The next day.
It was the opening day of the Ninja Academy.
After finishing breakfast, Akira and Yuhi Kurenai headed together toward the Ninja Academy. Their steps were somewhat hurried.
Yes… they were about to be late…
On the way, Yuhi Kurenai complained in a tone full of blame, "It's all your fault. If we're late and leave a bad impression on the teacher, what are we supposed to do?"
Akira replied indifferently, "Relax. If we're late, we're late. There might not even be classes today. We're probably just going to school to meet classmates…"
Yesterday, he had been studying Hadō #1 · Shō all the way into the night. Without the system's midnight reminder acting as an alarm clock, he wasn't used to it and lost track of time. It wasn't until drowsiness overwhelmed him that he finally went to sleep…
However, this also made Akira notice something unusual about his body.
Overnight, the injuries and fatigue from yesterday's training had completely recovered. Even though he had only slept two or three hours, he felt extremely energetic in the morning.
Akira wasn't sure whether this was due to the Spiritual Pressure Aptitude Enhancement or because he truly possessed Uzumaki blood.
It was worth mentioning that the reward he obtained yesterday for "defeating Rakugō Rumi," Hadō #1 · Shō, after some experimentation, could already be used in this world.
It was quite reasonable. After all, Kidō and ninjutsu had similarities.
The only difference was that the driving force changed from spiritual pressure to chakra.
Hadō #1 · Shō was more like a technique for utilizing spiritual pressure—a foundational method. It didn't involve transforming spiritual pressure into elemental attributes.
It might also be because it was a low-level Hadō. Hadō #1 · Shō did not have a corresponding incantation.
Hadō #1 · Shō functioned similarly to the Hyuga clan's Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm—it fired a compressed burst of air or shockwave, damaging objects within a certain range.
As for its power, that depended on the user. The same technique in different hands could produce vastly different results.
Akira still didn't know whether future Kidō that required incantations or involved elemental attributes could be replicated in this world.
The rewards he had received were still too few…
Yuhi Kurenai glared at Akira. "Hurry up. We're really going to be late!"
Akira sighed helplessly. "Alright, alright."
The two quickened their pace. But by the time they reached the Ninja Academy, First Year, Class B—
Well, they were gloriously late…
There was another student who was also late.
He was a small boy wearing a sports jacket, goggles, and spiky hair. As he ran wildly, he shouted loudly in explanation, "Sorry, teacher! I was helping an old grandma cross the street, so I…"
When he noticed others were late just like him, he inexplicably let out a sigh of relief and even gave Akira and Yuhi Kurenai a look of "fellow sufferers"…
Akira glanced over and immediately recognized him, muttering inwardly, 'Late on the first day—what a clear trait…'
The future big boss—Uchiha Obito.
He didn't expect the first "familiar face" he saw at school to be such a heavyweight!
The corner of Akira's mouth twitched as he maliciously speculated, 'Does Konoha really have that many grandmas? Could it be Uchiha Madara had White Zetsu disguise himself again?'
How many grandmas could there be in Konoha to help across the street?
Akira wondered whether it was Uchiha Madara sending White Zetsu in disguise…
Since it was the first day of school and the homeroom teacher—whose hair wasn't particularly thick and whose name was unknown—didn't pursue the reason for the three of them being late too much.
After a small reminder to be punctual in the future, he let the three return to their seats.
The Chunin teacher clapped his hands to draw attention and cleared his throat before beginning his opening remarks.
"Students, from today onward you are… blah blah…"
After delivering a bowl of motivational "chicken soup," he began introducing himself.
"I am the teacher of First Year, Class B—Sakai Oda. From now on, you may call me Teacher Oda…"
The students in class gave this first-time-seen teacher some face and somewhat unevenly called out, "Teacher Oda…"
Only Akira nearly burst out laughing, barely holding back the urge to ask, "Teacher Oda, what exactly is One Piece?"
Hold it in. Don't laugh.
Teacher Oda smiled and continued, "For the first class, let's begin with self-introductions. Let your classmates get to know you, and let the teacher understand you better."
After scanning the room, he pointed to one of the three latecomers—the one sitting at the first seat. "We'll start with you."
"Okay, Teacher!"
Uchiha Obito stood up confidently and adjusted his goggles.
As if wanting to leave a good impression, he spoke boldly, "My name is Uchiha Obito. I'm five years old. My favorite food is ramen. I don't have many hobbies. My dream is… to become Hokage!!"
As soon as he said that—
The students showed various expressions—admiration, indifference, finding like-minded companions.
However, there were hardly any who showed disdain or ridicule.
Becoming Hokage was a dream shared by many.
Six out of ten probably had that dream. It wasn't rare.
Of course, being able to declare it so confidently in front of so many people—that kind of courage was uncommon.
This Uchiha kid was something else!
"Quite a few familiar faces…" Akira thought as he observed his classmates, trying to recognize more known characters.
Suddenly, someone poked his waist, making him shudder. Turning his head, he saw Yuhi Kurenai raising her eyebrows at him.
Akira somehow understood her meaning instantly—
See? That's how normal people think. Opening a barbecue shop next to a ramen shop—only you would have that kind of dream!
Akira: "..."
He ignored Yuhi Kurenai. No whispering during class!
"Clap clap clap…"
Teacher Oda applauded encouragingly. He was used to such dreams.
But someone who could speak so confidently in front of the whole class—this was his first time seeing that.
Being late just now and now this declaration—he remembered this Uchiha Obito.
"A very good dream. I hope Obito works hard."
"Next is…"
One by one, students began introducing themselves. Applause continued, and the classroom atmosphere grew lively…
Until a cool-looking boy stood up for his introduction, and the class fell briefly silent.
It couldn't be helped—his self-introduction could be summarized in one sentence:
"My
father is the Hokage, and in the future I will surpass the Hokage!"