Chapter 36: The Ninja Academy

April 1st.

Two days earlier, Naruto had made a small move on the street. Although Izumi had cooperated perfectly, she hadn’t asked him about it afterward.

She understood that Naruto had many secrets.

If there were things he could tell her, he would tell her himself.

As for the things he didn’t...

Izumi tacitly chose not to ask.

Today was the official start of the new school year at the Ninja Academy.

Early that morning, Izumi woke Naruto up.

She took out the new clothes they’d bought a few days ago. They had already been washed, and Izumi had personally embroidered the Uzumaki clan crest onto them.

One outfit after another...

She made Naruto try them all on.

Yet she still wasn’t satisfied.

Growing impatient, Naruto finally chose a white T-shirt with a black collar and the Uzumaki crest embroidered over the left side of his chest, paired with black pants.

"This one is fine. It’s the Ninja Academy. Something comfortable and easy to move around in is better."

"That works, I suppose. You do look pretty sharp."

Izumi finally gave in.

After breakfast, the two left home together.

Naruto didn’t say anything like, I’m grown up now. You don’t need to walk me to school. I can go by myself.

Izumi’s gesture came from the heart.

He was happy to accept it.

As they walked, they chatted about this and that.

Most of the time, Izumi was reminding Naruto how he should behave at the Ninja Academy, how he should get along with his classmates, and so on.

Although Naruto was stronger than her and knew far more about the world...

When it came to everyday matters, Izumi still treated him like a child.

Naruto could only sigh helplessly.

Eventually, they arrived at the Ninja Academy.

Outside the entrance, aside from a few civilian parents, most of the people registering their children were shinobi wearing standard flak jackets.

Naruto glanced around curiously.

Before long, he spotted Nara Shikaku walking over with Nara Shikamaru.

Shikaku was one of the few people in Konoha who wasn’t afraid of attracting the Third Hokage’s suspicion and still dared to interact openly with Naruto.

The Sarutobi Clan had been an important ally of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans since the Warring States period.

The earrings worn by the heads of the three clans were gifts from the Sarutobi Clan.

With each generation, the clan heads swore an oath while receiving the earrings, reminding themselves of the promise their ancestors had made.

After the three clans joined Konoha, they became some of the Sarutobi Clan’s most loyal supporters.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had also relied heavily on their support to secure the position of Hokage.

As a result, the Third Hokage trusted the three clans deeply.

Of course, the Ino–Shika–Chō clans had benefited greatly as well, with many of their members holding important positions within Konoha.

"Lord Shikaku."

"Uncle Shikaku."

Izumi and Naruto politely greeted him.

Shikaku nodded.

Then he rubbed the head of the boy beside him and introduced him.

"This is my son, Shikamaru."

He then turned toward Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru, this is Uchiha Izumi, and this is Uzumaki Naruto. Say hello."

"Izumi-nee, Naruto... nice to meet you."

Shikamaru greeted them reluctantly.

Even though Shikamaru didn’t know either of them personally, their surnames alone told him that these two were going to be trouble.

Konoha had kept Naruto’s identity hidden for years.

But after what happened with the Cloud three years ago, Naruto’s name had spread throughout the entire shinobi world.

It was impossible for Shikamaru not to know about him.

A Jinchūriki...

And an Uchiha...

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

"Nice to meet you, Shikamaru."

"Nice to meet you, Shikamaru."

Naruto and Izumi both greeted him politely.

They didn’t talk much.

After exchanging a few casual words and getting acquainted, the two groups went their separate ways.

After completing Naruto’s registration, Izumi walked him to the classroom.

She gave him a few final reminders before leaving the Ninja Academy.

Naruto entered the classroom and glanced around.

Most of the Nine Rookies were already there.

Shikamaru was among them.

Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura were whispering to each other.

Akimichi Chōji sat beside Shikamaru, happily eating potato chips.

Aburame Shino sat alone in the back row.

Inuzuka Kiba was sprawled across his desk, with Akamaru resting on top of his head.

Hyūga Hinata sat alone near the window.

Sasuke Uchiha hadn’t arrived yet.

There were also several other students Naruto didn’t recognize.

The moment Naruto walked into the classroom, everyone turned to look at him.

Naruto paid them no attention.

He smiled at Hinata and walked straight toward her.

As though she had already guessed what he intended to do, Hinata lowered her head shyly, her cheeks turning red.

Naruto sat down beside her and turned toward her.

"Hey, Hinata. Long time no see. Do you still remember me?"

Technically, it had been a long time since they’d seen each other.

Naruto rarely left home, and he had never deliberately tried to run into Hinata.

He hadn’t even gone through the usual "save Hinata from bullies" encounter that appeared in so many fanfics.

He had no idea whether she still remembered him.

"I remember, Naruto-kun. It’s been a long time."

Hinata nodded softly, her cheeks flushed.

Her voice was as gentle as ever.

"So cute."

Naruto reached out and pinched her cheek.

Hinata instantly turned bright red.

She looked like she was about to become a human kettle, but thankfully, she didn’t faint.

The two had already become quite close back then.

Naruto had pinched her cheeks plenty of times before.

During their first few days at the battlefield, Naruto had spent almost all his time with Hinata.

They had even slept in the same tent at night.

Back then, Hinata had been comfortable enough around him to tell him almost anything.

Later, Hiashi had taken Hinata back to Konoha, and they hadn’t seen each other since.

Naruto had just been worried that she might have forgotten him.

But if she remembered him...

She probably even remembered sleeping in his arms.

Then everything was fine.

Thinking that, Naruto continued gently pinching her cheeks.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

"Na-Naruto-kun... everyone’s watching."

Hinata finally noticed that the entire classroom had gone silent.

Realizing what was happening, she nervously fiddled with her fingers and quietly reminded him.

Naruto came back to his senses and glanced around.

Every student in the classroom was staring at them with wide eyes.

He immediately released her.

The entire classroom erupted into an uproar.

Hinata wanted nothing more than to bury her face in her chest.

"Sorry."

Naruto looked genuinely embarrassed.

I got carried away.

When Izumi wasn’t nagging him, Naruto also liked pinching her cheeks.

He had gotten so used to doing it at home that he’d completely forgotten to consider where he was.

Hinata gently shook her lowered head.

"It’s... it’s okay. You don’t have to apologize."

A smile appeared on Naruto’s face.

Then Hinata quietly asked,

"Have you been doing well lately, Naruto-kun?"

"Yeah, I’m doing fine. What about you?"

"I’ve been doing well too."

"But Father has been very strict with me these past few years. He wouldn’t even let me leave the clan compound."

"Every day, I have so much to study... Gentle Fist, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, embroidery..."

"..."

Listening to Hinata quietly recount everything she’d been doing over the past few years, Naruto’s mouth twitched.

That’s what you call doing well?

You’re basically complaining to me right now.

The two continued chatting quietly.

Neither of them noticed that Sasuke had already arrived in the classroom.

Not long afterward...

Their homeroom teacher walked in.

"Quiet!"