Self-Introduction and Sasuke

Self-Introduction and Sasuke

As the class bell rang, scar-faced Iruka entered the classroom carrying the roster.

Even though there were no traps like blackboard erasers or water buckets this time, Iruka immediately locked onto Naruto in the back row.

Naruto had his head lowered over a book, looking every bit like a model student eager to learn. But Iruka would not forget that Naruto was the Demon Fox, the village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

His parents had died during the chaos caused by the Nine-Tails' rampage.

Although there was an essential difference between a Jinchuriki and a tailed beast, he still sometimes found himself hating Naruto by association.

That was also how most ninjas in the village felt after learning a Jinchuriki's identity.

Having spent their lives walking on the edge of a blade, they did not care about the difference between a Jinchuriki and a tailed beast. They merely needed an outlet for their emotions; not kicking someone while they were down was already considered merciful.

Iruka sometimes felt the urge to take out his anger on Naruto as well, but he worked hard to overcome that prejudice.

His dream was to become an outstanding teacher. He would not change his attitude toward a student because of their family background or origins.

After working hard to calm himself, Iruka took a deep breath and began his introduction.

"Before we officially begin class, let me introduce myself. I'm Iruka, and I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next six years. I like Ichiraku Ramen, dislike mixed rice, and dream of becoming an outstanding teacher who does not discriminate against any student."

"What kind of dream is that? Shouldn't a teacher dream of becoming Hokage?"

"If not that, then at least becoming the principal of the Ninja Academy. Does becoming a teacher even count as a dream?"

As soon as Iruka finished introducing himself, chatter broke out below the podium. Some of the students even began mocking his dream.

Iruka's expression darkened somewhat, but he still said patiently, "Dreams have no hierarchy. We must respect other people's dreams. Is anyone willing to introduce themselves first?"

"If not, I'll call names according to the roster."

After hearing Iruka's words, Naruto looked up at his homeroom teacher. Then, with interest, he began looking forward to everyone else's introductions while pondering what his own dream truly was.

Was it to meet others' expectations and become the Seventh Hokage, or to choose to be himself?

What kind of dream did the old Third Hokage want him to have?

At the same time, the Third Hokage, having returned to the Hokage's Office, took out a crystal ball to watch the live broadcast.

Iruka's class was the one he valued most among this year's intake. The next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho heirs, the young lady of the Hyuga Main Family, the Uchiha family's second young master, and Naruto, the Jinchuriki he cared about most, were all in Iruka's class.

And Iruka, whom he had personally trained, was naturally the best choice to teach these children.

Soon, it was Naruto's turn to introduce himself. Rising from his seat, he said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. You can ask around and learn my real identity easily enough. I like cooking, reading, and training. I dislike people who dislike me. My dream is to live like an ordinary person and protect the people I want to protect."

After hearing Naruto's introduction, Iruka fell silent.

Naruto's dream was far too humble. He only hated those who hated him, yet such a dream was far too difficult for Naruto to achieve.

Shikamaru and Choji also looked at Naruto with complicated expressions. They understood that Naruto was very lonely.

Hinata wore a worried expression, as though she wanted to get up and comfort Naruto. At the same time, she felt somewhat regretful. She had never tried to understand Naruto's feelings. That really was inexcusable.

As for Sakura and Sasuke, they looked curiously at their new deskmate, realizing that Naruto did not seem ordinary.

The Third Hokage set down his pipe. He began to wonder if he had been too harsh on Naruto. After learning that he was a Jinchuriki, Naruto seemed to have completely lost his dreams and only wanted to become an ordinary person.

But a Jinchuriki was destined to never become ordinary.

After sighing softly, the Third Hokage closed the crystal ball and began handling government affairs.

When the Chakra shrouding him disappeared, Naruto understood that his self-introduction was finally over.

The person his introduction had truly been meant for was never Iruka or his classmates, but the Third Hokage, who silently manipulated his life. Only by satisfying the old Third Hokage could he safely pass the test and obtain more benefits.

As for his classmates' later introductions, Naruto did not pay much attention to them and chose to continue flipping through his textbook.

Since he had chosen to stand out, he naturally could not fall behind in his academic grades. He was also interested in the knowledge contained within the books.

What Naruto did not know was that his words had already caught Sasuke's attention.

After the dismissal bell rang, Sasuke leaned over and said to Naruto, "Hey, your name is Naruto, right? They all call you Demon Fox behind your back. Are you especially strong?"

Naruto put down his textbook and looked at the child version of Sasuke, shaking his head inwardly.

Sasuke had ignored the ban and called him Demon Fox to his face. Though he had not meant it as an insult, Naruto still found Sasuke somewhat deserving of a beating and prepared himself for a fight.

"They do call me that behind my back. I'm not that strong, though. I've only barely mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques."

"You've mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques?"

Sasuke was somewhat shocked. No wonder he could sense a faint aura of strength from Naruto.

They had only just entered the academy, yet Naruto had already mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques. As far as he knew, only his older brother had been able to do that.

At that moment, Sasuke's eagerness to spar vanished without a trace.

Naruto saw through Sasuke's thoughts and said with a smile, "You're Sasuke Uchiha, right? From the family that runs the Military Police Force. Don't you want to spar with me?"

"Or have you not mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques yet? Aren't all Uchiha supposed to be geniuses?"

Sasuke's face turned red. He really had not mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques; he had only learned the Clone Jutsu and the Substitution Technique.

If Naruto was not lying, then he was no match for him. But when the honor of his family was involved, Sasuke could not back down and could only challenge Naruto.

"I accept your challenge. Let's find somewhere spacious."

"How about the training field? Everyone can witness it."

Sasuke made the suggestion, but in the next instant, a pencil was pressed against his neck, leaving a black mark.

Naruto's voice drifted over. "Sasuke, you've already lost!"

Sasuke said unwillingly, "That was a sneak attack. You didn't even say we were starting."

Naruto glanced at Sasuke and said disdainfully, "The moment you issued the challenge, the fight had already begun. Enemies will not give you time to prepare, nor will they fight you fairly."

Sasuke was left speechless for a moment, but he still refused to concede. "I challenge you again. This time, I'm ready."

Naruto shook his head lightly, stood up, and left his seat. Turning back to look at Sasuke, he said, "I refuse your challenge. Wait until you get stronger. I have no interest in fighting someone who has not even mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques. To me, it's like playing a child's game."

His strength had been belittled, but Sasuke did not become discouraged. Instead, he became even more motivated.

He had thought there were few people in the Ninja Academy qualified to be his opponents, but he had not expected Naruto, his deskmate, to be such a formidable rival. Life at the academy had suddenly become much more interesting.