Chapter 28
The classroom noise gradually died down after the self-introductions ended.
Iruka stood at the lectern, hands braced on the desk, expression turning serious.
"Becoming an excellent ninja requires more than just dreams. You also need the knowledge and strength to match them."
He turned and wrote several major headings on the blackboard: Basics → Practice → Application
"These are the stages you'll go through over the next few years at the academy."
"Basic theoretical knowledge, history of the various nations, cryptography, tactical analysis…"
"And training: ninjutsu, taijutsu, shuriken throwing—these are the foundations of a ninja."
"Practical exercises are also essential. Everything is indispensable."
"The more you learn now, the less danger you'll face when you become ninja in the future."
Most of the students came from ordinary families and listened half-understanding.
Those from ninja clans—like Nara Shikamaru—had already heard a lot from their parents.
Shikamaru immediately flopped onto his desk with a long sigh. "Ugh… sounds like such a hassle."
Iruka ignored the murmurs below.
He pulled out his prepared lesson plan and began the first day's class.
Looking at the opening line of the plan, his gaze shifted. He referenced the topic that had caused the most buzz earlier:
"Just now, Uzumaki Naruto mentioned wanting to become an 'immortal.'"
Hearing his name, Naruto lifted his head curiously.
Iruka continued: "So let me tell you about a figure from shinobi legend—the Sage of Six Paths, considered the progenitor of all ninja."
The mention of an interesting story immediately captured the students' attention.
"Legend says the Sage of Six Paths spread the seed of chakra and founded the Ninja Sect, allowing people to understand each other through chakra and eliminate conflict…"
Iruka spoke with vivid emotion: "But from ancient times through the Warring States era, the shinobi world remained locked in endless war. People organized into clans and tribes based on blood ties. To protect their families, they trained in various combat abilities, which gradually evolved into the ninjutsu we know today."
"Even now, no concrete evidence proves the Sage of Six Paths actually existed."
"However, the founding of the hidden villages did end the chaos of the Warring States period."
At those words, Naruto quietly asked Xuanming beside him: "Fox Sage, do you know that Sage of Six Paths guy?"
The Sage of Six Paths?
Of course he knew him—how could he not?
Deep in his memories lay recollections of being inside the old Sage's body along with the other tailed beasts.
There were even faint memories from his infancy—when he was still a five-meter-tall fox kit…
Those rare fragments were among the few not stained by hatred or malice—no extra purification needed.
"Naruto, I do know the Sage of Six Paths, but the full details aren't something you should know right now. I can only tell you this:"
"The Sage of Six Paths really existed!"
Hearing Fox Sage confirm it, Naruto narrowed his eyes and grinned.
"Can I become as strong as the Sage of Six Paths in the future?"
"The Sage was as great as the legends say—ordinary people can hardly reach his level. But if it's you… there might be a chance to become a second Sage of Six Paths."
Xuanming answered casually.
"Really?!" Naruto's eyes lit up instantly.
"Just a chance. Keep training hard every day—you're still far from it right now!"
Xuanming reached over and lightly tapped Naruto's forehead, signaling him to keep listening to the lesson.
Uchiha Sasuke, sitting to Naruto's right, could hear the muttering but showed no reaction.
To him, this was just Naruto's usual weird habit. His brother had once checked with the Sharingan.
The guy wasn't talking to anyone else—he was just talking to himself like an idiot. Sasuke had long gotten used to it.
Next, Iruka smoothly transitioned into the first history lesson.
He covered the geographical distribution of the five great nations, the hidden village system, the founding of Konoha, and the greatness of the Hokage.
"Our First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, ended the Warring States chaos. He called on the major clans to gather here and built the current Konoha…"
Iruka's lesson preparation was thorough—he genuinely wanted to teach the students well.
On the first day, the children were still full of curiosity and mostly listened attentively.
Naruto listened with extreme seriousness, maintaining perfect posture the entire time.
How much he actually remembered was another question entirely.
...
Afternoon—the weather was perfect.
The afternoon class moved to the academy training field. The students lined up along the running track.
"A ninja's foundation is the body. You need strong physical conditioning."
Iruka held a stopwatch and clipboard.
"The rule is simple: no fixed number of laps. Everyone sprints around the field until you can't run anymore. I'll record each of your performances here."
"Hey! A running contest? I walk Akamaru around half the village every day!"
Inuzuka Kiba grinned up at the little white dog on his head. "Akamaru, let's show them some color! First place is ours—no contest!"
"Woof! Woof!" The young Akamaru barked affirmatively.
Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura walked over hand-in-hand. "Iruka-sensei, does everyone have to run?"
"Of course—it's to assess your physical fitness. Just do your best. Don't worry—this is only a test."
Iruka thought the girls were afraid of high-intensity running and smiled reassuringly.
"No, Sensei—it's about Shikamaru." Ino shook her head and pointed to the side.
Iruka followed her finger curiously.
There, Nara Shikamaru had already dragged the chubby Akimichi Chōji away from the group. The two sat comfortably by the fence in his blind spot, resting.
"Shikamaru! Chōji!! Get back in line!" Iruka shouted at them.
"Hey hey, Ino, was that necessary~? We almost got away with it." Shikamaru's relaxed face instantly collapsed.
Sakura looked a little worried and whispered to Ino: "Won't ratting them out make them mad at you?"
Ino stood with one hand on her hip, looking like a tiny adult.
"No way. Uncle Shikaku specifically told me to keep an eye on them at school."
"Ugh… fine."
Using his father's name was extremely effective.
"Iruka-sensei, you just said anyone who gets tired can rest. I'm already tired, so resting is fine, right?"
Shikamaru still tried to argue logically—proving he was strictly following the rules.
"Yeah yeah! Just thinking about running makes me too tired to move."
Chōji—never one for clever tricks—simply felt Shikamaru's reasoning made perfect sense.
Somehow he had already pulled out a bag of chips and was debating whether to open it.
"How can you be tired before you even start running?! Show some respect for me!"
Iruka instantly lost his calm expression. Grinding his teeth, he marched over.
Like catching kittens, he grabbed both troublemakers by the back of their collars and dragged them back to the line.
"Ah! My chips! Wait there—I'll be right back!"
"Ugh… so we really have to run after all. What a drag."
Back in line, Shikamaru scratched his head—already calculating how many laps before he could fake a leg cramp and drop out.
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