Light pink petals drifted down from the cherry blossom trees lining both sides of the road, but the beautiful sight failed to attract much attention.
At the gate of the Ninja School, all parents and children focused on a teacher who had just stepped out of the building.
"Everyone, today is the Ninja School entrance examination. Parents of all candidates, please follow me inside."
"We have arranged a designated viewing area for this assessment, and all aspects of the exam will be supervised by you."
"As for the candidates, a teacher will guide them shortly."
"Now, parents who wish to observe the assessment, please follow me!"
The teacher who emerged from the school was a young man in his twenties, wearing a standard green vest—a clear sign that he was a Chunin. He was not only responsible for overseeing this assessment but was also the instructor assigned to lead the new students. At the Ninja School, appointing a Chunin to teach the incoming class was already considered a significant decision.
After all, the children entering the school were merely six or seven years old—little more than fledglings. Usually, an experienced ninja would be sufficient to instruct children of this age. The fact that a Chunin had been assigned as their teacher showed how much Konoha valued these students.
"Naruto, Mom is going to watch your assessment today, so don't disappoint me!"
"But you have to work hard!"
Kushina, standing a short distance away, glanced at the teacher before crouching beside Naruto. She adjusted his clothes carefully and gave him a few words of encouragement.
"Mom, don't worry! I'll do my best!"
"I won't let you down!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled with determination as he reassured her. Hearing his words, Kushina smiled warmly, patted his shoulder, then straightened up and joined the other parents entering the school.
Not long after, the once-crowded entrance to the Ninja School became clearer. Most parents had come to watch their children perform in the entrance exam, so once they left, the gate suddenly felt much more spacious.
Without their parents by their side, the children quickly became lively. Friends who knew each other started gathering in small groups. After Kushina left, Naruto quickly found his buddies, Choji and Shikamaru. Along with Kiba, who often played with them, the four of them quickly formed their own little team.
Unlike Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke—who hailed from the prestigious Uchiha clan—was cool and introverted. He had no particularly close friends among his peers, so after his father, Fugaku, left, he simply stood in place, quietly watching Naruto in the distance.
Naruto, noticing Sasuke's gaze, clenched his fist and playfully challenged him.
"Tch!" Sasuke scoffed at Naruto's antics, but he didn't take it to heart.
While the children waited outside, a teacher from the Ninja School was secretly observing them from the shadows. What the students didn't realize was that the exam had already begun the moment their parents left!
"Mr. Mizuki, the quality of this year's freshmen is quite high. None of them are crying for their mothers," Iruka remarked cheerfully as he leaned against the window sill of the school's teaching building, watching the children waiting at the gate.
"This year's situation is different from previous years. Hokage-sama has reformed the Ninja School system, shifting toward an elite education model. These children, who eagerly signed up for the assessment, have actually already gone through an initial screening—though we haven't announced it."
"A child selected by the admissions office isn't some clueless kid."
"Many of them are from prominent ninja clans. See that boy with the pineapple-shaped hair? That's the son of Nara Shikaku."
"The chubby one next to him? He's the son of Akimichi Choza, the patriarch of the Akimichi clan."
"And that blond boy over there? He's the son of the Fifth Hokage and the nephew of the Fourth Hokage."
"That handsome black-haired boy standing alone is the son of Uchiha Fugaku, the police force commander. His older brother is Uchiha Itachi, a former disciple of the Fourth Hokage and a well-known genius during his time at the Ninja School."
"This year's students are no ordinary children."
Mizuki leaned against the window, squinting at Iruka before shifting his gaze to the students gathered outside.
"Mizuki, the admissions process at the Ninja School ultimately depends on a child's talent. Their family background isn't the deciding factor," Iruka responded, detecting a hint of resentment in Mizuki's tone.
"We must recognize each child's potential and not let their family ties cloud our judgment!"
Iruka understood Mizuki's frustration. Their backgrounds were similar—both from families of Chunin, without the prestige of the great ninja clans.
However, Iruka maintained a positive outlook. He believed that a ninja's true potential was determined by their own efforts, not by their lineage.
"Hmph, how naïve!" Mizuki sneered before walking out of the office.
Iruka didn't look back at him. Instead, he propped himself on the window sill and jumped down, landing lightly on the ground.
Then, he slowly made his way toward the gate.
"What's taking the teacher so long? I'm starving!" Choji grumbled, rubbing his belly.
"Well, I still have some leftover rice balls. Here, Choji, take these," Shikamaru said, pulling a paper bag from his ninja tool pouch and tossing it over.
Without hesitation, Choji opened the bag and began munching on the rice balls. Meanwhile, Naruto and Kiba glanced around and soon spotted a Chunin walking out of the Ninja School.
"Here he comes! The teacher is here!"
The moment Iruka appeared, the previously quiet campus entrance suddenly became lively.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Iruka clapped his hands, drawing the children's attention. Looking at the young faces before him, he spoke loudly:
"Hello, I am a teacher at the Ninja School, and my name is Iruka."
"I will be overseeing your assessment."
Iruka's face carried a warm smile, and as his voice rang out, the children quickly quieted down, listening attentively.
"The assessment consists of three parts."
"There's no need to be nervous—it's all basic material. I believe many of you have already been exposed to these skills."
"The first test is shuriken throwing. You will be aiming at a ten-ring target, and each of you will have ten attempts."
"A total score of sixty or more will be considered a passing grade."
"Although the requirement isn't high, don't take it lightly. Your results in this assessment will determine your class placement."
"Now, follow me!"
After briefly explaining the assessment, Iruka waved at the children and led them toward the school's training grounds.
"Yoshi! It's finally starting! This time, I have to beat Sasuke!"
Naruto shouted, paying no mind to the looks he received from those around him.
Soon, the children at the gate filed into the Ninja School and gathered in the playground.
(End of this chapter)