"My name is Sakurai Midai. I like small animals... sucks in air through teeth... and my dream is to become a gourmet!"
"I'm Egasaki Mao, and my hobby is..."
Can we just get back on track with these introductions? Yagami-sensei sighed inwardly. Just then, a serious-looking boy in the back row stood up.
"My name is Mori Ebihara. My hobby is interrogation. One day, I hope to interrogate and torture shinobi from other villages!"
Yagami-sensei's mouth twitched slightly. Kids these days... why are they thinking about such dangerous things?
Finally, it was time for Rinseishi to introduce himself.
He was already the center of attention. After the earlier incident, every little action he took was being scrutinized. Yet, under the weight of so many stares, Rinseishi didn't appear even slightly pressured. Calm and composed, he said gently:
"I am Seisui Rinseishi. My hobby is making friends, and as for my dream... I want to become a medical ninja. Through medical ninjutsu, I hope to bring healing and ease the suffering of our world."
Many students were surprised.
His introduction wasn't particularly striking—if anything, it was too ordinary.
In the great shinobi villages, medical ninjutsu was typically practiced by kunoichi. Not only were women more detail-oriented, but according to the three major principles of medical ninjutsu, a medical ninja was absolutely prohibited from fighting on the frontlines.
Most male shinobi, with their pride and ambition, wouldn't be willing to take a backseat in battle.
If it were someone else making such a claim, they'd likely be accused of cowardice, even of wanting to run from battle. But Rinseishi was different.
When people have a favorable impression of someone, they subconsciously view them in a better light. Through this lens, no one thought Rinseishi was a coward. Instead, many secretly sighed to themselves—Rinseishi-kun is truly a kind person.
"Such a conscientious nature… this is the kind of person who can walk the path of a true shinobi!" Yagami-sensei's satisfaction with Rinseishi deepened.
It wasn't that he disliked the kids who boldly declared they wanted to become Hokage. Who didn't have grand dreams as a child? But as they grew up, they would inevitably come to understand the gap between fantasy and reality.
And that was precisely why humble, dependable individuals like Rinseishi stood out even more.
After Rinseishi's introduction, other students followed.
As they reached the last few students, the class's attention shifted once again.
It wasn't surprising—after all, this boy was the son of the Hokage himself, Sarutobi Asuma.
Feeling all eyes on him, Asuma didn't flinch. He didn't even stand up. Instead, he casually leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head, and declared coolly:
"I'm Sarutobi Asuma. I have a lot of hobbies. As for my goal... it's to surpass the Hokage!"
He didn't say dream—he said goal. A clear, confident declaration.
And yet… the response was underwhelming.
It wasn't that the kids doubted Asuma's ability to reach his goal, but rather… they simply didn't find it very impressive.
When Asuma noticed that everyone's gazes had already moved past him, he stiffened.
Hey, at least give me a reaction!
Even worse, everyone was now looking at the student sitting behind him.
Unsure whether to uncross his arms or not, Asuma awkwardly held his pose, feeling like an idiot.
This was uncomfortable.
Thankfully, there were only a few students left. After they introduced themselves, the class's attention finally returned to the front. Asuma hurriedly dropped his stiff pose, feeling relieved.
He glanced at Rinseishi's back, still confused.
Why did his whole 'I want to be a medical ninja' speech cause such a huge stir, but my declaration of surpassing the Hokage barely got a reaction?
Is this how the world works?
Then again… they were all five-year-olds. Pure and simple-minded… Asuma thought, feeling oddly world-weary for a child.
"Ahem." Yagami-sensei cleared his throat twice to get everyone's attention.
"Now that we all have a basic understanding of each other, it's time for the final part of today's lesson—electing our class representative!"
Some students looked puzzled, so Yagami-sensei continued explaining:
"A well-organized team must have a leader, just like a country needs a daimyo, and a shinobi village needs a Kage. Our class should also have its own leader."
The moment he finished speaking, the class erupted into excitement.
"Sensei! Can the class leader have a special title? Like 'Class Kage'?"
"Sensei! Will being class leader earn us extra points on tests?"
"Sensei! If I become class leader, will my parents stop hitting me?"
Yagami-sensei's eye twitched as he looked at the chubby student who had asked the last question. Kid, just how much do your parents hate you?
Taking a deep breath, Yagami-sensei calmly responded:
"The class leader is not an official position. You won't get a title, you won't earn extra points, and it definitely won't stop your parents from punishing you—though, well… you can always hope. The role of class leader is simply to serve the class, not to make you more powerful or privileged."
At this, the students' excitement immediately deflated.
"...Boring!"
"Ugh, never mind, then. I don't want to serve anyone."
Yagami-sensei felt a bit awkward. Did I explain that too bluntly?
Before he could say anything else, Rinseishi suddenly raised his hand.
Yagami-sensei's eyes lit up. "Yes, Rinseishi-kun?"
"Sensei, I would like to run for class leader."
Once again, all eyes in the class turned to him.
"Huh? Rinseishi-kun?"
"I don't really want a class leader… but if it's Rinseishi-kun, I wouldn't mind."
"Yeah, I support Rinseishi-kun too!"
In the back corner of the classroom, Asuma scowled, clicking his tongue in irritation.
"In the world of shinobi, strength is everything. Wasting time helping others is just naive—"
But before he could finish, he noticed something that made him freeze.
The girl he had been paying attention to… was now looking at Rinseishi with admiration.
"Wow… Rinseishi-kun really is amazing!"
Sitting to Rinseishi's right, Yūhi Kurenai's eyes sparkled.
Because Rinseishi sat in the middle of the classroom, he naturally attracted those who were willing to integrate into the group. Meanwhile, those who preferred to stay independent sat in the corners.
Hearing Asuma's muttered comment, the boy sitting in front of him—Mizuki—nodded unconsciously.
"Yeah, knowing it's a thankless job but doing it anyway… that's either really dumb or really fake."
Mizuki, like Rinseishi, was a second-generation war orphan. Kids like them longed for acknowledgment.
Seeing Rinseishi easily gain the recognition he had always desired, Mizuki couldn't help but feel a growing envy deep inside.
Still, he buried that feeling.
But then he saw Asuma, the Hokage's son, scowling at Rinseishi as well.
For the first time, Mizuki felt a sense of camaraderie with Asuma.
Maybe the two of us are actually on the same side…
Then, suddenly, Asuma stood up.
"I, Sarutobi Asuma, will also run for class leader!"
Mizuki blinked.
Wait… isn't this just a way to impress that girl?
Their gazes met.
A silent but intense battle of wills erupted between them.
Mizuki's heart sank. You traitor! You're just trying to steal her attention!
Meanwhile, Asuma glared back. Bastard! You just want to suck up to her!