"It was close. I almost didn't make it."
Sora looked at the admission list posted on the wall. His name was at the very bottom.
"Ah... How come it's not there?"
A loud shout suddenly came from beside him. A boy wearing a bright green tracksuit, with a wide toothy smile, was standing on tiptoe, anxiously scanning the list. Beads of sweat that hadn't dried yet were on his forehead, clearly having just finished running to get here.
"Guy, stop looking." A silver-haired boy next to him spoke up.
"Isn't that Kakashi and Might Guy?" Sora only now noticed the two beside him.
Right. In Konoha year 38, Kakashi and Guy should both be 5 years old. Kakashi enrolled at four and graduated at five, while Guy also took the entrance exam at four, but only entered the ninja academy at six due to a special permission from the Third Hokage.
"But... I tried so hard." Might Guy's voice was choked, his small hands clenched into fists. "My father said, if I gave it my all, I could go to school with everyone..."
Kakashi pressed his lips together and didn't speak further, just stood silently beside him.
Guy's shoulders trembled slightly, but he stubbornly didn't let the tears fall.
Seeing this scene, Sora felt a stir in his heart. 'So this pair of future rivals already had such an intersection this early on.'
At that moment, Kurenai ran over, her face beaming with joy. "Sora, you passed."
"Yes, I was lucky." Sora smiled.
Kurenai's mother also walked over and said gently, "Congratulations, Sora. You and Kurenai will be classmates from now on. Please look after her."
Kurenai's name was listed far above his...
Sora nodded awkwardly. "I will."
As they were talking, the teacher began announcing the class assignments. Sora and Kurenai were assigned to Class 1-B. Their homeroom teacher was a chunin named Yamada.
After the class assignments were finished, Teacher Yamada took the new students on a tour of the school, introducing the curriculum and school rules.
As Sora listened, he quietly made plans in his mind for his upcoming life at the ninja academy.
Sora's self-positioning was similar to Guy's, a hardworking taijutsu genius. But he would hold back slightly, using only five-tenths of his strength, keeping some in reserve to deal with unexpected events. The goal was stability.
After the tour, today's main event began, a speech by the current Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Ninja Academy Playground.
The playground was now filled with new students. A simple podium was set up at the front. Sora held Kurenai's hand and stood in the middle of the group.
"Look, look, the Hokage is coming out."
Sora followed everyone's gaze. A figure wearing a Hokage robe and a conical hat walked slowly onto the podium, a pipe in his mouth. It was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hello, students." The Third smiled and waved. His voice was gentle yet full of authority. "Today, I want to talk to you all about the Will of Fire of Konoha Village."
Sora immediately perked up. 'Here it comes.'
"What is the Will of Fire?" The Third looked around the audience, his gaze kind. "Simply put, it is the belief in protecting the village and guarding your comrades."
Clap clap clap.
Warm applause erupted from below the stage.
Sora also clapped, but inside he was wildly thinking. 'Translation: Go die for the village, and after you die, your name can be put on the memorial stone. A total bargain, no loss at all.'
"In Konoha Village, ninja are not tools." The Third continued. "We are people with feelings and bonds. It is precisely these bonds that make us stronger."
"For example, my disciples, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru." A nostalgic look appeared on the Third's face. "When they were young, they were also like you, studying and growing in the ninja academy..."
Sora almost laughed out loud. 'Sir, I'm afraid you don't know that Orochimaru will defect later and send you off...'
Just then, the Third's gaze suddenly swept over to Sora. Their eyes met briefly. Sora immediately put on a "deeply moved" expression and nodded vigorously.
"Sora, why are your eyes red?" Kurenai whispered. "Are you touched?"
"Ah? Oh, sand got in my eyes..." Sora quickly rubbed his eyes.
The Third was still continuing his speech. "...Therefore, I hope you will remember: Where the leaves dance, the fire will also burn on and on..."
Clap clap clap.
Thunderous applause erupted from below the stage once again. As Sora clapped, he thought, 'That line does sound quite impressive. Too bad it gets twisted by people like Danzo later on...'
"Finally, I want to specially praise one student." The Third suddenly changed the topic. "Although lacking in chakra talent, he passed the entrance exam with astonishing perseverance. Student Sora, please come up front."
'???'
'What's going on? Why am I being singled out suddenly? Does this old man realize I'm a transmigrator?!'
A confused Sora walked up to the podium.
"Student Sora has proven that even with insufficient talent, as long as one possesses the Will of Fire and unrelenting effort, one can still become an excellent ninja." The Third said approvingly. "This spirit is the most precious treasure of Konoha Village."
All eyes instantly focused on Sora. He could only put on a "shy" smile.
'Oh great, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down fast.'
"Thank you, Lord Third Hokage." Sora "excitedly" bowed. His voice even sounded a bit "choked up" as he said loudly, "I... I will definitely continue to work hard."
Kurenai watched him with admiration below the stage, muttering quietly to herself, "Sora is amazing..."
"..."
The Third's speech finally neared its end. Sora let out a long sigh of relief.
'It's finally about to end. If I had to act any longer, I could win an Oscar...'
"...Then, I hope you will all remember today's teachings." The Third concluded. "Dismissed."
The crowd began to disperse. Sora was just about to slip away when Teacher Yamada called out to him. "Sora, Lord Third Hokage wants to see you."
"See me?" Sora's heart skipped a beat. 'Did I slip up...'
Following Teacher Yamada to an office, Sora saw the Third sitting at a desk drinking tea. Seeing Sora enter, he kindly beckoned. "Come, sit."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Sora sat down properly, but inside he was frantically analyzing. 'What does this old man want? Is he going to take me as a disciple? No way, my chakra is so weak...'
"Don't be nervous." The Third smiled. "I'm just curious. What supports you in working so hard?"
Sora's mind raced. He quickly brought out the prepared answer.
"Because... I don't want to see anyone lose someone important again. My village... it was destroyed by rogue ninja..." He even appropriately lowered his head, appearing "sad."
"I see." The Third nodded, a flash of appreciation in his eyes. "So that is your Will of Fire."
'Yeah, yeah, sure.'
Sora rolled his eyes internally, but on the surface he said "firmly," "Yes. I want to become stronger, to protect important people."
"Very good." The Third patted his shoulder approvingly. "I look forward to seeing your performance at the academy."