Chapter 2

Time had passed, more specifically 2 months, and I was currently following the matron, along with other children from the orphanage, as we headed towards the academy.

"Stay together, children!" Said the matron, directing her voice towards us.

*mumble*

I could notice the growing excitement among the other children, murmuring about becoming ninjas, and one or the other talking about becoming the next Hokage.

'Ha... Gullible.' I thought subconsciously.

I may not think too highly of the other kids, but after all, they are just that, kids... though I'm feeling a bit nervous myself.

'We're almost there.' I thought as I looked up towards the academy.

...

As we entered the academy, I could see several children along with their parents, who were just as nervous.

"I don't recognize anyone, though." I muttered.

... After waiting for a while, the Hokage arrived. Seeing him I could only feel a sense of discomfort, something I can't exactly describe.

'It's strange...'

Reflecting an aura of respect and power, the Hokage spoke:

"The Will of Fire is not just some random thought, it is the very heart of what it means to be a true Shinobi of the Blade.

At its core, it is the belief in the greater good and the unwavering determination to protect our loved ones and our village..."

'This is going to be a long one...' I thought.

...

As my head reeled to fall asleep under the boredom, I felt a bit of tightness in my heart, as if someone was talking to me. Quickly snapping out of my exhaustion and looking around, I could see the other children with tired faces, while the adults just stood around, listening intently ... and I heard it...

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire of life continues to burn. The flames will continue to light up the village and let new leaves sprout.

It is the struggle and sacrifice of our ancestors that has brought us to where we are today, that has given us the Academy we have now, This selfless dedication embodies the will of fire in our Konoha!" the Hokage concluded, raising his voice at the last, to bring those present out of their daze.

As I stared dumbfoundedly towards the Hokage, I felt strange... as if those words had been meant for me, or perhaps a simple coincidence?

'Is it a sign?' I questioned.

After the Hokage had finished his speech, the ninja around him began to mobilize, giving directions to the parents to enter the academy. And, heading towards us, a ninja arrived, who led our matron and us into the academy....

////

Standing at the front of the classroom, a man with brown hair and a somewhat tired look raised his voice: "Good morning everyone, my name is Sengetsu Ashido, apart from today I will be your Chunin-sensei, I hope we can get along well!"

After a short pause for the children to understand his words, he spoke again, "Next we will start with the introductions, since just as I will be your Chunin-sensei, you will be classmates for the next 6 years.

When the names you will have to come forward and introduce yourselves to the class, you will start by saying your name, likes, and hobbies, if you want you can add something else to your introduction, such as your dreams. With that said, we can begin... Ibara Karumi, you may come forward."

... Looking around, I sighed in relief, realizing that I didn't recognize anyone in my classroom, and they didn't look too flashy either, even my Chunin-sensei looked like someone normal.

'Although Iruka didn't seem to be someone too flashy.' I thought.

Maybe it's just a prejudice of mine, to think that any character who looks the slightest bit flashy has something to do with the plot of this world...

While I was lost in my thoughts, my Chunin-sensei spoke, "Ren, you may come forward and introduce yourself."

Doing as he said, I stepped forward, and with a smile on my face, I spoke, "My name is Ren, I don't have a particular hobby, but I like to read, nice to meet you, and I hope you take good care of me."

Satisfied with my introduction, my Chunin-sensei replied, "Okay, you may return to your seat, Ren."

Nodding toward him, I returned to my seat.

... Since it is the first day of class there will most likely be no particular activity besides introductions among the other students and some directions from the Chunin-sensei.

At this point, I don't mind standing out too much, and neither do I mind being a talented civilian. Considering that I don't even have the mental age of a 6-year-old, moreover, it would be humiliating not to get a high position among the other civilians considering that fact.

"Umino, you may come forward." Chunin-sensei ordered.

'Although 6 years is a long time.' I thought.

I will spend 6 years in this place until I become a Genin, and because we are not in a period of war, opting for early graduation is not possible, anyway, that was not my plan....

My only goal was to survive to be an old man, and not get into any kind of trouble. Because I'm an orphan I can't opt to have an "inherited" job, so the only thing I can do is, get a basic education and become a Genin.

I don't aspire to anything grand like being a Chunin or Jonin, let alone something too far-fetched like becoming a Kage.

"I just want a quiet life." I muttered as I was lost in thought.

A quiet life in a world like this... seems to be something more difficult than rising as a ninja... though I'm just exaggerating.

////

The classes were interesting, to say the least. As I guessed the classes were not particularly special, though I did learn something interesting... the founding of Konoha, or at least a part of its founding, told by my Chunin-sensei....

As I made my way, along with the other orphans, towards the orphanage, guided by the matron, I pondered.

Although I felt that the Chunin-sensei is particularly interested in teaching us.

I can't say anything about that, I'm not omnipresent to know. I could say that the reason is because we are civilians, but you have to take into account that most ninjas, unexpectedly, are civilians.

Whether we are orphans or not, the village doesn't care, of course, they are likely to separate students coming from some clan from civilians, and put them together with other students coming from some clan.

Konoha would not waste potential Ninja by simply discriminating against them, it's stupid...

...

When we finally arrived at the orphanage, I headed straight to my room...

In addition to the classes I had today, something much more interesting happened.

Something... Special.

Unlike 1 year ago, something interesting happened, and that was that I felt something, maybe it was because of that tightness I felt in my chest, which awakened something in me.

More power.

... Or to describe it better, a new ability.