At the Ninja Academy, inside Class A of the first-year students, countless little brats had already gathered.
Elementary schoolers had their own kind of social hierarchy.
Even though it was only their first meeting, the class had already vaguely split into two major factions: the girls' faction led by Inuzuka Nami, and the boys' faction, who had been collectively ostracized by the girls.
(First-Year Class A boys: Are we really that lacking in status?!)
The two camps sat clearly separated from each other, leaving the boys utterly speechless.
Still—
Uchiha Sasuke: "Good. No one sitting beside me means I can focus better on studying." (Top student)
Akimichi Chōji: "Awesome. Now I won't have to share my food with them." (Food addict)
Nara Shikamaru: "Great. No girls nearby means at least half the trouble is gone." (Smart guy)
Aburame Shino: "Doesn't matter. No matter who I sit next to, nobody notices my existence anyway." (Mysterious type)
Inuzuka Kiba: "Damn you, Inuzuka Nami! You beat me again! I'll prove to everyone that the next Inuzuka Wolf Ruler will definitely be me!" (Power usurper)
Naruto, meanwhile, wasn't thinking about any of that. He was still rubbing the huge lump on his head.
Mom hit way too hard. Why hasn't the swelling gone down even after almost an hour?!
...
Inside the Ninja Academy teachers' office, the academy's talented young teacher — Iruka Umino —was desperately psyching himself up.
Logically speaking, Iruka already had several years of teaching experience and shouldn't have been this nervous.
But that depended on who he was teaching.
Class A included: the Hokage's son, the Uchiha clan head's son, the Hyūga clan head's daughter, the Nara clan head's son, the Yamanaka clan head's daughter, the Akimichi clan head's son, and the Inuzuka clan head's daughter.
So many heirs of major ninja clans...
If anything went wrong, who could possibly take responsibility for it?
(Aburame Shibi: "So if you're not the clan head, you don't even deserve to be named?")
Still, Iruka was confident.
Even though many teachers had been too afraid to take this class, he believed difficulties were opportunities.
As long as he seized this chance and faced the challenge head-on, his future at the Ninja Academy would be incredibly bright.
Thinking that,
Iruka walked to the door of Class A and repeatedly took deep breaths.
"Come on, Iruka. You can do this."
"Even if these are the most unruly kids imaginable, even if they're complete troublemakers, you can still teach them properly. You've got this, Iruka!"
With all his strength, Iruka shoved the classroom door open.
"Everyone, stop talking! Quiet down!"
The moment he finished speaking, he realized all thirty-something students were staring at him strangely.
How embarrassing.
What do you do when you socially die in front of the entire class on your very first day as a teacher? Urgent.
Iruka could only pretend everything was fine as he walked straight to the podium.
"Hello everyone. I'm Iruka Umino. Unless something unexpected happens, I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next six years. If you encounter any problems during your studies, or if there's anything bothering you in school life, you can come to me. I'll help you solve it."
Silence filled the room.
Even more awkward now.
But thankfully—he still had his trump card.
What could Konoha children never resist?
Of course: ninja games.
"Tomorrow, we'll hold a placement test. The format will be one-on-one ninja battles. Winners advance, losers are eliminated, and the final victor will become the class representative of First-Year Class A. What do you all think?"
Battles. Advancement. Elimination. Class representative.
There was no way these kids could stay indifferent after hearing that.
And just as Iruka expected, the atmosphere in the classroom immediately changed.
Several classic reactions emerged.
Inuzuka Nami, Inuzuka Kiba, and Naruto all had stars in their eyes.
If training wasn't for fighting, then what was even the point?
Absolute battle junkies.
Uchiha Sasuke: "The class representative position will definitely be mine. The final winner will also be me. Glory belongs to the Uchiha!"
Aburame Shino: "If I become class representative... maybe everyone will stop ignoring me."
These two belonged to the power-struggle faction aiming for the top.
Nara Shikamaru: "What a drag. Being class representative sounds even more troublesome than usual. But I can't rank too low either, or Mom'll lecture me again. That's the biggest hassle. As long as I get a decent placement, it should be fine, right?"
This was the standard lazy faction.
Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura were also sparkling with excitement.
Awesome!
They'd get to see Boss Nami show off again!
These two belonged to the Inuzuka Nami fangirl faction.
After Iruka proposed the tournament,
the classroom atmosphere visibly became livelier.
Once everyone quickly finished their self-introductions,
they immediately began sneaking glances at one another,
wondering who their opponent tomorrow would be.
Iruka was extremely satisfied by the sight.
See? They're just kids. What's so hard about managing them?
Too easy.
Completely under control.
"Alright, it's lunchtime now. Go find somewhere to eat. Remember, no leaving school grounds without permission. And don't forget class starts again at two in the afternoon."
The moment Iruka finished speaking, the children exploded out of the classroom.
Class was over.
Who would stay inside?
...
Outside the classroom area, there happened to be a large patch of shade.
Perfect for a picnic.
The girls had already spread out picnic cloths and were preparing to enjoy lunch.
The boys' side, meanwhile, was much simpler.
Sit on the ground and it became a dining table.
Lie on the ground and it became a bed.
"Feast your eyes. This is a treasure of the Akimichi clan!"
At that moment, Akimichi Chōji finally used the sealing scroll he'd been clutching tightly ever since arriving at school.
"Release!"
An endless rain of potato chips poured out of the scroll.
A mountain of chips appeared instantly.
"WHOA! Chōji, you're amazing!"
"Chōji rules!"
Naruto and Kiba immediately started hyping things up.
Before long, the boys' side was filled with nonstop cheers of:
"CHŌJI RULES!"
Naturally, Chōji was loving every second of it.
Dad, your method works way too well.
I should use it a few more times later.
(Akimichi Chōza: "You wasteful brat, what nonsense are you saying? I no longer have a son. Goodbye forever.")
"Hahaha, it's nothing, really. Everyone, dig in! These are the best potato chips around! I swear it on the honor of the Akimichi clan!"
"WOO! Chōji!"
"Chōji!"
Uchiha Sasuke wore a cold expression.
"Hmph. I'd never do something so childish."
Crunch. Crunch.
But the potato chips in his hand completely betrayed him. He'd clearly been one of the people cheering earlier too.
Naruto held a bag of chips and looked toward Hinata, who had no food in front of her at all.
His brows furrowed.
Did that little girl get bullied again? She doesn't even have lunch?
"Chōji, give me a few extra bags. I'll pay you back tomorrow."
"Oh, sure. Here you go. But if you say you'll repay me, make sure you really do."
If you borrowed money from the Akimichi clan and didn't repay it, they probably wouldn't say much.
But if you borrowed food from the Akimichi clan and failed to return it—the Akimichi clan would chase you to the ends of the earth.