Konoha, Year 29.
Seventeen years had passed since the First Great Ninja War. With years of peace, nations gradually regained their strength, and ambitious individuals began stirring once more.
Yet, within the peaceful Konoha Village, life went on as usual.
In a regular classroom at the Ninja Academy, the teacher was introducing a new female student with striking red hair.
"Uh... this is the new student joining us today—"
Before the teacher could finish, the girl, seemingly nervous, shut her eyes tight and shouted,
"I'm Uzumaki Kushina, dattebane!"
Realizing what she had just done, she quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
The classroom erupted into chatter.
"Look at her hair! Can you believe that color?"
"How does someone's hair get that red?"
"She looks so weird, hahaha…"
The laughter and murmurs filled the room. But suddenly, a loud "BANG!" echoed from the back of the classroom. The noise silenced everyone as they turned to look.
A boy wearing sunglasses had slammed his desk and stood up. He scolded the class angrily,
"You rude lot! Do you find mocking a new classmate fun? Quiet down, now!"
The teacher, standing at the front, nodded in approval. A student was helping maintain order—how commendable!
But the peace didn't last. Another student immediately called out,
"Teacher, Aburame Shigeo was sleeping during class!"
"Yeah, he hides it behind his sunglasses. He's been napping all period!"
"What a sly guy…"
The teacher frowned, suspicion written across their face. Turning to the boy in sunglasses, they asked, "Shigeo, is that true?"
"Of course not!"
Aburame Shigeo stood, adjusting his sunglasses with a serious expression.
"Teacher, I admit my posture during the last lesson may have looked casual, but I've always been diligent in my studies. Test me on the previous lesson, and I'll prove it!"
"Hmm?"
The teacher considered for a moment and then nodded.
"Very well. What was last period about? Tell us."
"Teacher, you talked about chakra!"
Shigeo launched into a detailed explanation.
"Chakra is spiritual energy accumulated through training. When used, it's extracted from the body's 130 trillion cells. It's the foundation for performing ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. There are five basic chakra natures: Fire, Wind, Water, Earth, and Lightning…"
His confident explanation left the students in shock.
Wait, had he really not been sleeping?
The teacher, impressed, clapped lightly.
"Well done, Shigeo! Not a word missed. It seems you not only weren't sleeping, but you were also paying close attention. Keep it up!"
"Yes, teacher!"
Shigeo replied, sitting down with his hands neatly on the desk and his posture perfectly straight. The very image of a model student.
The teacher nodded approvingly again and addressed the rest of the class.
"Everyone saw how well Shigeo performed. I hope you all follow his example and listen attentively in class!"
The students, previously loud, hung their heads quietly.
With the room calm, the teacher turned back to Kushina.
"Kushina, is there anything you'd like to say to the class?"
"Yes!"
Kushina clenched her fists and shouted confidently,
"I… I'm going to become the first female Hokage of this village!"
The room fell silent, students exchanging surprised looks. No one clapped or spoke.
An awkward tension filled the air until a blond boy stood up with a smile, thumping his chest with his fist.
"I also want to become a great Hokage, respected by everyone in the village."
"I believe in you!"
Before anyone else could react, Shigeo stood again.
"Minato is an outstanding student. I have no doubt he'll become a remarkable Hokage one day. I, Aburame Shigeo, firmly believe this!"
Minato Namikaze, the blond boy, beamed at Shigeo and gave him a thankful glance, which Shigeo returned with a proud smile.
Just the reaction he wanted!
Seeing such camaraderie, the teacher smiled warmly.
"Very good! Both of you, sit down now. Kushina, your seat is in the fourth row. Take your place, and we'll start the lesson."
After Kushina found her seat, the class began.
The lesson passed quickly, and as soon as the teacher left, Minato leaned toward Shigeo with curiosity.
"How did you do it? You were totally sleeping last class!"
"Shhh… don't sweat the small stuff. Look over there!"
Shigeo gestured subtly toward the back of the classroom. Minato followed his gaze and saw a group of boys surrounding Kushina.
The old routine: locals picking on the new kid.
"Hey, Tomato! That's your name from now on!"
"With that round face and red hair, you're just a tomato! How could a tomato become Hokage?"
"I hate tomatoes! They don't belong in salads, and they definitely don't belong in the Hokage's seat!"
They laughed and even tugged on Kushina's vibrant hair.
Minato frowned in concern, but Shigeo chuckled, patting his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Just watch. They're about to regret it."
True to his words, the next moment, Kushina threw the boys to the ground. The leader of the bullies found himself pinned as Kushina pounded the back of his head.
Both Minato and Shigeo burst into laughter at the scene.
Kushina, hearing them, glared angrily.
"What's so funny?!"
Startled, Minato quickly stopped laughing and looked away.
Shigeo, however, smiled wider and gave her a thumbs-up.
Kushina, ready to scold him, paused. She remembered how he had stood up for her earlier.
"Should I thank him?" she thought, blushing slightly.
But embarrassed by her earlier outburst, she huffed, turned her head, and said nothing.
Seeing her flustered reaction, Shigeo's grin grew even brighter.