Konoha's Back-to-School Season

The Land of Fire was the most livable country in the entire Shinobi World.

And Konoha occupied its finest stretch of land.

It was April. The weather was mild, the spring breeze stirred the brilliant cherry blossoms, and pink and white petals drifted down like poetry, drawing passersby to a stop.

It was the perfect time to admire the flowers.

It was also one of the most important days of the year in Konohagakure.

The Ninja Academy's new-student enrollment day.

This year, though, one piece of news had everyone talking.

"Did you hear? That Fox Demon is enrolling this year!"

"Really? They're letting a dangerous monster like that into the Ninja Academy? Who's going to keep my child safe? The Hokage is treating this like a joke! What are those people thinking?!"

"Tch! Keep your voice down!"

"Why should I? The people in charge make a decision this outrageous, and we're not allowed to object?"

"All right, enough... They must have their reasons. We just need to keep our children away from the Fox Demon!"

Outside the Ninja Academy, parents and relatives who had brought their children to school gathered in small groups.

They were all discussing the most troubling subject of this year's enrollment.

Then a little blond boy cautiously appeared in the open space leading to the school gates. The festive atmosphere, tinged with snide remarks, turned strange at once.

Disgust, hatred, contempt, worry, fear, revulsion...

In that moment, every shade of human nature was laid bare.

The boy felt the sharp gazes upon him and recalled the hazy fragments lingering in his memory...

From the perspective of a Fox Demon, he had rampaged through the village.

He had even fought Big Brother Shinji...

"Lies... It's all lies!" Naruto lowered his head and bit his lip hard. His