"Yes, Teacher Iruka!"
As Iruka's words fell, everyone in the classroom responded in unison with youthful, immature voices. After all, it was only the first day at the Ninja Academy, and leaving a good impression on their instructor was still a very important matter.
"Well, that's good. So let's start with self-introductions. After all, you'll be studying together for six years, and after graduation, you may even be assigned to the same three-man squads. Getting to know each other is important."
Iruka smiled slightly, then gestured toward the first student seated in the front row to his right and said softly.
"Let's begin with you, Iguchi-kun. Just talk about your name, your dreams, and what you like."
"Yes!"
"My name is Iguchi Yuedou, and my dream is to become a great ninja. The things I like are…"
A very friendly and practical way to begin.
Or rather, it should be said—
After many years of reform and adjustment, Konoha's Ninja Academy was no longer the same as when it was founded during the time of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. In fact, if the current group of students had lived in the early era of the Ninja Academy, it's likely most of them wouldn't have even passed through the school gates. Of course, this isn't to say one period is better than the other—just that the times have changed.
As the children continued to introduce themselves, Naruto silently observed these young peers who would be his official "classmates" for the next six years.
Truthfully speaking, among the group in this classroom, most would remain ordinary shinobi or even drop out, forgotten by the passage of time. Very few would go on to become chūnin—and it's worth noting that becoming a chūnin is no small feat. Chūnin form the backbone of any village's shinobi force. They lead teams, command missions, and possess real combat capability and experience.
As for jōnin, that's an even more distant goal.
The most direct way to say it?
There's no world more reliant on bloodline and heritage than the world of Naruto.
This is a world born of intergenerational conflict—most major story arcs stem from disputes between clans. That alone tells you everything about the system. Civilian-born ninja with potential? Of course, they exist. It's possible for one to rise through raw effort and talent.
But it's the exception—not the norm.
This is a world where lineage determines access to power. A child born into a ninja clan starts with techniques, chakra control, and family secrets already within reach. For a civilian? Everything must be earned the hard way.
This isn't some fable of a tortoise and hare.
The hare doesn't fall asleep. They run hard too.
So if someone with talent and resources works as hard as you do—what chance do you truly have?
None.
You'll be left behind without ever even being in the race.
That's the world Naruto now lives in.
Hard work doesn't lie—it will make you stronger. But that's a personal truth. Vertically, yes, you'll grow. But horizontally, when compared to the rest?
Reality is cruel.
And that reality was reflected even in this classroom.
For Naruto, the civilian-born students—especially those not mentioned in the original story—were barely worth noting. His attention naturally gravitated toward those with clear clan backgrounds and narrative importance.
The so-called Konoha 12—especially the other eight students outside of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—were Naruto's key observation targets.
Even at their current young age, they were easy to distinguish.
Particularly the Ino-Shika-Chō trio.
The lazy but brilliant Nara Shikamaru.
The kind-hearted and gluttonous Akimichi Chōji.
And the loud, pink-clad Yamanaka Ino—already casting lovestruck glances at Uchiha Sasuke from across the room.
Naruto had no doubt that if the Ino-Shika-Chō weren't such a deeply rooted formation within the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans, Ino would've leapt across the desk to sit next to Sasuke already.
Honestly, in this classroom—
Almost 80% of the girls...
Well, "girls" is a stretch—they were six years old.
But even these precocious little ones were already showing signs of one-sided infatuation.
And all of it was directed at Uchiha Sasuke.
Though this was the world of Naruto, Naruto couldn't help but think:
"Isn't this a bit too early…?"
Setting aside Ino-Shika-Chō, the other recognizable figures—Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka—stood out with their distinctive appearances. The quiet Shino with his glasses and high-collared jacket, and Kiba with his wild hair and red fang markings on his cheeks.
And of course—Hinata and Sasuke.
Those two needed no explanation.
Especially Sasuke.
When it was his turn, he stood and introduced himself in the shortest, most emotionless way possible:
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
That classic cool pose—stoic, detached.
The entire classroom went wild.
Squeals from the girls echoed through the room.
But in Naruto's mind, the thought lingered coldly:
"That calm won't last. Less than a year left…"
Naruto watched Sasuke's side profile and couldn't help but recall scenes from his past life—the Uchiha Clan Massacre, the birth of Sasuke's vengeance. His demeanor hadn't changed yet, but within a year, that boy's world would collapse.
And then?
Sasuke's only reason for living would be one thing—revenge.
Of course, that had nothing to do with the current Naruto. He didn't have the power, position, or qualifications to change anything yet. Was there a conspiracy behind the massacre? Without even needing memories of his past life, Naruto could guess there had to be deeper secrets.
But for now?
That wasn't his business.
Naruto's mission was simple: survive these six years peacefully, grow stronger, and stay unnoticed.
When it came to the other Konoha 12, the last familiar face was Haruno Sakura—polarizing in fandom in his past life, yet undeniably one of the leads in the original series. Naruto held no special feelings either way now.
Neither fondness nor dislike.
Because the current Naruto… was no longer that Naruto.
What Sakura would think, do, or become—none of that mattered to him unless it directly affected his plans.
And finally, it was Naruto's turn to introduce himself.
He had already expected it, but still—
The moment he stood up, nearly 80% of the room turned their eyes to him with that peculiar look.
Not rejection or hatred—not like what he received from adults.
Rather, it was confusion. Curiosity.
Many had likely been warned by their families to stay away from him. They didn't know why, only that they should be careful around him.
Naruto didn't mind at all.
He introduced himself politely, without theatrics or false humility, then sat back down.
He neither tried to hide in the shadows nor attract unnecessary attention.
His pace was set.
He would spend the next six years in the Ninja Academy as planned—quietly strengthening himself.
Waiting for the right opportunities.
That was Naruto's most important—and only—core plan at this moment.