Naruto skidded to a stop outside the Academy.
The building stood exactly the same as yesterday.
But today felt different.
He grinned.
Because today—
He was a ninja.
Naruto shoved the classroom door open.
"I'M HERE!"
Everyone jumped.
Iruka sighed immediately.
"NARUTO."
Naruto froze.
"...Oh."
He had forgotten Iruka was still there.
Most of the class had already gathered.
Sakura sat near the front.
Sasuke leaned against the window, looking bored.
Naruto marched confidently inside.
Then—
*Ping*
[Daily Mission] requirements met, rewards being distributed. Would you like to Inspect? Y/N
Pausing in front of his classmates, Naruto mumbled a "Yes."
Although his eyes were focused on the notifications in front of him, bystanders would notice his gaze most closely landed on a brooding boy in blue.
*Ping*
New Enemy Registered.
Name: Sasuke Uchiha
Threat Level: Rival
Naruto blinked.
"...Enemy?"
He stared across the room.
Sasuke glanced back at him.
Their eyes met.
A silent spark of rivalry ignited.
Naruto grinned.
"Heh."
Makes sense.
He mentally selected the notification.
Enemy Index Entry Locked
Defeat condition required.
Rewards upon first victory.
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Oh ho."
He rubbed his hands together.
"You're so dead, Sasuke."
Across the room, Sasuke frowned slightly.
"...What?" was spoken under his breath, as well as a haughty grimace
Sakura leaned toward Sasuke.
"Just ignore him, he shouldn't be here anyway."
Naruto plopped into his seat, spouting off boisterous comments about him earning the shining new headband and his attendance today not being a mistake.
Moments later, Iruka clapped his hands.
"Alright everyone, listen up."
The room quieted.
Iruka held a clipboard.
"As you all know, you will now be assigned to three-man teams."
Naruto leaned forward.
Please not Sakura and Sasuke.
Please not Sakura and Sasuke.
Please not—
"Team Seven."
Naruto froze.
Iruka continued.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"Sakura Haruno."
An obnoxious "SHA" was heard throughout the class, causing a certain platinum blonde to cry a bit on the inside
Naruto groaned louder. There goes his shot with Sakura-Chan
"And Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto slammed his fist on the desk.
"Alright! Get ready Sakura-chan, I'll be the best teammate ever, Believe It!"
Sakura slammed her head on the desk.
"Why me?"
Naruto sweatdropped slightly, only mildly affected by the lack of enthusiasm.
Iruka ignored them.
"Your jonin instructor will arrive shortly."
He glanced at the clock.
"...Hopefully."
Time passed.
Ten minutes.
Thirty minutes.
An hour.
Naruto's eye twitched.
He mentally opened his system again.
Naruto looked around.
"Hey…"
Nobody had shown up yet.
He grinned mischievously.
Naruto made his way to the classroom door, picking up a chalkboard eraser on the way.
He grinned.
Another thirty minutes passed.
The door finally slid open.
Thunk.
A small cloud of chalk dust exploded as the eraser bounced off the silver-haired jonin's head.
Team Seven froze in their seats
Their chronically late teacher stood in the doorway, slowly brushing chalk from his hair.
The Shinobi Codex chimed softly in Naruto's mind.
Skill: Trap Making (LVL3 7/30) has been created
Skill level will reflect due to previous experience related to trap making.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"WAIT… that counted as a trap?!"
He immediately grinned.
"Man… this system is awesome."
The man's forehead protector slanted lazily over one eye.
A black mask covered the lower half of his face.
He looked around slowly.
"My name is Kakashi Hatake."
Instantly, the Shinobi Codex chimed.
New Entity automatically Inspected
Name: Kakashi Hatake
Threat Level: ????
Status: Scan Failed
Reason: Power Gap Too Large
Naruto stared.
"...Too large?"
He looked at Kakashi again.
Then puffed out his chest.
"Heh."
Not for long.
Everyone stared.
The man scratched his head.
"My first impression…"
He paused.
"You all seem pretty annoying."
Naruto exploded out of his chair.
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S TWO HOURS LATE!"
The man blinked lazily. Slowly he looked down at his wrist
"Actually, I think it's more like an hour and a half."
The remaining members of Team Seven sweatdropped, while Naruto clasped his fist. Something about scarecrows getting their eyes pecked out was cut off with Kakashi's clearing of his throat.
He pointed at Naruto.
"I don't like loud ones."
Naruto pointed back.
"I don't like late ones!"
Kakashi tilted his head.
"Anyway."
He gestured toward the door.
"Meet me on the roof."
Naruto marched proudly toward the rooftop.
Behind him, Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Something about Naruto felt…
Different today.
Louder
More confident
And somehow-
Even more annoying than usual.