Caught by the Third Hokage, You're in for a World of Pain

The envoy from Uzushiogakure possessed abundant chakra.

Traveling at full speed with chakra, he reached the Ninja Academy in just two days and met with Principal Uchiha Ayano to discuss the details concerning the "study partner" issue.

Ayano did not know whether to laugh or cry. She had not expected the Uzumaki Clan to take this matter so seriously.

She felt the Uzumaki were worrying too much.

The atmosphere in other parts of the Shinobi World was undoubtedly more open, but Konoha had its own rules. Any romance before graduating from the Ninja Academy was considered puppy love.

Under the influence of Toji's principles, the Ninja Academy's atmosphere had improved greatly after several years of strict crackdowns.

The Hokage did not encourage puppy love, so the Ninja Academy cracked down on it as well.

These were the most important years for a ninja to build a foundation. Those who would one day offer up their hearts for Konoha and the Hokage could not waste their energy on puppy love, could they? Once they entered a ninja team, they could do whatever they wanted.

At the very least, no one at the academy dared to date openly. There might be private crushes, but teachers could not watch them every moment.

Having a crush was fine, but they absolutely could not do anything inappropriate.

The Study Partner System had been established by Toji Zenin. By the rules, Uchiha Ayano had to report every adjustment, no matter how trivial.

But Lady Chiri had told her that Lord Toji had more pressing matters to handle lately, so there was no need to report trivial issues.

Ayano therefore felt this was not a major matter.

Restricting study partners to the same sex was harmless. It would not interfere with the broader exchange and cooperation between