Academy Days

"Iruka, I called you here today to ask you to become the head teacher of the newest year." The Hokage says while standing with his back to Iruka while looking out the window at the Hokage Mountain. "The files are on the table."

Iruka walks over, picks up the files, and starts scanning them.

"… Only 43 students this year… Only enough for one class. There are far fewer than average this year Hokage-sama."

"Hum." The Hokage puts his pipe in his mouth still looking out at the mountain, focusing on the very last face on it. "Unfortunately, it is only to be expected… You should know that six years ago was not a good year."

Iruka winces at the allusion. He also lost his parents that year. It is impossible for him to ever forget it.

"You're a good teacher Iruka. I am sure that with you, at least most of them will be able to graduate sucessfully." The Hokage continues.

"There sure are a lot of clan heirs this year. Are you sure I should be the one to teach them?" Iruka asks continuing to look through the files.

At that the Hokage, turns around to give Iruka his full attention, "It is because of that, that you should be the one to teach them Iruka. I trust you. You of all people would not give more attention to an heir and less attention to a civilian born, just because they are an heir or a civilian born."

At that Iruka stands straighter with pride.

Then he turns the next page to find… Uzumaki Naruto.

"No... No, Hokage-sama… You can't be serious. How can you expect me of all people to teach him? You know about what happened to my parents."

The Third gives a small snort in hollow laughter and turns back around to look at the fourth head on the Hokage Mountain again. "Iruka… I know, but do you know that you are the only one who would not want to teach him because of being afraid of not being able to teach him properly... I trust you, as a teacher, to teach them, all of them, the best you can equally and without favoritism."

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"Hello everyone, I am Umino Iruka and I will be your sensei while you're here at the ninja academy. You may call me Iruka-sensei." A brown haired man with a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose kindly announces. He is wearing the standard Konoha Chunin outfit with his headband on his head and stands of average height and build.

Sakura peers curiously at this completely average man who is to be her ninja sensei. No one would ever expect him to be a ninja at all with how average he is, but she supposes that is possibly the point. The best ninja would be the ones no one ever expects.

Iruka-sensei starts to go over the roll with kids answering when they hear their name.

...

"- and Uzumaki Naruto."

At that moment a blond with a white shirt with an orange spiral on it, brown pants, and whisker marks on his face opens the door to the classroom loudly.

"I am here!" loudly announces, apparently, Naruto Uzumaki.

Iruka momentarily gives him a hard look before changing into a kind smile so fast that one may have thought they misunderstood the first look. "Ok, Naruto. Go put your stuff down."

The loud blond runs up the stairs to an empty seat to do so.

"Ok, now that everyone is here. Leave your things here we need to go somewhere first." Iruka announces surprising everyone in the class.

"Sensei, sensei, where are we going?" A blonde girl in purple who waves her hand above her head excitedly while asking.

He just gives back a mysterious smile. "You will see soon. Follow me." And he leaves the classroom.

Everyone jumps up and rushes for the door with some of the boys pushing against each other to get out first.

"Single file!" Iruka-sensei yells out from outside the open doorway.

This calms the boys down and everyone leaves more smoothly.

Iruka-sensei then leads everyone up the stairs and up and up until they are on the roof.

Everyone looks amazed at the view especially the Hokage Mountain, the autumn sun shining upon it. The soft breeze blowing through the golden leaves that have yet to leave their trees, seeming waving to and fro at them in welcome to the changes their lives have just started to undergo.

However, these things are not the greatest draw of attention.

Because the Hokage is there! Smiling happily at them!

"Hokage-sama! Hokage-sama! Hokage-sama! Old Man!" Comes the collective surprise from the students.

"Hahaha," the Hokage laughs happily, "I am sorry to surprise you all, but this old man always likes to spend a moment speaking to the newest generation of our Konoha."

"You can sit down here," Iruka-sensei points to the middle of the roof with a smile.

This shocks the new students out of their surprise and they rush over to get the best seat.

After seeing everyone settled, the Hokage smiles and says, "Today, I am going to recite a poem I wrote. I want you to remember it for when you go home today."

"No thanks! I can't memorize stuff like that!" The loud blond interrupts the Hokage. Interrupts the Hokage!

"Hahaha, couldn't agree more." A chubby kid with brown spiky hair agrees with the loud blond.

"Hey! Naruto!" Iruka-sensei rightly yells angrily at the blond for interrupting the Hokage.

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto yipes fearfully.

"Hum hahahaha. That's alright, Iruka. They have a point." Hokage-sama laughs in good humor.

"Ah… I'm sorry." Iruka-sensei apologizes to the Hokage.

"Let's see… I won't tell you to memorize the entire poem. Nor will I expect you to understand its meaning. But when you are grown, I want you to think back and recall the words of this old man. It's about a way of thinking that is sure to be useful to you in your future, and concerns the Will of Fire."

Sakura pays close attention. There is no way she would ever forget the Hokage's words. The others also appear to be paying close attention, even Naruto.

"In the place where leaves dance. The fire burns. The shadow of fire shines on the village. Once again, new leaves sprout."

"Each and every one of you possesses the Will of Fire. It is passed down by the Hokage to each generation. It helps us fight and protect the village, even when things look bleak. It's the will to never give up. As the Hokage, every one of the villagers is my family. The Will of Fire is what binds us together."

After a moment of pause, the Hokage continues, "Well… thank you for humoring an old man. You can all go back to your first class now. But I hope you will all keep this in mind in the days to come."