding his teeth. Fine, a bunch of brats. This is going to be a pain. He didn't stop to consider that he himself was only a shorty, barely a meter tall.

"Everyone quiet down, no more noise." Teacher Takashima quickly calmed the rowdy group of six or seven-year-olds, saying in a gentle voice, "Today, we have two new students joining us. From today on, they'll be studying with all of you..."

After a slight pause, the middle-aged man cast his gaze towards Kushina and Katsuki, who stood beside him. "Come on, introduce yourselves to everyone."

Katsuki immediately pouted, glancing sideways at Kushina. He wondered whether he should speak first or second. In any case, he couldn't steal his sister's thunder. Fortunately, he wouldn't have to worry about this problem for long...

"My name is Kushina Uzumaki... My dream is to become the first female Hokage..." Kushina's childish voice echoed through the classroom. After her declaration, the girl's small face turned bright red, making her look even more like a ripe, red tomato. However, she was quite satisfied with her performance.

See? Everyone's stunned by me. Who dares to look down on me now!

Katsuki's mouth twitched. Good grief, my sister's grand pronouncements are truly something. I thought with me as an added variable, Kushina wouldn't say something so ambitious. It seems I was too naive.

He glanced at the brats seated below. As expected, the silence was just the prelude to an explosion. Many of the boys were already holding back laughter, looking like they were about to burst out. Katsuki's heart skipped a beat. He didn't care if these brats were asking for trouble, but he was afraid his sister might take her anger out on him. He would definitely cry himself to sleep in the bathroom if that happened. His thoughts raced like lightning as he pondered how to resolve this issue.

"I also hope to become a great Hokage recognized by everyone in the village!"

A clear, resonant voice, like a jade bell, rang out as the boy suddenly stood up from his seat. His golden hair was as dazzling as the sun, and his sea-blue eyes sparkled like a pair of brilliant gems. His handsome face wore a refreshing smile. His sudden interjection immediately suppressed the shift in the classroom's atmosphere. Those few guys who were about to mock Kushina swallowed their impending laughter.

Teacher Takashima naturally sensed the change in the atmosphere. He cast a grateful glance at the blond boy, fearing that any further trouble might disappoint the Hokage's intentions. He hurriedly pointed to the empty seats, gesturing for Kushina and Katsuki to sit down, completely forgetting that Katsuki hadn't introduced himself yet...

Fortunately, Katsuki wasn't concerned about such matters at the moment. He was staring at the blond boy in the next seat with a headache, unsure how to deal with him...

"Hello, my name is Minato Namikaze. It looks like we'll be deskmates today. Please take care of me." The future Yellow Flash, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, lowered his voice and greeted Katsuki.

"Uh... Hello, my name is..."

"Katsuki, don't talk to that sissy. Be careful you don't catch it and become one too." Kushina's hand shot out like lightning, accurately and viciously pinching the soft flesh on Katsuki's waist.

Successfully silencing Katsuki, Kushina then shot Minato a provocative glance, looking exceptionally smug.

"Uzumaki Katsuki, is it? Then please take care of me from now on! Katsuki-kun." Ignoring Teacher Takashima, who was still enthusiastically lecturing on the podium, Minato smiled and chatted with the Uzumaki siblings.

Kushina blinked at Minato's words, then belatedly realized what he had said. She immediately glared at Minato indignantly. If it weren't for the fact that they were new and class was in session, she would definitely let this pretty boy know who was boss.

Katsuki let out a quiet sigh in his heart. What a pain! My sister's intelligence is completely dominated by him. What can be done?

Regarding Minato Namikaze, this man who might become his brother-in-law, he didn't know how to react. Memories from his past life and his current impressions intertwined, causing him great distress.

Setting aside other things, purely as a person, Minato Namikaze was undoubtedly someone to be admired and respected. Moreover, he and Kushina were the most romantic couple. Although they sacrificed themselves heroically, they were truly... very moving.

"Sigh!"

With a long sigh, Katsuki felt his head was about to explode. Pondering such matters was simply not his forte. He might as well let things take their course. All he had to do was respect his sister's choice and give her his full support. After all, happiness was never something bestowed by others; it was something earned. As long as his sister was happy, that would be enough!

He gave Minato an apologetic smile and sat down obediently in his chair, staring blankly at the podium. Under the desk, his hands continuously practiced hand seals. The twelve hand seals flowed back and forth like blooming flowers.

This was also part of his training. The speed of a ninja's hand seals was one of the standards for measuring their strength. Fast hand seals meant being able to release ninjutsu more quickly, gaining the initiative in battle and delivering a fatal blow to the enemy at critical moments.

Being able to perform hand seals quickly was a prerequisite for learning ninjutsu. Before Sakumo approved his speed, he was not allowed to learn any ninjutsu other than the Three Basic Ninjutsu. This was Sakumo's requirement before he left. Now, Katsuki could only drool over the ninjutsu scrolls collected by the Uzumaki Clan, but he dared not touch them.

The lower grades in the Ninja Academy dismissed school earlier. After all, they were just six or seven-year-old children, usually full of energy, and they lacked the patience to sit for long periods. It was only when they advanced to higher grades that their patience could be gradually cultivated.

Of course, this mostly applied to students from commoner backgrounds with no special connections. As for those with some background, they would go home after school, close their doors, and practice diligently. Even if the kid didn't want to practice, their family would whip them into it with a belt.

The curriculum at the Ninja Academy consisted of two categories: academic and physical education. Classes started at 8:30 AM and ended at 3:00 PM, including lunch breaks.

The academic classes were quite boring, covering the history of Konoha's establishment, which was only thirty years old, as well as writing and arithmetic. This was very useful for most children from commoner backgrounds. Literacy rates were still low these days, with many people unable to read or write. Many commoner families hoped that even if their children couldn't become ninjas, learning to write and calculate would make the tuition fees worthwhile.

The graduation rate at the Ninja Academy was not high. Many students would attend for five or six years without graduating. These individuals often had to withdraw sadly after reaching the age limit, abandoning their dreams of becoming ninjas and starting to work hard to make a living.