"What's wrong? Can't I call you that?"
"Then I'll call you Hinata."
Naruto Uzumaki noticed Hinata Hyuga's flushed face and wondered if calling her by her first name was too familiar.
After all, addressing someone directly by their name was usually reserved for friends.
For people like them, who had just met, it was more common to use surnames with honorifics.
But Naruto's carefree personality led him to speak so casually.
"N-no… Can I call you Naruto, too?"
Hinata lowered her head further, clutching the hem of her clothes, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course! From now on, Hinata and I are friends."
"My first friend at the Ninja Academy."
Naruto grinned broadly, thrilled to tell Hinata.
Having just arrived at the Ninja Academy, he already felt like he had made a friend.
To Naruto, this was a source of immense joy.
The two walked into the school together, soon finding their assigned class on the blackboard in the courtyard.
To Naruto's surprise, he and Hinata were in the same class.
…
Inside the Ninja Academy's staff office.
Iruka Umino, known in the original Naruto series as the teacher who guided Naruto's growth, was preparing materials for today's lessons.
He had already memorized the class assignments and student profiles, as was his diligent nature.
But one name lingered in his mind, keeping him awake for the past two nights.
"Iruka-sensei, you look nervous."
"Well, it's his first time as a homeroom teacher, right?"
"Being a homeroom teacher isn't that hard. It's just the disobedient kids that can be tricky."
Other teachers in the office noticed Iruka's serious expression and teased him lightly.
Iruka was still early in his teaching career.
This was his first time independently managing a class, so it was only natural to feel nervous.
"I'm definitely a bit nervous."
"And I'm worried I might not be up to the task."
Iruka forced a smile, rubbing the back of his head.
But the complex emotions in his eyes were caught by one of the other teachers.
This was Mizuki, a fellow teacher and Iruka's childhood friend.
Mizuki slung an arm around Iruka's shoulders and whispered in his ear.
"It's because of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, isn't it?"
"Don't make it so obvious. We're teachers, after all."
Mizuki's seemingly kind smile eased Iruka's heart, but only for a fleeting moment.
Deep down, memories of his childhood and the reason for his parents' deaths resurfaced.
Iruka's parents were ninjas who died trying to stop the Nine-Tails' rampage.
In Iruka's heart, he harbored a deep-seated bias against the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Mizuki's words, meant to comfort, didn't soothe Iruka.
Instead, they stirred the buried grief in his heart.
"Of course, don't worry, Mizuki."
"I'm fine."
Iruka managed a strained smile, patted Mizuki's shoulder, and left the office.
As Iruka walked away, Mizuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had done it on purpose. Like many, he too despised Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
But more than Naruto, Mizuki resented Iruka.
Though they had been close friends since childhood, Mizuki was jealous of the encouragement and support Iruka received from others.
Even the role of homeroom teacher had gone to Iruka, not him.
Mizuki believed he was more talented and capable than the "mediocre" Iruka.
He thought he deserved to join the Ninja Academy faculty sooner, yet Iruka had surpassed him.
That's why he deliberately brought up the Nine-Tails, knowing it would reopen Iruka's old wounds by referencing his parents' deaths.
…
Outside a classroom at the Ninja Academy.
Iruka stood at the door, took a deep breath, and slowly slid it open.
"Everyone, nice to meet you."
"Starting today, I'll be your homeroom teacher, Iruka Umino."
Iruka entered and immediately introduced himself.
He began calling roll, asking each student to come to the front and introduce themselves.
Among them was Sasuke Uchiha, the youngest son of the Uchiha clan leader.
There were also students from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio—representing the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans—as well as members of the Hyuga clan.
Seeing so many heirs of the Hidden Leaf's prominent clans in his class, Iruka felt the weight of responsibility.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
As Iruka called the next name, his smile stiffened.
A boy with golden, tousled hair and bright blue eyes jogged happily to the front.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
"My dream is to become the greatest Hokage and to be friends with everyone."
Naruto's words caused a stir among the students.
Becoming Hokage was no easy feat, and several classmates began to mock him.
Many had been warned by their parents that Naruto was the "demon fox" or a "monster" and to keep their distance.
This was why, later on, only the "Konoha 12" formed any real connection with Naruto at the academy.
"Alright, Naruto, return to your seat."
Iruka looked at Naruto, his tone neutral and detached.
Unlike the warm encouragement he offered other students, his words now carried a hint of coldness.
Even Iruka didn't realize that his eyes betrayed a flicker of instinctive disdain.
Naruto turned, catching Iruka's look of aversion, and instinctively took a step back.
He could sense that this teacher, whom he was meeting for the first time, already disliked him.
Head lowered, Naruto walked back to his seat, a touch of disappointment weighing on him.
Iruka steadied his emotions and began teaching the day's first lesson.
Being a ninja wasn't just about learning chakra control or ninjutsu.
It also involved understanding the ninja world's knowledge and mastering the use of ninja tools.
Early lessons focused heavily on foundational ninja knowledge.
The morning classes passed quickly.
During the lunch break, other students pulled out bento boxes prepared by their parents.
But Naruto's desk remained empty—no bento from parents, no food he had prepared himself.