NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Familiar Faces
Chapter
10: Familiar Faces
But Menma still looked the same.
After nearly six years of enduring the stares and whispers of the villagers, he
had long grown accustomed to their hostility and rejection. He wasn't like
Naruto in the original story, seeking the approval of the people of Konohagakure.
Menma was focused on survival and avenging his enemies. As for the opinions of
others? They didn't matter to him.
On the contrary, Iruka, who walked
beside him, appeared calm but was actually worried and nervous. He feared that
the hostile glances from the villagers might irritate Menma. However, when he
saw Menma's composed demeanor, Iruka felt relieved. After all, the emotions of
a tailed beast Jinchūriki had to be kept as stable as possible. Losing control
could lead to the tailed beast running amok, and there had been several vivid
examples in the ninja world over the past few decades.
Walking straight through the avenue,
they soon arrived at the entrance of the Ninja Academy. Outside, there was
already a long queue of children waiting to register. Most of them were from
civilian families, as those from ninja clans had already refined chakra and
could become ninjas without needing to take the admission test. However,
civilian children, unless their parents were also ninjas, needed to go through
the initial screening process at the academy. Only after confirming that they
had the qualifications to become ninjas could they enter the academy to study.
Menma didn't need this procedure.
Under Iruka's guidance, they went directly through the main gate and entered
the largest office building at the innermost part of the academy. After
completing the relevant admission procedures, Iruka took Menma to the classroom
he was in charge of.
"Menma, starting today you are
an official student of the Ninja Academy. Remember to study hard and get along
well with your classmates," Iruka said gently, squatting down and touching
Menma's head.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei, I will.
Don't worry!" Menma nodded, responding obediently. Unlike Naruto in the
original story, Menma didn't seek everyone's approval, but he wouldn't be
indifferent to those who were kind to him.
Iruka had made a good impression on
Menma, not only because of the original story but also because of their
personal interaction.
"Well, very good. Let's go
in," Iruka smiled and nodded. He then opened the classroom door and walked
in with Menma.
The noisy classroom atmosphere
barely changed with their arrival. It only attracted the attention of some
children in the front row, while most were still focused on their own
activities.
"Go ahead," Iruka patted
Menma's shoulder gently. Menma nodded and calmly walked towards the innermost
and last row. Even though these kids were different from their parents and
showed no malice, they found Menma's red hair quite noticeable and were
curious.
Menma didn't intend to interact much
with these kids. They were just passers-by in his life. Only those who played
significant roles in the original story caught his attention, like Nara
Shikamaru, Aburame Shino, Haruno Sakura, and Yamanaka Ino.
Of course, the ones who attracted
Menma's attention the most were two others. One was Hinata Hyuga, sitting
quietly in a corner, pure and flawless. The other was Sasuke Uchiha, still in
his cocky and cool stage, surrounded by a group of little girls.
No matter how much he cared, Menma
wouldn't show it on the surface. After a few glances, Menma went to his seat,
sat down, and quietly looked at the scenery outside the window.
"Ahem..." Iruka walked to
the podium and coughed lightly, preparing to speak. Suddenly, the door was
pushed open again.
A golden figure stepped in. This
time was different from the arrival of Iruka and Menma. The moment this golden
figure entered the classroom, it instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Those who hadn't noticed before focused on the door, reacting to the special
expressions of their classmates.
When they saw the person entering,
they were surprised and excited.
"Oh!? It's Naruto sama !"
"Wow, Naruto sama will be in the
same class with us!?" "This is too exciting!" "I can't
believe I'll be in the same class as the son of the Fourth Hokage. I have to
tell my parents!" "Naruto sama !" "Naruto sama !"
Especially those from civilian
origins couldn't hide their excitement. Even Iruka was slightly stunned. Menma,
in the corner, was also taken aback.
'Naruto?'
Although he had anticipated it,
seeing Naruto in the same class still caused a ripple in Menma's heart.
Shikamaru, Shino, Kiba, and others also looked at Naruto with different
expressions. Hinata, naturally, had her eyes only on Naruto.
Even the proud Uchiha Sasuke looked
at Naruto, albeit briefly. He could ignore everyone else, but Naruto was the
son of the Fourth Hokage, the recognized "prince" of the village.
Even Sasuke had to acknowledge him.
"Ah, Mr. Iruka, Naruto sama will be studying in your class from now on.
Please take care of him," said a young Konoha ninja, clearly one of
Naruto's guards.
"Iruka sensei , please guide me
well," Naruto bowed politely to Iruka. Although his personality was no
different from the original, his treatment and situation since childhood led to
different behaviors.
He was now the son of a hero,
respected by most in the village as "Naruto sama ."
"Oh? It's my honor, Naruto sama
," Iruka bowed slightly, looking at Naruto with a hint of respect.