Enrollment

The number of ninjas in the Ninja World was completely different from what Ryosuke had known in his past life.

Though there was no detailed census data, the daimyo's mansions of each country had rough, if inaccurate, population estimates.

Even the Land of Fire, which had the largest population and the most habitable territory, only had a population of several tens of millions.

Constant wars and conflicts had once driven the world's population to its lowest point, let alone any concerns about birth rates or an aging population.

No one paid attention to such matters. People in this world did not seem to realize how important these issues were.

Besides, romance was not especially important in this world. Many people lived out their entire lives without finding a partner.

So when the Ninja Academy, which Ryosuke had been eagerly anticipating, finally opened, there were not actually that many people.

At the very least, it was nothing like the crowds he had seen in his past life. There was no packed registration line, nor were there children crying and making a fuss everywhere.

There were only around a hundred children at the school gates. Under their parents' reluctant gazes, they filled out their forms and entered the school alone.

Hyuga Hiashi brought Ryosuke and Hinata to the school gates.

They did not join the line. Instead, they stood beneath a tree and watched the children queue up for enrollment.

The Uchiha brothers, Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha, both wore cold expressions and matching black high-collared shirts embroidered with fan crests, along with black shorts.

The Akimichi father and son, Choza Akimichi and Choji Akimichi, looked fat on the outside but were actually remarkably sturdy.

The fierce-looking Inuzuka mother and son, Tsume Inuzuka and Kiba Inuzuka, each had their ninja hound with them.

One noteworthy person after another appeared. Hyuga Hiashi had already shown the two of them information about these people before school began, naturally including their family backgrounds.

And beyond the intelligence gathered by the Hyūga Clan, Ryosuke had even more information in his mind.

Because most of the students in this class were so-called Plot Characters.

In the future, they would all become renowned figures in this world.

Yet seeing so many familiar faces at once did not stir much emotion in Ryosuke, much less excite him.

After five years, he had already integrated into this Ninja World. Seeing Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, and the others left him calm.

"Students in every class will be assigned to two regular classes and one Elite Class according to their average scores on the entrance test."

"The entrance test will begin one month after school starts. Your results will determine which class you spend the next few years in."

At that moment, Hyuga Hiashi spoke again beside him. "However, this year is rather special. One person is an exception and can enter the Elite Class directly without taking any tests."

Following his words, Ryosuke spotted that familiar blond brat.

Spiky golden hair and azure eyes like the sky—Naruto Uzumaki. The original protagonist of this world, the Child of Destiny, the Chosen One.

Naruto Uzumaki stood there, so conspicuous that Ryosuke noticed him at once.

In truth, both his looks and temperament were utterly ordinary.

But influenced by the others around him, everyone deliberately kept away from him and maintained a certain distance.

No one paid him any attention. No one spoke to him. No one even looked at him.

Everyone treated him as though he did not exist, but how could someone standing there possibly not exist?

Instead, that treatment made his presence exceptionally eye-catching.

"Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and also the Fourth Hokage's child. He is the exception who can enter the Elite Class without taking the entrance test."

Hyuga Hiashi's calm voice rang out. "The information I gave you includes everything relevant. I specifically marked this child."

"You two must not reveal the intelligence I gave you to anyone else in the village. While studying at the academy, do not become close with him. Do not get too near him."

"His existence is highly sensitive in the eyes of Konoha's upper ranks. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

Ryosuke and Hinata answered in unison.

In truth, Ryosuke did not pay much attention to Hyuga Hiashi's solemn warning. He knew perfectly well what he should do.

Honestly, the Naruto Uzumaki before him was somewhat different from the person he had imagined.

He had thought Naruto would be optimistic and outgoing, the sort of person who would shamelessly take the initiative to strike up conversations even when others ignored him.

But perhaps the Third Hokage's "encouragement" was not enough yet, and his personality had not become so cheerful.

"Most of them have already gone in. It's time for you two to head over as well."

Seeing that more than half the line had disappeared and that many children had already completed their enrollment forms, Hyuga Hiashi signaled for the two of them to go over.

Ryosuke nodded and was just about to take the girl beside him by the hand.

But Hinata, who had worn a blank expression ever since leaving home, strode toward the gates first. Her small figure carried an imposing air.

Ryosuke chuckled softly as he followed behind Hinata, feeling both moved and gratified by her behavior.

As members of the Hyūga Clan's main family, the appearance of the two of them attracted the attention of the parents who had not yet left.

Itachi Uchiha in particular gave the two of them a serious look before withdrawing his gaze and turning to leave.

However, Ryosuke noticed that most of Itachi's attention had been on Hinata. Perhaps her icy demeanor made her seem difficult to provoke.

Other than drawing some attention, nothing happened, and no one discussed them.

With the enthusiastic help of two teachers, Ryosuke and Hinata filled out their forms and officially enrolled.

Now, they needed to gather at the school's small playground and listen to a speech from the school principal, the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not only the village's Hokage; like his teacher Tobirama Senju, he also served as the person in charge of the Ninja Academy.

Ryosuke could guess the content of the speech without anyone telling him.

But they still had to go through the motions. None of the other clans had refused, and if the Hyūga did not participate, they would appear rather conspicuous.

The Ninja Academy's playground was nowhere near as large as the Training Ground, roughly the size of two basketball courts.

Still, with only around a hundred children gathered together, it did not feel crowded.

With a cold expression, head held high, and chest out, Hinata walked at the front. Empowered by those Byakugan eyes, she appeared especially imposing.

Though they were the last to arrive, the moment she approached the crowd, the other children actually made way for her on their own, allowing her to walk to the front and stand in the same row as Sasuke Uchiha.

Ryosuke, who had originally planned to slack off in the last row, could only helplessly follow her to the front.

But this was fine too. Everyone's attention was on Hinata, so no one would notice him, the live-in son-in-law...

"Hyuga Ryosuke?"

Unfortunately, the thought had barely surfaced when a voice suddenly sounded beside him.

Turning his head, he saw a face that was still youthful, yet had delicate features and looked exceptionally radiant beneath the sunlight.

Ino Yamanaka.