At the classroom entrance stood a man in a Chunin vest with a Konoha forehead protector and a scar running across the bridge of his nose. He was there to welcome the new students.
The moment Naruto saw him, his heart stirred.
He stopped, bowed politely, and said, "Hello, teacher!"
"Uh… yeah, okay, okay… come on in," the scarred man replied, clearly flustered. His face was stiff, his voice trembling.
His eyes lingered on the whisker marks on Naruto's face, filled with complicated emotions—hatred mixed with uncertainty.
Hinata quietly followed Naruto past him, and the two stepped into the classroom together.
The second Naruto entered, countless eyes turned his way.
The girls' gazes lit up instantly, like hungry wolves catching sight of a feast.
Naruto today stood tall, his golden hair shining. His mature, sunny aura, combined with the whisker marks on his cheeks, gave him an air of mystery. His bright, lake-blue eyes practically glowed.
The Konoha girls, always quick to mature, couldn't help comparing him to the handsome but still boyish Uchiha Sasuke. Their conclusion was unanimous: Sasuke was far too green.
Naruto was better. That mix of confidence, good looks, and maturity? He was the perfect Prince Charming.
But when Hinata walked in beside him, sticking close, the girls' hopeful eyes instantly dimmed. The sight of the village's little princess already taken left them fuming.
They shot Hinata death stares.
The boys weren't any happier. Seeing Naruto and Hinata hand-in-hand so openly, their gazes sharpened with jealousy.
Goddamn it—shoving romance in everyone's faces already?!
Yet Naruto carried himself with calm composure. He strolled in like a leader inspecting his troops, Hinata's hand firmly in his own.
Nara Shikamaru of the Nara clan, Akimichi Chōji of the Akimichi clan, Inuzuka Kiba of the Inuzuka clan, Yamanaka Ino of the Yamanaka clan, Uchiha Sasuke of the Uchiha clan… oh, and Aburame Shino from the Aburame clan. All the major Konoha families are gathered in this class.
Naruto thought this as he found his seat, his smile easy and bright.
"Hey, what's your name?"
Uchiha Sasuke suddenly jumped out, glaring at him with hostility.
"Oh? Don't you know proper manners? Before asking someone's name, you should introduce yourself first."
"Uh… fine. My name is Uchiha Sasuke. Please take care of me."
"Hello! My name's Uzumaki Naruto. From today on, we're classmates. Sasuke-san, do your best!"
Naruto patted Sasuke's shoulder with an encouraging grin.
"Uh… y-yeah, you too," Sasuke muttered, only realizing too late he'd been played again.
He'd come to provoke Naruto, but somehow, after a few words, he ended up looking like a fool.
Scowling, Sasuke glared daggers at him, seething.
But Naruto had already turned back to whispering with Hinata, completely ignoring him.
So unfair.
"Looks like we've got a strong one in this class…" Shikamaru muttered from his seat, eyeing Naruto with interest.
"A strong one? You mean me?" Chōji asked, mouth full of chips. His words echoed across the room.
Shikamaru sighed and shot him a look but didn't bother correcting him.
"Alright, everyone's here."
"Let's begin. My name is Iruka. I'll be your homeroom teacher, so just call me Iruka-sensei. Now, let's have each student introduce themselves, starting from the front…"
One by one, the students went up to the podium and gave their introductions.
Naruto barely listened—until Hinata's turn came.
"My name is Hyuga Hinata. I'm good at cooking, I love cooking… and my dream is to become Naruto-kun's bride. Please take care of me."
Her face was pink, but she held her head high, boldly declaring her dream for everyone to hear.
The classroom exploded into chaos. Even Iruka froze, his jaw dropping. His eyes darted toward Naruto with open envy.
Seriously?! I don't even have a girlfriend yet, and this brat is seven years old with a fiancee already? Somebody douse me in gasoline.
Naruto himself was stunned.
He never expected Hinata, once so timid, to make such a bold announcement in public.
If word reached her father, Hyuga Hiashi might just come after him with a blade.
Yet despite his shock, pride swelled inside him.
After all these years, Hinata's shy, introverted nature had begun to change. And it was all thanks to him.
The rest of the introductions blurred by.
Every so often, classmates threw murderous glares their way.
Naruto sat tall, unbothered, even smiling back at them as if to say, Go ahead and stare—I'm not going anywhere.
Hinata, on the other hand, collapsed over her desk, hiding her face in her arms. Her ears burned red, steam practically rising off her head.
So bold on stage… and now she's a puddle of embarrassment? Naruto thought warmly. But… my Hinata really is adorable.
His eyes softened as he watched her.
Even if the villagers never accepted him, even if he lived his whole life under their judgment, having Hinata by his side made it all worthwhile.
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