One after another, the unpleasant sounds were like needles piercing Naruto's heart.
Naruto trembled with anger and shouted, "I will definitely become Hokage!"
"Quiet! Quiet!"
Iruka yelled.
As a Chūnin and a teacher, Iruka's authority was undeniable in the classroom.
The moment he spoke, the laughter around Naruto disappeared, and the classroom went completely silent.
Iruka was a little surprised. He didn't expect the Naruto to have such an ideal.
At this time, like many of the villagers who had lost their families in the Nine-Tails' attack hated Naruto.
Iruka only gave a reply: "Very good. That dream is quite ambitious. I hope Naruto-kun keeps working hard."
"Next!"
Uchiha Sasuke, Sakura, and the others introduced themselves in turn.
Soon it was the turn of Kaito and the other two.
"My name is Yamanaka Ino! My hobby is flower arranging! My dream is to open a big flower shop!"
"My name is Ayanami Kaito! I don't have any hobbies! My ideal is to have two wives and live a peaceful life."
As he spoke, he smiled then glanced vaguely at both ino and Hinata.
Ino was caught off guard, clearly uncomfortable. Hinata, on the other hand, reacted differently. Though her original crush had been on Naruto, it had recently shifted to Kaito. Still, this was their first real meeting.
With her Byakugan, she could clearly see the subtle expressions and movements of everyone in the room.
As a result, Hinata's face flushed crimson, almost to the point of bursting.
Three black lines appeared on Iruka's forehead.
He had thought this year's class would be easy, but he quickly took that back. There were always a few oddballs in every batch—but this year's class was full of them.
He wants a wife at that age? Two, even?
How can I, who've been single for more than 20 years, live with that?
He glanced at the two girls next to Kaito and thought back to what had just been said.
Wait a second—did he just try to stake a claim on the Yamanaka princess and the Hyūga heiress?
That's quite the ambition.
Iruka, a humble ninja, knew just how hard it was for ordinary folks to train. Now this kid wanted to marry into two major clans?
Iruka had only two words in his mind for Kaito:
Hehe…
He looked at Kaito with pity and muttered coldly, "Next."
Hinata, who was just about to faint from embarrassment, completely lost her composure when she heard Iruka's shout—and collapsed!
Kaito: …
Iruka: …
Kaito hurriedly caught Hinata and gently laid her down on the table.
"Don't worry, Mr. Iruka. Hinata-san is just a little shy and fainted. She was talking to me just now. She'll be fine after a bit of rest."
Iruka: …
He'd heard that the Hyūga clan's heiress was shy, but not to the point of passing out!
"Well then! Hinata-san, please rest for now! Next student!"
…
The class continued with each student introducing themselves.
"This concludes our first period. The Third Hokage will be giving a lecture next."
Kaito curled his lips. A lecture? Sounds more like brainwashing to me.
After a short break, the second class began.
The class schedule in the Academy was different from his past life. There were three classes a day, each lasting two hours: two in the morning, one in the afternoon.
Mornings were dedicated to indoor theory, while afternoons focused on outdoor practicals—combat training, chakra control, and seal crafting.
About 15 minutes later, the Third Hokage arrived, wearing his Hokage robe and led in by Iruka.
As the village's leader, he rarely interacted so directly with students. Naturally, the children were thrilled.
"I won't introduce the Hokage—his presence here is already an honor. Now, let's all welcome the Third Hokage with warm applause!"
Iruka was the first to clap.
The rest of the class quickly followed, applauding enthusiastically. Most of them idolized the Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at their eager faces and smiled kindly. These were the inheritors of the Will of Fire.
He gestured for quiet, and the applause slowly faded.
Iruka respectfully stood to the side, assuming the role of bodyguard.
Now came Sarutobi Hiruzen's true purpose—indoctrination.
The old man was a political veteran. He spoke passionately, telling stories from the First to the Fourth Hokage, describing the village's founding, growth, and unity.
But of course, he only shared the heroic and positive aspects—none of the village's dark history was mentioned.
The children were entranced, their eyes shining with admiration.
From his seat, Kaito rolled his eyes the moment Hiruzen looked away.
If I hadn't read the manga, I might've believed all that nonsense.
To use a phrase that had once trended online:
I don't trust you, old man. You're too crafty.
Listen to it, sure. Believe it? Never.
Kaito didn't know how long he had been daydreaming until Hinata and Ino tugged at his sleeve.
He snapped out of it and looked around in confusion.
"Hokage-sama is calling you!" Ino whispered.
Kaito looked up to see Sarutobi Hiruzen gazing at him kindly.
"Third Hokage-sama! I'm here!" Kaito stood up quickly.
"Child, can you tell me what the Will of Fire is?"
That's easy.
What kind of Naruto fan would I be if I didn't know this line?
Kaito feigned excitement and answered with confidence:
"Where the leaves dance, the fire lives on. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen trembled slightly and murmured to himself,
"Where the leaves flutter, the fire will continue to burn. The fire will continue to illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout..."
His face lit up. He hadn't expected a child to recite such philosophical words.