The First Day of School

Itachi promptly reported Orochimaru's infiltration of the village to the Fourth Hokage and the Third Hokage.

Konoha went into a state of high alert, launching a comprehensive search for any trace of Orochimaru.

At Sasuke's home.

Sasuke hid his injured hand in his pocket and said bluntly, "Naruto, I can go home by myself."

Naruto nodded helplessly. If you can go home alone, why haven't you dared to stray more than three meters from me since we started walking? Sasuke, if Orochimaru scared you, just say so. Kids get scared; no one is going to laugh at you.

"Remember to apply some medicine. Ninja Academy is about to start, don't be late," Naruto said earnestly.

Sasuke rushed into his house, ignoring Naruto. I'll just pretend I don't know you when I get to school.

A sudden downpour drenched Naruto completely. Once he returned home, changed, and washed up, he lay down on his bed.

"Melon-Skin System, is it because of you that I can't perform the Clone Technique?"

[Notification.]

[The System and the Host are a singular existence. Singular means no clones, no substitutes, and no transformations.]

"Hmph, such a useful ninjutsu, yet I can't use it. What a pity!"

[From the Host's perspective, there are no clones, no substitutes, no transformations, no genjutsu, and no multiple timelines.]

"Fine, being 'singular' is alright too. Having heard the explanation, I won't dwell on it anymore."

[Panel Notification.]

Host: Uzumaki Naruto.
Ninjutsu: Talk no Jutsu; Rasengan; Fire Release.
Taijutsu: Eight Inner Gates (Damage-free version); Super Self-Healing.
Fuinjutsu: None.
Summoning Jutsu: None.
Chakra Nature: Wind, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water, Yang.
Chakra Remaining: 60%.
Chakra Control: 85%.
Chakra Nature Transformation: Wind (100%), Fire (100%).

Naruto prepared to accept the mission issued by the system.

[Sign-in Mission: Perfect the Eight Inner Gates.]

[Mission Reward: Ability to share the perfected Eight Inner Gates.]

The Eight Inner Gates (Damage-free version) is a mission reward; without system authorization, Naruto has no right to share the Eight Inner Gates (Damage-free version) with anyone.

[If violated, the system will crash, and the Host will be reset.]

"Melon-Skin System, judging by your tone, Guy's Eight Inner Gates has flaws. This mission is a blessing for me and anyone capable of practicing the Eight Inner Gates!"

[Expects the Host to seize the opportunity.]

"Is there a standard for 'perfecting' it?"

[TBD.]

"You always play word games with every mission. Forget it, I'll leave it to your judgment. I'm going to rest."

At the entrance of the Konoha bookstore.

"Kakashi, is the new volume of the novel out?" Naruto squeezed through the crowd to see what Kakashi was looking to buy. "Kakashi, have you seen Guy anywhere?"

Kakashi turned his head. "Naruto, isn't today the first day of Ninja Academy?"

"Ah! I'm done for." Naruto had forgotten that today was the start of the Ninja Academy term, where he needed to confirm his class assignment and the new semester's schedule.

His image as a model student was shattered.

Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki happened to be away from home, so no one was there to specifically remind Naruto.

Naruto had originally intended to find Guy to have a showdown.

Returning home, Naruto hurriedly packed his things and sprinted toward the Ninja Academy, wishing he could open the Gate of Life to accelerate.

The school's iron gate was locked, and the elderly guard in the gatehouse was dozing off in his chair.

Naruto vaulted over it, entering the school without any effort.

A class assignment board stood at the entrance of the teaching building. Naruto scanned it up and down until he found his name.

"Not bad, Hinata is here too." Naruto hung up his backpack. Since he was already late, it didn't matter if he was a little faster or slower.

In the classroom.

Iruka looked at all the students in the class with a gentle expression. "Students, learning is surely a joyful thing. You will learn the methods to become excellent and powerful ninjas. It's not just theoretical knowledge, but also many practical ninjutsu. I am your homeroom teacher; you may call me Iruka."

"Students, let us welcome the Third Hokage to give us a speech."

Thunderous applause erupted.

On the first day of the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi would deliver a speech in front of every classroom.

Wearing his Hokage hat, Hiruzen Sarutobi coincidentally appeared at the classroom door at the same time as Naruto.

Naruto had intended to sneak into the classroom through the back door, but it was locked. Hearing applause erupt inside, he thought that if he could slip into his seat while the teacher was distracted, he could cover up his tardiness.

Quite an unusual line of thought.

"Elders first."

Naruto stepped back, not wanting to become the laughingstock of the first day of school; surely not many people had seen him just now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi skillfully grabbed Naruto and walked in with him: "Iruka, one must not give up on mischievous children; they must also be taught with all one's heart."

Iruka smiled and said: "Lord Third Hokage, I have noted it. Naruto, for being late on the first day of school, you are punished with cleaning the classroom for a week after school. Hurry up and find a seat."

The punishment was merely a light drizzle.

Naruto adjusted his mindset: "Understood, Iruka-sensei."

There was only one empty seat left, next to a girl with short pink hair who was staring dreamily at Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto had no choice but to sit there, then offered a slight smile to Hinata, who was seated to his rear right, to show he was fine and she needn't worry.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said kindly: "Congratulations to you children on successfully entering the Ninja Academy. As long as you study diligently, perhaps the next Hokage will be one of you. I want to tell you children: wherever the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. When one wishes to protect those they cherish most, the true power of a ninja will manifest."

Listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, which were filled with guiding strength, Naruto agreed with a portion of them, while thinking that Minato Namikaze was clearly not as experienced as the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Children's minds are the easiest to shape; Minato Namikaze had already missed his chance by not coming to the school to propagate his own ninja philosophy.

Applause thundered once more after Hiruzen Sarutobi finished his speech.

Poof!

Hiruzen Sarutobi transformed into a puff of smoke and vanished.

It was a Shadow Clone!

Iruka clapped his hands: "Alright, next we will rearrange the seating. Two to a desk. The teacher has arranged this based on everyone's entrance exam scores. If anyone is dissatisfied, you may come to the office after class to discuss it with me."

Iruka had spent the entire night thinking about the seating arrangements. First, he had received a message from the Fourth Hokage, instructing him to place Naruto in the very back so that Naruto wouldn't think too highly of himself.

Both the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan had requested that their children be seated next to Naruto.

Iruka felt that was not right.

He decided to follow his usual teaching principles instead.

In the end, he made one final adjustment, placing Naruto and Hinata only one aisle apart.

Iruka's attitude toward the Hyuga Clan was somewhat better than his attitude toward the Uchiha Clan.