The bell suddenly rang for class. At the same time, the classroom door opened, and a man in his early twenties with short black hair and a Chunin uniform walked in. He went to the center of the podium and addressed the students with a smile.
"Hello, everyone. It's nice to meet you. I'm your homeroom teacher, Sato Ichiki..."
But all Sato Ichiki received in response was the same noisy roughhousing and objects flying everywhere.
From his seat tucked away in the corner, Ye Feng could clearly sense Sato Ichiki's expression darkening from a smile. He could vaguely make out an increasingly large, cross-shaped vein bulging at his temple. Sure enough, a roar followed:
"Anyone who doesn't sit down and keeps disrupting class can get out and stand in the hallway!"
The classroom instantly fell silent, followed by a flurry of hurried, noisy movement as the students rushed back to their seats. Nobody wanted to be punished by standing outside on the very first day. How embarrassing it would be if someone saw them.
Sato Ichiki, who had wanted to make a good impression on his new students, sighed. Looking at this bunch of mischievous children, he felt that the days ahead would not be easy. Forcing a smile, he addressed them.
"From now on, I'll be the homeroom teacher for Year One, Class Two-in other words, your homeroom teacher. My name is Sato Ichiki. It's nice to meet you, and I hope we'll enjoy studying and spending time together over the next few years. Now, everyone assemble on the field. Lord Third Hokage will be speaking to you shortly. Let's go!"
Sato Ichiki led the students out of the classroom.
The entire school gathered on the field, looking out over the densely packed crowd.
Konoha still followed a four-year schooling system. Each year had a little over a hundred students, making over five hundred across all four years. It really was quite a lot. Looking at those faces still full of childish innocence, it would not be long after the first-years graduated before the Third Shinobi World War came around. There was no telling how many of them would survive it.
Before long, a figure wearing a white Hokage robe over red ninja clothing and a Hokage hat walked onto the raised platform at the front of the field. Written across his back were the words "Third Hokage." This was the Third Hokage-Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his prime at this time, with a resolute gaze and slightly dark skin. He was nowhere near as old as he appeared in the anime. Now, he wore a warm smile as he addressed the students below.
"Hello, everyone. I am the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Thunderous applause rose from below. It had to be said that the Third's brainwashing was pretty effective. Just look at the crowd of naive students below, their eyes shining with admiration and excitement as they clapped their little hands with all their might.
"The Ninja Academy has welcomed a new group of students. Looking at you, I see vibrant life, the vibrant life of Konoha itself... one hundred thousand words omitted here..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke for a full two hours before finishing, after which the homeroom teachers led their students back to their classrooms. Ye Feng had nearly fallen asleep. Back when he was in school, nothing had annoyed him more than listening to teachers and principals drone on and on. He had never expected that even transmigrating would not let him escape this fate.
The other students, however, still wore excited expressions after returning to the classroom.
"All right, all right, settle down. We'll all be in the same class from now on. I'll start calling roll, and when I call your name, introduce yourself. Your name, age, hobbies, dreams, and so on-say whatever you like." Sato Ichiki quieted the still-excited students and began the introductions required of new students.
"Tanaka Shu," Sato Ichiki called out, beginning the roll call.
"Here."
A boy who looked rather frail stood up in a fluster.
"My name is Tanaka Shu. I'm six years old. I like all kinds of flowers and plants. My dream is for there to be no war in the future, and to have a huge garden of my own with all sorts of rare flowers and plants."
He had been timid at first, but his tone noticeably changed when he spoke of flowers and plants. It seemed he really did love them. Unfortunately, in a world of turmoil, staying alive came first. Otherwise, he would have no right to enjoy what he loved.
"Good. Sit down. Kakashi Hatake."
"Kakashi Hatake. Five years old. My dream is to become a very powerful ninja."
"Wow! He's so handsome! So cool!" Once Kakashi finished speaking, a crowd of girls below praised him with stars in their eyes. Even Rin Nohara looked at Kakashi with a faint blush on her face.
Seeing Rin's expression, Obito said indignantly:
"What's so great about that? I'm going to become Hokage!"
Looking at Obito Uchiha, who had suddenly disrupted the class, Sato Ichiki said to him:
"Then introduce yourself."
"My name is Obito Uchiha. I'm six years old, and I'm going to become a great Hokage someday. The person I like, uh... the person I hate, hmm..."
When he mentioned the person he liked, Obito cautiously stole a glance at Rin Nohara. When he mentioned the person he disliked, he turned to look at Kakashi. Then he felt waves of cold washing over him. Only then did Obito notice that all the girls in the class had turned into demons and were glaring furiously at him. If the teacher had not still been there, they might have pounced on him to teach him a lesson.
"All right, sit down. Uchiha Yefeng."
"My name is Uchiha Yefeng. I'm four years old."
"He's going to school at only four? He's so little. He's a little boy." As Ye Feng stood up and introduced himself, he heard the chatter below. It all centered on the words "so little" and "little boy." With his slightly dirty mind, Ye Feng immediately took it the wrong way, his face clouding over. This could not go on. He had to change the subject quickly.
"My hobby is looking at beautiful women. As for my dream-keep a low profile and build up my strength."
Hearing Ye Feng's hobby and dream, the students below burst out laughing. Was he here to tell jokes?
Obito silently mouthed something at Ye Feng, seemingly saying, "You've finally caught on."
"All right, sit down. Asuma Sarutobi."
"My name is Asuma Sarutobi. I'm five years old. I hope to become a powerful ninja and protect Konoha." This boy was clearly a little precocious, with rather overly thick sideburns. He was the Third Hokage's son.
Just what you'd expect of the Third Hokage's son, Sato Ichiki thought. He immediately clapped hard and said in a ringing voice:
"Class, we should all learn from Asuma Sarutobi. Since you've chosen to become ninjas, work hard to become great ninjas who protect our families and Konoha. No matter how many difficulties or dangers you face, always remember your dreams and pursue them."
With his impassioned speech, Sato Ichiki took the opportunity to praise his highest superior's son, getting in a little flattery while also inspiring the students. Most of those who stood up afterward now said their dreams were to grow strong and protect Konoha.
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