My Name Is Namikaze Naruto

“Yes, Iruka-sensei!”

As Iruka’s words fell, everyone in the classroom responded in unison with their somewhat immature voices. After all, it was just the first day at the Ninja Academy, and leaving a good impression on their instructor was quite important.

“Very good. Now, let’s have everyone introduce themselves. After all, you will be classmates for six years, and you might end up on the same team after graduation. Making a good impression on each other is crucial,” Iruka said with a gentle smile, pointing to the first child in the front row on his right side.

“We’ll start with you, Ikeguchi-kun. Just tell us about your dreams and things you like…”

“Yes!”

“My name is Ikeguchi Takeo. My dream is to become a great ninja. The things I like…”

It is a very humane opening.

Or rather, after so many years of reform (or change?), the Ninja Academy of Konoha was no longer what it was during the era when the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, founded it. In fact, it could be said that the students of the Ninja Academy today might not have even been able to enter the academy gates during Tobirama’s time. This isn’t about comparing superiority but merely illustrating the limitations of different eras.

As everyone took turns introducing themselves, Naruto quietly observed the children, who would be his nominal companions for the next six years.

Among these people, the vast majority would become cannon fodder genin of Konoha in the future. Only a few would manage to become chunin (and never underestimate a chunin; they are the backbone of the village and can lead teams, proving their value and status). Even fewer would become jonin.

To be blunt, no other world values lineage as much as the world of Naruto.

This world is essentially a series of “dramas” arising from family conflicts. So, what about other people?

Can ninjas from civilian backgrounds become great ninjas? Yes, the possibility exists! But this is the exception.

In the era of ancestral prowess, the phrase “born of ninja clans” wasn’t an empty statement in the world of Naruto.

If you extend this further, it asks if you are a ninja from a ninja clan. It is not an absolute, but it is common that ninjas from ninja clans often become chunin or even higher. Compared to civilians, they need less time to reach the same goal, given the same conditions.

This isn’t a race where the tortoise and the hare wait for each other. Those with more talent and resources won’t stop and wait for the others. What chance do you have to surpass them if you have equal effort? None! You don’t even have the right to walk alongside them. This is the reality in the world of Naruto.

Hard work does pay off. If you work hard, you will become stronger, but only relative to yourself. When compared horizontally with others, reality will be harsh.

In this classroom, for those who are civilians and practically never appear in the original series, Naruto pays no attention. His focus is on the few who come from ninja clans.

The so-called “Konoha 11” in the original series naturally drew Naruto’s attention.

Even in their childhood, they were easy to recognize.

Especially the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

The lazy Shikamaru Nara, the somewhat silly Choji Akimichi, and the six-year-old Ino Yamanaka already had a lovestruck look at Sasuke Uchiha.

Naruto had no doubt that if not for the Ino-Shika-Cho characteristics, Ino would probably stick right next to the cold Sasuke.

In this classroom, almost eighty percent of the young girls (yes, young girls, as they are only six years old and calling them young ladies would be too much) were looking at Sasuke with admiring eyes.

Even in the Naruto world, Naruto couldn’t help but internally complain, “These kids are too mature for their age…”

Aside from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka were also easily recognizable.

Hinata and Sasuke need no mention, especially the latter.

During his self-introduction, Sasuke simply said, “I am Sasuke Uchiha,” with a cool yet pretentious expression, which caused the whole class to erupt.

The girls’ screams seemed loud enough to break through the classroom.

“But this cool act will only last less than a year,” Naruto thought, recalling the events of the original series. Outwardly unchanged, he shook his head slightly, thinking.

If he remembered correctly, the Uchiha clan would be wiped out in about a year. Then, the cool-acting Sasuke would begin his descent into darkness, driven by revenge.

However, this had nothing to do with the current Naruto. He had no ability or qualification to interfere. The Uchiha clan’s demise had secrets, of course, but what did it matter to Naruto?

His priority was to spend six years steadily improving his strength and waiting for the right opportunities.

As he looked at these familiar faces, the last one Naruto noticed among the “Konoha 11” was Sakura Haruno, who had a polarized reception in the original series. Naruto had no particular feelings towards her.

Because this Naruto was not the Naruto of the original series, Sakura’s choices and opinions didn’t concern him as long as they didn’t affect him.

When it was Naruto’s turn to introduce himself, as expected, over eighty percent of the kids looked at him with curious and puzzled eyes, influenced by their families’ warnings.

Naruto ignored this, introduced himself with a smile, and sat down. He remained neither too low-key nor too high-profile, focusing on getting through these six years while improving his strength and waiting for the right opportunities. This was Naruto’s core plan!

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