A Year of Rapid Growth

"Everyone has finished their self-introductions. For the next six years, you must get along well. You are classmates now, and after graduation, you will be comrades. Remember, a qualified ninja must value teamwork. Any mission, especially those high-difficulty ones, can only be completed through team collaboration. This is something I hope you can keep in mind. Do you understand?"

Iruka Umino rested his hands on the podium in front of him, looking at the group of children below with a solemn expression as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Yes~~"

Although Iruka's expression was very serious.

At this moment.

Most of the children could not possibly understand the meaning behind his words.

Or perhaps it should be said.

There had been peace for too long.

Especially in Konoha.

The children raised by the Ninja Academy were only mature in other respects.

As for the qualities a ninja should possess.

They were far inferior to the children of the war era.

After all, back then, six or seven-year-old children could potentially step onto the battlefield as real ninjas, so in this world, one must never underestimate any young child, because they might even have the power to kill you.

Iruka naturally understood that what he had said was still too early for the children before him, but as an educator, many things had to be told to these children in advance and taught repeatedly. Especially for a ninja, these six years were the most critical period for laying a foundation—not just physically, but mentally as well.

As an instructor at the Ninja Academy.

Iruka was undoubtedly very clear about what a competent instructor should do.

"Very good. Then, let's begin our first lesson! To become a qualified ninja, we must understand the essence of what a ninja is, and what conditions one should possess to become a ninja..."

It must be said that to be able to become a teacher at the Ninja Academy.

Whether it was Iruka or other Chunin.

At the very least, they all possessed extremely rich theoretical knowledge.

And in terms of guidance on certain details.

They even surpassed the vast majority of Jonin.

This was also one of the reasons why the Third Hokage arranged for them to serve as instructors at the Ninja Academy (others included a lack of strength, or simply having been injured in previous wars or missions, making them unable to continue a normal ninja career).

And the class Naruto was in was the most special one among this year's freshmen.

Not to mention the descendants of other prestigious ninja clans.

Just the existence of Naruto as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Was enough to illustrate the uniqueness of this class.

The reason Iruka could be directly appointed by the Third Hokage as the instructor for this class.

Came down to only two points.

First, Iruka had the ability.

Second, and most importantly, was the trust in Iruka's loyalty!

As a native of Konoha whose parents had both died in the line of duty (sacrificed six years ago during the Nine-Tails Incident).

Iruka Umino was absolutely the embodiment of the Third Hokage's governing philosophy.

He had inherited the so-called purest "Will of Fire"!

Naruto himself was very clear about this.

Of course, neither Iruka's background nor their current relationship.

Would affect Naruto's view of Iruka.

Or rather, it was not limited to Iruka.

After Naruto came to this world.

Especially after realizing that everything here was vastly different from what he had seen in the original work.

Naruto made a resolution in his heart.

He would never again believe the so-called descriptions in the original work one hundred percent.

Those so-called plot points could only serve as his reference.

The real answers.

Were things he had to find for himself.

This was also one of the basic conditions Naruto believed he needed to survive in this world.

The first day of the Ninja Academy.

This was the second step in the plan Naruto had laid out for himself.

Unlike the Naruto from the original work in his previous life who slept in class, slacked off, and even skipped school.

In this life.

Naruto was absolutely determined to study all theoretical knowledge thoroughly.

Regardless of the subject.

Or the profession.

A solid foundation was always the most important thing.

"This is the true beginning..."

Watching Iruka, who stood with his hands pressed against the podium, teaching the class with great seriousness below.

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he thought to himself.

From this day forward.

Naruto's life became much more disciplined and rhythmic.

A three-point routine.

Ninja Academy—Home—Forest.

Aside from necessary rest.

All remaining time.

Naruto threw himself into high-intensity training and study.

Perhaps this was the benefit of being a transmigrator?

In any case, Naruto discovered that his memory and comprehension were far superior to his past life.

Any basic knowledge learned at the Ninja Academy.

Naruto could memorize and internalize it in a very short amount of time.

Basic knowledge and fundamental training within the Ninja Academy.

Outside the Ninja Academy.

In his daily life.

Naruto had even drafted a strict training schedule for himself.

Day after day.

He never once faltered.

Under such a simple and somewhat monotonous lifestyle.

A year passed by in the blink of an eye.

Year 55 of the Leaf, Hidden Leaf Village, the northwest corner, still in that forest closest to the area where Naruto lived.

One morning.

It was a day off from the Ninja Academy.

In a relatively open area of the forest.

A golden figure, shirtless with his pant legs rolled up, stood upon the surface of the lake, staring at the water below with intense focus.

This person was none other than Naruto, who often came here to train.

Suddenly.

Naruto's gaze sharpened.

He flicked his hands with lightning speed.

"Swish," "swish," "swish."

Several cold glints appeared in an instant.

They pierced rapidly through the surface of the lake.

The next second.

With a "squelch."

The sound of metal piercing flesh and skin rang out.

Following that, crimson blood began to spread across the surface of the lake.

Naruto, standing atop the water, smiled faintly.

He gave a slight tug with his right hand.

The kunai he had thrown into the water returned to his grasp.

Each kunai had skewered a still-twitching fish, and under the glare of the bright sun, the wires attached to the kunai were faintly visible.

"Hmm, I can have an extra meal today."

Naruto lifted the fresh fish in his hand, estimated their weight, and nodded with satisfaction.

As mentioned before.

Naruto's living environment in the Hidden Leaf Village was extremely difficult.

Necessary living expenses?

Sorry, but that would only matter if one could actually buy something in Konoha.

And the only place to collect food.

Either the portions were short-changed.

Or there would be a "special" extra serving from that "loving" shopkeeper.

Starving to death was certainly out of the question.

At the very least, the Third Hokage would never allow such a situation to occur.

However.

It was clear that such food could not satisfy Naruto's needs.

Not to mention that as a ninja-in-training, Naruto required a massive intake of nutrients for his daily regimen, but even just considering he was currently in his most critical growth phase, that food was simply not enough.