The Ninja Academy stood in the center of Konoha, surrounded by a bustling crowd.
At that moment, a long line of male students had formed in front of the academy gates. They were all rubbing their hands together, eager for a chance to speak.
They wore matching ninja uniforms, their faces bright with youthful energy and their eyes shining with curiosity and longing for the unknown.
"Damn it, quit shoving me! Let me get up there and introduce myself!" a burly boy shouted, trying to push his way to the front.
"Take it easy, take it easy. Everyone will get a turn," a skinny boy beside him said with a grin, apparently used to scenes like this.
Liuli hadn't expected to be so popular. So many male students had turned up to introduce themselves to her.
It was clear that Liuli's appearance had caused an immediate stir among the boys.
Their eyes widened as if they'd just seen a celestial maiden descend from heaven.
"Teacher Liuli, look at me! Look at me!"
The boys jostled to get to the front, hoping to catch Liuli's attention.
Liuli merely smiled faintly, as though she were already used to this sort of thing. She walked to the front of the line and said softly, "There's no need to rush. Let's go one at a time, without pushing. You there, come introduce yourself."
As soon as she finished speaking, a burly boy eagerly stepped forward.
He puffed out his chest and announced loudly, "My name is Great Strength King. I'm from a ninja clan in the Land of Fire. I'm incredibly strong and specialize in Taijutsu. I hope to make more like-minded friends here!"
His introduction was met with a round of applause and cheers.
Then one boy after another came forward. Some were funny and witty, making everyone laugh;
others were serious and showed off their expertise. The whole scene was lively and heartwarming, like a family gathering.
Among the boys, the other members of the Konoha Twelve also came forward one by one to introduce themselves.
When the last of the Konoha Twelve had finished, Liuli smiled and nodded. "You're all excellent. Teacher Liuli has learned your names, so it'll be easier to teach you from now on."
That was right. At a glance, the only students Liuli recognized were the other members of the Konoha Twelve. The rest were like passing clouds, leaving no deep impression on her, so there was no need to make a point of remembering them.
In Konoha, the Konoha Twelve were widely recognized as the outstanding young generation. Each of them had unique talents and abilities, and they were gradually making a name for themselves through constant training and trials. As one of them, Liuli had been through many ups and downs alongside them and understood their personalities and abilities well.
But besides the Konoha Twelve, Konoha had plenty of other students. They might have their own dreams and ambitions, but to Liuli, they seemed like strangers—ordinary and unfamiliar.
The last student finished introducing himself just as class let out, and Liuli said a few words to everyone.
Liuli strolled down from the lectern to chat with the students. Like a flower swaying gently in the breeze, she gave everyone a warm, welcoming feeling.
Her gentle presence lingered in every corner of the Konoha Ninja classroom.
She wandered around, sometimes stopping to sit in a circle with a group of students as laughter and conversation rose around them.
Liuli's smile was like the spring sunshine, warm and bright, drawing every student to her.
Suddenly, one boy gathered his courage and asked about her identity. "Teacher, are you from the Uchiha Clan?"
His question immediately caught the attention of the students around them, who all turned to look at Liuli curiously.
Liuli smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes, I'm from the Uchiha Clan."
Her voice was soft and sweet, like a babbling stream, soothing to the soul.
But in truth, a # appeared on her forehead. Everyone in Konoha knew the clan had been wiped out, so why was this kid asking that? Had he no manners?
The boy seemed surprised, then asked curiously, "Then, teacher, do you know the Uchiha Clan's visual techniques too?"
His words were full of longing and curiosity about the mysterious visual techniques.
Liuli blinked and lowered her voice, pretending to be mysterious. "Shh—this is a secret! But I can tell you that the Uchiha Clan's visual techniques are very powerful. Not everyone can master them easily."
Her words held a hint of mystery. Fortunately, the student hadn't asked about the Uchiha Clan's massacre. His social skills were decent enough.
Just then, another student asked curiously, "Teacher, what is Uchiha Sasuke to you? You're both Uchiha, aren't you?"
Uchiha Ruri smiled gently, but a few # symbols appeared on her forehead before she knew it, as if she were getting a little angry.
The students were taken aback. In their eyes, Liuli had always been a gentle, considerate, and understanding teacher.
She gently rubbed her forehead, trying to calm herself. She didn't want this little interruption to spoil her pleasant conversation with the students.
Still, a ripple of displeasure stirred in her heart. Something seemed to be bothering her.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" A thoughtful girl noticed Liuli's reaction and asked with concern.
Liuli shook her head gently and smiled. "It's nothing. I just thought of something unpleasant."
She didn't want her mood to affect the students, so she changed the subject and continued sharing amusing stories with them.
Sasuke had always admired his older sister. She was smart and beautiful, and kind-hearted; she always treated everyone with such warmth.
To Sasuke, his sister was the person closest to him in the village and the strongest support he had as he grew up.
But now, watching his sister get along with those silly little kids, Sasuke felt conflicted.
He wasn't jealous that his classmates liked her. He just didn't understand.
To him, those children were far too childish. Their world was full of pointless laughter and roughhousing, so far removed from the strength and power he sought.
Sasuke wanted to become a powerful ninja, avenge his clan, and pursue strength—not laugh and play with these children.
Still, he understood what his sister was doing. Ever since the clan massacre, she had been teaching the young ones in her own way, letting them feel the warmth the Uchiha Clan had to offer.
As he walked along the streets of Konoha, Sasuke's gaze occasionally swept over the villagers hurrying past.
He noticed that some villagers' expressions turned cold, even hostile, as soon as their eyes fell on the Uchiha crest on his clothes. They deliberately avoided him, their faces full of distaste and rejection.
Sasuke had long grown used to these subtle reactions. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, he knew that his family wasn't always welcome in the village.
Because of past shadows, some people were prejudiced against the Uchiha Clan and viewed them as a potential threat. These biases and misunderstandings made Sasuke wary whenever he dealt with others.
Yet whenever he saw his sister Liuli smile and heard her gentle words, the gloom in his heart would fade.
Watching his sister get along with the children filled Sasuke with admiration and gratitude. He also knew that these children must have heard from their parents that the Uchiha Clan had been wiped out.
He knew his sister was protecting the last bit of honor left to their family in her own way.
Sasuke sighed softly, his feelings for his sister growing even more complicated.
He admired her kindness and warmth, and wished he could use his own strength to protect those in need, just as she did.
But he didn't want to give up his pursuit of strength and power. He didn't want to become as weak and helpless as those children.
Just then, Liuli suddenly turned around and spotted Sasuke sitting by the window.
Liuli smiled and nodded to him.
A little while later, the class bell rang, its clear, bright sound echoing through the halls of the Konoha Ninja Academy.
This was a practical lesson. The students would be taught how to use chakra.
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