…
Before long, Kazama Shin noticed the crowd gradually quieting down. People began to gather in one direction.
At that moment, the gates of the Ninja Academy opened.
"The gate's open!"
Someone called out, and the flow of people at the entrance began to move.
—
Since it was the first day of school, many parents personally escorted their children inside before leaving.
Of course, there were also those who chose to stand outside, watching their children enter, wanting them to become independent early.
"Let's go, Naruto."
Kazama Shin reminded him softly and stepped forward.
The two of them were both orphans. There was no one to accompany them—everything depended on themselves.
So Shin walked straight ahead.
Naruto didn't say anything either and followed alongside him toward the Academy.
…
Under the cold gazes of many parents, Kazama Shin and Uzumaki Naruto arrived at the school gates.
At the same time, Uchiha Itachi had also brought Sasuke to the entrance.
"Alright, Sasuke, go in on your own."
Itachi gently patted Sasuke's forehead and said with a smile.
"Big brother, won't you come in with me?"
Sasuke asked, clearly hoping Itachi would stay a bit longer.
"I still have things to do. Besides, entering the Ninja Academy means you're starting to grow up—you need to learn to be independent."
"…Okay."
As Kazama Shin passed by them, he overheard the exchange.
He glanced at the two brothers, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes.
So this was the famous Itachi—only ever this gentle when facing Sasuke.
At such close distance, Shin could see him clearly.
Just like in the anime—
Black hair, dark eyes, long eyelashes framing both upper and lower lids. His refined features seemed inherited from his mother, while the faint tear lines beneath his eyes came from his father.
Compared to later, though, Itachi now looked younger.
And the lines beside his nose had yet to fully form.
…
Sensing Shin's gaze, Itachi turned to look at him as well.
From this brief, close observation, Itachi gained a clearer impression of the boy.
Though only six years old, Kazama Shin stood straight, his dark eyes calm and unfazed, his demeanor composed and steady.
He wasn't someone easily overlooked.
But the exchange lasted only a moment.
Neither of them spoke.
After all, they were strangers.
…
No longer paying attention to Itachi, Kazama Shin stepped into the Ninja Academy.
Inside the gates lay a large training ground, where all the students who had entered earlier had gathered.
The children stood at the front.
Even if some parents had come in with them, those adults were guided aside by ninjas wearing green flak jackets.
So the field was mainly filled with this year's new students.
"Wow… there are so many people…"
Shin scanned the crowd.
There were at least two hundred new students enrolling this year.
In the anime, only a few dozen graduated—and in the end, only nine passed the Jonin instructors' test, forming three teams.
But reality wasn't the same as anime.
In a village as large as Konoha, there were always plenty of people with at least some ninja aptitude.
—
"Still… with this many people, most will probably end up in ordinary classes."
"Their future instructors will likely only be elite Chunin at best… without extraordinary luck, their ceiling will just be average Genin or Chunin…"
"Only those who enter the elite class from the original story truly have a shot at standing out."
Kazama Shin thought to himself.
There might be many students—
But resources in the village were limited.
Only a small portion would receive focused training.
Just like in the real world—
Some schools have regular classes and advanced classes.
The advanced ones—the elite classes—receive better resources and priority.
In the ninja world, this distinction was even more pronounced.
"I wonder which class I'll be assigned to…"
Shin frowned slightly and glanced at Naruto beside him.
He still didn't know their class placements.
Of course—
Naruto would definitely be placed in the elite class.
As for himself—
Kazama Shin didn't particularly care which class he entered.
Just as he was thinking—
"Quiet!"
A loud voice rang out from one of the Academy instructors.