"Alright class, sit down. We will do a short introduction—just tell us your name, what you like, what you dislike, and why you want to become a ninja. I will start first. My name is Suhara Arisan, I like obedient children, I dislike disobedient children, and I am a ninja to protect my village." Arisan said as he looked at everyone in the class. There were many in Class One, but only three were from civilian backgrounds.
"My name is Tarimaru Zuzu and I like cute boys. I dislike cute girls, and I want to be a ninja to find a cute ninja for a husband."
"…..""….."
cough Arisan cleared his throat at that introduction, meanwhile Ren sweatdropped. 'Girls in the Naruto world are truly fascinating creatures,' he grumbled to himself. Six years old and already thinking of her future.
The class kept introducing themselves, and Ren didn't bother paying much attention—until an Inuzuka girl introduced herself.
"I am Akemi. I like fighting, I dislike sour food, and I want to be a ninja to fight strong people!" Akemi pumped her fist in the air.
Next was an Uchiha who introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Uchiha Haruto. I like peace and quiet, I dislike fighting, and I want to become a ninja to protect my village." Haruto smiled, and Ren was sure that the classroom became a bit brighter.
"I am Ren Zuki. I like training, I dislike lazy people, and I want to be a ninja to protect my family."
"Hyūga Sayori," a girl said, but did not continue. Ren looked and saw that she had her forehead covered and understandably gave her a sad look. 'Family enslaving family for their personal gain—pathetic.'
Arisan also did not bother having her say more. He clapped his hands to get everyone's attention back to him and introduced today's lesson.
"Today we will talk mostly about what you will learn this year. As first-year students, ninja business is not that important yet. We first need to start with the very basics: reading and writing, basic math, and then we will learn a bit about what being a ninja actually means—why ninjas are needed for Konoha, and what would happen to our great village if we didn't have ninjas."
"Now first of all, hands up if you are already capable of reading or writing," Arisan said, to which everyone raised their hands. He nodded—expecting that, since the basic criteria for Class One was to know how to read and write. If they couldn't, they would be put in Class Five until they learned. But it was always better to make sure.
"Good. We will do some simple math for the next two hours. This will be our daily routine for a month, until all of you are capable at it," Arisan said, and for the next two hours Ren had to suffer through simple additions and subtractions—stuff like If you had five apples and your dog ate three, but there are none left, how many did your mother eat? You know, the basics.
........
Meanwhile, while Ren was getting bored out of his life, Hiruzen was looking over documents when an Anbu walked in."Hokage-sama, Giraffe and Elephant finished their mission. They are awaiting to report.""Let them in, Panda," Hiruzen said. Panda disappeared, and a bit later, two more Anbu came in.
"Hokage-sama, after our investigation we found out that the smaller nations are hoarding war supplies," one Anbu reported."Be specific," Hiruzen commanded.
"The markets have been heavily lacking steel, chakra fiber paper, dried rations… sealing scrolls have not been seen at all.""Sigh... So they are getting greedy. It is true that the last war weakened the Five Major Villages, but do they really think we are weak?" Hiruzen shook his head and shooed the Anbu away with a wave of his hand. Alone in his office, he could not help but massage his temple.
"Panda.""Yes, Hokage-sama.""Have the village also go into war-ready status. Buy ingredients for soldier pills, chakra-infused paper, and stock up on steel. Tell the R&D department to focus on improving explosive paper bombs for the time being. Send out three Anbu squads to every neighboring nation, gather intel on key targets that are pushing this agenda, and report back. Increase the barrier strength to maximum." Hiruzen cited order after order.
"It will be done, Hokage-sama," Panda said and disappeared.
And like a sleeping tiger slowly awakening from its slumber, Konoha's war machine began oiling its gears and preparing for the future.
.................
"Alright class, now, tell me—what is a ninja?" Arisan asked, to which Haruto raised his hand and was allowed to answer.
"A ninja is someone who protects his village."
"I get that, but what makes a ninja different from a normal person? Surely a normal person can also hold a sword and protect Konoha.""Yes, but ninja are stronger than normal people so—"
"That is not the question, Haruto. Who else wants to give it a try?" Arisan shook his head. He knew full well that normal kids couldn't answer this properly, as a ninja could be many things. Ren raised his hand.
"Sensei, a ninja is someone who can control chakra."
"Okay, can a normal person control chakra?" Arisan raised his brow at the technically correct answer.
"Everyone can control it as long as they learn how. And because of that, those capable are called ninja. How they use said power does not change their name," Ren said, to which Arisan simply nodded.
"Correct. In its raw form, a ninja is a controller and user of chakra. But it is, however, not that easy. A ninja is also someone who uses said power to defend Konoha, to protect his village, family, and friends," Arisan said, adding a little manipulation to the mix. After all, you have to instill the Will of Fire into everyone.
"Ninjas are needed because Konoha has enemies, and we need strong ninjas to defend our peace and the safety of our families. Without ninjas, we would be used and enslaved by our enemies. Never forget the purpose of being a ninja: to protect Konoha, and our family and friends." Arisan then motioned for all to stand up.
"Now we will go and do some body training, and then learn about all the tools and items ninja use and need."
....................
Ren went home exhausted—not physically, but mentally. Feels like I am back in my school days. Even though Ren was a reincarnated individual, he did not know everything, and these lessons and knowledge were very important for him to learn—aside from the very obvious "Konoha is great" propaganda.
"Hey, sweety, how was the academy?" Yuri said as she saw Ren coming in like a zombie.
"Exhausting," Ren grumbled. "So many things to learn, and Sensei said this teaching frenzy will go on for at least a few months until we know everything."
"Hahaha, you wanted to be a ninja, so make sure to do your best, kid," Taro said as he sat at the table fixing something.
"Hey, Ren!"
"YOUTH! Ren! YOUTH!"
"YOUTH!" x2
#### Ren had black lines on his head as he looked at the door.
"Rui, Guy, you two are too loud." Ren pinched them both by the ears.
"Ren, OUCH!" Rui clutched his ear and pulled away. Guy similarly pulled away, and Ren just walked upstairs. "I'm gonna shower, Mom. I'll be down in 15 minutes."
"Alright, sweety. Rui, Guy, go wash your hands and face and come sit," Yuri said as she smiled sweetly.
"So, how was your training, boys?" Taro asked when the two came back.
"It was amazing, Dad! Duy-san taught me as well. He said that when Guy and I join the academy, he will personally train us and teach us a special technique." Rui's eyes turned to stars.
"Yes, Zuki-san, Dad is a very strong ninja! YOUTH!!" Guy put a thumbs-up toward Taro, who massaged his temple, though a slight smile hung over his lips.
"Guy, how about you invite Duy-san over for dinner tomorrow? I wish to meet the man who is taking such good care of my son." Taro stood up as he spoke and went to sit at the kitchen table. Yuri was already putting the food on the table.
"I will tell him, Zuki-san. YOU—!"
"Don't shout when we are about to eat, Guy." Ren came from behind and pinched his ear. After a few seconds, he let go and sat in his seat. "So, Rui, did Duy-san say what technique he was gonna teach you?" he asked Rui, who was already starting to eat.
"No. Bwt hyw syd—"
"Rui, eat first, talk after." Yuri flicked his forehead.
Gulp.
"No, but he said that it is a very strong technique he made himself!"
"Oh really? Well, make sure you learn properly then." Ren nodded. He was sure now, and honestly, he would be very happy if Rui learned the Eight Gates. It was a strong technique that would help him a lot.
After eating, Ren left to do his daily training as well.