My Name Is Namikaze Naruto

“Now that everyone has introduced themselves, you need to get along well for the next six years. Currently, you are classmates, but after graduation, you will be comrades. Remember, a qualified ninja must value teamwork. Any mission, especially those of high difficulty, can only be completed through team collaboration. This is something I hope you will remember. Understood?”

Iruka Umino placed both hands on the lectern in front of him, looking solemnly at the children below as he spoke in a serious tone.

“Yes~~”

Although Iruka’s expression was very serious, at this moment, most of the children couldn’t understand the meaning behind his words. Or perhaps it should be said that they had lived in peace for too long, especially in Konoha. The children nurtured by the Ninja Academy were mature in other aspects, but as for the qualities that a ninja should possess, they were far behind compared to the children of the wartime era.

After all, back then, even children as young as six or seven could become real ninjas and step onto the battlefield. In this world, one should never underestimate any child, as they might have the power to kill you.

Iruka naturally understood that what he said was a bit premature for these children, but as an educator, many things must be told to them in advance and repeatedly taught. Particularly as ninjas, these six years are the most crucial period for them to lay a solid foundation, not just physically but also mentally.

As a teacher at the Ninja Academy, Iruka was well aware of what a qualified instructor should do.

“Very well, let’s start our first lesson! To become a qualified ninja, we must understand what the essence of a ninja is and what qualities a ninja should possess…”

It’s worth mentioning that to become a teacher at the Ninja Academy, whether it was Iruka or other chunin, they all possessed extremely rich theoretical knowledge. In some aspects of guidance, they even surpassed most jounin. This was one of the reasons why the Third Hokage assigned them as instructors at the academy (the other reason being those who were not strong enough or those who were injured in previous wars and missions and could no longer continue a normal ninja career).

Naruto’s class was the most special among this batch of new students. Apart from the descendants of other ninja clans, just having Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, in the class highlighted its uniqueness. Iruka was appointed as the class instructor by the Third Hokage for two reasons: firstly, Iruka had the ability, and secondly, and most importantly, the Third Hokage trusted Iruka’s loyalty.

As a native of Konoha whose parents died in the Nine-Tails attack six years ago, Iruka embodied the purest form of the “Will of Fire” under the Third Hokage’s administration. Naruto understood this very well. However, neither Iruka’s background nor their current relationship would affect Naruto’s view of him. Or rather, it was not limited to just Iruka.

After arriving in this world, especially realizing that everything here was vastly different from what he saw in the original story, Naruto decided never to trust the so-called descriptions in the original story fully. Those so-called plot points could only serve as reference material. The real answers needed to be found by himself. This was one of the basic conditions Naruto believed he must possess to survive in this world.

The first day at the Ninja Academy was the second step in Naruto’s plan. Unlike his previous life in the original story, where he slept in class, slacked off, and even skipped classes, in this life, Naruto was determined to study all theoretical knowledge earnestly. No matter what it was, a solid foundation was always the most important.

“This is the real beginning…”

Looking at Iruka, who was seriously teaching with his hands on the lectern, Naruto’s eyes focused as he thought to himself. From that day on, Naruto’s life became more regular and rhythmic. Three points in a line: the Ninja Academy, home, and the forest. Aside from necessary rest, Naruto devoted all his time to intense training and study.

Perhaps it was the benefit of being a transmigrator? Anyway, Naruto found his memory and comprehension abilities much stronger than in his previous life. Any basic knowledge learned at the academy could be quickly memorized and absorbed. Beyond the academy’s basic knowledge and training, Naruto also devised a strict training schedule for himself in his daily life, following it diligently day after day without interruption.

In such a simple yet slightly monotonous lifestyle, a year passed quickly. In the year 55 of Konoha, in the northwest corner of Konoha Village, in the forest closest to Naruto’s home, on a day when the academy was on holiday, in an open area of the forest, a golden figure stood on the lake surface, staring intently at the water below.

This person was none other than Naruto, who often came here to train. Suddenly, Naruto’s eyes sharpened, and his hands moved swiftly. “Swish, swish, swish!” Several shurikens flew through the air, piercing the water. In the next second, with a “splash,” the sound of metal piercing flesh resounded, followed by the spread of crimson blood on the lake surface. Standing on the water, Naruto smiled slightly and pulled back his right hand, retrieving the kunai he had thrown into the water, each one skewering a still-twitching fish. The fishing line attached to the kunai was faintly visible in the sunlight.

“Looks like we can have a feast today,” Naruto said, estimating the weight of the fish in his hand with satisfaction.

As mentioned before, Naruto’s living conditions in Konoha were extremely harsh. Necessary living expenses? Sorry, those were only useful if he could buy things in Konoha. The food he received was either short in quantity or came with a “special addition” from the “kind-hearted” shopkeepers. Starving to death was out of the question, as the Third Hokage would never allow that to happen. However, such food could not meet Naruto’s needs. Leaving aside the fact that as a future ninja, his daily training required a lot of nutrition, even during this crucial period of physical growth, the available food was insufficient.

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