But Menma still looked the same.
For more than five years—nearly six—Menma had long grown accustomed to the gazes of the villagers. Wasn't it always the same? Some ignorant people were hostile, some rejected him. Menma didn't care. He wasn't like Naruto in the original story, who desperately sought acknowledgment from the people of Konohagakure.
Menma's heart was focused only on survival—and on avenging his enemies.
As for others? What did they matter to him?
By contrast, Iruka, who walked beside him, seemed outwardly calm, yet his heart carried worry. He feared the villagers' stares might provoke Menma. But when he saw the boy's composure, Iruka felt relieved.
After all, the emotions of a Jinchūriki must remain stable. If they lost control, the tailed beast within could break free. The history of the shinobi world had already shown several tragic examples of this.
Passing through the main avenue, in just a moment they arrived before the gate of the Ninja Academy.
In the outer courtyard, a long line had already formed—children of the right age waiting to register. Most were from civilian families. Those from ninja clans had already refined chakra and were guaranteed admission, so they had no need to take the entrance assessment.
Civilians, however, were different.
Unless their parents were shinobi, most lacked any training in chakra refinement. They first needed to pass the Academy's screening to confirm they had the qualifications to become a ninja. Only then could they begin formal studies.
Menma, of course, needed no such test.
Led by Iruka, he passed directly through the main gate, entering the largest office building at the back of the Academy grounds. After completing the admission procedures, Iruka guided Menma to the classroom he would join.
"Menma, starting today, you are an official student of the Ninja Academy. Remember to study hard and get along with your comrades."
Standing outside the classroom, Iruka squatted down, gently resting his hand on Menma's head, speaking with a warm and patient tone.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei. I will. Don't worry."
Menma nodded, replying with quiet obedience. He wasn't like the Naruto of the original timeline, desperate for recognition. Still, Menma wasn't cold to those who treated him kindly. He remembered those who showed him respect, and never returned harshness with cruelty unless provoked.
Iruka had left a good impression on him.
Not only because of the Iruka he remembered from the original story, but also because of their genuine interactions in this life.
"Very good," Iruka smiled, nodding in approval. "Let's go in."
He pushed open the classroom door and entered with Menma.
The room was filled with the usual chatter and noise.
Even with Iruka and Menma's arrival, only a few children in the front row turned their heads. Most were still preoccupied with their own conversations.
"Go on." Iruka patted Menma's shoulder lightly, unfazed by the kids' indifference.
Menma nodded. Calm under curious glances, he walked straight to the back row and sat down. None of the children looked at him with malice—unlike the adults of the village. At most, they simply found his red hair striking, their eyes showing curiosity more than anything else.
Menma, however, had no desire to mingle. These were just passersby in the long road of life. Why waste energy on them?
Still, some faces caught his attention. They were too iconic to ignore:
Nara Shikamaru, with his lazy air; Aburame Shino, silent and withdrawn; Haruno Sakura, bright-haired and talkative; Yamanaka Ino, sharp and confident.
But the ones who drew his gaze most were two others.
Hyūga Hinata—quiet and shy, yet with a purity that reminded Menma of the snow-white Shiro in the past. She sat silently in a corner, her eyes downcast.
And Uchiha Sasuke—aloof, proud, already showing his cool arrogance. He sat surrounded by squealing girls, basking in their attention yet clearly uninterested.
Menma looked once, then turned away. Whatever he felt inside, he kept it hidden.
Resting his chin on his hand, he gazed out the window.
"Ahem…"
Iruka cleared his throat at the podium, preparing to speak.
"Squeak—"
The door slid open again.
A golden-haired figure stepped inside.
This time, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Unlike Menma's quiet entrance, this boy's arrival drew nearly every eye in the room. Even those who hadn't noticed at first turned their heads as whispers rippled across the class.
The children's faces lit up with surprise and excitement.
"Oh!? It's Naruto-sama!"
"Wow! Naruto-sama will be in the same class with us!?"
"This is amazing!"
"The son of the Fourth Hokage is here—wait until I tell my parents!"
"Master Naruto!"
"Master Naruto!"
Especially the children from civilian families—their admiration and joy were impossible to contain.
Even Iruka on the podium froze for a moment.
And in the back row, Menma's eyes narrowed in surprise.
'Naruto…'
He had considered the possibility, but seeing Naruto appear before him, in the same class, stirred something inside Menma.
From the front, Shikamaru, Shino, Kiba and the others each reacted differently. Hinata's gaze locked on Naruto with unshakable focus, her face turning red.
Even Sasuke Uchiha turned to look at him—not with disdain, but with grudging acknowledgment. He could dismiss the others, but Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, the "prince" of the village. Even an Uchiha could not ignore that.
"Ah, Iruka-sensei."
A young shinobi wearing a Konoha forehead protector stepped in behind Naruto, clearly one of his guards. He spoke with a smile:
"Master Naruto will be studying in your class from now on. Please take care of him."
"Please guide me well, Iruka-sensei," Naruto said politely, bowing. His personality was still brash, no different from the boy of the original tale, but under the weight of his status—the Hokage's son, heir of a hero—his manners were shaped differently.
Because now, Naruto wasn't an outcast. He was respected. He was "Master Naruto."
"It's my honor, Naruto-sama." Iruka bowed slightly, replying with respect.