First Meeting with Iruka

It was not long after Naruto had just celebrated his sixth birthday.

One day.

As Naruto returned to his little nest after finishing his day of training and replenishing his food, he unexpectedly discovered that the Third Hokage had appeared in his home once again.

However, such occurrences were not rare, and Naruto very quickly and naturally revealed a look of great delight.

"Eh!? Old Man Third!"

His mindset shifted in an instant.

"What brings you here today?"

Naruto ran straight up to the Third Hokage, looked up at him with practiced familiarity, and wore an expression that was both joyful and slightly surprised.

"I came by today because I haven't seen little Naruto in a while, and I also have some good news to tell you."

The Third Hokage leaned forward slightly, his right hand gently patting Naruto's small head, and he said with a chuckle and a very kind expression.

"Eh? Good news?"

At this moment, it was not an act; Naruto was genuinely taken aback, revealing a look of confusion. For his current self, what kind of good news could there possibly be?

"That's right. Didn't little Naruto always say he wanted to become a great ninja? If so, learning is an indispensable part of that."

The Third Hokage gently patted Naruto's shoulder and said in a warm voice.

"Old Man Third, what do you mean?"

This was not fake; he was truly excited.

Although he didn't say it out loud, Naruto could immediately discern the implication behind the Third Hokage's words.

"That's right, you are already six years old. Starting next week, Naruto, you should go to the Ninja Academy to study. Only in this way will you be able to become a great ninja in the future."

The Third Hokage said with a faint smile.

Naruto was, after all, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and also the orphan of the Fourth Hokage.

Especially after these six years of interaction, the Third Hokage was convinced that Naruto would not endanger the safety of the village.

Therefore, at the moment he turned six, arranging for him to enter the Ninja Academy was an inevitable event.

"Really? Lord Third Hokage, I can go to the Ninja Academy to study?"

A sparkling radiance bloomed in Naruto's blue pupils, and he asked loudly with an expression of obvious excitement.

"Yes, that's right. In a few days, a teacher from the Ninja Academy will come to take you to enroll. When that time comes, Naruto, you must listen to your teacher, okay?"

"Yes!"

The Ninja Academy!

Could he finally enter the Ninja Academy?

Naruto clenched his hands slightly, his pupils revealing a look of great excitement. At this moment, it was the only time he didn't need to wear a mask, because this was the most genuine expression of Naruto's emotions. Of course, this was not just because he could finally enter the Ninja Academy to undergo formal ninja training, but also because the fact that the Third Hokage had agreed to arrange his enrollment meant that the last shred of vigilance against him had been loosened, allowing his future plans to be executed more smoothly.

Watching such an excited Naruto, the expression on the Third Hokage's face softened even further.

Whether it was the Nine-Tails Incident six years ago or the Naruto of today, he knew he owed the Fourth Hokage far, far too much.

Although for certain reasons the Third Hokage could not truly give Naruto too much care, there were some things he insisted on that he would not easily abandon.

After all, deep within the Third Hokage's heart, there was the "Will of Fire" that he believed he needed to uphold.

That night, the Third Hokage did not stay long. After instructing Naruto on some matters regarding the Ninja Academy, he paced out of the apartment where Naruto lived.

And even after the Third Hokage had left, Naruto's surging emotions had yet to settle.

These were emotions that required no disguise.

Because Naruto was truly looking forward to his upcoming life at the Ninja Academy; that would be the solid second step he took in this world!

One week later.

On the morning of the day designated for enrollment at the Ninja Academy.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Naruto welcomed the teacher from the Ninja Academy that the Third Hokage had mentioned.

The door swung open.

The figure came into Naruto's view.

A relatively slender figure, dressed in the standard-issue flak jacket of a Hidden Leaf chunin, with a highly conspicuous horizontal scar across the bridge of his nose. Although it was his first time seeing this young man, Naruto recognized him the instant he laid eyes on him.

Iruka Umino.

Naruto whispered inwardly.

That was right.

At this very moment, the person appearing before Naruto was the very existence that had such a profound impact on him in the original story—not only the first person to believe in and acknowledge Naruto, but also the only ray of light in his bleak childhood.

If it were understandable for Naruto to harbor hatred toward others in the Hidden Leaf Village, including the high-ranking officials like the Third Hokage, Iruka Umino was someone Naruto could never bring himself to hate, no matter what.

Of course, that was just talk; how things would actually play out in the future remained to be seen.

Naruto would only believe his own eyes and trust his own judgment.

The original story? That could only ever serve as a reference.

"You must be Naruto-kun, right? I am a teacher at the Ninja Academy, my name is Iruka Umino. You can call me Iruka-sensei. The Hokage-sama should have told you, today is the day of enrollment, and I've come specifically to take you to register."

Looking at the blond boy in front of him, a flicker of complex emotions flashed through Iruka Umino's pupils, but he immediately suppressed them. He leaned forward slightly, reached out his right hand, and gently ruffled Naruto's small head, speaking in a warm voice.

That fleeting look of unease did not escape Naruto's eyes.

Naruto was also very clear about why Iruka had such an emotional fluctuation.

One had to remember that Iruka's parents had only died six years ago, and the cause of their deaths was precisely the Nine-Tails inside his own body.

If he had shown no reaction at all, that would have been the strangest and most terrifying response.

"Yes, Iruka-sensei."

A bright, cheerful smile appeared on Naruto's face as he spoke.

Upon seeing this smile, Iruka Umino's expression froze for a moment, then he nodded gently and took Naruto's small hand with the hand he had reached out.

"Let's go, Naruto-kun."

"Yes."

On the widest street, the one leading to the center of the Hidden Leaf Village where the Ninja Academy was located, the scene today was bustling with activity.

As it was the annual enrollment day for the Ninja Academy, every resident living in the Hidden Leaf Village would bring their age-appropriate children to the academy. Whether or not they could become a ninja depended on the results of the entrance exam. Although the survival rate for ninjas was not very high—and despite the Hidden Leaf Village being the leader of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, it had been besieged during all three previous Great Ninja Wars, and the Nine-Tails Incident had just broken out a few years prior, causing heavy casualties among the village's ninjas—many people still hoped their children could become ninjas. In this world, being a ninja meant power, status, and everything!

Just as it had been in the era of the samurai in ancient times.

Now, it was the era of the ninja.

Moreover, this was the Land of Fire and the Hidden Leaf Village; becoming a ninja of the Leaf held even greater significance. Naturally, on this enrollment day, there were an immense number of parents bringing their children to register.