"Emperor?"
"Who would have thought that this year's Ninja Academy opening ceremony would feature a speech from the Emperor himself? These new students must truly be extraordinary."
"Yeah, right? There hasn't been anything like this before."
After hearing Minato Namikaze's announcement, everyone at the scene began murmuring among themselves.
Ever since he unified the Five Great Nations, the Emperor had rarely appeared in public.
Now, willingly giving a speech to these newly enrolled ninja academy students—was this sending out some kind of signal?
Some quick-witted people had already begun shifting their gaze toward the new students gathered on the playground.
Each and every one of them was worth befriending!
Feeling every eye on him, Sasuke Uchiha tilted his chin upward smugly.
Only a genius like himself, the pride of the Uchiha Clan, could command such attention.
Thinking this, Sasuke smirked smugly. "Hmph! Even the Emperor went out of his way for me. Looks like from now on, it'll be hard to keep a low profile here at the Ninja Academy."
Next to him, Naruto Uzumaki rolled his eyes immediately. "Don't flatter yourself. Who even needs their big bro to carry them around like a baby?"
Sasuke's face darkened. "What did you just say?"
"What? You wanna fight?"
"Bring it on!"
Seeing the two arguing, Hinata Hyūga carefully took a few steps back.
Neji Hyūga quickly stepped in front of her protectively.
Meanwhile, Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno watched with great interest.
"Hey Ino," Sakura said after scanning the crowd, "I think those two are definitely the best-looking guys among this year's new students."
"Yeah, totally! Their names are Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha."
Ino nodded casually. "I've met them a few times when I went with Dad to family dinners."
"One is the son of the Fifth Hokage, and the other is Mikoto's son."
"If you're interested, Sakura, I can bring you along next time. You'll get to meet a lot of important people."
Sakura smiled slightly. "Haha, no thank you. I'd rather use that time to read more books."
Unlike her outward calmness, in her mind, an imaginary Sakura punched Ino far away: *Stop showing off already, you pig! You complete idiot!!!*
Just then, Rock Lee, a boy with strikingly thick eyebrows, walked up to Sakura.
"Hello, my name is Rock Lee."
"I really, really admire you! Would you do me the honor of going out with me?"
Sakura Haruno hesitated for a moment before quickly saying, "Umm... I think we should prioritize our studies."
"Rejected again..."
Rock Lee muttered, then suddenly his eyes lit up with determination and passion. "I just heard you talking about Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, right?"
"I will definitely surpass them all and prove that hard work can beat even genius!"
Sakura forced a smile and replied, "Hehe, good luck with that."
[Inner monologue]: "Brow-freak, quit bugging me!!"
Ino Yamanaka couldn't help but giggle behind her hand.
How interesting. Even someone like Sakura had admirers? thought Ino.
Just as Ino was about to say something else, the noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Mirai Uchiha slowly stepped onto the platform.
With a head of flowing long hair and beauty that ranked among the top in the Uchiha Clan,
combined with an air of supreme arrogance, he instantly captured everyone's attention.
"This is Emperor Mirai? He looks even more handsome in person than in photos or on TV!"
"No wonder mom clutches Emperor Mirai's pillow every night. Who could possibly resist such good looks?"
Both Ino and Sakura were momentarily spellbound.
Ino couldn't help exclaiming, "Wouldn't it be amazing to live in the same era as Emperor Mirai? This level of attractiveness is almost unfair..."
Sakura unusually agreed with Ino, "Exactly. Compared to Emperor status, neither Sasuke Uchiha nor Naruto Uzumaki are even worth mentioning."
Temari stood upright excitedly.
It had been so long since she arrived at Konoha — now she was finally seeing Mirai again!
Feeling their emotions, Sasuke Uchiha proudly said, "Naruto, see that? This is the charm of the Uchiha Clan."
"My goal is to become strong enough to surpass even Emperor Mirai someday. Now you understand the pressure I carry, right?"
Naruto Uzumaki looked disdainfully at Sasuke Uchiha but said nothing.
Only he himself could defeat Mirai!
---
"Hotaru, Fu, Hydrangea, Yugao, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Temari, Gaara, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Tenten, Hinata, Neji, Kurotsuchi..."
"The characters from the original story are finally going to take the stage one by one."
Mirai Uchiha mused internally while slightly raising his arm.
Instantly, the entire playground became deathly silent.
"You are the new blossoms, the future hope of the ninja world."
"My disciple will be chosen from among you."
"Work hard. When you graduate from the Ninja Academy, everything will be revealed. Those chosen to become my disciples will receive the title of 'Newcomer King.'"
Mirai Uchiha's voice, laced with chakra, echoed clearly in every ear.
Everyone stood frozen in shock, mouths agape, staring at Mirai Uchiha on the stage.
Some couldn't help but pinch themselves to see if they were dreaming.
Was His Majesty really going to take a disciple?
And in such a public manner!
No wonder His Majesty personally came today to address the new students. It seems he was planning to select one of them as his disciple all along!
Though there was no formal inheritance system in the ninja world, a true legacy still existed.
Anyone taken as His Majesty's disciple would instantly rise to prominence!
"Oh man, why didn't this luck come my way? I should've enrolled next year instead."
"These kids are incredibly lucky to have the chance to become His Majesty's disciple."
"Where's the Ninja Academy admissions office? A 40-year-old rookie is here to sign up!"
Whispers and chatter filled the air, transforming an otherwise ordinary opening ceremony into an electrifying event.
Minato Namikaze was equally stunned.
He hadn't expected Mirai Uchiha to make such an announcement at this event either.
This guy...
Still the same as always—always ready to make a stunning impact.
"Mirai, aren't you being a bit too reckless?"
"Taking a disciple isn't a small matter."
Minato couldn't help but speak up.
This would affect the future of the entire ninja world. Wasn't this decision a bit too rash?
Seeing Minato's worried expression, Mirai Uchiha smiled. "It's fine. That's what makes it interesting."
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