5 First Encounter with Iruka

It was not long after Naruto celebrated his sixth birthday.

One day, as Naruto returned to his home after a day of training and eating, he unexpectedly found the Third Hokage in his house. This wasn't the first time it had happened, so Naruto quickly and naturally showed a happy expression.

"Hey!? Grandpa Third!"

His mood changed instantly.

"Why did you come today?"

Naruto ran straight to the Third Hokage, looking up with familiarity, showing a mixture of joy and surprise on his face.

"I came today because it's been a while since I saw you, Naruto. And I have some good news to tell you."

The Third Hokage leaned forward slightly, gently patting Naruto's small head with his right hand. He wore a very kind expression and said with a gentle smile, "Good news?"

Naruto was genuinely excited at this moment. Although he didn't say it, he could hear the implied meaning in the Third Hokage's words.

"Yes, Naruto, you've always wanted to become a great ninja, right? Well, learning is an essential part of it."

The Third Hokage gently patted Naruto's shoulder, speaking warmly.

"Grandpa Third, do you mean...?"

This wasn't a pretense; Naruto was genuinely excited. He was excited about the prospect of starting ninja school, and he was excited because it meant that his last bit of vigilance could finally be let go, allowing his plans to proceed more smoothly.

"Yes, you are six years old now. Starting next week, Naruto, you should go to ninja school. Only then can you become a great ninja."

The Third Hokage smiled gently.

Naruto was, after all, a Jinchuriki, and the orphaned child of the Fourth Hokage. After six years of interaction, the Third Hokage had confirmed that Naruto did not pose a threat to the village. Therefore, when Naruto turned six, it was a natural decision to enroll him in ninja school.

"Really, Grandpa Third? I can go to ninja school?"

Naruto's blue eyes sparkled with excitement and he asked loudly.

"Yes, starting next week, a teacher from the ninja school will come to enroll you. Naruto, be sure to listen to your teacher, okay?"

"Yes!"

Ninja school! Naruto could finally attend ninja school. Naruto's hands clenched with excitement, and he wore a genuinely cheerful smile. This was a moment when he didn't need to pretend because this was the most authentic expression of his emotions. And it was not just because he could finally attend ninja school; it was also because the Third Hokage had agreed to arrange for him to attend. It meant that his last bit of vigilance had been lifted, allowing his plans to proceed more smoothly.

Looking at Naruto's excited expression, the Third Hokage's face softened even more. Regardless of whether it was the Nine-Tails incident six years ago or Naruto now, he knew that he owed the Fourth Hokage too much. Although for various reasons, the Third Hokage couldn't provide too much care for Naruto, some things needed to be upheld. In the Third Hokage's heart, there was something he believed in and needed to uphold—a "Will of Fire."

That night, after giving Naruto some instructions about the ninja school, the Third Hokage left Naruto's apartment.

After the Third Hokage left, Naruto's excited emotions still hadn't subsided. He didn't need to pretend right now because he was genuinely looking forward to his time at ninja school, where he would take the next solid step in this world.

A week later, on the day of enrollment at the ninja school, Naruto welcomed the teacher that the Third Hokage had mentioned.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Naruto met the teacher that the Third Hokage had recommended. The door opened to reveal a rather tall figure. He wore the standard chunin vest of Konoha and had a prominent horizontal scar across his nose. Although Naruto had never seen this young man before, he recognized him the moment he saw him.

"Iruka Umino."

Naruto muttered quietly to himself. Yes, this was the Iruka Umino who had a significant impact on Naruto in the original story. He was not only the first person to believe in and acknowledge Naruto but also the only bright light in Naruto's otherwise dark childhood.

If Naruto could understand the villagers of Konoha, including the high-ranking officials like the Third Hokage, harboring hatred toward him, then Iruka Umino was the one person Naruto couldn't bring himself to hate, no matter what.

Of course, Naruto would trust his own eyes and judgment. The original story? That could only serve as a reference.

"Yes, you must be Naruto-kun, right? I'm the teacher from the ninja school, Iruka Umino. You can call me Teacher Iruka. The Hokage must have told you that today is your enrollment day. I'm here to take you to register."

Looking at the golden-haired teenager in front of him, Iruka Umino's pupils showed a moment of complexity. Still, he quickly concealed it and bowed slightly, extending his right hand to gently rub Naruto's small head.

The brief fluctuation of emotions that had just passed was not lost on Naruto. He knew why Iruka Umino had reacted that way. After all, it had only been six years since Iruka Umino's parents died, and the reason for their death was none other than the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto.

If Iruka Umino had reacted differently, that would have been strange and even more terrifying.

"Yes, Teacher Iruka."

Naruto's face revealed a cheerful smile, genuinely speaking.

Seeing Naruto's smile at that moment, Iruka Umino was slightly surprised but immediately nodded. He took Naruto's small hand in his own.

"Let's go, Naruto-kun."

"Yes."

The widest street leading to the center of Konoha, where the ninja school was located, was bustling on this enrollment day. As an annual event, every resident of Konoha with a child of the right age would bring them to enroll. Becoming a ninja depended on the results of the entrance exam. Although the survival rate of ninja was not very high, despite Konoha being the leading of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, in the first three Great Ninja Wars, Konoha was almost besieged. Additionally, the village had just experienced the Nine-Tails incident a few years ago, causing heavy casualties among its ninja. However, many parents still hoped their children could become ninja. In this world, being a ninja meant having strength and status, representing everything.

Just as in the distant past when it was the era of samurai, this was now the era of shinobi.

Furthermore, this was the Fire Country, and becoming a ninja of Konoha had a different significance. In this enrollment event, many parents brought their children.

(End of this chapter)

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