Chapter 47: Finally the School Arc
On the opening day of Konoha Ninja Academy, the school gates bustled with crowds of people.
Naruko stood alone at the entrance, her small hands gripping her backpack straps tightly, her azure eyes scanning back and forth at the gate, anxiously searching for that familiar figure in the crowd.
The adults around her held their own children's hands but unanimously kept their distance from Naruko, forming an awkward empty circle around her.
"That's the one..."
"Bad luck..."
"Stay away..."
Fragmented murmurs came from all directions, surrounding Naruko's ears as usual.
But the current Naruko simply straightened her small back, turning a deaf ear to those malicious words. Those hateful gazes that once made her cry under her blanket could no longer hurt her in the slightest.
"Sasuko! Yu!" Her eyes suddenly lit up, her entire being injected with vitality as she vigorously waved her small hands.
In the crowd, Yu walked slowly forward holding the reluctant Sasuko's hand. Sasuko's face was tense, her steps dragging.
Naruko's clear shout suddenly rang out as a golden twin-tailed loli with a brilliant smile ran toward them.
Yu watched the little sun running toward them, his eyes softening with a gentle smile.
He reached out to ruffle Naruko's fluffy little head: "Naruko, good morning."
Sasuko pouted beside them, watching Yu's gentle demeanor toward Naruko, feeling inexplicably sour inside.
She deliberately kicked a pebble on the ground with her toe, muttering: "Why did you come so early today?" Her tone carried deliberate coldness.
Naruko didn't mind at all, instead blooming with a brilliant smile, her blue eyes sparkling: "Because I'm going to school with you, I'm super excited!"
"Dummy..." Sasuko awkwardly turned her head away.
Yu imperceptibly squeezed Sasuko's small hand, his fingertip lightly tickling her palm to remind her about manners.
Sasuko's body paused as she blushed and tried to pull her hand away, but Yu held it firmly.
Sasuko could only reluctantly add: "...I mean... good morning..."
Yu's lips curved in a gentle arc as his right hand naturally took Naruko's small hand.
Naruko immediately widened her azure eyes, her cheeks blooming with a cute blush.
She looked down at their joined hands, warmth flooding her heart.
So she could be like other children too—being led by an adult's hand into campus, and by her favorite Yu no less...
"Let's go."
Yu said softly, holding the tsundere Sasuko with his left hand and the shy Naruko with his right, stepping toward the campus.
At Konoha Ninja Academy's opening ceremony, sunlight filled the playground as new students stood in neat rows.
Following tradition, Principal Tsunade stood on the high platform, her golden hair gently flowing in the morning breeze.
"Everyone!" Her clear voice echoed across the playground.
"From today forward, you will embark on the path to becoming ninja. Remember, ninja are not just fighting tools, but those who use their power to protect important people!"
Her speech was powerful and rhythmic—she'd obviously practiced many times privately.
Just as she was passionately speaking about the "Will of Fire," her gaze inadvertently swept across the crowd and suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure in the parent section—
Uchiha Yu! He was actually standing there properly, seriously listening to her rehashed speech.
Tsunade's voice imperceptibly paused for a moment but quickly resumed its flow.
This guy should just be here to drop off children today... he shouldn't cause any trouble, right?
She forced herself to look away and continued: "...So I hope you'll treasure every day at school... and all become ninja that make Konoha proud!"
The moment Tsunade finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted across the playground.
Children excitedly clapped their small hands while parents nodded approvingly.
In this enthusiastic atmosphere, Tsunade's gaze unconsciously locked onto that corner—
That youth who once made all of Konoha's leadership pale with fear was now wearing a gentle smile, lightly applauding along with the rhythm.
Tsunade felt an inexplicable sense of discord. She suppressed her unease and casually looked away.
After the opening ceremony ended, the campus immediately became lively.
Teachers held lists, beginning to organize new students by class, while parents prepared to leave, walking toward the school gates in small groups.
But Sasuko clung tightly to Yu's sleeve, refusing to let go. Her small face was scrunched up, her round black eyes filled with reluctance, as if going to the classroom meant life-and-death separation.
Yu helplessly crouched down, gently ruffling her soft hair: "Look at Naruko..." He pointed to the little girl already lined up in the distance. "She's ready to go to the classroom."
Hearing this, Naruko turned around and waved vigorously at Sasuko, her face beaming with a brilliant smile.
Seeing this, Sasuko pouted even higher, but unconsciously loosened her grip on Yu's sleeve.
"You can't be late on the first day." Yu pinched her chubby cheeks, his voice gentle. "I'll come pick you both up after school."
Only then did Sasuko reluctantly let go, walking toward the group while looking back every few steps.
Yu watched the two little girls meet up—Naruko chattering excitedly while pulling Sasuko along, and though Sasuko still looked tsundere, she didn't shake off Naruko's hand. Only then did he turn to leave with peace of mind.
As Yu had said before, he and the principal were acquainted—Sasuko and Naruko were assigned to the same classroom.
Sasuko walked with elegant steps straight toward a window seat.
This position had an excellent view—with just a slight turn of her head, she could see the entire school gate area.
This way, when Yu came to pick her up, she'd notice immediately.
Naruko followed behind like a little tail, cheerfully and naturally taking the desk beside her.
Though Sasuko put on a "stay away" demeanor on the surface, Naruko wasn't deterred at all, instead moving even closer.
"Sasuko, Sasuko, look how new this desk is!" Naruko excitedly touched the smooth desktop, completely ignoring the low pressure emanating from her deskmate.
In fact, Naruko and Sasuko's class could be called Konoha's "elite class." This special class gathered almost all the future heirs of Konoha's major and minor families—each child representing a faction within Konoha.
In the corner, the Nara family's little genius lazily propped his chin, looking uninterested in everything;
The Akimichi clan's little chubby boy had already eagerly opened his lunch box, secretly stuffing food in his mouth;
At the left side of the classroom, Hinata from the Hyuga family sat quietly, her snow-white eyes downcast, occasionally stealing glances toward Naruko's direction...
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