My Name Is Naruto Namikaze

CHAPTER WORDS :- 1134

Chapter 5: First Meeting with Iruka

---------------------------------------------

Shortly after Naruto celebrated his sixth birthday, an event that would forever change the course of his life unfolded.

One day, as Naruto returned to his little home after a full day of training and scavenging for food, he found an unexpected visitor waiting for him.

The Third Hokage.

This wasn't an uncommon occurrence. Over the years, the Third Hokage had visited Naruto several times. Naruto had long since grown accustomed to these visits, and his face quickly lit up with a bright smile.

"Eh?! Grandpa Third!"

His demeanor shifted instantly.

"What brings you here today?"

Naruto ran up to the Third Hokage, looking up at him with an expression of joy and curiosity.

"Today, I came because I haven't seen my little Naruto in a while. And, I also have some good news to share with you."

The Third Hokage bent slightly, reaching out to gently pat Naruto on the head. A warm and gentle smile spread across his face as he spoke.

"Good news?"

This time, Naruto's reaction wasn't feigned. It was genuine curiosity, and he tilted his head slightly, trying to decipher what kind of "good news" could possibly be relevant to him.

"That's right. Little Naruto, haven't you always said you want to become a great ninja? Well, learning is a necessary part of that journey."

The Third Hokage lightly patted Naruto's shoulder and spoke in a soft, encouraging voice.

"Grandpa Third, do you mean—?"

For once, Naruto's excitement was genuine. Though he didn't say it outright, he had a sense of what the Hokage was getting at.

"That's right. You're already six years old, and starting next week, you'll be able to attend the Ninja Academy. Only by doing so can you one day become the great ninja you aspire to be."

The Third Hokage spoke with a faint smile.

Naruto was, after all, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki and the child of the Fourth Hokage. Over the six years he had observed Naruto, the Third Hokage had confirmed that Naruto posed no threat to the village's safety. With that assurance, enrolling Naruto in the Ninja Academy at the age of six was a natural progression.

"Really? Grandpa Third, I can attend the Ninja Academy?"

Naruto's bright blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and his voice trembled with anticipation as he asked loudly.

"That's right. In a few days, a teacher from the Academy will come to take you to register. When the time comes, you'll have to listen to your teacher and work hard, alright?"

"Yes!"

The thought of the Ninja Academy filled Naruto with uncontainable excitement. Finally, he would officially take a step into the world of ninjas. Not only was he eager to receive formal training, but the Hokage's decision to allow him to attend the Academy also symbolized a loosening of the village's strict oversight. It meant that Naruto's carefully laid plans could move forward more freely.

The Third Hokage, seeing Naruto's unrestrained enthusiasm, felt his expression soften further. Six years ago, during the Nine-Tails' attack, Naruto lost his parents and became the village's scapegoat. The Third Hokage knew he owed the Fourth Hokage far too much, and while he couldn't openly give Naruto all the care he deserved, there were things he would never compromise on—such as Naruto's education.

Because, in the Third Hokage's heart, the "Will of Fire" was something he steadfastly believed in.

That evening, after explaining the Ninja Academy and its rules, the Hokage left Naruto's small apartment. Naruto's excitement lingered even after the Hokage's departure.

This wasn't an act. Naruto truly looked forward to his time at the Ninja Academy. It would be his first chance to build a foundation in this world, to take another solid step forward.

A week later.

On the morning of the Ninja Academy's registration day, Naruto heard a knock at his door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Opening the door, Naruto was greeted by a figure he immediately recognized.

A tall, slender man stood at the doorway. He wore the standard Konoha Chūnin vest, and across his nose was a distinctive horizontal scar. Though this was their first meeting, Naruto recognized the man instantly.

'Iruka Umino'. Naruto whispered the name internally.

Indeed, the person before him was the very same Iruka Umino from the original storyline—the man who would go on to play a significant role in Naruto's life. Iruka wasn't just the first person to trust and acknowledge Naruto; he was also a beacon of light in Naruto's otherwise dark and lonely childhood.

If Naruto harbored hatred for most of the villagers in Konoha, including its leadership, Iruka was the one exception. Iruka was someone Naruto could never truly bring himself to resent.

Of course, Naruto knew better than to trust blindly. The future was unwritten, and Iruka's role in his life remained to be seen. The original story? It was merely a reference point, not a guaranteed outcome.

"You must be Naruto Uzumaki, right? I'm Iruka Umino, a teacher at the Ninja Academy. You can call me Iruka-sensei. The Hokage must have told you about today—I'm here to take you to the Academy for registration."

Iruka's tone was warm, though his eyes briefly flickered with a hint of complex emotion. However, he quickly masked it and crouched slightly, reaching out to ruffle Naruto's blond hair.

Naruto didn't miss the fleeting change in Iruka's expression. He knew exactly what caused it.

Iruka had lost his parents during the Nine-Tails' attack six years ago. The very same Nine-Tails that was sealed inside Naruto.

It was only natural for Iruka to have mixed feelings. If anything, it would have been alarming if he hadn't.

"Yes, Iruka-sensei."

Naruto responded with a bright smile. It was completely fake—a smile that he learnt to wear through his interactions with the third Hokage.

Iruka was briefly taken aback by Naruto's sunny demeanor, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded. He reached out a hand, which Naruto took without hesitation.

"Let's go, Naruto."

"Yes."

The bustling streets of Konoha led the way to the heart of the village, where the Ninja Academy was located. On this day, the streets were even livelier than usual.

The Academy's annual registration day drew families from across the village, all eager to enroll their children. For many, becoming a ninja was a dream worth pursuing, despite the risks. Even in a place like Konoha—renowned as the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—the survival rate of ninja missions wasn't particularly high. The scars of past wars and the Nine-Tails' attack were still fresh. Yet, the allure of power, status, and opportunity drove many parents to encourage their children to become ninjas.

In this world, strength was everything.

And in Konoha, strength began at the Ninja Academy.

(End of Chapter)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------