Yuhi Kurenai poked Akira at the waist and leaned closer, whispering, "Akira, it feels like you have some opinion about him? Did he make you angry?"
Although Akira rarely interacted with outsiders besides them, he was usually very polite.
So why did he seem to have some issue with Asuma, the Hokage's son?
Catching Yuhi Kurenai's mischievous hand—why was she poking his waist again?—Akira lowered his voice and said, "No opinion. But if someone's eyesight is bad, changing seats won't solve it. That's an illness. If it's an illness, you see a doctor!"
Yuhi Kurenai nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. He's the Hokage's son. If he's sick, why doesn't he get treated?"
The little loli hadn't grasped Asuma's real intention behind that request. When it came to emotions, she was still a bit slow…
"Who knows? People's thoughts are always strange." Akira shrugged.
His gaze shifted toward Hatake Kakashi. "Look at the Hatake Kakashi Uncle Shinku mentioned. It's so hot right now, yet he's always wearing a mask. Isn't that strange too?"
Yuhi Kurenai glanced over and agreed after thinking for a moment. "Just like how you sometimes do things I don't understand. Other people probably also do things that can't be understood, right? I get it!"
Applying Akira's situation to others, she instantly felt enlightened.
So this kind of thing wasn't unique to Akira. Other people also did strange things sometimes.
In the future, she shouldn't think Akira's brain had a problem—maybe she just couldn't keep up with the trend!
Akira: "..."
Get what?
When have I ever done things people can't understand?
This is slander—slander! I'm clearly completely normal!
Since it was the first day, there was no rush to make new friends. Akira and Yuhi Kurenai chatted quietly at their seats until the bell rang again.
Teacher Oda returned to the podium, holding a textbook. Clearing his throat, he began, "You've all received your textbooks, right? Then turn to the first page. Today, we'll take a look at the 'Will of Fire.'"
"This was an idea and spirit proposed by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. It is also Konoha's most precious treasure…"
He went on and on. Other students listened with great interest.
Akira, on the other hand, felt drowsy.
'Constantly preaching selfless dedication, fearless sacrifice, working together, putting the greater good first… Even pyramid schemes aren't this low-level. At least they offer some benefits first…'
Akira shook his head. If this kind of propaganda were placed in his previous life, even elementary school students probably wouldn't fall for it.
It missed the point.
Just asking people to give, to sacrifice, to go to war—without mentioning any tangible benefits—just a hollow "For Konoha," and expecting people to shed blood and sweat?
However, what didn't work in his previous world worked here.
Different cognitive levels. There wasn't even a subject like philosophy here.
"For Konoha" wasn't inherently wrong for Konoha's shinobi. And when the Hokage had to step forward, he truly did step forward. It wasn't just empty slogans…
Of course, Akira still felt something was off.
He was only a few years old, and they were already preaching sacrifice on the battlefield?
That was the real problem!
If you're going to mold from childhood, at least not like this…
...
Time passed.
The days remained peaceful.
The Third Great Ninja War had not yet erupted. The major villages only had occasional minor skirmishes. Full-scale conflict had not begun.
These matters weren't things Akira, a student, needed to worry about.
The Ninja Academy curriculum progressed steadily—rotating between theory, training, reflections, and history classes. It was even more intense than elementary school in his previous life…
Just take ninja tool throwing for example—they actually required knowledge of projectile trajectories. Who would believe it?
Fortunately, Akira was gifted and learned quickly. After all, he had completed nine years of compulsory education and even studied beyond that. It wasn't difficult for him.
In written exams, he consistently ranked first.
Second place was Kakashi.
Third place was Yuhi Kurenai…
Kakashi truly deserved his reputation—graduating at five and becoming a Chunin at six. Compared to other kids, he was indeed exceptional. Calling him a genius was no exaggeration.
Akira, on the other hand, was even more of a monster. Aside from his slightly "nonstandard" interpretation of the Will of Fire in reading comprehension, he scored full marks in every other written test!
Far beyond his peers.
Combined with his appearance—a red-haired pretty boy far more appealing to girls than the aloof masked boy—his popularity in class steadily ranked first, suppressing Kakashi by a head.
There were even faint signs that Kakashi regarded him as a rival…
Nearly a month passed.
During this time, there were no practical combat classes at the Academy—mainly foundational training.
The students had also grown familiar with one another. As if guided by fate, bonds had quietly been etched…
Except now there was Akira, the transmigrator.
During recess—
Uchiha Obito, wearing goggles, leaned over and whispered to Akira, "Akira, do you have some special study method? We take the same classes—why are your grades so outstanding? Even that stuck-up Kakashi can't beat you!"
Because Kakashi and Nohara Rin were desk mates—and sat in front of him—Obito was very displeased. The girl he liked was sitting next to someone else?
So frustrating!
What frustrated him more was that Kakashi's grades were excellent. He had even overheard Nohara Rin asking Kakashi questions.
How could he tolerate that?
So he came to ask Akira, the top student, hoping to learn some experience…
"Oh, it's Obito." Akira didn't keep his distance from the future big boss, but treated him like any ordinary classmate.
Seeing him come for advice, Akira didn't act aloof. That was one reason for his popularity.
Shrugging, he said, "My method isn't something you can learn."
Obito frowned. "Why?"
Akira sighed. "Because it's talent. Talent can't be learned. It's decided at birth."
Obito refused to believe it. "Tch, fine, don't tell me then. So stingy!"
Akira smiled. "But it's not like there's no way to improve your written exam results."
Obito's eyes lit up. "What way? Hurry and tell me!"
"Do more practice questions. As long as you do enough questions, your grades will improve."
His tone became deep and mysterious. "Why do you think Kurenai ranks third?"
Before Obito could answer, Akira answered himself confidently, "Because she's done enough questions. Accumulating small amounts leads to mastery!"
Beside them, Yuhi Kurenai shuddered unconsciously when she heard the words "do more practice questions." Her beautiful red eyes showe
d a trace of fear, as if recalling something terrible.
That… was hell…