Inoiki wanted to approach Naruto, but hesitated. He didn't know Naruto well—just a few brief conversations here and there. They weren't friends, not even close acquaintances, really. Approaching him now, especially in front of everyone, would feel out of place. So, despite feeling the urge to console him, Inoiki held back, unsure of what to say or how to bridge the gap between them.
Just then, the gates of the Ninja Academy swung open, and Iruka appeared at the entrance. He called all the children to gather outside the academy, his voice carrying above the murmur of the crowd. Inoiki, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji moved toward the gate with the other students, joining the group of excited children.
Once everyone had gathered, Iruka gave a brief welcome, instructing the children to follow him into the academy. Mizuki, standing nearby, took over from there, leading the students toward their new classroom.
Before stepping inside, Inoiki, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji turned to wave goodbye to their parents, as did many of the other children. The parents smiled and waved back, watching as their children took their first steps into a new chapter of their lives.
Once everyone entered the classroom at the Ninja Academy, the children began choosing their seats. Naruto, like the others, picked a spot and sat down. However, the boy sitting next to him immediately stood up and moved to another desk. The other children also avoided sitting near Naruto, just as their parents had warned them to stay away from the "Demon Fox."
Naruto, left alone, felt the sting of rejection. His heart sank as he struggled to understand why everyone kept their distance. He sat in silence, a sadness settling over him—until a voice cut through the gloom.
"Can I sit here?"
Naruto looked up, surprised. Standing before him was Inoiki, with his blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, smiling down at him.
"You... you want to sit here?" Naruto asked, his voice uncertain. Glancing at the other children, he added, "Didn't you hear what they said about me?"
Inoiki nodded, still smiling. "I heard everything. But what does that have to do with me?"
Naruto blinked, unsure how to respond. "You... you're sure? You don't mind?"
Inoiki shrugged casually. "Why wouldn't I want to sit here? Unless you don't want me to."
Panic flashed across Naruto's face. "No! Yes, yes—sit here! Please," he said quickly, scooting over to make room for Inoiki.
The bench was long enough for both of them, so they sat comfortably side by side. For the first time that day, Naruto felt a little less alone.
Just then, Iruka entered the classroom, drawing the attention of all the students. As their new homeroom teacher for the next six years, Iruka couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, this being his first class. But the eager eyes of his students gave him the confidence to begin.
The chatter in the classroom echoed off the walls until a commanding voice cut through the noise.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down and take your seats," Iruka called out, his voice firm but steady, instantly capturing the attention of the students. The room quickly fell into silence as the young aspiring ninjas hurried to their seats. A sense of nervous anticipation hung in the air, the weight of their first day at the academy settling over them.
Once the room was still, Iruka continued. "I am your homeroom teacher, and for the next six years, you will be learning everything there is to know about being a ninja from me and my colleagues. My hope is that when you graduate from the Ninja Academy, each of you will go on to become extraordinary figures in the future of our village."
Excitement flickered in the eyes of the students, the vision of their futures as powerful ninjas filling their minds. For a brief moment, the classroom buzzed with the energy of dreams being born, until Iruka's voice brought them back to the present.
"Alright, now let's get to know each other. It's your first day here, so please introduce yourselves," Iruka instructed.
The introductions began, each student standing up and nervously sharing their name and their dreams. It wasn't long before it was Sasuke's turn. He stood confidently, his presence commanding the attention of the room.
"I am Uchiha Sasuke from the Uchiha Clan," he began, his voice calm but resolute. "I want to be as strong as my elder brother."
As he spoke, many of the girls in the class couldn't take their eyes off him, mesmerized by his handsome face and mysterious aura. They whispered among themselves, their cheeks flushing with admiration.
Naruto, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes at the swooning girls, letting out a small "Tch" of annoyance. When his turn came, he shot up from his seat, determined to make his own mark.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, and I'm going to be the next Hokage!" he declared, a wide, confident grin plastered on his face.
But instead of admiration, Naruto's bold ambition was met with snickers and mocking glances from his classmates. Their eyes gleamed with doubt, and sneers curled their lips. Iruka gave a slight nod, acknowledging Naruto's words, but offered no further encouragement. Naruto clenched his fists, ignoring the jeers as he sat down, his face set in determined defiance.
Next came Inoiki, who sat beside Naruto. Rising from his seat, he smiled brightly.
"My name is Yamanaka Inoiki, from the Yamanaka Clan. My only ambition is to protect my friends and family and live a happy life with them," he said with a sincerity that lit up his face.
Almost immediately, the girls erupted again.
"He's so cute!" one squealed.
"Just look at those eyes!" another chimed in.
Inoiki's blonde hair and striking blue eyes caught the attention of nearly everyone in the room. Naruto shot an incredulous look around the class, his annoyance bubbling over.
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