A week passed quickly.
Children chosen from various ninja villages were gradually dispatched to Konoha.
Thanks to Kawaki's arrangements, the school had already prepared dormitories, just waiting for everyone to arrive before officially starting classes.
On this day, the children from Kirigakure finally arrived.
They arrived relatively late—only a few students remained to come.
"This is Konoha?"
"It doesn't seem much different from our village."
Mei Terumi walked behind a Konoha ninja on their way to the academy, glancing curiously around at the new environment.
Yet the occasional spark of excitement in her eyes betrayed feelings deeper than her words suggested.
"It's still just another village. How different could it really be?"
"Ahem~"
The boy beside her responded casually but couldn't help coughing immediately afterward.
A closer look revealed his pale face bore two crimson marks above his nose, lending him a frail, unwell look.
"Rin no Suke are you okay?" Mei asked with sudden concern, gently patting his back.
Although they hadn't known each other well before, in this unfamiliar place, Mei felt naturally drawn to this fellow villager as a companion.
"I'm fine. It's an old problem."
No one could imagine how shocking it was for a Konoha ninja to hear those words from an eight-year-old boy's mouth.
"I never wanted to come here originally."
"But my father said if there's any place that can cure my illness..."
"...it would be Konoha."
Kaguya Rin no Suke wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, devoid of the innocence one would expect at his age.
Ever since he awakened [Bone Pulsation Kekkei Genkai], his condition had steadily deteriorated.
While other kids played joyfully outside, he was already anxious about living to see another sunrise.
No one knew how he had endured all these years.
"That's true—Konoha does have the finest medical ninjas in the entire ninja world, not just one."
"But you're mistaken about something."
"This time, it's not about wanting to come—it's about having no choice but to come."
"There simply isn't a choice anymore."
Mei understood—none of the hidden villages would dare defy Konoha's orders anymore.
"Well, whatever."
"Now that I'm here, I've already accepted that I might die here."
To Kaguya Rin no Suke, Konoha had become his last hope for survival.
He had no interest in anything here—not even attending the Ninja Academy.
From the moment he began his journey to Konoha, his sole purpose had always been to survive.
Although she couldn't fully understand his pain, Mei could only echo words she wasn't even sure were true.
"I hope so."
As he looked at the academy in the distance, Rin no Suke finally let a faint smile appear on his lips.
"We're almost there."
"I'll show you two to the dormitory first."
The Konoha ninja's gaze lingered on Kaguya Rin no Suke for a few seconds. He had complete faith in Tsunade and Orochimaru's skills, yet still hesitated to offer any promises to the poor boy.
After all, he was just an insignificant escort.
"Thank you."
Mei Terumi and Rin no Suke thanked him respectfully and obediently followed behind the Konoha ninja.
Three days later, all the children had finally arrived.
Konoha had selected ten children from the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Suizanami families.
When thirty children sat quietly inside the classroom, the instructor for the first class arrived.
"It's actually him?"
"Does this mean this esteemed ninja will personally teach us?"
While children from other villages were still murmuring among themselves, the kids from Konoha were already looking up in awe.
Before he even spoke, everyone recognized him immediately.
"Judging by your expressions, I suppose you all already know who I am."
"I'm very pleased to give you your first lesson. I am Kawaki Hatake."
Kawaki stepped forward with a warm tone and introduced himself.
He silently observed this group of children, his gaze lingering slightly longer on Rin no Suke.
This child was trouble—serious trouble.
Without lingering on it, Kawaki continued speaking.
"Although you've all come from different places, starting today, you share the same identity."
"That is—to be students of the Konoha Ninja Academy."
"In the future, you'll study and live here."
"You'll make new friends and learn new ninjutsu."
"Today, each of you will receive your own Konoha Hitai-ate (forehead protector)."
Kawaki gestured with his hand, and someone promptly carried in a large box of forehead protectors.
The very first lesson was about giving these children an identity, to help them embrace it over time.
As for the rule stating only genin could be given forehead protectors, this class easily met the criteria.
Each village had sent their prodigies—none of whom were below genin-level strength.
"All right, come up and take one yourselves."
At Kawaki's command, the Konoha children moved first.
The others from different villages looked at each other hesitantly but eventually someone took the first step forward.
None of them had ever had a choice about coming to Konoha—let alone once they were already here.
"Good."
"From this moment on, you are all part of Konoha."
"And I hope you'll all learn to get along."
"Once you've finished your training, staying or leaving will be your own decision."
Kawaki was confident that in several years, each child would grow into precisely the kind of ninja Konoha needed.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"I, Kawaki Hatake, always keep my word."
Oh…!
[Author's Note: If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Courting Tsunade, please consider bookmarking/following the story! (m)]
Kawaki wasn't fazed by the faintest hint of doubt—he simply smiled warmly.
"Alright, class begins now."
Having completed the most important step, Kawaki picked up his textbook, ready to instill new ideals into these young minds.
"You should all already understand."
"The flames of war have been extinguished, and the world of ninja no longer divides between friend and foe."
"So, as ninja, we are no longer to be wielded solely as instruments of war."
"In the days ahead, our strength will be used to hunt down criminals and protect the safety of the people."
"So that everyone in the ninja world can live in peace and safety."
"Ninja can finally step into the spotlight, no longer just blades in the hands of the powerful."
"Do you understand what this truly means?"
"It means a brand-new ninja era will be born through us."
"And you all will be the first batch of ninja in this new age."
Kawaki's gaze met each child's eyes for several seconds.
He could see confusion and excitement in their eyes. Dreams are always the most precious things.
For these children, building a new era was an incredibly grand dream.
"Don't doubt yourselves; you can do it."
"I gathered you all here precisely because of your excellence."
"Every one of you is a prodigy, one in ten thousand."
"In this new era, you will bloom as the most dazzling flowers."
"..."
As Kawaki continued speaking, these children became completely captivated.
When class ended, most of them now looked at Kawaki with admiration in their eyes.
That's how powerful motivational lecturers are.
Unfortunately, Kawaki had only mastered surface-level techniques. Otherwise, these children would have sworn allegiance to him right on the spot.
Licking his parched lips, Kawaki walked out of the classroom feeling even more exhausted than after a fight.
But he brought it on himself; he'd just have to bite the bullet and live with it.
He took a few steps forward. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he stopped at the classroom door and waved Rin no Suke over.