"Quiet!"
Iruka shouted from the podium, and the classroom gradually fell silent. All the children quickly sat up straight, eyes focused on him.
After all, it was their first day here. Each child was a bundle of excitement and anxiety, hoping to make a good impression on their new teacher.
All except one.
"Hahaha!"
Iruka's gaze settled on a blond boy who remained completely unbothered. Iruka rubbed his temples, already sensing that this one was going to be trouble.
"Ahem, you yes, you." Iruka gestured toward the boy.
"Ha! You guys really got scared by that?" Naruto pointed at Iruka, laughing with obvious pride.
Iruka's chest tightened. Why did the first day have to start like this?
"Find yourself a seat, quickly," Iruka said with as much patience as he could muster.
"'Classmate'?" Naruto echoed with exaggerated offense, forcing a grin. "This ninja academy isn't that special anyway."
"I mean, seriously" Iruka's temple twitched.
"You're all way too easily scared."
"…"
"Enough! Get out!" Iruka finally exploded, unable to take it any longer.
So on the very first day, Naruto ended up standing in the hallway. He wore a look of complete indifference, as if it didn't bother him at all.
Inside, the classroom was silent as a grave.
Sigh, Iruka thought. These kids aren't going to be easy.
He looked out at the sea of anxious little faces some wide-eyed with fear and felt a twinge of guilt.
"Heh…" He tried to smile, but even he could feel how forced it was.
"…Well then."
"My name is Umino Iruka. I'll be your homeroom teacher from now on. I look forward to getting to know you all." Iruka composed himself, managing a gentle, genuine smile.
The mood in the room slowly began to lighten.
"First of all, welcome. You'll be spending a lot of time together here at the academy, so let's start by getting to know one another."
"For today, we'll just do simple introductions. Anyone want to volunteer to go first?" Iruka asked, scanning the room with a warm expression.
The children exchanged hesitant glances. Some whispered to each other, but no one moved.
"You can share your name, hobbies, and your dreams if you like," Iruka encouraged.
"No one?"
"I will!" someone called out loudly.
A boy had already jumped to his feet Inuzuka Kiba, his loyal companion Akamaru cradled in his arms.
Shin, seated nearby, watched him calmly. He knew Kiba's attention-seeking personality all too well and didn't stop him. He simply smiled.
"Brave of him," Iruka praised. "Come on up."
Kiba ran to the front, all eyes on him.
"I-I'm Inuzuka Kiba and this is my partner, Akamaru."
"Woof!"
His confidence faltered a little now that he was on stage. His words came out in a stammer.
"Don't be nervous. Just speak from the heart," Iruka encouraged, noting Kiba's sudden stiffness.
"I I like playing with Akamaru and my friends… I like the food my sister makes…"
Kiba stumbled over his words, growing more flustered under all the eyes watching him. Shin smiled softly at the sight, but Kiba noticed and misunderstood it as mockery.
He clenched his fists, pursed his lips, then shouted with renewed energy, "I I don't care what anyone thinks! I'm here to become a ninja! I'm going to be a great one!"
Iruka's smile froze.
So many problem children already?
The classroom began buzzing with whispers. Kiba puffed out his chest and returned to his seat beside Shin, casting him a smug glance.
Shin: "…"
"Alright then, anyone else?" Iruka asked again, still smiling.
With Kiba breaking the ice, the others started to relax, and students began making their way to the front.
"My name is Naoki Irie…"
"Aihara Yaku…"
"I'm Aburame Shino. I enjoy being with friends. I don't like being alone. My hobby is raising insects."
"Insects?" Some of the children visibly shivered at the mental image.
"He's from the Aburame clan…"
"No wonder."
Shin overheard the whispers and remembered Ah, right. The Aburame are a clan of insect handlers.
"I'm Nara Shikamaru. I like napping, I hate anything troublesome, don't really have any hobbies… well, maybe napping."
This came from a drowsy, onion-headed boy who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"I'm Akimichi Chōji. I like eating. I hate people calling me fat I'm just big-boned! My hobby is trying new food with friends."
He finished speaking just as someone muttered "fatty" under their breath. Chōji's expression turned a mix of anger, sadness, and resignation as he returned to his seat.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke. I like training. I hate sweet food. My dream is to join the police force and help my father."
A black-haired boy with a serious face and a family crest like a fan on his back. As soon as he stepped up, the room erupted in hushed excitement especially among the girls.
"So cool!"
"We're in the same class as Sasuke-kun! Lucky!"
"Hmph, show-off," Kiba muttered, clearly annoyed. He couldn't stand anyone stealing his spotlight.
Uchiha… One of the elite clans of the Leaf, Shin recalled.
The moment Sasuke stepped down, a blonde girl hurried to the front.
"I'm Yamanaka Ino. I'm good at flower arrangement. My family runs a flower shop. I hate arrogant people and raw fish. My dream is to become a great kunoichi."
Ino's eyes drifted toward Sasuke, who was staring absentmindedly out the window, and her expression clouded.
"I-I'm Haruno Sakura. I like being with Ino uh, I mean, with my friends! I don't really dislike anything, but I'm not great with spicy food."
A pink-haired girl blurted out her words in a rush, her cheeks flaming as she hurried back to her seat.
"Sakura, what was that?" Ino asked, glancing at her.
"S-sorry…"
"No need to apologize for that." Ino sighed. "Seriously…"
"S-sorry…"
"…Never mind."
Soon, everyone had introduced themselves except Shin and one girl.
"My name is Takami Shin. I enjoy peaceful days like these. I'm fine with doing anything. There's not much I dislike. I just hope these days can last."
Ino glanced up at Shin, her eyes flickering with some unnamed emotion before she turned away, troubled.
"He's handsome too…"
"Never seen him before."
Most of the kids didn't recognize him Shin rarely played with the others and mostly kept to himself, often found sunbathing alone. Aside from Kiba and a few close friends, no one knew much about him.
"Tch. Shin always stealing the spotlight…" Kiba muttered, displeased.
"Alright, now…" Iruka looked around. "Young lady, it's your turn."
A small girl stood up timidly, head bowed as she made her way to the front.
"M-my name is Hyūga Hinata…"
"Huh?"
"What did she say?"
"Can't hear a thing…"
Her voice was barely audible, and the comments made her shrink further.
"It's okay, speak up," Iruka gently encouraged. "Just like the others."
"M-my name is… Hyūga Hinata…"
Still whisper-soft. Iruka sighed inwardly.
"She's from the Hyūga clan," Ino noted, having recognized Hinata's unique eyes.
"Hyūga?" Sakura asked.
"Her eyes. Only the Hyūga have eyes like that."
"Oh…"
"Didn't think someone from that clan would be so shy. She's even worse than you, Sakura," Ino teased.
"Ugh…" Sakura grimaced.
Even Sasuke turned his attention toward Hinata, observing her with mild curiosity.
"She's Hyūga Hinata. Let's all get along with her," Iruka finally announced on her behalf, and Hinata slowly walked back to her seat.
Everyone had finished except one.
Iruka, still at the podium, suddenly remembered. He glanced outside and saw a blond boy peering through the window, lost in thought.
Sensing Iruka's gaze, the boy quickly turned away.
"…Come in," Iruka said as he stepped out of the room.
"Huh? …Oh."
Naruto stood against the wall, arms crossed, trying to look cool. But Iruka noticed the tight grip he had on the hem of his shirt.
Back in the classroom, all eyes turned as Naruto walked in.
"No more mischief, alright?" Iruka said, smiling.
"Come on, introduce yourself too."
Naruto hesitated as he faced the class. He saw their eyes some mocking, others smug, none friendly.
He clenched his fists, a storm brewing in his chest hurt, confusion, defiance.
Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the desk with a loud bang, startling everyone.
"Listen up!"
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I'm gonna be Hokage one day!"
"And I'll make every single one of you acknowledge me!"