The Start of School

After several days of cultivation, Uzumaki Naruto's strength grew rapidly. Having previously suffered from malnutrition due to long-term consumption of expired food, which left him slightly shorter than his peers, he had now caught up. His cultivation technique finally broke through to the first level of perfection, and he successfully summoned the golem available at this stage: the Jedi Demon King. This Demon King could manipulate the earth element (the summoner could also cultivate earth-attribute techniques, martial arts, and ninjutsu). The summoned Demon King could be deployed to fight independently or merge with the summoner to enhance their strength.

The strength of the summoned Demon King was synchronized with the summoner; the stronger the summoner, the stronger the Demon King became.

Within the seal space, Kurama's physique had become more massive and grew increasingly robust with the cultivation. The original Kurama had been lean and long, but now his limbs had thickened, his claws had lengthened, and bulging muscles rippled across his body. The entire fox had become far more ferocious.

A vortex had also formed in his dantian, and the massive amount of spiritual energy within it had condensed into droplets. The technique Kurama cultivated was called the Beast King Art, a technique only the demon race could practice. As a collection of natural energy that had developed sentience, Kurama could be classified among the demon race.

Naruto's current strength, by the standards of the ninja world, had reached the level of an elite Chunin (excluding the Demon King fusion and Kurama's assistance, based solely on Naruto's own power). Furthermore, he had reached the entry-level stage of the first form of his martial art, the Mad Demon Leg.

One morning, just as Naruto intended to head out for training, he heard a knock at his door. Naruto felt a surge of surprise; the surrounding residents had all moved away, and he had not expected anyone to visit his home.

Sweeping his perception outward, he saw a man standing at the door wearing a Chunin vest, his hair tied up, a forehead protector on, and a long scar across the bridge of his nose.

That must be Umino Iruka. It seems the Ninja Academy is starting, he thought while walking over to open the door.

As the door swung open, Umino Iruka stood there with a kind smile. "Hello, Naruto. The Third Hokage asked me to come pick you up. I am your teacher, Umino Iruka." Originally, Umino Iruka's parents had also died during the Nine-Tails incident, and like the other villagers, he had initially harbored deep malice toward Naruto.

That changed the day he saw Naruto walking down the street, witnessing the villagers' attitudes and seeing Naruto being bullied. From that day on, he followed Naruto for several days. Those days fundamentally altered his perception of the boy, as he saw that even when bullied, Naruto always kept a smile on his face, his large, sky-blue eyes remaining innocent. He saw Naruto sitting to the side, watching other children play with envy, and looking at parents walking with their children with a gaze full of longing.

He realized that Naruto was just an ordinary child, as lonely as he was himself. This was the reason he had happily agreed when the Third Hokage asked him to be Naruto's teacher.

Looking at the smiling Umino Iruka at the door, Naruto was a bit bewildered. He sensed only deep goodwill from Umino Iruka, which left him slightly confused.

"Naruto, go change your clothes. I'll take you to the academy in a moment," Umino Iruka said kindly again, seeing Naruto's dazed expression.

Naruto snapped back to reality. "Alright, Teacher, please wait a moment."

Soon, Naruto appeared before Umino Iruka in a fresh set of clothes. Umino Iruka naturally took Naruto's hand and began walking toward the academy, and Naruto allowed himself to be led.

They soon arrived in front of a shop, and Umino Iruka looked at Naruto with a thoughtful expression.

"Naruto, wait here for me for a moment."

Umino Iruka walked into the shop, and before long, he emerged carrying a school bag.

"Naruto, you haven't prepared any stationery for school, have you? These are a gift from your teacher." With that, Umino Iruka handed the bag to Naruto.

Although Naruto had become quite mature, he was still a child at heart. He took the bag, put it on, and bowed to Umino Iruka. "Thank you, Teacher Iruka."

Seeing Naruto with the bag, Umino Iruka chuckled, said nothing more, and continued leading him toward the Ninja Academy. They arrived quickly, and after entering a classroom, Umino Iruka told Naruto to find a seat.

The classroom was already filled with many children. As soon as he entered, Naruto spotted Hinata Hyuga sitting in the back. The little girl saw him enter and shyly lowered her head, tapping her two index fingers together.

Seeing that the seat next to Hinata was empty, Naruto walked over, sat down, and greeted her with a grin.

"Hehe, Hinata, long time no see. Can I sit here?"

Hearing Naruto ask, Hinata's face turned even redder. "Um... um, yes, Naruto-kun."

The two little ones became desk-mates and chatted happily, though it was mostly Naruto asking questions and Hinata shyly answering.

Umino Iruka returned to the classroom and, seeing everyone chatting, spoke in a clear voice, "Alright, class, settle down."

The children who had been talking turned their attention to Umino Iruka standing at the podium.

"I am your homeroom teacher, Umino Iruka. I will be spending the next five years with all of you."

The children sitting there responded in unison, "Hello, Teacher Iruka!"

"Very good. Students, let's start with self-introductions. I'll go first. My name is Umino Iruka, I like Ichiraku Ramen, I dislike mixed rice, my birthday is May 26th, and my hobbies are..." Umino Iruka went on for quite a while.

"Alright, I'm done. Now, let's start with the first student on the left."

The child in the first row on the left stood up. "My name is Inoue Taro, I like drawing, and my dream is to become a painter."

He sat down quickly, and the others followed in turn. "My name is [Name], my dream is [Goal]."

"My name is Haruno Sakura, I like playing with my good friends, and my dream is to become a powerful ninja."

"My name is Yamanaka Ino, I like flower arranging, and my dream is the same as Sakura's."

"My name is Akimichi Choji, I only like eating barbecue, and my dream is to have an endless supply of barbecue."

"My name is Inuzuka Kiba, I like small animals, and my dream is to become Hokage."

"My name is Aburame Shino, I like bugs, and my dream is also to become Hokage."

"My name is Nara Shikamaru, I like sleeping, and I don't have a dream yet."

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke, I like eating three-colored dango, I dislike people who disturb me and my brother, and my dream is to become a ninja as powerful as my brother."

Then it was Naruto and Hinata's turn. Hinata stood up and said softly, "My name is Hinata Hyuga, I like... my dream is to become a gentle woman like my mother." When Hinata mentioned what she liked, her face turned bright red, and she glanced at Naruto.

After Hinata finished, Naruto stood up. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto, I like many things, and my dream is to travel everywhere with the person I like."

Hearing Naruto's introduction, many children reacted.

"Huh, I didn't notice before, isn't that the demon fox?"

"Yeah, yeah, why is he in our class?"

Naruto said nothing upon hearing this. Hinata was about to stand up to speak, but Naruto held her back and shook his head. They both sat down. "Naruto-kun, they..."

"It's fine, I don't care what they say."

Umino Iruka, standing at the front, naturally heard these comments. He interrupted the discussion, saying, "Today is the first day of school. Classes start tomorrow. Now, everyone, gather on the playground."

With that, he led the students toward the playground, where many others were already standing. These were all the newly enrolled students, with their teachers standing nearby. Umino Iruka brought his students to their designated spot, told them to stand in neat lines, and instructed them to remain silent.

A long time passed.

A long time passed before a man wearing the Hokage robe stepped onto the high platform. Looking at the young, innocent faces of the children below, he revealed a kind smile and said, "Hello, students. I am the Hokage of Konoha. I hope you will all study hard in the coming years, strive to become stronger, and grow into powerful individuals..."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. I hope you can all inherit the Will of Fire and become true ninjas..."

The Third Hokage spoke at length on the platform. While Uzumaki Naruto appeared earnest as he listened from below, he couldn't help but sneer inwardly, Hiruzen Sarutobi, you've said so much, yet it's nothing more than an attempt to brainwash these new students, planting a seed of loyalty to Konoha and the Hokage in their minds.

"Alright, that is all for today. Students, you may head home," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally concluded his long-winded speech and turned to leave.

At this moment, the homeroom teachers stepped forward and told their students, "You are now dismissed. Formal classes begin tomorrow; do not be late."

Hearing they were dismissed, the children, who had long since grown restless, sprinted toward the school gate. Naruto grabbed Hinata and asked, "Hinata, do you want to go grab a bowl of ramen together?"

Ever since he had gained control over the Anbu ninjas assigned to monitor him, Naruto had them prepare his daily meals, allowing him to save all the living expenses provided by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Um, is that okay?" Having spent the day together, Hinata was not as shy as she had been that morning, though she still blushed when Naruto took her hand.

"Of course it is, to celebrate us becoming classmates," Naruto replied affirmatively when he heard Hinata's hesitation.

"Then wait for me here for a moment." After saying this, Hinata turned and ran off. She approached someone who possessed the same Byakugan as her and spoke a few words. The person replied respectfully before turning and walking away.

Once that person had left, Hinata ran back to Naruto and said, "It's fine now, Naruto. Let's go."

Naruto didn't ask any further questions and led Hinata to Ichiraku Ramen.

Seeing Naruto walk in with a little girl, Ichiraku asked, "Naruto, is this your friend? What would you like to eat? It's on the house today, kid."

"Thank you, Uncle. This is my classmate, Hinata. I still have money, so I'll treat her today." Upon hearing Naruto introduce her, Hinata also offered a polite greeting.

"Oh, so Naruto has started school too? What would you like to have?" Hearing that Naruto insisted on paying, Ichiraku didn't press the matter further.

"Two bowls of special tonkotsu ramen," Naruto said.

"Got it, just a moment." With that, he turned around and began preparing the ramen.

Naruto pulled Hinata over to sit down. "Hinata, let me tell you, Uncle Ichiraku is a great guy, and the ramen he makes is top-tier."

"Mm-hmm, I'll be sure to savor it then."

Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of them. After saying "Itadakimasu," they began to eat. Hinata finished quickly; she was used to meals prepared at home and had never tried street food like ramen before. Since the ramen at Ichiraku Ramen was indeed delicious, she ate quite fast.

Seeing that Hinata had finished, Naruto asked, "Hinata, would you like another bowl?"

Hinata, still wanting more, instinctively replied, "Yes," before realizing what she had said and blushing as she asked, "Is it bad for a girl to eat too much?"

"Not at all. You need to eat more to grow quickly and become stronger," Naruto replied.

In the end, Hinata ate five bowls. After paying the bill, Naruto walked Hinata home. Upon reaching the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound, Naruto let go of her hand and said, "Hinata, I'll head back now. See you tomorrow."

"Thank you for walking me home, Naruto-kun. See you tomorrow."

After bidding each other farewell, Hinata watched Naruto turn and leave before she stepped inside.

Upon entering the living room, Hinata saw her father sitting in the main seat, looking at her with a stern expression.

"Father, I have returned."

"Hinata, where have you been? Why are you only returning now?" Hyuga Hiashi asked expressionlessly.

Seeing her father's stern demeanor, Hinata replied in a small voice, "Father, I went to eat ramen with Naruto."

Hearing that she had been with Naruto, Hyuga Hiashi's eyes flickered. He said nothing more, simply telling Hinata to focus on her training before dismissing her.

After Hinata left, Hyuga Hiashi whispered to himself, "Uzumaki Naruto, orphan of the Fourth Hokage, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... sigh."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's so-called concealment of Naruto's identity only fooled the commoners of Konoha. The major clans had frequent contact with the Fourth Hokage and knew his wife had been pregnant and were aware of Naruto's birth date. With Naruto's golden hair and large blue eyes, it was not difficult for the older generation of ninjas to guess his identity.

As for the other ninja villages, due to Hiruzen Sarutobi's own intentions, Shimura Danzō had leaked bits of information here and there, so they were also aware of who Naruto was.

Back home, after washing up, Naruto did not go to sleep. Instead, he sat on his bed, deep in thought. "School has started, and I've met Hinata. It's time to leave the village."

With that, Naruto stood up and performed the Shadow Clone Technique, creating a clone.

"Kurama, try to see if you can channel chakra into this clone," Naruto asked Kurama in his mind.

This was something Naruto and Kurama had been experimenting with over the past few days. His own spiritual energy could be converted into chakra, and after conversion, the quantity was greater and the quality superior.

By leaving a clone in the village to attend school in his place, his true body could leave the village, as many of his plans could not be carried out while staying inside.