"Alright, you brats. Now, who can tell me the powerful technique that made the First Hokage the most powerful in the Shinobi World?"
Hearing the question posed by their homeroom teacher, Iruka Umino, the entire class suddenly fell silent.
Not even the top scorers—Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara, and Sasuke Uchiha—seemed to know the answer, judging by their confused and flustered expressions.
Iruka smirked, pleased with the situation at hand.
"What's the matter, kids? Your graduation exam is just a week away, and you don't even know the answer to this easy question?" Seeing his students avert their gazes, he decided to tease them a little further. "How about this? If anyone can give me the correct answer, they won't have to attend the Academy until graduation! How's that?"
Uproar
The entire classroom erupted into a hustle and bustle, resembling a busy marketplace.
Every student began discussing among themselves, yet no one could find the answer. Even Shikamaru Nara closed his eyes in deep thought, but from the look on his face, it didn't seem to be working.
Iruka remained patient, silently enjoying the spectacle. He knew the question was difficult, as he had only briefly touched upon the topic in the past. There was a slim chance that any of his students still remembered, so he wasn't expecting an answer. That was precisely why he had offered such a reward. With the graduation exam so close, it wouldn't make much of a difference even if someone did manage to answer correctly.
Yet, someone actually did answer!
"It's Wood Release, Sensei."
Almost immediately, every student's gaze snapped toward the voice. The speaker was a boy seated by the window. His messy ash-gray hair partially covered his forehead and half of his face, while his visible violet left eye appeared sharper than before.
The students from famous shinobi lineages barely spared him a glance before looking away, uninterested. However, the commoners—particularly the civilians and orphans—waited impatiently for their sensei's response.
Some, realizing the answer after hearing it, clicked their tongues in frustration or cursed silently for not remembering sooner.
"Tch, what a drag," Shikamaru muttered, his mood souring.
His friends, Ino and Chōji, exchanged amused glances at their friend's tantrum.
At the back, Sakura cursed inwardly, clearly frustrated. She had planned to whisper the answer to Sasuke, get out of attending classes herself, and use the free time to go on a date with him—alone!
My dream, my date, everything is ruined!! Because of that ugly kid... Damn it!
Her irritation only worsened when a loud voice beside her chimed in.
"Ahh, Sensei! It's Wood Release! I finally remember! Hehe, I answered correctly! Can I go now?!"
Naruto jumped onto his desk, grinning wildly.
Sasuke turned his face away, pretending not to know him.
As for Sakura, she snapped. With a full-powered punch, she sent Naruto crashing back into his seat.
"Ahhh!!" Naruto groaned, clutching his stomach in pain.
The classroom erupted into laughter at his antics—except for a cute, silent girl, who instead wore a worried expression.
Iruka deadpanned. He had long since abandoned the idea of making Naruto more serious or disciplined in class.
Then, a voice drew his attention.
"Sensei, can I leave?"
Ah, right.
Glancing at the tall boy, Iruka nodded. "Yes, you can leave, Ryuku. Train hard, and don't forget to attend the graduation exam in a week, okay?"
Ryuku nodded and gradually left the classroom, his departure followed by the envious gazes of his classmates.
....
Leaving the Ninja Academy, Ryuku cast a long glance at the Hokage Mountain, forcing himself to calm down.
Why the fuck did he suddenly end up in this world?
He had no answers.
What about his first date—the one he had worked so hard for?
No idea.
How was he supposed to handle his situation from now on?
He'd focus on that soon enough.
Shit. Did I die on Earth?
Well, at least his brother would be satisfied now that he was gone.
Ryuku had no parents—just a scumbag of an older brother who never offered him any support.
Since his parents were poor and left behind nothing to inherit, he had no choice but to work himself to the bone from morning to night, all while being a student. If not for his high grades earning him a scholarship, he wouldn't have had the time or energy to focus on his studies at all.
Screw it... I just have to start over.
As he made his way toward the village center, Ryuku decided to come up with a solid plan once he reached his new home. In the meantime, he observed Konoha carefully, memorizing routes and reminding himself not to mess around—even by mistake—in this deceptively peaceful village shrouded in hidden dangers.
However serene and picturesque Konoha appeared in the daylight, Ryuku knew the village's higher-ups were completely fucked in the head. In simple terms, they couldn't be trusted. On the surface, they paraded around as noble and righteous, but beneath that façade lay nothing but dirty schemes and deception.
As he walked, his gaze inadvertently landed on a group approaching from the opposite side.
More specifically—on a bowl-cut-haired, thick-eyebrowed, tight-fitting green jumpsuit-wearing weirdo marching alongside them.
Might Guy and his students... Right, they're a year ahead of us.
Ryuku had no reason to linger, so he simply ignored them and continued on his way.
There were far more serious matters waiting for him at home.
The sheer size of Konoha far exceeded Ryuku's initial expectations. With multiple main highways and open streets sprawling like a vast spider web, its well-planned infrastructure truly justified its reputation as the most flourishing Shinobi village in the world.
But beyond its layout, Konoha's economy and human capital towered over the other villages by multiple folds.
It was no exaggeration—Konoha was, without a doubt, the wealthiest Shinobi village in existence.
After a few minutes of wandering, Ryuku finally arrived at his house—a modest two-story building with a tiny garden out front.
Hm, not bad. It's way better than what I had in my past life.
The house had belonged to his great-uncle, a lifelong loner who made it to sixty without ever taking a wife. Ryuku's parents had been dead for as long as he could remember, leaving him with no memories of them. His great-uncle had passed away a few years ago as well, leaving this house to him in his will.
Weren't my parents supposed to be civilians? How did they die—ah, right. Nine-Tails...
Well, at least I have a place to stay. Not that I ever needed anyone to rely on…
After briefly inspecting the garden, he finally stepped inside, ready to sort through all the knowledge from his past life—knowledge he would undoubtedly need from now on.