Naruto and Sasuke seemed like natural rivals. They hadn't even met before, yet somehow they were already at odds.
Maybe this is the connection between the male lead and the second male lead, Ito Makoto thought.
"Okay, okay," Iruka interrupted the two who were about to start arguing. "Don't fight over something like this!"
"Tch~"
"Tch~"
They both turned away.
Seeing that the two had stopped arguing, Iruka continued,
"You've all just started school, and you don't know one another yet. How about we start with introductions? Tell us what you like and what your dreams are."
Here it comes, the classic Naruto-style self-introduction.
"I'll go first!" Iruka set down the notebook in his hand and placed his right hand over his chest. "You already know my name: Umino Iruka. I recently became a teacher. I'm still a little inexperienced, but I'll work hard to improve.
"I like soaking in hot springs, and my dream is to become an excellent teacher."
As Iruka introduced himself, the noisy classroom gradually quieted down. The students listened quietly, getting to know their young teacher.
"Then, next—"
"Iruka-sensei, pick me! Pick me!" Naruto Uzumaki raised his hand high, eager to be the first to introduce himself.
Naruto? Iruka paused to consider.
In truth, he didn't like Naruto. He didn't have any affection for him at all.
His parents had died when the Nine-Tails went on a rampage, and according to the rumors that had circulated in the village for years, Naruto was the incarnation of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
He could only barely restrain his hatred for the enemy who had killed his parents.
Although he was biased against Naruto, his sense of responsibility as a teacher wouldn't let him ignore his student, nor could he arbitrarily take out his hatred on him.
"Then it's your turn, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto grinned and vaulted over his desk, heading for the podium.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like instant noodles best, and my dream is to become Hokage!"
Naruto thumped his chest as he shouted, his voice exceptionally firm.
"Idiot. You're nothing but a Demon Fox, and you think you can become Hokage?" one child heckled. The others joined in, laughing at him.
"Damn it, I'm not a Demon Fox! I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"
"A Demon Fox is a Demon Fox. What are you talking about?" A boy stood up and pointed at Naruto, sneering.
Furious, Naruto charged straight at the boy, but Iruka subdued him in an instant.
"Iruka-sensei, let me go! I'm gonna teach that guy a lesson!"
Naruto struggled with all his might.
Ignoring his struggles, Iruka lifted him up and carried him back to his seat. Then he addressed the whole class sternly,
"From now on, the word 'Demon Fox' is forbidden in this classroom. Anyone who breaks this rule will be punished severely and have their parents called in."
Then he spoke to the boy who had stood up to mock Naruto,
"Since this is your first offense, I won't call your parents this time. But after class, you'll run thirty laps around the field."
"Yes, I understand." The boy meekly returned to his seat, frightened by Iruka's authority and not daring to defy his teacher.
After putting a stop to the scuffle, Iruka breathed a sigh of relief. He had only just been promoted to Chunin, and he had decided to stay at the school as a teacher because of his dream. He wasn't sure how to do a teacher's job well.
He forced a smile.
"Let's continue with the introductions. Who's next?"
But none of the students raised their hands like Naruto had. The room fell a little silent.
"Since no one's volunteering, let's go in the order of the roster," Iruka said with a strained smile, picking up the list.
He felt uneasy. It was the first lesson of the school year. Had he already messed it up?
One name after another was called, and one student after another went up to the podium to introduce themselves. Ito Makoto listened quietly, trying to figure out whether there were any other Transmigrators among them. He also paid close attention to the characters from the original story and those who seemed like possible Transmigrators.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I like spending time with my older brother, and my dream is to become a genius ninja like him."
Sasuke, who had yet to experience the Uchiha Clan Massacre, was still an innocent little boy, obsessed with his older brother all day long.
"My name is Yamanaka Masami. I like spending time with my younger sister, and my dream is to stay by her side for the rest of my life."
So this suspected Transmigrator, Yamanaka Masami, was Ino's older sister? From her introduction, Ito Makoto learned that the two were sisters. But her dream seemed a little strange—it was practically a copy of Sasuke's. One adored her older brother, the other was obsessed with her younger sister. Could she be a siscon?
Next was Sakura, and Ito Makoto was curious about her dream. Sakura hadn't chosen the seat next to Sasuke, seemingly because of his influence. So what did Sakura think and dream about now?
Sakura went up to the podium. It was her first time away from home, and she was nervous about speaking in front of so many people. Still, she gathered her courage and said,
"My name is Haruno Sakura. I like cherry-blossom pendants, and my dream is to become a ninja who can stand on her own."
Hmm, ordinary. That was Ito Makoto's assessment. It didn't fit in at all with the kind of introductions people gave in the Naruto world. People here were supposed to say whatever was on their minds. Sakura's introduction when Team 7 was first formed had practically amounted to a confession. Yet now she'd merely given a plain introduction and mentioned a pendant. Still, Sakura liked cherry-blossom pendants? He hadn't noticed that before.
"Boring. You didn't say anything at all!"
After Sakura returned to her seat, Ito Makoto made the snide remark.
In response, Sakura grabbed him by the back of the neck.
She glared at Ito Makoto, eyes blazing.
"A-Cheng, do you have a problem with my introduction?"
"N-no, I don't." Ito Makoto raised his hands in surrender.
"Next is Ito Makoto."
Hearing his name, Ito Makoto hurriedly got up, cutting off the still-fuming Sakura. Better to go up to the podium and escape her wrath.
As for his introduction, he couldn't say what he was really thinking, but he could talk about his simple wishes.
"My name is Ito Makoto. I like a peaceful, leisurely life, and ideally, I'd live like a rich man without having to work for it. My dream is to become a powerful Chunin."
With a completely calm expression, Ito Makoto voiced his lazy ambition. It really was what he had wanted most in his previous life.
Why did he want to be a Chunin? Because Chunin were actually the least likely ninja to run into danger.
Although Ito Makoto had already reached the level of a Chunin, and would certainly grow stronger than one in the future, the rank he wanted most was still Chunin.
At this point in time, Genin were nothing but cannon fodder. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Genin would be the main force charging into battle. They also had low status, little more than foot soldiers under the command of higher-ranking ninja. Unless they had a background like Naruto's, they could easily be ordered to their deaths.
Meanwhile, Jonin, despite their seemingly high status, often had to fight the enemy's aces. Those ninja were usually troublesome and hard to deal with. Akatsuki, for example, were all exceptionally skilled.
If he became a Jonin, he'd have no choice but to fight these ninja. It would be a lot of effort for little reward.
Even the Hokage, the highest-ranking ninja, wasn't safe. The Third Hokage had been killed by Orochimaru. The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, had fallen unconscious during Pain's attack and nearly died. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Uchiha Madara had even cut her in half. Without Orochimaru keeping her alive, she would certainly have died.
By comparison, Chunin were the safest of all. They didn't have to face enemies like monsters, yet they had some status and authority and served as team leaders. They could command Genin and had a degree of independence.
Besides, he was sure to become far stronger than a Chunin in the future. He could take on Chunin-level missions and face Chunin-level enemies, using Jonin-level or greater strength to crush them. Safe and comfortable.
So why become Hokage or a Jonin? Chunin were the best.
Before you continue