The Best Chunin

Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke were like natural-born rivals; despite not knowing each other, they inexplicably began to act hostile.

Perhaps this is the resonance between the protagonist and the second lead, Ito Makoto thought.

"Alright, alright," Umino Iruka interrupted the two who were about to start a fight, "don't argue over something like this!"

"Tch~"

"Tch~"

The two turned their heads away.

Seeing that they had stopped arguing, Umino Iruka continued, "Everyone has just enrolled and doesn't know each other yet. Why don't we start with self-introductions? Tell us about your likes and your dreams."

Here it comes, the classic self-introduction from Naruto.

"Let's start with me!" Umino Iruka put down the notebook in his hand and pressed his right hand to his chest, "You already know my name, Umino Iruka. I just became a teacher recently. Although I am still a bit immature, I will work hard to improve myself.

I like soaking in hot springs, and my dream for the future is to become an excellent teacher."

As Umino Iruka introduced himself, the classroom, which had been a bit noisy, gradually quieted down. The students listened quietly to his voice, gaining an understanding of this young teacher.

"Then, next is—"

"Iruka-sensei, pick me, pick me." Naruto Uzumaki raised his hand high, vying to be the first to introduce himself.

Naruto? Umino Iruka pondered for a moment.

In reality, he did not like Naruto, nor did he have any favorable feelings toward him.

His parents had died during the Nine-Tails' rampage, and according to the rumors that had always circulated in the village, Naruto was the incarnation of the Nine-Tails.

Regarding this enemy who killed his parents, he could only barely suppress his hatred.

Although he held a trace of prejudice against Naruto, his sense of responsibility as a teacher made it impossible for him to ignore his student, nor could he arbitrarily impose his hatred onto him.

"Then it will be you, Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto gave a cheeky grin, vaulted over his desk, and walked up to the podium.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, I like eating instant ramen the most, and my dream for the future is to become Naruto."

Naruto shouted while patting his chest, his voice exceptionally firm.

"Idiot, you're just a demon fox, yet you want to become Naruto." A child jeered, and the other children followed suit, laughing.

"Damn it, I'm not a demon fox! I am Naruto Uzumaki."

"A demon fox is a demon fox, what nonsense are you spouting!" A boy stood up and pointed at Naruto, mocking him.

Naruto was extremely furious and charged directly at the boy, but was instantly subdued by Umino Iruka.

"Iruka-sensei, let me go, I want to teach that guy a lesson."

Naruto struggled with all his might.

Ignoring his struggle, Umino Iruka lifted Naruto up, placed him back in his seat, and said sternly to everyone, "From now on in this class, the word 'demon fox' is forbidden. Anyone who violates this will be severely punished, and their parents will be summoned."

He then said to the boy who had stood up to mock Naruto, "Considering this is your first offense, I won't call your parents this time. However, after class, go to the playground and run 30 laps."

"Yes, I understand." The boy sat back down obediently, intimidated by Umino Iruka's authority and not daring to defy the teacher.

Having quelled this conflict, Umino Iruka breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been promoted to Chunin and, because of his ideals, decided to stay at the school to be a teacher. He had no confidence in how to do a good job as a teacher.

He forced a smile, "Then let's continue with the self-introductions. Who is next?"

However, no students raised their hands like Naruto had. The scene turned a bit cold.

"Since no one is raising their hand, we will go in the order of the roster." Umino Iruka smiled awkwardly and picked up the list.

At this moment, he felt uneasy. He wouldn't mess up the first class of the semester, would he?

One name after another was called, and one student after another walked to the podium to introduce themselves. Ito Makoto listened quietly, trying to discover if there were any other transmigrators among them. In addition, he focused on the original plot characters and those suspected of being transmigrators.

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke, I like being with my brother, and my dream is to become a genius ninja just like him."

Sasuke, who had not yet experienced the Uchiha massacre, was still just a simple child, obsessed with his brother all day long.

"My name is Yamanaka Masami, I like being with my sister, and my dream is to accompany my sister for my whole life."

Was this Yamanaka Masami, suspected of being a transmigrator, actually Ino's older sister? Based on her self-introduction, Ito Makoto learned of the relationship between the sisters. However, her dream seemed a bit problematic; it was a complete carbon copy of Sasuke's. One worshipped her brother, the other was obsessed with her sister—could it be that she was a sister-con?

Next was Sakura. Ito Makoto was a bit curious about Sakura's dream. Sakura did not choose the seat next to Sasuke, seemingly influenced by him. So, what were Sakura's current dreams and thoughts?

Sakura walked to the podium. Having left home for the first time and speaking in front of so many people, she was very nervous. However, she still gathered her courage and said, "My name is Haruno Sakura, I like my cherry blossom pendant, and my dream is to become a capable ninja."

Hmm, plain and unremarkable, Ito Makoto commented. This did not fit the self-introductions of the Naruto world at all. One had to know that in the Naruto world, self-introductions were supposed to reveal one's innermost thoughts. When Team 7 was first formed, the original Sakura almost confessed on the spot, but now, Sakura's self-introduction was just a plain mention of a pendant. But did Sakura like cherry blossom pendants? He hadn't noticed that before.

"Boring, she clearly didn't say anything at all!"

Sakura returned to her seat, and Ito Makoto couldn't help but run his mouth.

As a result, the back of his neck was seized by Sakura in a tight grip.

She glared at Ito Makoto, fire burning in her eyes.

"A-Cheng, do you have some dissatisfaction with my introduction?"

"No--no, not at all." Ito Makoto raised his hands in surrender.

"Next is Ito Makoto."

Hearing his name, Ito Makoto hurriedly left his seat, cutting off the still-fuming Sakura; it was better to take the stage and escape her wrath.

As for the self-introduction, while he couldn't speak his true thoughts, he could at least share his simple desires.

"My name is Ito Makoto. I like a peaceful and leisurely life, and it would be best if I could live like a rich person without having to put in any effort. My ideal is to become a powerful Chunin."

With a calm face, Ito Makoto stated his slacker wish. This was indeed what he had wanted most in his previous life.

Why was his ideal a Chunin? Because in the ninja world, a Chunin is actually the rank least likely to encounter danger.

Although Ito Makoto's current strength had already reached the threshold of a Chunin, and his future strength would certainly surpass it, the rank he wanted most remained Chunin.

In the current time period, Genin were nothing more than cannon fodder; in the future Fourth Shinobi World War, Genin would be the main force charging into the fray. Their status was low, mere foot soldiers managed by high-level ninjas. Without a background like Naruto's, it wouldn't be strange to be ordered to one's death.

Meanwhile, Jonin, who seemed to have high status, often had to fight the enemy's trump cards. These ninjas generally meant trouble and were difficult to deal with. Take Akatsuki, for instance—each member possessed unique and deadly skills.

If he became a Jonin, he would inevitably have to fight these ninjas, a thankless and exhausting task.

Even the highest position, Hokage, was not safe. The Third Hokage was killed by Orochimaru, and the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, fell into a coma during the attack by Pain and nearly died. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, she was even sliced in half by Uchiha Madara; had Orochimaru not kept her alive, she surely would have perished.

By comparison, being a Chunin was the safest path. One didn't have to face monster-like enemies, yet held a certain level of status and authority as a squad leader. One could command Genin and possessed a degree of autonomy.

Especially since his future strength would surely far exceed that of a Chunin, he could take on Chunin-level missions. Facing Chunin-level enemies with strength above that of a Jonin meant he could crush them with ease—safe and comfortable.

So, why bother with being Hokage or a Jonin? Chunin is the best.