On the podium, Iruka looked toward Naruto in the distance with mixed feelings and said, "Naruto Uzumaki, aren't you coming up to introduce yourself?"
Naruto Uzumaki?
"H-He's that one?!"
Hearing this, some of the students froze for a moment, then turned back to look at Naruto in surprise, unable to stop themselves from crying out.
Amid the whispers, Naruto walked step by step onto the podium with a gentle smile.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I dislike being ignored, and I also dislike the feeling of being powerless."
Facing his curious and surprised classmates, his azure eyes seemed to shine as he met everyone's gaze directly.
"I like learning knowledge, exploring the unknown, and enjoying the process of being recognized by others. So I hope to become friends with everyone and earn your recognition."
"As for my dream..."
Naruto lowered his eyes. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "I want to become a great ninja like the Fourth Hokage. I want to become a flame like him, illuminating the Leaf Village and bringing warmth to everyone."
After saying that, Naruto politely nodded to Iruka before walking off the podium with an upright posture.
The students stared blankly, their eyes still fixed on Naruto until he returned to his seat.
Become a flame, illuminate the Leaf Village, and bring warmth to everyone?
His tone was gentle, and he had not spoken of some lofty dream like becoming Hokage.
Yet it gave everyone an immensely convincing feeling.
As though he would definitely achieve his dream and definitely become a ninja like the Fourth Hokage.
"Mom told me to stay away from him."
"My mom said that too, but..."
They simply could not connect the smiling, gentle, mature Naruto with the man-eating monster their parents had described.
On the podium,