Returning to the classroom from Kiyono Makoto's office, Uchiha Fūka and Uchiha Obito were greeted with a hero's welcome!
Without a hint of caution or hesitation, a sea of familiar yet youthful faces appeared before Fūka's eyes.
Asuma Sarutobi, Ibiki Morino, Fūka's future friend Shino Aburame, Kurenai Yuhi, and of course, Obito's dream girl, Rin Nohara!
Wait a minute!
In the original story, Kurenai was always depicted with a commanding presence, embodying the spirit of a strong woman. But she was just too adorable as a child!
At the moment, Kurenai was only 6 years old, right at the peak of her cuteness. With her shoulder-length black hair and chubby cheeks, her big, red eyes twinkled with a blend of innocence and naïveté. She looked like a little sprite, and it was almost overwhelming how cute she was.
Even Fūka, who was quite experienced, couldn't help but think how he wanted to squeeze her—her round face was just too adorable.
On the other hand, Rin Nohara, who was Obito's goddess, seemed to have her beauty marred slightly by the face paint she wore. But in the world of Naruto, many ninjas wore such face paint, like the Inuzuka clan, so Fūka couldn't judge.
Taking his seat according to memory, Fūka glanced around and noticed that he didn't recognize the two kids sitting next to him!
They didn't appear in the original story either, so they were likely either minor characters or extras. Still, he decided to greet them and perhaps rekindle some old desk-mate camaraderie, only to be met with an unexpected reaction.
"Hmph, Uchiha clan members are so rude, always late on the very first day of school!"
"Arrogant clan, hmph!"
Fūka was taken aback. Well, it seemed they were just going to remain extras. He decided not to disturb them.
"Obito, honestly, always arriving late!" Up front, Rin Nohara had somehow moved beside Obito and was scolding him with her hands on her hips.
Obito was awkwardly explaining himself with both hands up, but it was clear Rin wasn't having any of it.
Nearby, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and others watched Obito. Because of his frequent assistance to elderly ladies crossing the street, Obito earned a lifelong achievement award for helping others. Despite his poor grades, he was quite popular in the class.
In contrast, Fūka, who used to be very proud and dismissive of everyone, didn't even remember the names of his desk mates and had no friends due to his poor grades.
Fūka sighed but then noticed a face in the corner showing a hint of jealousy.
Jealousy?
Could a 6-year-old feel jealous?
Was he like Obito, already mature beyond his years?
Following the child's gaze, Fūka saw that the object of his jealousy was Asuma Sarutobi!
Uh, that's awkward.
If you liked Rin and were jealous of Obito, that would make sense. But why be jealous of Asuma Sarutobi?
He was just born into a prestigious family, being the son of the Third Hokage, and was known as one of Konoha's 'Fire's Second Generation,' casually strolling the streets with two dogs. What's so remarkable about that?
Is it worth feeling jealous?
Fūka pondered this and almost felt a twinge of jealousy himself, nearly directing a jealous glare at Asuma Sarutobi.
However, the face did seem familiar, and with the white hair, was it Kakashi? No, Kakashi had already graduated.
Fūka squinted, realizing he might have seen this kid in the original story, but couldn't quite place him. However, it was clear this kid was an extra, and not for more than three episodes.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Fūka couldn't resist asking the kid sitting to his right.
"What?" The desk mate shot him a glare, sounding annoyed.
"What's that kid's name?" Fūka gestured with his chin.
The kid, only 6 years old, glanced over and reflexively answered, "His name is Mizuki, idiot."
Mizuki?
Mizuki from the original story?
Then it hit Fūka.
"Ah, it's him."
"Been classmates for a year and you still don't remember his name? The Uchiha clan is so arrogant!" Mizuki's desk mate shot a furious look at Fūka.
"Ah, I'm sorry about that. Um, what's your name again?" Fūka asked with a small, awkward smile.
"…" The desk mate's eye twitched, clearly frustrated. "You don't need to know my name, idiot!"
Fūka shrugged and turned away. If you won't flatter me, how do you expect to stand out? Dream on!
But Mizuki?
How interesting.
In the original story, Mizuki was a rogue ninja with a strong sense of jealousy. He was known for tempting Naruto into doing naughty things and ended up getting severely beaten by Naruto, who was furious. Mizuki was eventually imprisoned in Konoha.
It seemed that even at 6 years old, Mizuki was already showing his unpleasant traits.
Amid the commotion, Kiyono Makoto walked into the classroom. With her intense gaze sweeping over the room, an eerie silence fell over the class.
"Alright, on the very first day of school, everyone…"
Kiyono Makoto stood at the podium with the air of a successful person, as if possessed by Jack Ma himself, gesturing grandly as if to command the stage.
Finally, Kiyono Makoto repeated the 'Will of Fire' speech before concluding with a flourish.
Clap, clap, clap!
This was not Mizuki storming up to slap Kiyono Makoto's face, but rather the tearful classmates enthusiastically clapping their hands in excitement.
Kiyono Makoto was pleased with the enthusiastic response to her speech and, after a brief cough, continued, "Just two months ago, Kakashi successfully passed his graduation exam, breaking the record for the youngest graduate in the history of the ninja school!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Rin Nohara, Kakashi's little fan, couldn't help but clap.
Obito looked over with an expression of frustration, his head surrounded by a green haze.
This reminded Fūka of a song.
'I fell in love with a wild horse, with a prairie above my head.'
Kiyono Makoto praised Kakashi's achievements and urged all students to use Kakashi as a model, striving for comprehensive development in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor aspects, and contribute to Konoha's modernization…
The entire class spent the morning listening to Kiyono Makoto extol Kakashi's virtues, with Kakashi's genius overshadowing everyone else.
Especially Fūka, who was occasionally subjected to mysterious disdain from other students.
It seemed they still remembered his previous challenge against Kakashi, where he ended up knocked out by a single kick.
'Even sitting here, I'm getting hit by stray bullets.'
Fūka sighed.
"And now, I must also call out Uchiha Fūka!"
From the podium, Kiyono Makoto's gaze suddenly fell on Fūka.
And the classmates, in unison, turned to look at him.