"Ah, it's Zaimoku and his gang."
Three boys stood at the head of a group blocking Naruto's path. One of them, shorter than Naruto himself, shoved him roughly.
"Demon, I heard your dream is to become Hokage?"
Shikamaru and Choji had managed to squeeze into the crowd just in time to hear the question. They expected Naruto to fight back—to loudly declare that he was the man who would become Hokage.
Yet… Naruto remained strangely silent.
Sunlight streamed through the gates of the Ninja Academy, casting a sharp line of light and shadow across his feet.
Bathed in sunlight, his blond hair seemed to lose its usual luster. But he neither flinched nor looked away. His gaze locked firmly onto the boy in front of him.
The childishness in his face had fallen away, crushed under an unfamiliar indifference.
It was as if he had become a different person altogether. Everything of the past had turned to ash, blown clean away by the summer breeze.
"Your eyes are disgusting. Keep staring and I'll beat you up!"
[System loading: 99%]
Another boy stepped forward and shoved Naruto, forcing him back a few steps.
The onlookers only whispered and laughed, treating it as something normal. None of them had any intention of intervening.
"Damn it, those little clan brats are going too far!" Choji was about to rush in, but Shikamaru sighed, muttering, "What a drag," and started walking lazily toward Naruto.
[System loading: 100%]
[Option 1: Knock down the three in front of you and loudly declare your dream to become an even stronger Hokage than the Fourth! Reward: Clone, Substitution, and Transformation Techniques (Mastery).][Option 2: Deny the dream of becoming Hokage and disengage. Reward: Eliminate the side effects of chakra disruption within your body.]
Naruto glanced at the panel. No one else seemed to notice it, so he concluded only he could see it. Relieved, he focused on the choices.
Mastery of the three basic techniques was the key requirement for graduating the Academy. With it, passing would be certain. But because of the Nine-Tails' chakra, his own chakra flow was unstable—he could barely perform ninjutsu.
One choice was the shortcut, solving graduation immediately. The other addressed the root of his problem, stabilizing his chakra flow. Even if he still had to practice the basics afterward, it would be worth it.
"That… Naruto-kun, he…" A timid voice suddenly sounded.
Hinata had appeared from somewhere, speaking softly.
"Huh? What are you mumbling? I can't hear you!"
The tall boy, Zaimoku, ignored her completely, his eyes fixed only on Naruto.
"Na–Naruto-kun didn't do anything wrong…" Hinata stammered, gathering all her courage.
"You're disgusting, talking nonsense."
Zaimoku dismissed her with crude disdain, not interested in anyone else's words.
"I don't want to be Hokage. I'm not as childish as you. Isn't that your pathetic little dream?" Naruto said flatly. "Pretty sad, honestly."
"With the strength you have now, you probably won't even make it as shinobi."
He suddenly shoved Zaimoku back, his words sharp and merciless.
"Become Hokage? You? Or anyone from your clan? Don't make me laugh."
"You—wha… what are you saying?" Zaimoku stammered, taking a step back, startled.
Naruto's gaze was razor-sharp, locked on him.
"People change, Zaimoku."
"Go home and ask your father if he believes I could burn your house down tomorrow and get away with it."
"Use that muscle-bound brain of yours. Think about what you should and shouldn't do."
"Pah!" Naruto spat in his face, then walked away, his expression dark.
Cutting class wasn't new to him, but today he did it openly.
Zaimoku froze, shaken by the menace in Naruto's voice. He couldn't utter a word.
"You're lying! We're not like that!" the others shouted in anger, their shame exposed by Naruto's words.
The boys who dreamed of becoming Hokage were insecure, sensitive. Having their dreams dragged into the light left them fuming and humiliated.
[Reward Granted.]
A mechanical voice rang in Naruto's mind. His body was suddenly filled with a cool sensation, like drinking iced water on a scorching day.
He could feel it—the flow of chakra inside him. Where once there had been only chaos, now it was alive, vibrant, like spring water brought to a boil. Every cell in his body was being nourished by it.
Naruto let out a gasp. Refreshing!
"Shikamaru, did my ears go bad just now?" Choji tugged on his sleeve, staring at Naruto's back. "Did he just say he doesn't want to be Hokage anymore?"
"Wasn't that always his dream? Why would he suddenly…"
"Who knows?" Shikamaru's dead-fish eyes shifted lazily. "That guy was scary just now. And anyway, what's so great about being Hokage?"
"Busy all the time, no chance to just laze around."
"Forget it. Naruto's already gone," Choji said. "If Iruka-sensei catches him skipping class, he's done for!"
Hinata stood at the edge of the crowd, her face conflicted as she watched Naruto leave.
Class was about to start, but she was afraid something might happen to him.
Naruto-kun… you must be in so much pain right now.
She clenched her small fists. She wanted to chase after him, but she lacked the courage. All the bravery she'd had was spent trying to speak up moments ago.
With Naruto gone, the Academy was strangely peaceful. No pranks, no shouting—Iruka vented his frustration when he found out Naruto had skipped class.
By sunset, he still hadn't found him on the Hokage Rock. The rowdiest student in class had vanished like thin air.
Just as Iruka grew anxious, a soft voice called out.
"Iruka-sensei?"
"Hm? Hinata? What are you doing here?" Iruka turned, momentarily surprised.
The girl stood timidly in the orange glow of sunset, head bowed, cheeks flushed red as though caught in the act of some mischief.
"I… I'm looking for Naruto-kun," she whispered, voice barely audible. "He hasn't come to class all day… I'm worried…"
Seeing her face redden further, Iruka smiled kindly.
"Little Hinata, you're worried about Naruto too, aren't you?"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to find him. But it's late now—you should head home before Hiashi-sama gets concerned."
"N–No!" Hinata suddenly raised her voice, summoning rare courage. "Iruka-sensei, I… I want to help you look for Naruto-kun too!"
Iruka blinked, touched by her determination. After a moment, he nodded.
"All right. But only for half an hour. If we don't find him by then, you promise me you'll go home."
"Y-Yes! Thank you, Iruka-sensei!" Hinata said, eyes shining.
…
"Huh? You're looking for me?"
Naruto lifted his head, surprised to see the two of them. His gaze lingered on Hinata.
"Hinata, you too?"
"I… I…" Hinata lowered her head, unable to answer.
"It was me who asked Hinata to help," Iruka explained gently. "I figured she might know where to find you."
"I see." Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. "So, Iruka-sensei, you're here about me skipping class, huh?"