"Now that everyone has introduced themselves, you'll need to get along over the next six years. You're classmates now, and after graduation, you'll be teammates. Remember, a qualified ninja must have a strong sense of teamwork. Any mission, especially a difficult one, can only be completed through teamwork. I hope you'll remember that. Understood?"
Umino Iruka braced both hands on the podium in front of him. His expression was solemn as he looked down at the children and spoke in a deep voice.
"Yes~~"
Although Iruka looked very serious,
at that moment,
most of the children couldn't possibly understand what he meant.
Or perhaps it was better to say
that peace had lasted too long.
Especially in Konoha.
The children trained at the Ninja Academy were mature in other ways,
but when it came to the qualities a ninja needed,
they fell far short of the children from the war years.
After all, back then, even six- or seven-year-old children might set foot on the battlefield as actual ninjas. In this world, no child could be underestimated, because even one so young might have the strength to kill you.
Iruka understood that these words were a little too advanced for the children in front of him. But as an educator, he had to tell them many things in advance and teach them repeatedly. For ninjas in particular, these six years were the most crucial period for laying a solid foundation—not just for their bodies, but for their minds as well.
As an instructor at the Ninja Academy,
Iruka undoubtedly knew what a competent teacher needed to do.
"Good. Then let's begin our first lesson! To become qualified ninjas, we must understand what a ninja truly is and what qualities we need to become one..."
It had to be said that anyone who could teach at the Ninja Academy—
whether Iruka or any of the other Chunin—
possessed at least an exceptionally strong grasp of theory.
And when it came to guidance on certain details,
they could even surpass most Jonin.
That was one reason the Third Hokage assigned them to teach at the Ninja Academy. (Others included being too weak, or having been injured in a previous war or mission and being unable to continue their careers as ninjas.)
Naruto's class was also the most unusual among this year's new students.
Even setting aside the children of other prominent ninja families,
the mere presence of Naruto, a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki,
was enough to make this class special.
There were only two reasons the Third Hokage had appointed Iruka directly as their instructor.
First, Iruka had the ability.
Second, and most importantly, the Third Hokage trusted in Iruka's loyalty!
A Konoha-born ninja whose parents had both died in the line of duty—sacrificing themselves in the Nine-Tails Incident six years ago—
Umino Iruka had absolutely inherited the supposedly purest "Will of Fire" under the Third Hokage's rule.
Naruto understood this perfectly well.
Of course, neither Iruka's background nor their current relationship
would affect Naruto's opinion of him.
Or rather, that applied not only to Iruka.
Ever since Naruto had come to this world,
and especially after realizing how much here differed from what he had once seen in the original story,
he had resolved deep down
never again to believe the so-called descriptions in the original story completely.
That supposed plot could only serve as a reference.
The real answers
were ones he had to find for himself.
Naruto believed this was one of the basic things he needed to survive in this world.
The first day at the Ninja Academy—
this was the second step in Naruto's plans.
Unlike the Naruto in the original story from his previous life, who slept through class, slacked off, and even skipped lessons,
Naruto in this life
was determined to study all the theoretical knowledge seriously.
No matter what it was,
or what profession it involved,
a solid foundation was always the most important thing.
"So this is where it really begins..."
Looking at Iruka, standing behind the podium and teaching with complete focus,
Naruto narrowed his eyes and thought to himself.
From that day on,
Naruto's life became even more regular and orderly.
Three places, all in a row:
the Ninja Academy—the house—the woods.
Aside from the time he needed to rest,
he devoted every remaining moment to intense training and study.
Perhaps it was a perk of being a transmigrator?
At any rate, Naruto found that his memory and comprehension were far better than in his previous life.
He could remember and absorb into his own knowledge any basic information he learned at the Ninja Academy in a very short time.
He studied basic knowledge and did basic training at the Ninja Academy.
Outside the academy,
Naruto had also drawn up a strict training schedule for himself as part of his daily routine.
Day after day,
he never once let up.
In this simple, somewhat monotonous routine,
a year passed in the blink of an eye.
Year 55 of the Leaf. Konoha, the village's northwestern corner. Once again, in the forest closest to Naruto's home.
One morning.
It was a day off from the Ninja Academy.
In a relatively open area of the forest,
a golden-haired figure stood on the lake with his upper body bare and his trouser legs rolled up, staring intently at the water below.
It was none other than Naruto, who often came here to train.
Suddenly,
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
He flicked both hands out.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"
Several flashes of cold light appeared in an instant,
speeding across the lake.
The next second,
came a wet thwack.
The sound of metal piercing flesh rang out,
followed by a spreading trail of bright red blood on the lake's surface.
Naruto, standing on the water, gave a small smile.
He tugged with his right hand,
and the Kunai he had thrown into the water flew back into his hand.
Each Kunai had pierced a fish that was still twitching. In the bright sunlight, the thin wires attached to them were just barely visible.
"Good. I can have a little extra for dinner today."
Naruto lifted the fish in his hand, roughly estimated their weight, and nodded with satisfaction.
As mentioned before,
Naruto's life in Konoha was extremely difficult.
The necessary living allowance?
Sorry, that only helped if you could actually buy anything in Konoha.
And as for the only food he could get,
either he received less than he was owed,
or he got a special extra serving from that "kindhearted" owner.
It wasn't as though he would starve to death.
At least the Third Hokage wouldn't allow that to happen.
But,
it was obvious that food like that couldn't meet Naruto's needs.
Not to mention that as a would-be ninja, his daily training required a lot of nutrition. He was also at the most important stage of growing taller. And those meals?