It was shortly after Naruto had just celebrated his sixth birthday.
One day.
After finishing his day of training and getting some food, Naruto returned to his little home.
To his surprise, he found the Third Hokage once again present in his house.
However, this wasn’t the first or second time something like this had happened. Naruto quickly and naturally showed a very happy expression.
“Hey!? Third Grandpa!”
His mood shifted instantly.
“What brings you here today?”
Naruto ran straight to the Third Hokage, looking up with a very familiar and slightly surprised expression.
“I came today because I haven’t seen little Naruto for a long time, and I also have some good news for him.”
The Third Hokage slightly leaned forward, his outstretched right hand gently rubbing Naruto’s small head, with a very kind expression and a light laugh.
“Eh? Good news?”
At this moment, Naruto wasn’t pretending; he was genuinely a bit confused. What good news could there be for him now?
“Yes, little Naruto. Didn’t you always say you wanted to become a great ninja? Well, learning is an indispensable part of that.”
The Third Hokage gently patted Naruto’s shoulder, speaking in a warm voice.
“Third Grandpa, you mean?”
Naruto was genuinely excited. Although he didn’t say it out loud, the Third Hokage’s words were clear.
“That’s right, you’re already six years old. Starting next week, Naruto, you should go to the Ninja Academy to study. Only by doing so can you become a great ninja in the future.”
The Third Hokage said with a faint smile.
Naruto was, after all, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and the orphan of the Fourth Hokage.
Especially after these six years of interaction.
The Third Hokage confirmed that Naruto would not pose a threat to the village’s safety.
Thus, at the age of six.
Arranging for him to enter the Ninja Academy was a necessary step.
“Really? Third Grandpa, I can go to the Ninja Academy to study?”
Naruto’s blue eyes sparkled with a bright light, and he asked loudly with obvious excitement.
“Yes, that’s right. In a few days, a teacher from the academy will come to take you to enroll. When that time comes, Naruto, you must listen to the teacher, okay?”
“Yes!”
The Ninja Academy!
Can I finally enter the Ninja Academy?
Naruto clenched his hands slightly, his eyes revealing a very excited expression. At this moment, there was no need for pretense, as these were Naruto’s most genuine emotions. Of course, it was not just because he could finally enter the academy for formal ninja training, but also because the Third Hokage agreeing to let him enter meant that his last bit of vigilance had been lifted. His plans could proceed more smoothly.
Seeing Naruto so excited.
The Third Hokage’s expression also softened further.
Whether it was the Nine-Tails incident six years ago or Naruto now.
He knew he owed the Fourth Hokage too much.
Although, for certain reasons, the Third Hokage couldn’t give Naruto too much care, he wouldn’t easily abandon the things he needed to persist in.
After all, in the Third Hokage’s heart.
There was the “Will of Fire” he believed in!
That night, the Third Hokage didn’t stay long. After giving Naruto some advice about the academy, he left Naruto’s apartment.
And after the Third Hokage left.
Naruto’s excited emotions hadn’t calmed down.
There was no need to disguise these emotions.
Because Naruto was genuinely looking forward to his upcoming academy life, where he would take his second firm step in this world!
A week later.
On the morning of the specified enrollment day at the Ninja Academy.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Naruto welcomed the teacher from the academy that the Third Hokage had mentioned.
The door opened.
The figure that appeared in Naruto’s sight.
A relatively slender figure, wearing the standard Chūnin vest of the Leaf Village, with a very noticeable horizontal scar on the bridge of his nose. Although it was the first time seeing this young man, Naruto recognized him at a glance.
“Iruka Umino.”
Naruto whispered in his heart.
Yes.
At this moment, the person who appeared before Naruto was the one who would have a great influence on him in the original story, not only the first to believe in and acknowledge him but also the only light in his otherwise dark childhood.
If Naruto’s hatred towards the other people in the Leaf Village, including the higher-ups like the Third Hokage, was understandable, then Iruka Umino was someone Naruto could never hate.
Of course, that being said, what happens next would be up to Naruto’s own eyes and judgment.
The original story? That could only serve as a reference.
“Are you Naruto? I’m Iruka Umino, a teacher from the Ninja Academy. You can call me Teacher Iruka. The Hokage should have told you, today is the enrollment day. I’m here to take you to register.”
Seeing the blond boy in front of him, Iruka’s eyes flashed with a complex emotion, but it quickly disappeared. He slightly bent down, reached out his right hand, and gently ruffled Naruto’s hair, speaking in a warm voice.
The fleeting emotion didn’t escape Naruto’s eyes.
Naruto also understood why Iruka had such an emotional reaction.
He knew that Iruka’s parents had died six years ago because of the Nine-Tails sealed within him.
If there was no reaction, that would be the strangest and scariest response.
“Yes, Teacher Iruka.”
Naruto’s face showed a very cheerful smile as he replied.
And seeing Naruto’s smile.
Iruka’s expression also slightly froze, then he lightly nodded, and his outstretched right hand gently held Naruto’s small hand.
“Let’s go, Naruto.”
“Yes.”
The widest street leading to the center of the Leaf Village, where the Ninja Academy was located, was bustling with activity today.
As it was the annual enrollment day at the academy.
All residents of the Leaf Village would surely bring their school-age children to the academy. Whether they could become a ninja would depend on the enrollment test results. Although the survival rate for ninjas was not high, even though the Leaf Village was the top of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, it had been besieged in the previous three Ninja Wars, and a few years ago, there was the Nine-Tails incident, causing heavy casualties among the Leaf ninjas. Despite this, many people still hoped their children could become ninjas because, in this world, being a ninja meant power, status, and everything!
Just like in ancient times, when it was the era of samurai.
Now, it was the era of ninjas.
Moreover, this was the Land of Fire, the Leaf Village. Becoming a Leaf ninja held different significance, so naturally, many parents brought their children to register on this enrollment day.
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