"Next, Uzumaki Naruto…"
Iruka called out Naruto's name, his expression uneasy.
Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Orphan.
His life should have been pitiful, filled with loneliness and helplessness. But Naruto carried none of that. Instead, like someone born under a lucky star, he radiated brilliance that made people envy and even resent him.
Naruto strode to the podium, calm and exuding a presence like a young Hokage.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto.
My dream is to become the Fifth Hokage.
If you want to follow me, practice hard and try to keep up.
If you can't, I won't stop for you.
The wheels of time are turning, and the world is about to change.
Are you ready?"
He stared at the students below with a burning intensity, a kind of presence that seemed to silently say, Give up if you can't keep up.
For a moment, the students were stunned.
It was as if a true Hokage stood before them, announcing his manifesto to change the world.
Whispers spread through the room:
"Is he crazy? Fifth Hokage? That won't happen until the Third steps down!"
"Does he really expect us to follow him? Who does he think he is—a blond kid?"
"Maybe he climbed up to the Hyuga house and lost his mind… I don't even know what to say."
"My father told me to avoid him. Guess he knew this guy was nuts. Staying away is probably safest. Otherwise, the crazy might rub off."
"He's handsome… but his brain is broken!"
The students murmured and gossiped, some openly mocking Naruto.
But Naruto's expression never wavered. He leaned slightly on the podium, and an invisible aura instantly spread, filling the classroom with a weight that silenced everyone.
"Remember my words. That's all for my introduction."
He stepped down, nodded to a stunned Iruka, and returned to his seat.
The room remained silent until he sat down.
Hinata looked at him with admiration, amazed at how composed he remained, radiating such presence.
"Cough, cough… okay, let's start class," Iruka stammered, finally regaining his composure. He tried to lecture, but his eyes kept flicking toward Naruto, mind in chaos.
This "demon fox boy" should have been his enemy, yet now, he felt confused—intrigued, almost drawn to the boy's mysterious aura.
Class ended. Naruto lingered with Hinata as if no one else existed.
The other students watched from a distance, a mix of fear and disgust etched on their faces. They instinctively kept away from this unstoppable pair.
"Hey, Uzumaki Naruto! I'm challenging you!"
Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward, his expression serious.
It wasn't just because Naruto had provoked him earlier.
More importantly, Naruto's self-introduction had shocked Sasuke, insulting the Uchiha family's dignity. He had to reclaim it.
"Fine."
The two moved to the playground.
Other students quickly gathered, eager to witness the outcome.
"The Uchiha are always geniuses. Sasuke should easily defeat Naruto."
"You're wrong. He's going to lose."
"Shikamaru, why are you so sure?"
"Intuition."
"Oh, the Riddler strikes again."
Shikamaru studied Naruto carefully but found no clues, nothing at all.
"This Uzumaki Naruto… he's destined for greatness."
The thought came involuntarily.
"Fight already! Sasuke, take him down!"
"You're Uchiha genius, surely you can defeat him!"
The students' cheering flattered Sasuke. Uchiha were rarely popular, so he felt pride in their support.
"Alright, I'm ready."
Sasuke charged at Naruto.
Punch—miss.
Cyclone kick—blocked.
He unleashed a flurry of moves, more than a dozen attacks in quick succession, each strike snapping through the air with ferocity.
And yet… all in vain.
Naruto smiled and moved with ease, dodging every attack effortlessly.
"Sasuke, you still have a long way to go!"
After all his moves, Naruto gently pushed Sasuke to the ground with a slight motion.
Sasuke hit the ground, stunned.
The onlookers were speechless, their throats dry, eyes wide with disbelief.
They stared at Naruto as if he were a terrifying demon king—powerful, frightening, and utterly incomprehensible.
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