Today was the opening day of the Ninja Academy—and also Naruto's very first day.
He had prepared early, arriving at the Academy with barely contained excitement. Under the guidance of a Genin, he completed the enrollment procedures by himself.
At the entrance ceremony, the Third Hokage personally attended and delivered a passionate speech to the new students, giving them a profound lesson on the Will of Fire.
Even though Naruto had heard these words countless times, every time Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke of the Will of Fire, his blood seemed to heat up—as if he had been injected with a stimulant.
That day, Naruto met many people.
The handsome and arrogant prodigy of the Uchiha Clan.The lively pink-haired girl and the blonde girl who constantly bickered with her.The seemingly listless boy with a topknot and the chubby foodie always stuck to his side.The sharp-toothed boy with face paint and a wild grin.And the shy girl who blushed whenever she looked at him…
They were different from the people Naruto had grown up around.
None of them deliberately avoided him. None of them whispered "demon fox" behind his back.
More importantly, Naruto didn't feel that familiar sense of disgust from them. Their families hadn't warned them to stay away from him. Some even seemed eager to get closer.
Being with them made Naruto genuinely happy.
And because of that—
He missed Yamato even more.
The first class of the semester covered the origin of chakra and methods of refinement.
Naruto didn't listen very carefully.
Yet to his surprise, he remembered everything the instructor taught. When he followed the steps, chakra formed naturally within him—smoothly, effortlessly.
For a brief moment, Naruto thought:
Am I… a genius?
But when he looked around and saw everyone else refining chakra just as easily, he immediately dismissed the thought.
Guess refining chakra isn't that hard.
What Naruto didn't know was that—aside from him—every other student in the classroom had already learned this at home.
"Hiruzen,"
From the shadows, Danzō Shimura observed quietly and asked,
"Did you teach him beforehand?"
"No."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and smiled faintly.
"Naruto is Minato and Kushina's child. Is it really strange for him to show such talent?"
In truth, Hiruzen himself was surprised.
He had always assumed Naruto would resemble Jiraiya—slow to learn, quick to grow.
Yet what Naruto displayed now felt closer to Orochimaru's early brilliance.
"I still believe the Jinchūriki should be handed over to me for training."
Danzō spoke calmly, but his intent was sharp.
"I can turn him into a force that serves the Village in the shortest possible time."
"Impossible."
Hiruzen's smile faded.
"I already have plans for Naruto's training. I don't need your interference."
"Hmph."
Danzō snorted, clearly displeased.
"Hiruzen, you won't be able to cultivate another Minato Namikaze. And Konoha doesn't have that much time. Handing the Jinchūriki over to me is the most rational choice—"
"Danzō, shut up."
Hiruzen cut him off coldly.
He stared straight at Danzō, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"I'll say this once more. Naruto will not be given to you. And you are forbidden from coveting him again."
"You…"
Danzō's face darkened.
"You will regret this."
"I am the Hokage."
That familiar sentence struck like a blade.
Danzō turned and left without another word.
Hiruzen's stance was unmistakable: not only would Naruto never be handed over, Danzō was now effectively barred from even touching him.
That fact gnawed at Danzō's heart.
Especially those four words—
I am the Hokage.
For the first time, a thought surfaced clearly in his mind:
Why don't you just die?
And once the thought appeared, it refused to leave.
Perhaps… I should try.
If the Hokage were to die, would he finally have a chance to sit in that seat?
Even if he didn't become Hokage, he would certainly gain something.
No matter how he considered it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's death would benefit him—with no downside.
The more Danzō thought about it, the more convinced he became.
What if it succeeds?
Upon returning to Root, Danzō immediately summoned a subordinate—a young man with dull, lifeless eyes.
"Yamato," Danzō said calmly, "I have a mission for you."
This man was the sole survivor of countless human experiments conducted by Danzō and Orochimaru using Senju Hashirama's cells—the only one to successfully awaken Wood Release.
Originally, Danzō had valued him greatly.
But as Yamato grew older and his abilities became known, Hiruzen had repeatedly tried to take him away from Root.
Danzō had always refused.
Now, however, he decided to send Yamato over himself.
"Perhaps," Danzō thought, "Hiruzen will accept this gift."
"Yes, Lord Danzō."
Yamato bowed stiffly.
"Please give your orders."
"I want you," Danzō said flatly, "to assassinate the Hokage."
"…Assassinate the Hokage?"
Shock flashed across Yamato's face.
Me?
"That's right."
Danzō nodded calmly.
"Do you have an objection?"
"…This subordinate would not dare."
Yamato lowered his head immediately, hiding the emotions in his eyes.
Danzō stared at him for a moment longer.
"Go. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes."
Yamato turned and left.
Only after stepping out of Root did his expression finally crack. Cold sweat slid down his face.
Assassinate the Hokage?
For a moment, he had almost asked if Danzō had misspoken—if the target was actually a Kage from another village.
Sending him to kill the Hokage of Konoha…
Was this not a death sentence?
"…Sigh."
Yamato exhaled slowly, forcing himself to accept reality.
Even if Danzō truly intended to send him to his death, he had no right to refuse.
That was the fate of a Root ninja.
That afternoon, when classes ended—
Naruto walked out of the Ninja Academy with his classmates.
He watched as each of them was greeted by family—parents, siblings, smiles.
And once again, he stood alone.
For a brief moment, loneliness tugged at his heart.
But only for a moment.
Because Naruto knew—
In another world, someone was waiting for him.
"…Damn it."
Naruto clenched his fists.
"Why do seven days have to be so long?"