The Start of School

After a few days of training, Naruto's strength had grown rapidly. He had originally been slightly shorter than his peers due to malnutrition from eating expired food for a long time, but now he had caught up. His cultivation technique had finally reached the first layer's perfected stage, and he had successfully summoned the demon king available at that level: the Jedi Demon King. It could wield earth-based abilities, and its summoner could also cultivate earth-based techniques, martial arts, and ninjutsu. The summoned demon king could fight on its own, or merge with its summoner to enhance the summoner's strength.

The summoned demon king's strength was linked to its summoner's. The stronger the summoner, the stronger the demon king.

In the Sealing Space, Kurama had grown much larger and, with training, increasingly muscular. Before, he had been thin and long, but now his limbs had thickened and his claws had grown longer. Muscles bulged across his body, making him look much more ferocious.

A vortex had also formed in Naruto's dantian, and the vast amount of spiritual energy inside it had condensed into droplets. Kurama's cultivation technique was called the Beast King Art. It was a technique that only members of the demon race could cultivate. Kurama was a collection of Natural Energy who had developed intelligence, so he could be classified as a member of the demon race.

By the Shinobi World's standards, Naruto's strength was now roughly at the level of an elite Chunin—not counting a fusion with the demon king or help from Kurama, just Naruto's own strength. As for martial arts, he had cultivated the first form of Mad Demon Leg to the proficient level.

One morning, Naruto was about to head out to train when he heard someone knock. He was surprised. All the residents living nearby had moved away, so he hadn't expected anyone to come to his home.

His senses swept over the area. A man stood outside, wearing a Chunin vest and a Forehead Protector, with his hair tied back and a long scar across the bridge of his nose.

"That's Iruka. Looks like the Ninja Academy is starting," he thought as he went to open the door.

When the door opened, Iruka greeted him with a warm smile. "Hello, Naruto. The Third Hokage asked me to come get you. I'm your teacher, Umino Iruka." Iruka's parents had also died during the Nine-Tails' attack, and at first he had harbored deep hostility toward Naruto, just like the other villagers.

Then, one day, he had seen Naruto walking down the street and witnessed how the villagers treated him. He saw Naruto being bullied, and from that day onward, he followed him for several days. What he saw changed his opinion of Naruto considerably. Even when Naruto was bullied, he always kept smiling, his big, sky-blue eyes full of innocence. Iruka saw him sitting off to the side, watching the other children play together with envy. He saw him gazing longingly at parents strolling through the streets with their children.

He realized Naruto was just an ordinary child, lonely just like him. That was why he had happily agreed when the Third Hokage asked him to be Naruto's teacher.

Looking at Iruka's smiling face in the doorway, Naruto was a little stunned. He sensed nothing but genuine kindness from Iruka, which left him at a loss.

"Go get changed, Naruto. I'll take you to school in a moment," Iruka said warmly when he saw Naruto's bewildered expression.

Naruto came back to himself. "All right, teacher. Just a moment."

Soon, Naruto appeared before Iruka in a fresh set of clothes. Iruka naturally took his hand and started walking toward the school, and Naruto let him.

They soon reached a shop. Iruka glanced at Naruto, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Wait here for me, Naruto."

After saying that, Iruka went into the shop. When he came back out a short while later, he was carrying a backpack.

"You didn't have any school supplies ready, did you, Naruto? These are a gift from your teacher." Iruka handed him the backpack.

Though Naruto had grown quite mature, he was still just a child. He took the backpack, put it on, and bowed to Iruka. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."

Iruka chuckled as Naruto put on the backpack, but said nothing. He took Naruto's hand again and continued toward the Ninja Academy. They arrived soon, and Iruka led him into a classroom, telling him to find a seat.

There were already many children in the classroom. As soon as Naruto entered, he spotted Hinata sitting at the back. The girl lowered her head shyly as he came in, touching her index fingers together.

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

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

At Naruto's question, Hinata's face turned even redder. "Um... um, of course, Naruto-kun."

The two of them became desk mates and happily started chatting, though Naruto did most of the asking while Hinata shyly answered.

Iruka returned to the classroom and saw that everyone was chatting, so he called out, "All right, everyone, quiet down."

The children who had been chatting looked over at Iruka, who was standing at the front of the classroom.

"I'm your homeroom teacher. My name is Umino Iruka, and I'll be spending the next five years with you."

The children seated in the classroom answered, "Hello, Iruka-sensei."

"Good. Now, let's introduce ourselves. I'll go first. My name is Umino Iruka. I like Ichiraku Ramen, and I dislike mixed rice. My birthday is May 26, and my hobbies are..." Iruka went on and on.

"All right, I'm done. We'll start with the first student in the row on the left. Go ahead and introduce yourself."

The child in the first seat on the left stood up. "My name is Inoue Taro. I like drawing, and I dream of becoming an artist."

He quickly sat down, and the others introduced themselves in turn. "My name is ****, and my dream is ****."

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

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

"My name is Akimichi Choji. As long as I have barbecue to eat, I'm happy. My dream is to have endless barbecue."

"My name is Inuzuka Kiba. I like small animals, and I dream of becoming Hokage."

"My name is Aburame Shino. I like bugs, and I also dream of becoming Hokage."

"My name is Nara Shikamaru. I like sleeping, and I don't know what my dream is yet."

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I like Three-Color Dango, and I hate people who disturb me and my older brother. I dream of becoming a ninja as powerful as my older brother."

Now it was Naruto and Hinata's turn. Hinata stood up and spoke in a small voice. "My name is Hinata Hyuga. I like... My dream is to become a woman as gentle as my mother." Her face turned red when she got to what she liked, and she glanced at Naruto.

After Hinata finished, Naruto stood up. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I like lots of things, and I dream of traveling all over with the person I love."

Hearing Naruto's introduction, many of the children finally recognized him.

"Hey, I didn't notice before. Isn't he the demon fox?"

"Yeah, that's him! Why is he in our class?"

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

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

Iruka had naturally heard them too. He cut off their conversation and said, "It's the first day of school, so classes will start tomorrow. Everyone, head to the playground and line up."

He led the students to the playground, where many people were already gathered. They were all students who had just started school that year, and their teachers stood off to the side. Iruka brought his students to their class's designated spot, told them to line up neatly, and reminded them not to talk.

After a long while

After a long while, a man wearing a Hokage robe walked onto the platform. He looked at the young faces below and smiled warmly. "Hello, students. I am the Hokage of Konoha. I hope you will study hard over the next few years, strive to grow stronger, and become strong people..."

"Wherever the leaves dance, fire burns. The fire will continue to illuminate the village and help the new leaves sprout. I hope you will all carry on the Will of Fire and become true ninja..."

The Third Hokage spoke at length. Naruto listened below, wearing a serious expression, but couldn't help sneering inwardly. Hiruzen Sarutobi, all those words were just a way to brainwash the new students, planting a seed of loyalty to Konoha and the Hokage in their minds.

"All right, that's it for today. You can all go home." After rambling for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally finished speaking and turned to leave.

The homeroom teachers stepped forward and told their students, "You're dismissed. Classes begin tomorrow, so don't be late."

As soon as the children heard they could leave, they rushed toward the school gate, unable to stand still any longer. Naruto took Hinata's hand and asked, "Hinata, would you like to go eat a bowl of ramen with me?"

Ever since Naruto had taken control of the Anbu Ninja monitoring him, he had them prepare his meals. That meant he had saved all the money Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him for living expenses.

"Um, is that okay?" After spending the day together, Hinata wasn't as shy as she had been that morning, though she still blushed when Naruto took her hand.

"Of course. It'll be a celebration of us becoming classmates," Naruto answered confidently when Hinata asked if they could go.

"Then wait here for me." Hinata turned and ran off. Naruto watched her approach a person with white eyes like hers and say something. The person replied respectfully, then turned and left.

After the person left, Hinata ran back to Naruto. "All right, Naruto. Let's go."

Naruto didn't ask any questions. He took Hinata to Ichiraku Ramen.

When Teuchi saw Naruto come in with a little girl, he asked, "Naruto, is this your friend? What would you like? It's on the house today."

"Thanks, Teuchi. This is my classmate, Hinata. I have money, so I'll treat her to ramen today." Hinata also greeted Teuchi when Naruto introduced her.

"Oh, Naruto's started school too, has he? What would you like to eat?" Hearing that Naruto wanted to treat her, Teuchi didn't say anything more.

"Two bowls of special Tonkotsu Ramen," Naruto said.

"Sure, just a moment." Teuchi turned around and started making the ramen.

Naruto pulled Hinata over to sit down. "Hinata, I'll tell you something. Teuchi is really nice, and his ramen tastes amazing."

"Mm-hm. I'll enjoy it, then."

Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were set in front of them. After saying "Let's eat," they dug in. Hinata finished quickly. At home, all her meals were prepared for her, and she had never eaten street food like ramen before. Besides, Ichiraku Ramen really was delicious, so she ate fast.

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

Hinata had been savoring the aftertaste, and when Naruto asked, she instinctively replied, "Sure!"

Then she realized what she'd said and blushed. "Isn't it bad for a girl to eat too much?"

"Not at all. Eating more helps you grow faster and become stronger," Naruto answered.

In the end, Hinata ate five bowls. After paying, Naruto walked her home. When they reached the gate of the Hyuga Clan Compound, he let go of her hand and said, "Hinata, I'll head home now. See you tomorrow."

"Thanks for walking me back, Naruto-kun. See you tomorrow."

After they said goodbye, Naruto turned and left, and Hinata went inside.

When Hinata reached the living room, she saw her father sitting upright in the main seat, watching her with a stern expression.

"Father, I'm home."

"Hinata, where have you been? Why are you only getting home now?" Hyuga Hiashi asked without expression.

Seeing how stern her father looked, Hinata answered softly, "Father, I went to eat ramen with Naruto."

At the mention of Naruto, Hyuga Hiashi's eyes flickered. He said nothing more, only telling Hinata to train hard before sending her away.

After Hinata left, Hyuga Hiashi murmured, "Uzumaki Naruto, the Fourth Hokage's orphan, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Sigh..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's so-called secrecy about Naruto's identity had only fooled the ordinary people of Konoha. The various clans had often been in contact with the Fourth Hokage, and they all knew his wife had been pregnant. They also knew the date Naruto was born. With his bright blond hair and blue eyes, his identity was easy for the older generation of ninja to guess.

And with Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval, Shimura Danzō had leaked bits of information to the other ninja villages, so they knew Naruto's identity too.

After returning home and washing up, Naruto didn't go to sleep. Instead, he sat on his bed and thought, I've started school and seen Hinata. Next, I need to leave the village.

As he spoke, Naruto stood up and used the Shadow Clone Technique to make a clone.

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

Naruto and Kurama had been experimenting with this a few days earlier. Naruto's spiritual energy could be converted into chakra, and the chakra produced this way was more plentiful and higher in quality.

Leaving a clone in the village to go to school in his place would let his real body leave the village. Many plans simply couldn't be carried out inside the village.