Naruto: In the name of time, shock the ninja world!.

But even with all that, it wasn't enough to bring the light back into Hoshikawa Haru's eyes. His expression remained completely blank and lifeless.

Hashirama couldn't take it anymore. His lips twitched in frustration before he reached out and smacked Haru lightly on the head.

"If you've got something to say, then say it! Don't just sit there like a zombie."

Haru's eyes slowly regained focus. He looked up and asked, "Is there any way I don't have to go?"

"Nope," Hashirama replied, blunt and unyielding.

"…Figures."

Haru sighed and gave up, resigning himself to his fate.

Seeing this, Hashirama softened a bit and spoke more gently.

"You're really going to let a school defeat you? You're my disciple, Hoshikawa Haru."

"You're not that scared, are you?"

He was trying to stir some fire in Haru's heart with a little motivational speech, but Haru just sighed again.

"Whatever. I admit defeat. I'm no match for my teacher."

Hashirama laughed and gave Haru a firm pat on the shoulder. "Accept reality, kid."

"I'm off now. Don't be late tomorrow."

With that, he turned and left.

Hoshikawa Haru didn't feel like hanging around anymore. He gave a sheepish smile to the others at the table and quietly took his leave.

Hiruzen and the others could barely contain their smug grins as they watched him go.

After enjoying one last day of freedom, the next morning finally arrived.

Standing at the gate of the Konoha Academy, Haru looked around thoughtfully.

So this is the original ninja school… no wonder it's so plain.

Konoha Academy had been built at the same time as Konoha Hospital, right after the founding of the village. Its purpose was to bring together the children of various ninja clans to study, communicate, and begin forming bonds at a young age. That shared experience would help build unity in the future.

While Haru stood there lost in thought, a voice called out behind him.

"Excuse me… Are you Lord Hoshikawa?"

Haru turned around to find a boy with black hair and a timid look in his eyes. He was clearly nervous, but curious as well.

"Uh… yeah, that's me."

Haru scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed by being called "Lord." He'd never been addressed like that before.

The boy's face lit up, though he still stammered a bit.

"My name is… Todo Takatora. I look forward to learning with you."

He had to break the sentence up just to get it out, but Haru waited patiently and then responded naturally.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Hoshikawa Haru. But honestly, I'm not important enough to be called 'Lord.'"

Sure, it sounded flattering, but Haru didn't feel like he deserved it. That kind of title was reserved for people who had truly earned it—people who had made real contributions to the village. He wasn't there yet.

"Can I call you… Gao Hu?" Haru asked, trying to put the boy at ease.

It looked like Takatora's brain short-circuited. He froze for a moment before nodding stiffly.

"Y-yeah! That's fine."

Then, with even more hesitation, he asked, "Can I… call you Xiao Haru?"

Haru smiled warmly. "Of course. That's what my friends and family call me."

Takatora's eyes sparkled. He looked like he could barely contain his excitement.

"Then… does that mean I'm your friend?"

Haru chuckled, threw an arm around Takatora's shoulders, and said confidently, "Obviously. You're the first person I've met since enrolling. Don't you want to be friends with me?"

Takatora took the comment a little too seriously and started to panic.

"No, no—it's not that, I just—"

Before he could finish, Haru patted him on the back reassuringly.

"Relax, breathe. There's no need to be so anxious."

After a bit of gentle encouragement, Takatora calmed down, and his speech became much smoother.

"See? That's better," Haru said with approval.

Takatora smiled shyly, his face flushing a bit. He really was a gentle kid.

"Oh, right—do you know where the classroom is? I've never been here before," Haru asked with a slightly sheepish expression.

Suddenly, Takatora's face went pale. "Oh no—we're gonna be late!"

He grabbed Haru's hand and took off running like his life depended on it.

The speed caught Haru completely off guard. He felt like a gust of wind was at his back, pushing him forward whether he liked it or not.

No wonder they say your student years are your peak… this is insane!

They ran at full speed until they finally arrived at the classroom, just in time. The room was already packed, with about forty students from all sorts of clans.

Takatora and Haru slid into the last row of seats, which suited Haru just fine. The back row was perfect for laying low.

"Hey Gao Hu, how'd you get in here?" Haru asked, glancing around at all the well-known family crests.

At this point in history, there wasn't yet a formal ninja school system. It was nearly impossible for commoners to become ninjas since they had no access to training or jutsu, which were tightly guarded by the clans.

Takatora explained, "Normally, I wouldn't have gotten in. But lately, the Hokage's been pushing for commoners to have a chance too. I guess I have decent talent, so they let me in."

Haru suddenly understood. This meant the official establishment of the ninja school wasn't far off. Allowing civilians in was a strategic move—a signal to the clans and the public.

This was a political balancing act. Letting civilian and clan children compete in the same environment would slowly level the playing field. The ninja clans would have to accept it or risk being left behind.

But times had changed. This wasn't the Warring States era anymore. The one country, one village model was deeply rooted now.

Leaving Konoha would only bring danger and instability. Hashirama understood this perfectly and was using it to guide the village forward.

While Haru was deep in thought, he suddenly heard footsteps echoing outside the classroom.

He immediately snapped back to reality. The room fell silent in an instant.

A middle-aged man stepped through the door, and a wave of fear swept through the class. Kids sat bolt upright in their seats.

Takatora instinctively shrank down like he was trying to vanish.

"What's wrong?" Haru whispered. "Is he that scary?"

Takatora nodded, eyes wide. "You don't feel it? That scar on Mr. Izawa's face—it makes him look like a demon."

Haru squinted toward the front and saw it. A long scar ran down Mr. Izawa's face, from forehead to chin. It was a dark red slash that looked almost like it had been burned into him.

Yeah… that's enough to shut up a crying toddler for sure, Haru thought to himself.

Then, suddenly, Mr. Izawa's sharp eyes locked onto Haru like a predator spotting prey.

The corners of his mouth twisted into a terrifying smile. As the scar stretched, it made the whole expression even more sinister.

He called out, his voice booming with authority.

"Hoshikawa Haru!"

"Here!" Haru responded automatically, springing to his feet.

Only afterward did he realize what he'd just done. He sighed inwardly and twitched slightly at the absurdity of it all.