Even in the face of storms, those who refuse to give up will always find a moment to breathe.
As Naruto walked toward Iruka-sensei, his natural instincts helped him identify a few people in the classroom who didn't harbor ill will toward him.
"Where do you want to sit?" Iruka asked Naruto softly, his tone not particularly respectful but at least refraining from calling him "the demon fox." That alone was the greatest respect Iruka could muster, given that the Nine-Tails had taken his parents' lives on that fateful night.
Naruto looked around the classroom and noticed one familiar face standing out a bit more than the rest.
"I want to sit there."
He pointed to the seat next to Uchiha Sasuke.
Iruka followed Naruto's gaze, his eyes naturally landing on the Uchiha clan emblem on Sasuke's clothing. After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
"Thank you, teacher."
With permission granted, Naruto smiled brightly and made his way over to sit beside Sasuke. As soon as he sat down, he flashed Sasuke a friendly grin.
Sasuke remembered him, but instead of returning the friendly gesture, he only gave Naruto a brief glance and then purposefully ignored him.
Meanwhile, in the back of the classroom, Chōji Akimichi unintentionally blurted out something that caused tension.
Hinata clenched her fists tightly, while Shikamaru Nara, who had been sleeping beside her, suddenly raised his head in alarm and glanced at Chōji and Seimi.
Chōji didn't know about the Hyūga clan's taboos. Shikamaru hoped Seiji wouldn't explode right in the middle of class.
But contrary to what everyone expected, there wasn't a tense confrontation. Seimi simply smiled calmly.
"Oh, that's a sealing technique meant to protect my eyes," Seiji explained.
Chōji, hearing this for the first time, was surprised. "Wow, there's such an amazing sealing technique?"
"Yeah, it was specially designed by the Hyūga clan..."
Shikamaru sighed in relief, though he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep well after that scare.
Hinata, on the other hand, slowly loosened her tightly clenched fists. She turned her head slightly, gazing at Seiji's white eyes, and saw his reflection in them.
Does he... really not care?
In the classroom, under Iruka's guidance, everyone began their self-introductions.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I like training with my brother, and there's nothing I hate... yet."
Sasuke quickly corrected himself, maintaining a proud and aloof expression as he sat down. Then it was Naruto's turn.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I like ramen, especially Ichiraku Ramen. I hate waiting three minutes for it to cook. As for my dream..."
His voice softened momentarily, but only for a second. Then, with renewed determination, Naruto exclaimed, "My dream is to become Hokage! To surpass all the previous Hokage!"
The moment he finished speaking, the classroom fell silent. Then, waves of laughter exploded.
"Hahaha... Did I hear that right? The demon fox wants to be Hokage?"
"And he wants to surpass all the previous Hokage? That's the funniest joke I've heard all year!"
Naruto stood there, clenching his fists tightly, staring down at his desk.
Although he had expected to be mocked and had long been used to it, the overwhelming laughter and malice still hurt.
Iruka was about to reprimand the class, but his attention was drawn to Naruto's stubbornness. Suddenly, the sound of clapping echoed through the room.
Clap! Clap! Clap
Seiji Hyūga was clapping with a smile on his face, louder and louder, drawing the attention of more and more students.
When the room grew quiet, with only his applause remaining, Seiji finally looked around, puzzled.
"Why is everyone staring at me? Didn't Uzumaki Naruto speak well? To boldly declare his dream like that—doesn't that show the valuable Will of Fire burning bright within him?"
At that moment, a student at the front couldn't help but blurt out, "The demon fox and the Will of Fire? You're kidding, right?"
Seiji's expression changed dramatically, as if he had just realized something shocking. "What are you saying? Naruto is sitting in this classroom with us. Isn't he our comrade? The Hokage is the headmaster of this ninja academy. If Naruto is allowed to attend, that means the Hokage himself approved it."
Seiji pointed to the student at the front, stammering, "Are you... Are you questioning the Hokage? Questioning the Will of Fire?"
The instant those words left his mouth, the student's face went pale.
Everyone turned to stare at him, and only then did he realize what it was like to be under such intense scrutiny, just as Naruto had been moments earlier.
"I wasn't—I didn't mean it like that!"
"Enough!" Iruka cut in firmly. Taking a deep breath, he regained his composure and said, "Daishi didn't mean to question the Hokage, but Seiji is right. Uzumaki Naruto is not a demon fox; he is our comrade. From now on, no one is allowed to call him that!"
"Let's continue with the introductions."
Iruka's authority as a teacher restored order, and the class resumed.
Seiji sat down, a sly smile creeping onto his lips.
Although it was a bit mean to manipulate things like that, it sure was fun. Sometimes, creating a bigger mess is just another way to solve a problem.
Was Seiji doing this on purpose?
Hinata wasn't naive. When she saw that smile, she understood everything.
She gazed at Seiji's profile, and memories of that winter night came flooding back.
Her father had always told her never to harm her comrades in the village, which was why she had restrained herself that night when they called her a "white-eyed monster."
If it hadn't been for Naruto stepping in to help her, who knows what might have happened that night?
Just like how Naruto had shed light on her, Seiji was now extending warmth to Naruto.
While Hinata was lost in thought, the self-introductions had reached Seimi's turn.
"My name is Hyūga Seiji. I like to be in relaxed places, and I don't particularly dislike anything. As for my dream... well, just staying alive is enough."
And living well, of course.