Naruto Uzumaki packed up his things and sprinted to the Ninja School.
There were less than five minutes left before class, and most of the students had already been waiting in the classroom.
Only a few parents dropping off their children were gathered at the school entrance, surrounding a man named Mizuki as they bragged about their children's grades.
But when they saw Naruto suddenly appear, those parents tacitly wiped the smiles from their faces and put on cold expressions.
The speed at which they changed faces made Menma want to give them an award for fastest face-changing.
"This guy is late every day, yet he still holds the top spot in the grade. He must be cheating!"
"With that kind of attitude toward studying, how could he possibly get full marks in theory?"
As they looked at the fox demon's incarnation before them, several parents glared at him with hostility, their words filled with malice and suspicion.
A student who was late every other day could never earn the favor of parents who had been taught that ninjas stood above all else.
Not to mention, he was the incarnation of the demon fox that had once caused Konoha devastating losses and taken the lives of their friends and family.
"Don't say that. I'm sure Naruto has his reasons for coming to school so late."
Mizuki, a man with pale aqua hair wearing a Chunin Vest, smiled as he spoke up in Naruto's defense.
Then he turned to Naruto and said with a smile, "Naruto, hurry to class. It's Iruka's lesson today, and he won't let you off if you're late."
"Mm, thank you, Mizuki-sensei."
Naruto Uzumaki smiled gently and nodded politely. Then, without sparing the others a glance, he turned and walked away.
Seeing Naruto's arrogant manner, the other