Returning to the classroom from Kiyono Makoto's office, Fenghuo and Uchiha Obito were greeted with warm applause—like heroes returning from battle!
There was no hostility, no wariness. Just a crowd of familiar, immature faces—many of whom Fenghuo hadn't seen since waking up in this world.
Among them were Sarutobi Asuma, Morino Ibiki, a rare sighting of Hibiki the "Dragonfly", the ever-serious Yūhi Kurenai, and of course, Obito's dream girl—Haruno Rin.
And so many others!
In the original manga, Yūhi Kurenai grows into a cool, capable kunoichi with real gravitas. But here? She was only six years old, deep in her "kawaii" phase. Long black hair draped down her shoulders, and her round cheeks still had traces of baby fat. Her large crimson eyes blinked like curious forest sprites—innocent and adorable.
Even the old soul in Fenghuo couldn't help but feel the urge to pinch that chubby cheek—not anything creepy, just the overwhelming cuteness of a child from a shōnen manga world come to life.
In contrast, Rin—Obito's shining goddess—looked much the same as in the manga. But from Fenghuo's point of view, those two purple streaks on her cheeks did no favors to her aesthetics. Still, face paint was hardly rare in this world. The Inuzuka clan did it all the time, and you didn't hear anyone calling them fashion disasters.
Settling into his seat from memory, Fenghuo glanced left and right... only to realize he couldn't recall the names of the two children beside him.
"They weren't in the manga," he muttered internally. "Background extras? Fillers? Genin #5 and Genin #6?"
He was just about to greet them and play nice when they beat him to it:
"Hmph! Typical Uchiha. Late on the first day of school!"
"Arrogant as always. Hmph!"
Fenghuo blinked, bemused. "...Okay then. Continue the skit without me."
In front of them, Rin had already approached Obito, hands planted on her hips. "Obito! You're late again!"
He scratched his head, offering a sheepish smile and half-hearted excuse. Clearly, it didn't work—Rin's eyes narrowed with motherly wrath.
Nearby, Asuma, Kurenai, and the others glanced at Obito with amused expressions.
Despite his poor grades, Obito had actually built up decent popularity—he was the kind of guy who helped old ladies cross the street and got snacks in return. Meanwhile, Fenghuo's previous self had been the quiet, aloof type—too proud to make friends, too indifferent to remember his desk-mates' names. His grades weren't great either. Unsurprisingly, his social life had been barren.
Fenghuo sighed. "What a legacy I inherited…"
Just then, his eyes caught someone in the corner—a child with a sulky, jealous glare.
Jealousy? From a six-year-old?
Did this kid hatch from the womb emotionally mature, like Obito?
Following the gaze, Fenghuo saw the object of his envy—Sarutobi Asuma.
"Huh? Asuma?"
He scratched his head. "Okay, being jealous of Obito because of Rin, sure. But why Asuma?"
Then he remembered—Asuma, son of the Third Hokage, was a literal "Second Generation of Fire." He walked the streets with swagger and two pet dogs, probably got free dango from every shop, and had aunties fawning over him. What wasn't there to be jealous of?
Fenghuo almost glared at Asuma in solidarity.
The kid with white hair nearby looked familiar too. Not Kakashi—he'd already graduated. But maybe… Mizuki?
Fenghuo turned to the boy on his right.
"Hey, I've got a question."
"What now?" the kid grumbled, clearly annoyed.
"What's that guy's name?" Fenghuo tilted his chin toward the white-haired boy.
The boy followed his gaze and answered without hesitation: "That's Mizuki, you idiot."
Mizuki?That Mizuki?
Fenghuo's brain jolted.
Mizuki—Naruto's first traitor villain! The guy who tricked Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals, only to get flattened by a thousand shadow clones and end up in prison with a bruised ego and an even more bruised rear end.
And here he was. Six years old and already giving off vibes.
"I've been your classmate for a whole year and you didn't even remember my name?! The Uchiha really are arrogant!" the deskmate snapped.
Fenghuo winced. "Ah, sorry about that… uh, what was your name again?"
"...You don't need to know, idiot."
Fenghuo shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't come asking me to write you into my isekai script."
Still, Mizuki? Interesting…
Just then, the classroom door slid open with a soft shhhh, and Makoto Kiyono strode in.
All at once, the room fell silent.
"Alright, everyone. Welcome to the first day of the new school term!"
Kiyono stood at the front like a man possessed by the spirit of a motivational speaker. His voice boomed with enthusiasm, his hands gesturing dramatically like some ancient war general rallying troops—or Ma Yun addressing investors.
He ended his speech, naturally, with a passionate retelling of the Will of Fire.
Clap clap clap!
(No, Mizuki didn't rush forward to slap him—tempting though it was.)
The applause came from a few teary-eyed kids who were genuinely moved. Kiyono was clearly pleased.
"Ahem. Just two months ago, Hatake Kakashi passed the graduation exam," he continued, puffing up with pride, "and became the youngest graduate in Ninja Academy history!"
Clap clap!
That came from Rin—clearly Kakashi's #1 fan.
Obito visibly deflated. Above his head, Fenghuo swore he could almost see grass sprouting.
It reminded him of a song lyric from his old world:
"I'm in love with a wild horse... with a prairie on my head."
Kiyono kept praising Kakashi, urging students to follow his example and strive for "well-rounded development in morality, intelligence, physical ability, arts, and labor"—a speech that felt more like a school brochure than real motivation.
Fenghuo sat there, feeling the full weight of Kakashi's brilliance bearing down on the classroom.
The worst part?
People still remembered that time last semester when Fenghuo challenged Kakashi to a spar and got knocked out cold before he could even throw a punch.
'Ah... to be looked down on while sitting down. What a talent,' he sighed internally.
"And now," Kiyono suddenly said, eyes locking onto him, "I'd like to name and criticize a certain student—Uchiha Fenghuo!"
As one, the class turned to stare at him.
Fenghuo froze.
"…Here we go again."