"Shin! Time to go!"
Shin had just finished getting ready when he heard Kiba's voice shouting from outside the house. Dressed in a plain black short-sleeved shirt and matching shorts, he moved at a steady pace out into the courtyard, where Kiba and Tsume Inuzuka were already waiting by the gate.
"Aunt Tsume," Shin greeted her with a respectful bow before turning to Kiba. "Kiba, Akamaru."
Kiba was wearing a light beige shirt, his face painted with the usual tribal markings. He was cradling a small white puppy in his arms and grinning brightly at Shin.
"Yo, Shin!" Kiba greeted him enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Alright, let's get going," Tsume said with a nod toward Shin.
"Let's roll!" Kiba shouted, unable to contain his energy.
The Ninja Academy, founded by the Second Hokage, was originally established to train the village's next generation of shinobi. During its early days in wartime, the academy's systems were still underdeveloped. But over the years, it had evolved into a comprehensive institution aimed at nurturing young minds in all aspects of ninja life academic theory, the history of the shinobi world, physical conditioning, practical skills, and emotional development.
Although the school itself wasn't very large, the front gates were already crowded with people mostly parents accompanying their children. Those familiar with one another gathered in groups, chatting quietly.
Shin and Kiba stood on either side of Tsume, their eyes scanning the scene.
"Tsume!" a voice called out from not far away.
"Shibi," Tsume said with a smile, recognizing the man approaching them.
He wore a high-collared cloak with the zipper pulled all the way up, and a pair of black sunglasses obscured his eyes. A strange, aloof aura seemed to surround him.
"You're seriously wearing that just to drop your kid off at school?" Tsume said, exasperated.
"I like it," Shibi replied coolly. A boy stood silently at his side, dressed in identical fashion same glasses, same cloak.
"Shino, greet her."
"Good morning, Aunt Tsume," the boy said with a bow.
Tsume nodded in approval. Shin and Kiba quickly offered their own respectful bows to Shibi.
Shibi gave Kiba a brief glance, but said nothing. His eyes lingered on Shin.
"And this is...?" he asked, uncertain.
"This is Shi's son," Tsume replied.
"Ah, I see." Shibi nodded thoughtfully. Shin sensed that this man had known his father.
Tsume and Shibi began walking toward the school, chatting idly. The three boys followed closely behind. Kiba couldn't help glancing curiously at Shino.
After Tsume and Shibi finished checking in with a ninja in a flak jacket presumably completing the admission process Tsume turned back to the boys.
"You two stay here. I'll come pick you up this afternoon," she said.
"Yeah, yeah, we know," Kiba replied with a trace of impatience.
"If you cause trouble on your first day, just dig your own grave," Tsume snapped, smacking Kiba on the head hard enough to make him wince.
"Shin, keep an eye on him, would you?"
"Understood. Take care," Shin replied calmly.
Only then did Tsume and Shibi head off together.
"Feel like grabbing a drink, Shibi?"
"I could go for one."
Kiba made a face at their retreating backs.
"Hello there."
The voice came from the ninja standing beside them. He smiled warmly at the children, despite the scar that ran across the bridge of his nose. Somehow, the scar didn't make him look menacing his expression was too kind for that.
"My name is Umino Iruka. You can call me Iruka-sensei. From today on, I'll be your teacher."
"Hello, Sensei," the three children said in unison. Even Kiba, usually full of mischief, responded obediently.
"Alright then, let's head to your classroom."
The classroom was already buzzing with chatter. Groups of children had clustered together, voices overlapping in noisy conversation.
Shin found a random seat and sat down. Kiba took the seat next to him, still cradling Akamaru. Shino followed quietly and sat beside them. Iruka, having brought them in, stepped out again.
"Hey, Hummingbird!" Kiba suddenly jumped up and waved to someone across the room.
"Kiba! You're here too!"
"Is Irie here yet?"
Sitting nearby, Shin watched as Kiba greeted one familiar face after another. It was impressive how many people he already knew.
In contrast, Shino remained quiet, almost statuesque, a stark difference from Kiba's vibrant energy.
"Shin!"
"You're here too, huh?" A few of the kids who were friendly with Kiba greeted Shin as well, and he returned the greetings politely.
Soon a whole group had gathered, chatting aimlessly.
"Kiba, do you know who our teacher is?"
"What, you don't know?"
"No idea."
"That guy who brought us in earlier."
"I didn't even notice. What's he like?"
"Let me think," Kiba said, scratching his head. "He's got a scar across his face."
"A scar?" The kids looked at each other, beginning to picture what Iruka might be like.
"He must be really scary," one of them said nervously.
"Scary but not scary," Kiba said, vaguely.
"He must be super strong. Is he a jōnin?"
"Who knows? Do jōnin even teach at school?"
Shin sat off to the side, watching them chat away. He was already feeling a bit bored. Glancing at the ever-silent Shino beside him, it didn't look like he planned on joining in either.
"Hey! Hiyori Shin!"
A girl's voice suddenly called out his name. Shin turned toward the classroom entrance and saw two girls standing there. One of them, a blonde, looked genuinely delighted to see him, as if she'd noticed him the moment she walked in.
That girl... she was from that day...
Yamanaka Ino, wasn't it? Shin recalled her and gave her a small nod.
"Who's that?" Kiba asked, eyeing the girl with clear irritation.
This Shin guy was already getting attention from girls on day one? Outrageous. Kiba glared at him with undisguised jealousy.
"I know her. Her name's Yamanaka Ino. From the Yamanaka clan," Shin replied, but someone else interrupted before he could finish.
"Yamanaka clan?"
"The clan that's super good at intel gathering and interrogation."
"They're one of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, right?"
And just like that, the kids had a new topic to fixate on. The room filled with excited chatter once more.
Yamanaka... Shin looked over at Ino, still a bit unsure. No one had ever really explained clan politics to him. He'd always assumed they were just regular flower shop owners.
"Intel gathering? Come on, when it comes to tracking, no one beats us Inuzuka," Kiba scoffed.
"Kiba, I'll have to disagree," Shino said coolly, breaking his silence. "Our Aburame clan isn't exactly weak in that department. And let's not forget the Hyūga."
"Inuzuka's still the best."
"What did you say?!"
Yeah... hanging out with kids like these was going to be a lot. Shin rubbed his temples, already exhausted by the noise.
"Ino, you know him?"
On the other side of the classroom, Sakura turned to Ino, puzzled by her reaction earlier. The two had found an empty seat together.
"Yeah, I've met him once. He came to my family's flower shop to buy flowers," Ino explained.
"Hey, Ino!" she called out, waving to a few other girls who were greeting her.
"Oh," Sakura said, sneaking another look in Shin's direction.
He's actually kind of cute, she thought to herself.
"Alright, settle down!"