Only a handful had passed the entrance exam — maybe ten or twenty students altogether. Compared to the total number of examinees in the courtyard, it was a very small percentage.
But the background teacher nearby seemed to have expected this and wore a calm expression, showing no signs of concern.
"Everyone, line up properly!"
After what felt like a long pause, the teacher finally started talking.
"Class assignments are up! Check where you've been placed."
...
As expected by Saitama, the class assignments were heavily biased.
According to what Saitama overheard, almost everyone in his class came from prominent noble families. Very few commoners made the cut.
Even those who did, like Iruka, were commoners with outstanding entrance exam results, whose parents were also ninja.
"Saitama, Shisui, we're in the same class! Please take care of me from now on!"
Iruka's face lit up when he heard his name announced after Saitama's and Shisui's.
"Alright, everyone, go find your assigned classroom according to your class list!"
Once the teacher spoke, the crowd scattered like birds and beasts. In no time, the courtyard emptied out completely.
Saitama was assigned to Class One, Grade One — obviously an elite class just from its name!
It wasn't surprising — exactly what he'd expected.
Walking slowly with small steps, Saitama headed directly toward Classroom One, flanked by two new acquaintances who had quickly become chatty friends, whispering behind him.
Along the way, those who recognized Saitama would voluntarily clear a path for him — after all, he was a top-performing senior right from the entrance exam!
Plus, he was part of the Uchiha. Not someone they could afford to cross!
When Saitama reached the classroom, he found quite a few students had already taken their seats.
Looking at all those fresh faces, Saitama felt fire rising in his chest!
[Konoha Domination] starts here!
With my ultimate talent, I can no longer accept mediocrity!
Saitama made his way to the back rows with his two new companions in tow.
"Only the top dogs sit in the back!"
"Saitama, why come all the way to the back?"
Iruka, warned before enrollment to study hard, looked puzzled.
In his mind, studying diligently meant sitting near the teacher so you could ask questions anytime.
"The back is where serious studying happens, Iruka! Just look at the front rows — what kinds of weird flashy types are those?"
"If you sit upfront, won't you get distracted?"
"So the back row's better, right?"
Iruka and Shisui glanced at the students seated in the front rows. They appeared normal enough — but what connection did that have with being "flashy"?
Yet both Iruka and Shisui felt Saitama's words made perfect sense... even if they didn't fully understand. Obediently, they followed him to the last row.
As soon as they sat down, more students started pouring in, making the classroom lively.
Many began introducing themselves while others who already knew each other chatted loudly, gradually transforming the classroom into a noisy hub of overlapping conversations.
A middle-aged man in a ninja vest entered the room carrying a book, wearing a stern expression.
As he stepped in, the classroom quickly quieted down. Despite some of them coming from prestigious families, these kids still held a certain level of respect for teachers.
"Hello everyone!"
The teacher started his self-introduction.
"My name is Takahiro Kitahara! I will be your homeroom teacher and one of your instructors for the next few years!"
"First of all, welcome to Konoha Ninja Academy!"
Then came the usual boring welcome speech. Saitama began nodding off at the back of the classroom.
"Saitama, Saitama!!"
Shisui poked the half-asleep Saitama sitting on his left, trying to wake him up.
"What's up?"
Saitama asked with drowsy eyes barely open, looking at Shisui.
"It's your turn to introduce yourself!"
"Oh right... How old-fashioned."
Muttering to himself, Saitama turned his attention back to the actually-smiling teacher above. His name was Takahiro?
With a nod, Saitama prepared to introduce himself.
"My name is Saitama Uchiha! I'm destined to become the strongest man!"
Suddenly bursting with teenage drama, Saitama declared solemnly in the tone of those passionate anime protagonists.
Afterward, Saitama scanned the room with his gaze.
"Waah!"
A girl with big eyes and a childish appearance let out a sound.
"Hmph, people from the Uchiha clan are always so annoying!"
Haku expressed her opinion.
"..."
Sure enough, just after finishing, the classroom began boiling like bubbling water.
Both Shisui and Iruka stared at Saitama with wide eyes and expressions of disbelief.
Who would have thought Saitama actually had such an ambitious dream!
Shisui thought to himself.
"Well then, this student surely has dreams. No wonder he's from the Uchiha clan. You can sit down now, next person please."
Takahiro originally found this boy quite interesting since he remained unfazed while running ten laps during the entrance test, but after this introduction, he realized how dramatically different he was.
No wonder they say people from the Uchiha clan have some quirky wiring up there. Totally spot-on!
Slowly sitting down, Saitama remained expressionless amid the chattering classmates, keeping that cool look after just speaking.
Next was Shisui!
"Hello everyone, my name is Shisui Uchiha, and I'm destined to become the second strongest man!"
Without hesitation, Shisui introduced himself and winked at Saitama as he sat down.
⊙ω⊙
Wait, am I supposed to compliment you or something?
Saitama felt confused.
"As for me? My name is Iruka, and I will become the Hokage! I will protect Konoha with my life!"
Iruka proudly volunteered his introduction, filled with pride and yearning.
Right after he finished, the whole classroom fell into brief silence before erupting in laughter!
Though they were all young, the students still understood how powerful the title Hokage represented.
What's a Hokage? Think village president, but also the strongest ninja around.
Not just anyone can pull that off.
"Ahem, very good! But you'll need to work hard to become Hokage!"
Teacher Takahiro gave rare praise.
Now *that's* what makes Konoha special.
What the heck was with those two earlier?
At this moment, Takahiro absolutely had no intention of flattering the Uchiha clan's unique mindset.
"Alright, now that everyone's been introduced, I hope you can all get along well from now on."
"Do any of you have any idea what kinds of things we'll be learning here?" Takahiro asked gently, looking at his class.
"Learn ninjutsu, defeat Konoha's enemies! Protect Konoha!" a background student shouted, standing up from the front row.
Saitama curled his lips slightly while glancing at the tactical forehead protector on that student's head.
You're neither the protagonist nor the main antagonist. Wearing a forehead protector like that—do you want to get killed off early?
"That's right, but also wrong!" Takahiro said, signaling the student to sit down. He picked up a pointer from the lectern, scanned the classroom, and took a few steps forward onto the podium.
"The Ninja Academy will teach you not only ninjutsu but other subjects as well," he explained. "Being a ninja isn't just about mastering techniques; you must study various theoretical knowledge comprehensively. As for me, I will be your ninja theory instructor! I hope you all study hard, graduate on time, and become assets to Konoha."
Takahiro Kitahara glanced at the wall clock. It was already 11 a.m. The whole morning had been taken up with registration, exams, and introductions.
"In conclusion, welcome to the Ninja Academy family! Time flies—see you all in the afternoon!"
...
According to school rules, students were usually expected to eat lunch on campus. However, since it was the very first day of school today, things were naturally more flexible.
After leaving the school gate, Saitama said goodbye to Iruka's mother who had been waiting there and parted ways with Shisui and Auntie Tachibana as well. Then he decided to buy some groceries before heading home.
Grandma Ka had been preparing a variety of meals to improve Saitama's diet these past few days. All this endless meat-heavy eating left him feeling a bit run down. He decided to grab some veggies to balance out all the meat.
After buying several pounds of fresh produce from a store specializing in vegetables, Saitama walked back home satisfied. School dismissed at 11 a.m., and classes resumed again at 2 p.m.—plenty of time remained without urgency.
As he walked, Saitama began thinking deeply and planning for the future.
Next month was Kamizuki. Shisui would be turning six soon, and his own birthday wasn't far behind.
According to memories from his previous life, Shisui seemed to graduate from the Ninja Academy within a year.
And war was about to erupt!
After years of peace, the shinobi world was quietly heading toward an even greater storm. After all, the Second Great Shinobi War was already long behind them now.
Looking upward into the sky, he realized he didn't exactly have unlimited time either.
...
Hokage Office.
"Hokage-sama! Here is today's list of newly enrolled students! Please review it!"
"Mm, good."
The Third exhaled a puff of white smoke and accepted the registry book.
"This session has a total of 624 new students—the largest number in recent years," reported the balding middle-aged man standing respectfully before the Hokage's desk with both hands hanging straight by his sides.
It was none other than the Hokage himself!
"Very good!" The Third nodded.
Now fifty-something years old and having served longer than any previous Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was beginning to feel the weight of his years.
But seeing some young children joining the Ninja Academy, he still felt a bit comforted. They were the future he'd sworn to protect—and Konoha's hope for tomorrow.
Opening the register, The Third immediately noticed Saitama Uchiha's name at the top of the list.
"Uchiha?"
The names appearing near the beginning of this list all belonged to children who had passed the entrance exam and were identified by the teachers as possessing exceptional ninja talent.
The bald leader didn't respond. Topics regarding the Uchiha clan were always sensitive—beyond his position to get involved in. He was simply the head administrator of the Ninja Academy.
"You may return now. There's nothing else."
The bald man with greasy hair bowed, walked out the gate, and gently closed the door behind him.
Left alone in the office, The Third's face gradually disappeared into smoke.
No one knew what he was thinking.
...
"Back already, Saitama!"
Ka Uchiha was still lying on that old recliner chair.
"I'm back for dinner, Ka Po-pu," Saitama waved the bag in his hand, showing the vegetables he bought.
Ka Po-pu usually had nothing much to do. Although there were plenty of elderly people her age in the clan, she rarely interacted with them. Content with the current situation, she wasn't eager to make new friends either.
So she spent her days trying out new recipes Saitama had casually suggested.
This arrangement worked well too—it was quite chaotic outside.
After handing over the groceries to Ka Po-pu, Saitama headed upstairs.
He just needed to focus on eating. It was better to give the elderly something to do—otherwise, they might stir up trouble. Cooking was the perfect exercise for Ka Po-pu.
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!