Naruto: Starting a Long Life as a Konoha Ninja

C1: The Oddball and the Genius

Konoha, Year 42, late March.

The Ninja Academy was about to begin its new school year. The list of students who had passed the entrance examination was posted that very day, and the children and their parents gathered around the bulletin board, excitedly discussing the results.

At the very front of the crowd, however, a father and son dressed in green one-piece jumpsuits were drawing some people's displeasure.

Might Duy, his thick beard covering much of his face, held his son up and ignored the mocking laughter around them as he continued loudly encouraging him. Might Guy, meanwhile, twisted from side to side, desperately searching for his own name. After finding nothing, he could not help but mutter:

"Not here! Not here! Still not here..."

Although Guy had already expected this outcome when the examination ended, seeing the actual results still left a disappointed expression on his face. The voices around him only made him feel worse.

"Ah! I found it!"

"I passed!"

"As expected of my son..."

"That's wonderful! Congratulations!"

"..."

A group of children around six years old and their parents broke into happy laughter. Although being a ninja came with danger, it was ultimately a respectable, well-paying profession-and more importantly, the first choice for civilians hoping to change their social status.

"Son, search carefully..."

Might Duy continued encouraging him loudly, his expression growing increasingly serious. However, halfway through his sentence, his face suddenly felt cold. He instinctively looked up, only to discover that his son was already crying in disappointment.

"It's not there. My name isn't on the bulletin board, Dad."

"Guy, you've already given it your absolute best. Your hard work will definitely be rewarded."

Might Duy looked up at his son and gradually raised his voice. Seeing his son's tears increasing, he shouted with even greater vigor, completely drowning out the mocking voices around them:

"On the road ahead, soaked in tears, you will eventually find your name! Keep searching!"

"Yes!"

Encouraged by his father, Might Guy quickly responded while forcing down his disappointment. The boy stopped crying and continued swaying from side to side, searching for a name that did not exist.

"Might Guy..."

At the very front, Shiranui Genma heard the constant noise coming from above and wore an expression of helplessness. At six years old, he was already considered one of the older children in the village. Putting on a mature expression, he muttered:

"This guy really doesn't know when to give up. His name isn't suddenly going to appear."

Beside him, Ebisu pushed up the sunglasses resting on the bridge of his nose. A sympathetic expression appeared on his face as he sighed:

"I can hardly bear to watch this..."

Hearing his companions whispering beside him, Furukawa Shun noticed that the father and son were gradually becoming dejected. He had no choice but to raise his voice and remind them:

"Don't forget there's also the alternate student admissions list. Don't worry, he'll definitely be able to enroll."

Might Duy and his son immediately turned around as though they had just heard something extraordinary. Both widened their eyes, their thick black eyebrows beginning to rise.