At this moment, a commotion broke out as Tsunade slowly appeared on the high platform. Today, she was rarely seen wearing her Hokage hat and her Hokage cloak.
With her appearance, the field instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at her, especially the girls, whose eyes were practically shining.
To be able to become the Hokage as a woman, she was simply their idol.
Tsunade looked at the children below the stage, her tone a bit less sharp than usual and a bit more gentle.
"Today, you step into this school not to become the strongest Ninja, but to learn to protect.
To protect your comrades, your family, and the land of Konoha where you were raised.
The path of a Ninja is never easy, but as long as your convictions do not waver, Konoha will always be your backbone. I look forward to you all becoming the new light of Konoha."
After speaking, Tsunade turned and left without waiting for the children's reaction.
Aoki Yoru glanced at Tsunade's back in surprise; her style was completely different from that of the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage would lecture for two or three hours like he was reciting scriptures, not caring whether the children below understood or not.
Back then, the first-year children were made so drowsy that some even lay directly on the ground and fell asleep.
Aoki Yoru was the same back then, but he forced himself to listen to the end. No matter what, he had to let the Hokage know he possessed the will of fire, just in case it might be useful.
With the departure of the Fifth Hokage, the students were also required to return to their classrooms for formal lessons. Aoki Yoru waved goodbye to his two teammates.
After leaving the Ninja Academy, Aoki Yoru walked straight toward the commercial street.
He hadn't eaten Ichiraku Ramen in a long time and missed it a little.
Ninja Academy Faculty Office
"I'm sorry, Iruka-sensei, for causing you so much trouble."
Aoki Yoru bowed slightly to Iruka and said sincerely, "I will educate her properly when we get back."
Aoki Yoru didn't expect to be called in as a parent after only one week of enrollment, and Nao's homeroom teacher turned out to be Iruka.
Iruka rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Nao is actually a good child. She usually listens quietly in class, but she really doesn't know how to hold back when she fights. She beat several upperclassmen until they were crawling on the ground looking for their teeth."
Standing to the side, covered in bruises, Nao stiffened her neck and said defiantly:
"They were the ones who mocked my hair first. Then they lost to me in the practical combat class, and after class, they actually ganged up on me. After I taught them a lesson, they went to get upperclassmen to help. They have no sense of martial honor at all."
"But weren't you a bit too heavy-handed?"
"Hmph! They were bullying the younger ones. A group of upperclassmen surrounded me to fight, and they have the nerve to complain after losing? They're a disgrace to Ninjas!"
Looking at Iruka, who was left speechless by the retort, Aoki Yoru helplessly massaged his forehead and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Iruka-sensei. I'll discipline this child properly when we get back. I've caused you trouble this time."
After speaking, he and Nao said their goodbyes and walked out the door.
"Brother Yoru, did I cause you trouble?" Nao asked in a low voice.
Aoki Yoru rubbed her hair and said with a smile, "No, Nao did nothing wrong. They were the ones who picked the fight, so it was right for Nao to fight back."
"You must remember, as long as we are not in the wrong, feel free to act. Brother Yoru will back you up, but just don't be too heavy-handed!"
Aoki Yoru knew the nature of Konoha's children very well; if you showed weakness or backed down, they would only bully you even more.
Just like Hinata in the original story; as the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan's main house, she was actually bullied by a few civilian children.
Look at her when she grew up; those kids wouldn't dare bully her then. They couldn't even see Hinata's back; they weren't even in the same class anymore.
Upon hearing Aoki Yoru's words, Nao's originally dejected expression vanished, instantly replaced by one of pleasant surprise. "Don't worry, I will definitely beat up anyone who dares to make fun of me."
Seeing that she had completely missed the point, Aoki Yoru smiled helplessly and took her hand. "Let's go, I'll take you to the hospital to have a look. We can't leave any hidden injuries."
"No need, Brother Yoru. These minor injuries will heal quickly."
"It's better to have them treated. Otherwise, it doesn't look good to always be walking around with a face full of bruises."
Swoosh—
A figure appeared beside them, kneeling on the ground. "Chief Aoki, the Fifth Hokage-sama requests your presence."
Aoki Yoru was stunned for a moment. Why was Tsunade looking for him?
There shouldn't be any major issues during this period. It couldn't possibly be because of Nao's fight, could it?
If that were the case, she would be far too idle.
"Nao, let's go. I'll find the Ninja World's strongest Medical Ninja to treat you."
Bang—
The door to the Hokage Office was pushed open forcefully by Aoki Yoru.
Tsunade, who was buried under a pile of paperwork, looked up at the two people walking in, a look of surprise appearing on her face.
"What happened to little Nao? Her face is covered in bruises."
"She got into a fight at school, so I brought her over to have you treat her. She can't keep going to class with a face full of injuries."
Hearing that it was caused by a fight, Tsunade was stunned for a moment. She thought of Kushina, who also used to fight with others when she first arrived.
She then asked curiously, "Did you win?"
Nao puffed out her chest and said proudly, "Of course I won! I beat five upperclassmen!"
As she spoke, she held up five fingers, very satisfied with her results.
Tsunade nodded with satisfaction. "That's right. If you're going to fight, you have to win."
"A senior from your clan used to be undefeated in the Ninja Academy as well, eventually ruling the school as the Big Sister Boss."
"Little Nao needs to work hard too, and strive to surpass your senior."
Hearing this, Nao's eyes lit up. Her mind was filled with the majestic image of herself walking tall in the Ninja Academy like her senior, with everyone bowing and scraping when they saw her. She even began to drool.
Aoki Yoru looked at Tsunade speechlessly. "As the Hokage, is it really okay for you to teach a child like this?"
Tsunade stood up, walked over to Nao, and placed her palm over the girl's small face. The bruises quickly faded, and before long, the injuries on her body had vanished.
She then looked at Aoki Yoru. "There's nothing wrong with it. In the world of Ninjas, might makes right."
"Since the time of my Second Granduncle, why hasn't fighting been banned among Ninja Academy students? It's to train them. Otherwise, they'd lose their spirit, and then what would they do on the battlefield?"
"Alright, little Nao, you go out and play. I have something to discuss with your Brother Yoru."
Nao nodded, waved goodbye to them, and ran out.
Aoki Yoru looked at Tsunade and asked doubtfully, "Did you call me here for something?"
"Do you know about the Festival of Fire?"
"The Festival of Fire?"
Aoki Yoru looked at Tsunade in confusion. What kind of festival was that? He had never heard of it.
Tsunade looked at his confused expression and folded her arms across her chest, making her already impressive bust even more prominent, as she explained:
"The 'Festival of Fire' is a tradition since the founding of Konoha. Every Hokage must hold it after taking office to pray for Konoha's well-being and prosperity."
"It was proposed by my grandfather, the First Hokage. It was held from the First Generation to the Third, but unfortunately, Minato encountered the Nine-Tails Incident and didn't have time to hold it."
"To this day, it has only been held three times."