Chapter 21: Enrollment
The number of ninjas in this world was drastically different from Ryosuke's past life.
There were no detailed census records, but there were rough estimates floating around—mostly gathered by the daimyos and their respective territories. Among all the nations, the Land of Fire boasted the largest population and most livable environment, yet even then, its population barely reached the tens of millions.
Years of war and bloodshed had taken their toll, driving the global population to an all-time low. Combine that with low birth rates and an aging demographic, and it was clear the world had a population crisis on its hands. Not that anyone seemed to care.
Love and relationships didn't matter much in this world. Many lived their entire lives without ever finding a partner, and it wasn't treated as abnormal.
So when the ninja academy—something Ryosuke had eagerly anticipated—finally opened its doors, he was surprised by how... empty it was.
There were no massive crowds like in his previous life. No long lines to pay tuition. No kids bawling their eyes out. Just about a hundred children at the school gates, each accompanied by their parents, quietly filling out admission forms before stepping through the gate on their own.
Hyuga Hiashi stood beside Ryosuke and Hinata under the shade of a tree, watching the other children line up.
The Uchiha brothers—Itachi and Sasuke—stood out in the crowd with their usual stoic expressions. Both wore long, black, stand-up collar cloaks with the signature fan crest of the Uchiha clan on the back. Their shorts matched the dark aesthetic. Though their clothes looked a little bulky, anyone with eyes could tell they were solidly built underneath.
Beside them were the Inuzuka pair—Kiba and his mother Tsume—both accompanied by their signature ninja dogs.
One familiar face after another began to show up. Hiashi had already briefed them on most of the important attendees before enrollment day, including details about their backgrounds.
But Ryosuke's knowledge went far deeper than that.
Most of the kids standing around him were characters straight out of the original plot—future legends of the ninja world. Still, Ryosuke didn't feel anything particularly special about seeing them all in one place. No awe, no excitement.
Five years in this world had numbed the novelty. Even spotting Uchiha Sasuke or Itachi didn't stir much inside him.
"The students will be divided into two general classes and one elite class, based on their scores in the entrance exams," Hiashi said, his tone calm and precise. "The entrance test will be held one month after the semester begins. The results will determine where you'll be placed for the next few years."
Then he added, "But there's one exception. One student will enter the elite class directly—no tests required."
Just as he said that, Ryosuke spotted a figure he knew all too well.
Spiky blond hair. Bright blue eyes like the sky itself.
Uzumaki Naruto.
The so-called child of destiny. The protagonist of this world.
He stood off to the side, sticking out like a sore thumb.
Not because of anything flashy—his looks were average, and his presence wasn't particularly strong—but because of how everyone else behaved around him. People gave him space, avoided eye contact, and acted like he wasn't even there.
But ignoring someone that blatantly only made them stand out more.
"Naruto Uzumaki. The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. Also the son of the Fourth Hokage," Hiashi continued in a low voice. "He's the one allowed to skip the exam and enter the elite class directly."
Hiashi turned to Ryosuke and Hinata. "I've marked his file. The information I've shared with you is confidential. Do not disclose it to anyone. And while you're at school, do not get too close to him. Don't make him a close friend."
He paused, his voice a little colder than usual. "His existence is... sensitive to Konoha's leadership. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," both Ryosuke and Hinata replied at once.
Ryosuke didn't take Hiashi's warning too seriously. He knew how to play the game. Still, seeing Naruto now, he realized the boy was different from how he remembered him.
Wasn't Naruto supposed to be cheerful and outgoing? The type to talk your ear off no matter how many times you brushed him off?
Maybe the Sandaime hadn't encouraged him enough. Maybe his optimism hadn't been born yet.
"Most of the kids have already gone in," Hiashi said after a moment. "It's your turn now."
Ryosuke nodded, about to take Hinata's hand.
But before he could move, Hinata—expression blank since they left the house—took the lead. She marched toward the gate with a quiet confidence, her small frame surprisingly imposing.
Ryosuke chuckled softly and followed. He was genuinely impressed. Look at her go.
As expected of Hyuga clan members, their arrival didn't go unnoticed. Parents nearby turned their heads. Even Uchiha Itachi gave them a long, focused glance before turning away.
But Ryosuke noticed something—Itachi's gaze lingered a bit longer on Hinata.
Her cold, distant demeanor definitely made her stand out, giving off a vibe that said don't mess with me.
With some help from the school staff, Ryosuke and Hinata completed the paperwork and officially enrolled.
Now, all students were being guided toward the small playground to hear a welcome speech from the academy's head—none other than the Third Hokage himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Ryosuke already knew what to expect. Same old speech, same clichés.
But tradition was tradition, and none of the other clans were skipping it. If the Hyuga did, it'd just come off as arrogant.
The playground wasn't huge—maybe the size of two basketball courts—but with just over a hundred kids, it didn't feel crowded.
Hinata walked ahead, back straight, white eyes forward. She moved with quiet dominance. Even though she was among the last to arrive, the crowd of students instinctively parted for her.
She stepped into the front row, standing beside Uchiha Sasuke.
Ryosuke had hoped to hang back and chill in the last row, but nope—he followed her to the front, feeling like her damn plus-one.
Not that he minded. With everyone's eyes on Hinata, no one was paying attention to him.
Finally, some peace—
"Hyuga Ryosuke?"
A soft, curious voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned and saw a girl with delicate features, her face bright under the sun. Golden hair, bright blue eyes—there was no mistaking her.
Yamanaka Ino.
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