"My name is Miyoko Sakurai. I like small animals... slurp... and my dream is to become a gourmand."
"I'm Sigehiki Echizaki. My hobby is..."
Finally, the self-introductions were going smoothly... Kei Yamakei was thinking just that when he saw a serious-looking boy stand up from the back row. "My name is Ibiki Morino. My hobby is interrogation, and my dream is one day to question enemy village Kage!"
Kei Yamakei's mouth twitched slightly. These days' children... are all this dangerous in mindset?
Finally, it was Seiki's turn to speak.
Already the focus of attention after previous events, he now drew even more scrutiny with every movement.
With everyone staring, Seiki showed no pressure whatsoever, speaking calmly with the gentle ease of a soft breeze. "I'm Seiki Shimaseki. My hobby is making lots and lots of friends. As for my dream, I hope to become a Medical Ninja, using medical jutsu to erase pain from our world."
Many people felt surprised inwardly—not because his introduction was impressive, quite the opposite, his speech was actually too ordinary.
Even... unusually ordinary.
In the system of various ninja villages, women generally served as Medical Ninjas. Not only because females tend to be more detail-oriented, but also because of the three core principles of Medical Ninjas, which clearly state that they must never stand at the front line of battle.
And any proud man would rather die than stay safely at the rear.
With others, perhaps they would be mistaken for deserters, but Seiki was different.
When developing affection toward someone, people instinctively beautify that person. Under this rose-tinted lens, no one considered Seiki as cowardly; instead, they silently sighed, thinking what a gentle soul Seiki-kun truly was!
"Down-to-earth... This mentality allows one to walk further on the ninja path!" Right now, Kei Yamakei found himself increasingly satisfied with Seiki.
He didn't really dislike those who openly declared they wanted to become Hokage. Who hadn't had grand childhood ambitions? People only gradually understand the gap between fantasy and reality as they grow older.
Precisely because of this, those exceptional yet humble individuals become especially precious.
After Seiki, many more students gave their self-introductions.
By the last few remaining spots, everyone's eyes gathered again upon a certain individual.
Such attention wasn't strange, considering his identity—Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Hokage.
Seeing all gazes turn his way, Asuma showed no hesitation. He didn't even stand, just coolly crossing his arms while leaning back in his chair. "I'm Asuma Sarutobi. Many hobbies. My objective is... surpassing the Hokage!"
He used 'objective' instead of 'dream,' clearly revealing his arrogance.
Unfortunately, reactions were lukewarm.
Children never lack imagination. They weren't doubting whether Asuma could achieve his 'goal'; rather, they simply thought, well, this ambition was nothing special.
Noticing everyone's eyes immediately shifting further back, Asuma's body stiffened.
C'mon, give me *some* kind of reaction!
Even more awkwardly, everyone's eyes were on the person behind him. If he put his arms down, it would show cowardice; but if he kept holding them up, it felt like everyone was laughing at him.
How frustrating!
Luckily, there weren't many people left to introduce themselves. Once they were done and everyone's attention returned to the podium, Asuma quickly lowered his stiffened arms.
Looking at Seiki Shimaseki's back, he couldn't quite understand—why had Seiki Shimaseki's simple declaration of wanting to become a Medical Ninja caused such an uproar, while his own grand proclamation about surpassing the Hokage had gone unnoticed?
Was this really what adulthood was like?
Yeah, they were all acting like adults now—even though they were only five years old—and no longer as innocent as before… For a moment, Asuma felt a wave of melancholy.
"Ahem." Kei Yamakei coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention back. "Now that we've all gotten to know each other a little better, let's move on to the final activity of today's class—the class monitor election!"
Seeing some confused expressions, Kei explained, "A well-organized group needs its own leader—just like every nation has a Daimyo and every ninja village has a Kage, our classroom should also have a class monitor."
As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom buzzed with excitement.
"Yamakei-sensei, does the class monitor get their own title? Like… Class Kage?"
"Sensei, do we get bonus points on graduation exams if we become class monitor?"
"Yamakei-sensei, will becoming class monitor stop my parents from spanking me?"
Kei's eyes twitched slightly as he looked toward the chubby little boy Kamiyue. *Just how much trouble do you cause at home?*
Taking a deep breath, Kei calmly replied, "Monitor isn't an official position—it won't come with a title, bonus points, or parental protection… Well, actually, maybe that last part still has hope. But overall, the whole point of choosing a monitor is to serve others, not chase after all sorts of nonsense."
Hearing this, the rising enthusiasm in the room quickly faded.
"Pfft, boring!"
"Eh, I can barely take care of myself—probably shouldn't volunteer to help others."
Seeing this reaction, Kei felt momentarily awkward. Had he been too harsh?
Before he could speak up to save the situation, Seiki Shimaseki suddenly raised his right hand.
Kei's eyes lit up. "Seiki Shimaseki-kun, yes?"
"I'd like to run for class monitor, Yamakei-sensei!"
All eyes returned to him once again.
"Eh? Seiki Shimaseki-kun?"
"Although I don't really want to be monitor or anything, I hate being bossed around… though I guess if it's Seiki Shimaseki, then maybe it's okay."
"Yeah, I support Seiki Shimaseki too."
At the back corner, Asuma turned his face away bitterly. "In the ninja world, power is what matters. Helping others is a waste of time…"
Yet before he could finish, he miserably noticed that the girl he'd been watching intently was now staring at Seiki Shimaseki with admiration.
"Wow, Seiki Shimaseki really is amazing," Kurenai said, seated to Seiki Shimaseki's right, her eyes sparkling brightly.
Because Seiki was sitting in the middle of the classroom, and those drawn to him naturally surrounded his seat, most of the people unwilling to blend into his "little" group ended up sitting in the corners.
Hearing Asuma muttering under his breath, Mizuki—who was sitting right in front of him—instinctively nodded. "Exactly! Someone who still insists on doing something thankless despite knowing it's pointless must either be stupid or evil. What a hypocrite!"
Like Seiki, he too was a victim of The Second Great Ninja War. Orphans like them desperately desired recognition from others.
So when he saw Seiki easily gain what he had dreamed of all his life, jealousy quietly sprouted in Mizuki's young heart.
He knew these feelings were wrong, though, so he pushed them deep down. But now, realizing that Asuma—the Hokage's son—shared his opinion, he couldn't help but let his guard down a little, hoping to stand side-by-side with this otherwise out-of-reach noble.
"As for me," said Asuma Sarutobi suddenly, "I'll run for class president too!"
"He only did that to please..."
Immediately, their exchanged gazes froze!
[Ultimate Art] of Mutual Backstabbing!
Mizuki stood there, dazed. He had barely started to open up… So why had this "noble" son of the Hokage turned on him so quickly?
Asuma also felt a jolt of alarm. Dammit, this guy had actually figured out he was trying to impress that red-eyed girl!
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!