Konoha.
The sun had just risen, casting a golden glow across the streets.
A boy with spiky yellow hair leapt through a window, a piece of bread dangling from his mouth as he dashed down the street.
Then, a red-haired woman wrapped in a scarf and holding a shovel shouted, "Naruto, aren't you going with me?"
Hearing his mom calling from behind, Naruto didn't even turn around as he waved his hand dismissively, "I've already grown up! It'd be so embarrassing if you sent me to the Ninja Academy."
With that, he quickly disappeared around the corner.
Kushina could only sigh helplessly before turning her gaze toward Minato, who was still reading the newspaper behind her.
"I swear, oh great Hokage, aren't you supposed to get ready for this ahead of time?"
Minato glanced at the time calmly and replied without urgency, "Don't worry. We'll make it in time."
Kushina took off her scarf and walked quickly toward the door, saying, "Fine then, I'm leaving you behind. I'm going to find Mikoto."
———
Uchiha District.
Mikoto looked at Sasuke gently and said, "Sasuke, I'll be coming to your school's opening ceremony today too."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
Sasuke stood with his hands deep in his pockets, smirking slightly. "No thanks. I'll have my older brother take me."
Upon hearing this, Itachi spoke up, "Sasuke, I actually have a mission to do today."
"Huh?!" Sasuke couldn't help but sound disappointed. "But Aniki, this is something important that only happens once in my entire life! Can't you spare some time to send me there?"
Seeing how close Sasuke seemed to tears, Itachi could only sigh helplessly, "Alright fine, but I have to leave right away after sending you."
When Itachi agreed, Sasuke immediately broke into a smile, "Great!"
"Aniki, carry me on your back."
"..."
———
"Mom, I'm heading out first!"
A girl with a single golden ponytail stepped out of the flower shop, only to run straight into her archenemy—
Sakura Haruno.
"Hey! Ino, why do you always follow me everywhere? You even waited for me on purpose before going to register at the Ninja Academy?"
Ino Yamanaka gave a cold snort, "Stop flattering yourself. I didn't come here waiting for you. What a bad start to the morning."
Sakura bristled, "What did you say? Ino-pig!"
Ino fired back without backing down, "Billboard Brow, don't walk behind me."
"You shouldn't be following me either!"
Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno began chasing each other down the streets of Konoha, both determined to get ahead of the other.
Crash!
"Choji, sorry!"
Looking at the retreating figures of Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno, Choji Akimichi remained silent, stuffing handfuls of potato chips into his mouth.
Beside him, Shikamaru Nara sighed with a troubled expression, "We'll have to go to ninja school every day from now on... What a drag."
————
Hyūga Clan Compound.
Neji Hyūga and Hinata Hyūga set off together in the direction of the Ninja Academy.
Along the way, Neji noticed Hinata seemed nervous and spoke up first, "Hinata, don't be nervous. No matter what happens, I will always protect you."
Looking at Neji, Hinata replied shyly, "I'm okay, Neji nii-san."
"I know you deliberately postponed your enrollment by one year to put my mind at ease. I won't disappoint you or father."
Seeing this, Neji encouraged her further, "Hinata, I believe you can do it."
"After all, you're the disciple chosen by Mirai Uchiha. The future of our Hyūga Clan rests upon you."
At the mention of Mirai, Hinata's face flushed slightly as she quietly said, "Nii-san, Future hasn't decided to take me as a disciple yet. Please don't spread rumors like that."
Neji smiled slightly, "I understand. Come on, we need to hurry up or we'll be late."
"Hmm."
————
In front of the weapon shop.
Tenten looked at the [Sealing Scroll] inside her backpack with an exasperated expression, "Do I really need to bring so many weapons to the ninja school? It's just a regular day at school..."
A kind-looking middle-aged woman laughed, "Tenten, once you arrive at school, let the teacher release the [Sealing Scroll] and distribute some ninja tools to your classmates."
"You should give our weapon shop a good introduction."
Tenten nodded with resignation, "Okay."
Just then, a sweaty boy with prominent eyebrows passed by the weapon shop and ran quickly into the distance.
Seeing this, Tenten immediately rushed outside as well, "No time to chat, I'm going to be late!"
————
Ninja Academy.
Playground.
The spacious playground was teeming with students, all eagerly awaiting the upcoming opening ceremony.
Kankuro couldn't help but comment, "Looks like there are quite a lot of new students this year. Still, none of them can rival Gaara."
Gaara gave a faint shake of his head, "Kankuro, please don't talk like that."
"I can sense that that group over there is very strong."
Temari glanced in that direction and nodded, "Indeed. Especially those few girls. We shouldn't underestimate them."
Kankuro asked curiously, "Sister, do you recognize them?"
Temari murmured softly, "Hotaru, Fu, Yugao, Tayuya, Hydrangea, Kurotsuchi..."
These people all reside at Mirai Uchiha's estate. They're my main competitors for the future."
Temari unconsciously tightened her fists.
In her heart, Mirai Uchiha was everything.
Living within Mirai Uchiha's estate had always been her greatest wish.
No matter what, she must prove her own value, and be noticed by Mirai Uchiha!
Kankuro couldn't quite understand Temari's thinking. Without saying anything, he simply wandered around aimlessly.
Eventually, he found a guy who had a dog riding on top of his head.
"From now on we're going to become proper ninja academy students. You must behave yourself," said Akamaru.
"Woof!"
Inuzuka Kiba smiled happily while patting Akamaru's head.
He would definitely become the Hokage someday. Starting today, he would shine brightly at the Ninja Academy.
"A boy wearing sunglasses greeted Inuzuka Kiba, but Kiba showed absolutely no reaction whatsoever."
Seeing this, a slightly helpless expression appeared beneath the high collar of the boy's clothing.
As expected...
He'd been ignored again.
———
Soon afterwards, Minato Namikaze, wearing the Hokage ceremonial robe, appeared on the elevated platform overlooking the playground.
The crowd below immediately fell silent.
Looking at those energetic faces, Minato smiled warmly: "I'm Minato Namikaze, the Fifth Hokage. Welcome to becoming true official students of the ninja academy."
"Now, please welcome Emperor Mirai to speak!"
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