Chapter 11: New Generation: The Twelve Young Shinobi

The next morning, Naruto walked to school with Tenten.

Tenten's chatter never ceased along the way.

"Naruto, I think you could open a breakfast shop. You can make everything! Steamed buns, dumplings, even ramen…"

Just as they arrived at the school gate—

"Hey, good morning, Naruto-kun~"

Turning around, Naruto saw a figure moving in an unusual manner—walking upside down? Crawling?

As if realizing it wasn't a good way to make an entrance, the figure flipped into the air and landed on his feet.

Sweat dripped from his face, soaking his gray training gi. He had thick eyebrows, round eyes, and gave Naruto a thumbs-up with a bright smile.

People around glanced at him strangely.

Tenten rolled her eyes. "Morning, Lee."

Naruto offered a faint smile and nodded. Wherever this hardworking genius was, the atmosphere was always filled with passion and youth.

But Rock Lee also had talent. If an ordinary person trained as intensely as he did, they would burn out within days. Yet Lee maintained his best condition.

"How many laps did you run today?" Naruto asked.

"Ten!" Lee replied excitedly.

He had entered the academy based on his exceptional physical prowess. Lacking the talent for ninjutsu and genjutsu, he had no choice but to excel in taijutsu. This led to ridicule from other children, but Naruto—and later, Tenten—saw things differently.

Though Naruto was a year younger than him, Lee always felt like Naruto was an older brother.

"It's pointless. No matter how hard you try, you'll still be last. Face reality."

A cold voice interrupted them.

Although there was no malice in his words, they still carried an uncomfortable sting.

"Neji!" Lee immediately tensed, filled with fighting spirit. "I'm ready! I'll challenge you again in today's physical test!"

He struck his signature pose with a determined look.

At this time, Might Guy had already taken notice of Lee. The resemblance was uncanny—only the green jumpsuit was missing.

Neji scoffed but said nothing. His gaze drifted toward Naruto, standing beside Tenten, curiosity flickering in his pale eyes.

"First-year? I can sense that you're strong. May I have your name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto."

"Neji, why are you so smug this early in the morning?" Tenten crossed her arms. "But I have to admit, you have a good eye. Naruto is much stronger than a so-called Hyuga genius like you."

Before Naruto could respond, Neji gave him a serious look. "Hyuga Neji."

Naruto nodded. Without another word, Neji turned and walked away. Lee bid Naruto farewell and ran after him.

Tenten nudged Naruto. "Okay, troublemaker, remember to wait for me after school. If Mom hadn't woken me up today, were you planning to ditch me again?"

Naruto raised his hands in mock innocence. "I live upstairs. If anyone dares to bully you, just come and get me."

Tenten rolled her eyes and pulled him into the school.

"Class 1, first grade... your classroom is over there. I'll head upstairs now. Don't forget to wait for me after school!"

Before Naruto could react, she flicked his forehead and dashed off with a grin.

"Wow, it's him! I noticed him yesterday. He's so handsome!"

"Just standing there, doing nothing, he looks so cool!"

"Way cooler than Sasuke, who always sticks his hands in his pockets trying to act mysterious."

The moment Naruto entered the classroom, whispers from admiring girls filled the air.

"Over here, Naruto~!" Ino called out loudly.

"Hey, hey, Ino, watch your image! Don't scare him," Shikamaru yawned, shaking off his sleepiness.

Beside him, Choji munched on potato chips and waved at Naruto.

Naruto noticed a timid figure in the corner. After Ino's shout, she hesitated, then slowly approached a seat behind Ino.

Naruto made no objection. Compared to sitting with kids who blindly resented him based on their parents' words, he preferred being near heirs of powerful ninja clans.

"Morning, Shikamaru, Choji."

"Morning, Naruto," the two replied in unison.

"Want some chips?" Choji offered.

Naruto smiled faintly and took one. Meanwhile, Ino immediately sat beside him, bold as ever.

Without hesitation, she grabbed his arm. "Morning, Naruto~!"

"Morning."

Naruto turned slightly, looking at the blushing girl beside him. "Oh, it's you. Did you find your way home?"

Hinata turned red. "Y-yes..."

Ino's head snapped around, narrowing her eyes at the shy Hyuga.

She was about to retort, but—Hinata's shyness was... adorable.

Even cuter than Sakura-chan!

"You're Hyuga Hinata, right?"

"Mmm..." Hinata nodded timidly.

"Come sit with us."

Shikamaru sighed. "Women are such a drag."

"Shikamaru, our generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio doesn't sit together. But it's fine—Naruto's not an outsider," Choji said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Iruka clapped his hands on the podium.

"Has everyone picked their seats? Remember them, no switching. Now, let's introduce ourselves."

"I'm Umino Iruka, a Chunin, and my dream is to be a great teacher. I like Ichiraku Ramen, dislike kelp, and my hobbies are—"

He smiled. "Well, I've already achieved my dream, so I'll be guiding you all through the academy. Now, let's start introductions from the first row."

Inuzuka Kiba stood first. "I'm Inuzuka Kiba, and this is Akamaru!"

Naruto barely paid attention, his focus drifting to the leaf in his hand. He had already mastered Wind Release chakra nature transformation, but it wasn't refined enough yet. He needed to control the speed at which he cut the leaf.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't hear Ino introduce herself, boldly declaring that she liked her deskmate.

"Naruto, it's your turn," she nudged him, pouting.

Naruto snapped back to reality, stood up, and spoke clearly before sitting down again.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, and my dream is to become Hokage. Please take care of me!"

A murmur spread through the classroom.

"It's him! My dad told me not to go near him!"

"Yeah, my mom said the same thing! He brings bad luck!"

"You all know, right? That guy is a monster! He killed so many people!"

"Huh? Then why is he so shameless? Saying he wants to be Hokage..."

Whispers turned into open gossip, and some of Naruto's classmates, already envious of his bright blonde hair and blue eyes, eagerly joined in.

"Shut your mouths!"

"If you have a problem, go say it to the Third Hokage!"

Ino slammed her hands on the desk, her voice sharp with anger. She still remembered the way Naruto had been treated three years ago. Even as a child, she couldn't understand why adults acted that way. It felt unfair, even cruel.

Her outburst silenced the room.

Iruka finally stepped in. "Enough. Settle down."

His gaze lingered on Naruto, complicated emotions flickering in his eyes—sympathy, hesitation... and something else. A trace of something colder.

Even the teacher…?

Ino clenched her fists under the desk, disappointment sinking in.

The introductions continued. When it was Hinata's turn, she stood up nervously. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. She introduced herself, but when it came to talking about the things she liked, her cheeks burned red.

Iruka gave her an encouraging nod, but before she could sit down, she suddenly blurted out:

"I hate it when people talk behind my back!"

A deep blush covered her face as she hurriedly sat down, stealing a shy glance at Naruto.

With the introductions done, Iruka clapped his hands and turned to the blackboard, writing a single word:

"Ninja."

"Now, let's begin your first lesson—what it truly means to be a ninja."

The lesson started with the fundamentals, and soon, they reached the most basic technique of all—chakra extraction.

Most students from shinobi clans were already familiar with the process.

"Now, everyone, practice the chakra extraction technique. Those who have already learned it, focus on refining your control."

And so, their journey as ninja began.

…

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