I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

As the class bell rang, Iruka Umino entered the classroom, his scarred face set in a professional but slightly apprehensive expression. With the roster tucked under his arm, he scanned the students, his eyes lingering on the back row where Naruto Uzumaki sat. Although no pranks awaited him today—no blackboard erasers or water buckets precariously balanced—Iruka had instinctively seated Naruto at the very back of the classroom, away from the others.

Naruto, head bowed and engrossed in his textbook, appeared to be a model student. But Iruka knew better. He couldn't forget that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the boy carrying the very beast that had destroyed the village and claimed countless lives—including his parents'.

Despite knowing the difference between a Jinchuriki and a Tailed Beast, Iruka couldn't entirely separate the two in his heart. Like many shinobi, who lived with the constant threat of death, Iruka harbored deep-seated resentment. To them, Naruto was the easiest outlet for their lingering grief and anger. Yet, unlike others who actively ostracized the boy, Iruka fought to overcome his prejudice. His dream was to become an excellent teacher who treated all students equally, regardless of their lineage or burdens.

Taking a steadying breath, Iruka addressed the class. "Before we begin, let me introduce myself. I'm Iruka Umino, and I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next six years. I enjoy Ichiraku Ramen, dislike mixed rice bowls, and my dream is to become a teacher who doesn't discriminate against any student."

The room erupted into chatter.

"What kind of dream is that? Shouldn't a teacher want to become Hokage?"

"Yeah, or at least the principal of the academy! Who dreams of just being a teacher?"

Though the mocking tone grated on him, Iruka kept his composure. "Dreams come in all shapes and sizes. It's important to respect them. Now, would anyone like to introduce themselves first? If not, I'll call on you in order."

Naruto, who had been silently observing the scene, looked up at Iruka and then scanned his classmates, curiosity evident on his face. He began to ponder his own dream. Should he declare his ambition to become Hokage, as so many expected of him? Or should he be honest about his true desires? What did the Third Hokage, who had orchestrated so much of his life, wish for him to say?

At that very moment, the Third Hokage, back in his office, lit his pipe and activated his crystal ball to watch the class. Iruka's class this year was special—composed of the heirs of prominent clans, including the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Hyuga Hinata, Uchiha Sasuke, and, of course, Naruto Uzumaki. This particular group would shape the future of Konoha, and he had chosen Iruka specifically to guide them.

When Naruto's turn came, he stood and introduced himself confidently. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. You've probably heard about me already, so there's no need for introductions. My hobbies are cooking, reading, and training. I hate people who judge others unfairly. As for my dream…" He paused, meeting Iruka's gaze before continuing. "I just want to live a normal life and protect the people I care about."

The room fell silent. Iruka's usual frown softened as Naruto sat back down. The simplicity of Naruto's dream struck a chord. For someone burdened with so much hatred, the wish for an ordinary life was both humble and heart-wrenching.

Shikamaru Nara exchanged a glance with Choji Akimichi, both wearing somber expressions. They, more than most, understood Naruto's loneliness. Hinata Hyuga looked worried, torn between wanting to comfort him and feeling guilty for never having reached out before. Meanwhile, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha regarded Naruto with newfound curiosity, realizing there was more to their enigmatic classmate than met the eye.

Back in his office, the Third Hokage sighed deeply, setting down his pipe. Naruto's words gave him pause. The boy's desire for normalcy was a stark reminder of the village's failure to provide him with the childhood he deserved. Yet, as the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto was fated to live a life far from ordinary.

As the Hokage dispersed the chakra enabling his surveillance, Naruto felt the subtle shift and smirked. His self-introduction hadn't been for his classmates or Iruka—it was aimed squarely at the Third Hokage. Only when the old man was satisfied would Naruto earn the freedom to carve out his own path.

With the spotlight off him, Naruto returned to his textbook, focusing on the material with genuine interest. If he planned to stand out, he couldn't afford to lag behind in academics. However, his earlier words had sparked Sasuke's curiosity.

After class ended, Sasuke approached him. "Hey, you're Naruto, right? People say you're the 'demon fox.' Are you really that strong?"

Naruto closed his book and looked at Sasuke, sizing him up. He smirked inwardly at the bluntness of the question but outwardly remained calm. "They do call me that. As for strength, I'm nothing special—I can barely perform the Three Basic Jutsu."

"You've mastered the Three Basic Jutsu already?" Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise. He'd only managed two of the three techniques himself.

Naruto's smirk grew. "Yeah. What about you? Haven't you mastered them yet? I thought the Uchiha were supposed to be geniuses."

Sasuke's face flushed. "I've got two down, but—"

Naruto cut him off, leaning closer. "So you're not ready to challenge me yet. Come back when you've caught up."

Though Naruto's words were sharp, Sasuke felt more intrigued than insulted. For the first time, he saw Naruto as more than the class clown or the so-called "demon fox." He saw a rival worth pursuing. Life at the academy, Sasuke realized, was about to get a lot more interesting.