In Konoha Year 42, on the first day of April, the Ninja Academy officially opened for the year.
At the entrance ceremony, after the Chunin who would teach the students over the coming years took turns speaking, the Third Hokage also made a timely appearance before the crowd.
"...The Third Hokage is known as the 'Professor.' He is the strongest man currently standing at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World!"
"..."
A fervent look appeared in Chunin teacher Ryosuke Kimura's eyes. As he raised his voice to introduce the Hokage, he proudly puffed out his chest.
"Wow!"
The first-year students sitting in rows on the rooftop couldn't help looking up and gasping in awe. Framed by the enormous Kage Rock behind him, the Third Hokage radiated the aura of a powerful man.
"All right, Ryosuke. Saying I'm at the pinnacle is a bit of an exaggeration!"
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will continue to burn. The future belongs to these young children."
"Yes!"
The Chunin teachers responded in unison to his words. The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction, then took off the Hokage hat on his head. With a kind, gentle smile, he began to introduce himself:
"I am the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi..."
"..."
As the Hokage began his customary speech, some perceptive boys turned their attention to Sarutobi Asuma. The son of Lord Hokage—that was an impressive status in many people's eyes!
As if sensing the attention around him, Sarutobi Asuma lowered his head and muttered, "Tch." There was no reverence on his face as he deliberately turned away from his father.
The rebellious boy caught the attention of Kurenai Yuhi beside him. Seeming to notice the girl's gaze, Asuma instinctively tried to look cool and said quietly:
"He's just an old man who's too busy with work to take care of his family."
As the speech ended, Shu Furukawa joined the other boys at the back of the crowd in applauding and cheering. The Ninja Academy had history and politics classes, too. The Will of Fire had to be taught from childhood.
At their homeroom teacher's call, the boys began making their way back to their classrooms, chatting and laughing.
Next came the self-introductions. Most of the students were eagerly looking forward to life at the Ninja Academy.
"I heard they let you graduate early. We'll be able to learn the upperclassmen's lessons ahead of time!"
As Ebisu mentioned the news, he looked toward Kakashi and Shu Furukawa up ahead. He was eager to witness a genius rise to prominence.
"Let's try to finish our studies within three years and become qualified ninja!"
Before the two boys ahead could say anything, Might Guy had already widened his eyes, clenched his fist, and loudly announced his goal. The others quickly began laughing at him.
Children judged by appearances. Guy wore old clothes that were somewhat wrinkled, and at a glance he looked weak. More importantly, Might Guy's father was the "Eternal Genin"—plenty of people knew that.
"How about it, Shu? Want to see who can graduate early?"
"Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and the individual courses aren't difficult. All that's left are some team and tactics classes."
"Six months at most, and I'll have my Forehead Protector!"
With his hands in his pockets, Kakashi walked toward the classroom and quietly showed off his abilities to Shu Furukawa beside him. Most kids his age couldn't match his speed at learning.
"Maybe next time, Kakashi. I'm planning to study Medical Ninjutsu."
"Just looking at all those textbooks is enough to give me a headache!"
Shu Furukawa shook his head slightly and smiled warmly. He patted the silver-haired boy on the shoulder, casually expressing his Will of Fire:
"Unlike ninja games, saving more comrades on missions takes professional medical ninjutsu. I'll protect all of you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kakashi turned his face away with a haughty air. Genma Shiranui and the boys around them began loudly teasing them. Shu's clean, handsome appearance was clearly more popular:
"As expected of Shu. You're as reliable as ever!"
"I really hope I get assigned to Shu's team after graduation..."
"Shu really is different!"
"..."
In the hallway, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the boys enter their classroom. He had clearly heard their earlier conversation. Lowering his head, he adjusted his hat and smiled with satisfaction.
The speech had gone very well. The seeds of the Will of Fire had been planted.
Seated by the window in the front row of the tiered classroom, Shu Furukawa had just finished delivering another speech on the Will of Fire during his self-introduction.
With a mature soul, he found it easy to get along with others. All he had to do was listen. When he heard a familiar name from his memories, Shu Furukawa turned to look as well:
"I'm Rin Nohara. I like strawberries, and my dream for the future is to become an excellent kunoichi."
Wearing a pink top, with short brown hair, dark brown eyes, and two purple markings on her cheeks, the girl introduced herself in a poised, confident manner. The classroom rang with voices calling her "cute."
Next, square-faced Ibiki Morino nervously said quite a lot, while wide-eyed Tobitake Tonbo nearly wrote an entire essay on the spot.
Kakashi's rather casual introduction displeased many people, while Might Guy's loud declaration was ignored.
Shizune, sitting beside him, noticed that Shu Furukawa seemed to be looking over his notes on medical knowledge. Gathering her courage, the girl asked in a quiet voice:
"Furukawa, are you planning to join the Medical Corps?"
"Yeah. We can go sign up together this afternoon."
Shu Furukawa smiled and answered quickly. Shizune's face lit up with delight, and she hurriedly nodded. Then she kept glancing at his profile from time to time. She wanted to say more, but felt too shy.
After the whole class had finished introducing themselves, homeroom teacher Ryosuke Kimura frowned slightly. He looked around and called out to confirm:
"Obito Uchiha?!"
After confirming that he was absent, Ryosuke Kimura said nothing more. He continued encouraging the class, then introduced the schedule for the coming week and handed out registration forms.
Obito was an orphan and didn't receive much care from the Uchiha Clan. Ryosuke Kimura was just about to arrange for someone to collect his form when a student in the classroom volunteered:
"Teacher, I'll take Obito's registration form to him!"
"Sorry for the trouble. Remember to remind him not to be late again."
Ryosuke Kimura was pleased with Rin Nohara's attitude. He smiled and reminded her that the Uchiha Clan lived far away, so the occasional late arrival was understandable.
The energetic girl nodded and took the document envelope. The sight immediately made some of the boys jealous.
Just as the banner at the school gate was about to be taken down, a boy wearing goggles sprinted toward the entrance at full speed:
"Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!"
"I absolutely can't be late today..."
Obito Uchiha was drenched in sweat from running. When he saw the entrance ceremony banner being taken down, he immediately realized what he'd missed and stopped where he was, dejected.
As the others came out of the school gate, chatting and laughing, Obito's mood sank even lower.
Although some of the boys recognized the Uchiha Clan classmate standing before them, most chose to ignore Obito out of jealousy.
"You were even late to the entrance ceremony. Someone like you doesn't deserve to attend the Ninja Academy. You're already disqualified!"
Kakashi, who had met Obito while gathering "information," stopped and made a snide remark with his back to him. He even spread his hands in mockery.
"It's all right!"
"I got your registration form for you. Just fill it out and you'll be able to enroll without any trouble."
Rin Nohara's energetic voice rang out. She held the document envelope in both hands. Obito, who had been about to argue with Kakashi, hurriedly turned around. When he saw the girl's smile, he grew so nervous that he stammered:
"M-mine? Thanks for helping me!"
Shu Furukawa had witnessed the scene when he turned to call Kakashi up ahead. Seeing the boy clasp his hands together, his face growing redder and redder with embarrassment, Shu could only grumble inwardly:
Puppy love really is harmful...