The Ninja Academy had been established by the Second Hokage. After decades of development, it had formed a complete system for cultivating shinobi.
The reason Konoha could fight multiple great ninja villages during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars and still emerge victorious—
Aside from being backed by the Land of Fire, the most resource-rich and powerful nation—
The most crucial factor was this highly refined Ninja Academy system.
For new students, the curriculum focused mainly on theory:
The concept of Chakra, its extraction, and basic usage.
As well as introductions to ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
Among these, reconnaissance and concealment were of utmost importance.
After all, shinobi were closer to assassins than warriors.
As for those later god-like battles, where people clashed head-on—
Well… once you're that strong, you just charge straight in.
For most people, becoming an outstanding Jonin was already an unattainable dream.
Yoru stared blankly at the sunny blond boy who was answering Nakamura Hino's questions flawlessly.
Namizake Minato.
The Fourth Hokage of Konoha.
Even in the later stages of the Naruto world, where power scaling spiraled out of control, he still stood out as a peerless genius.
His terrifying talent in space-time ninjutsu allowed him to rise to fame in the Third Great Ninja War.
The name "Yellow Flash" resounded throughout the entire ninja world!
"So I'm in the same generation as Namizake Minato… Then this must be…"
Yoru's pupils shrank.
"Konoha Year 28!"
The age for entering and graduating from the Ninja Academy wasn't fixed.
At this time—before the Second Great Ninja War began—students enrolled at six years old. This was the safest and most suitable age to begin extracting Chakra.
Starting too early would overdraw one's potential.
Take Hatake Kakashi in the original story:
Graduated at five, became a Chunin at six, and a Jonin at twelve.
What a terrifying genius!
Yet even someone like him ended up with relatively low Chakra reserves later on.
Part of it was due to the heavy burden of the Sharingan.
But more importantly—
He had begun extracting Chakra too early, exhausting his potential ahead of time.
However, during wartime, what was needed was immediate combat power—not long-term potential.
Even if it meant ruining future prodigies, it was considered acceptable.
Under normal circumstances, the graduation age was ten.
Four years at the Academy.
Those with sufficient talent would naturally become Genin.
The rest—
Would be eliminated.
Resources were limited.
If you failed to demonstrate talent, you would simply be discarded.
"Alright, that concludes the morning lesson. If you have any questions, you can ask Minato," Nakamura Hino said, looking at Minato with clear admiration.
As soon as class ended, the atmosphere instantly became lively again.
"Hey, Hoshino-kun, want to have lunch together?"
"I brought a bento! Want to eat with me?"
"Get lost, you ugly hag!"
"What did you say, you bitch?!"
In an instant, Yoru found himself surrounded by a group of love-struck girls.
They were all competing fiercely for the right to have lunch with him—escalating from arguments to outright personal attacks. Some girls who usually looked quiet had even rolled up their sleeves, ready to fight!
Just as Yoru was about to lose himself in the overwhelming enthusiasm of these adorable anime-style girls—
A hand suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him away.
"Eh! Where did Hoshino-kun go?!"
"Wasn't that Minato?!"
"Why did Minato pull Hoshino away?!"
"Could it be—?!" One girl's eyes sparkled with wild imagination.
Yoru was dragged all the way to the forest behind the Academy before they finally stopped.
"Tough situation, huh, Hoshino-kun?"
Looking at that bright, sunny face, Yoru had the sudden urge to punch him.
Hey! Those were enthusiastic anime girls! I was just enjoying VIP treatment!
"Ah, yeah… a bit troublesome," Yoru replied with a smile that didn't match his thoughts. "Thanks a lot."
…Why does it suddenly feel a little cold?
Minato shivered slightly.
"No problem, Hoshino-kun…"
"Just call me Yoru," he corrected.
"Oh, alright, Yoru… they're just a bit too enthusiastic, haha—"
Minato paused slightly, as if recalling some unpleasant experience.
"Nice to meet you, Yoru. I'm Namizake Minato," he said, extending his hand with a bright smile.
"Just Yoru," Yoru corrected again, shaking his hand.
At that moment—
Something in the ninja world quietly shifted.
Two figures who would one day shine across the entire world had just met for the first time.
"Um… Hoshino-kun, Minato-kun…"
A gentle voice suddenly interrupted their exchange.
(What friendship? Yoru silently complained.)
Both of them turned to look.
Uchiha Mikoto walked toward them, holding a bento box.
"Hoshino-kun, I brought an extra lunch. Would you like to eat together?"
During class, she had noticed that Yoru hadn't brought any food. Kind-hearted as she was, she had come looking for him.
"What a kind person…"
Yoru looked into her gentle eyes, a trace of helplessness appearing in his own.
Is it because she thinks I'm an orphan? He was almost certain.
"That really helps a lot, Mikoto."
"Eh?!"
He just called her by name?!
"You call me Yoru, I call you Mikoto. Isn't that fine?" Yoru said, a hint of sadness appearing in his expression.
"Ah—of course! Yoru!"
Her face flushed slightly as she nodded quickly.