Ch 4

This year's freshmen include not only the Kizaru but also three other children from the Shimura family, all carefully selected and showing promising potential.

These three children—two boys and one girl—are named Shinobu Shimura, Yoshihiko Shimura, and Yuki Shimura. Among them, Yoshihiko Shimura is the grandson of the third elder.

The Shimura clan, renowned in the village much like the Sarutobi clan, once boasted over 800 members and nearly 200 ninjas during its prosperous period.

However, after Danzo ascended to the top position and established the Root organization, the family endured significant sacrifices to support him.

Over the past decade, the family's population has dwindled from over 800 members to just above 500, with the number of ninjas halving to approximately 100—a substantial setback.

Yet, these sacrifices yielded significant benefits. With unwavering family support, Danzo solidified his grip on the Root, wielding considerable power in the village.

As Danzo's influence grew, so did the family's businesses in the village, forging closer ties with the Fire Country nobility and expanding their land holdings twofold.

Moreover, leveraging his position, Danzo acquired numerous mid to high-level ninjutsu, including forbidden techniques, for the family's benefit.

Despite these advancements, the current state of the Shimura clan represents both its peak and lowest over the past half-century.

For the Shimura clan, what they require most is time—to consolidate their recent gains and strengthen their position.

The arrival of the Kizaru brings tremendous joy to the Shimura family. With his smooth growth, the family need not fear losing their hard-earned advantages to rival clans.

Furthermore, with a powerhouse like Kizaru, the family stands to gain even more in the future.

Hence, the family spares no expense in nurturing and supporting the Kizaru, viewing him as the future patriarch.

Every child in the Shimura clan hears daily praise and warnings from their parents and elders regarding Kizaru:

"Kizaru is the future patriarch of the family; you must respect him and avoid offending him!"

Growing up in such an environment, and with Kizaru's amiable demeanor, Shimura's family, and all children of his generation, hold him in high esteem, proud of their close association with him.

For Shimura Shinobu, Shimura Yoshihiko, and Shimura Yuki, becoming classmates with Brother Kizaru fills them with joy.

Upon learning that he and his elder brother would be in the same class, Shimura Yoshihiko displayed a proud expression, boasting to his friends.

"Hahaha!" Amidst envious gazes, Shimura Yoshihiko laughed, hands on hips.

However, Shimura Yuki, the sole girl among them, sporting heroic sword-like eyebrows, emitted an unwilling snort at Shimura Yoshihiko's smugness.

Shimura Yuki also admires Kizaru's brother greatly. Having faced similar hardships—both losing their parents to Root missions and being cared for by the family—they share a strong bond.

Failing to enter the school's elite class due to a mistake in the entrance exam, Shimura Yuki feels regretful for not being classmates with Kizaru.

"Yuki, are you jealous?" Shimura Yoshihiko, noticing her cold snort, taunts her. "Hahaha! Your failure to pass the elite class is the result of your usual laziness!"

"You!" Anxious, Yuki Shimura glares at Yoshihiko Shimura, her bright eyes narrowing. "I'll challenge you to reclaim the elite class position at the year-end exam!"

"Just try!" Shimura Yoshihiko, prideful, retorts.

"Enough, stop arguing!" Shimura Shinobu, the most mild-mannered, intercedes gently, attempting to quell the brewing conflict.

"Shinobu, move aside!" Irritated by Yoshihiko's attitude, Yuki Shimura shoves past him, ready to confront him.

"Yuqi, I don't want trouble, but I can't stand Shanyan's attitude," remarks a bespectacled boy with fox-like eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Approaching from a distance, Kizaru, accompanied by his three younger brothers, hears the fox-eyed boy causing trouble.

"Shinobu, up to mischief again?" Kizaru chides playfully as he approaches, reaching out to ruffle Shintaro's hair affectionately.

Blushing, Shinobu, who admires Kizaru greatly, protests, "Don't touch my head; I'm not a child anymore."

"Bah!" Shaking his head with a smile, Kizaru taps Shinobu's forehead lightly.

In his past life as the "Kid King," Kizaru cultivated close relationships with his peers in the clan. From a young age, he assisted the adults in caring for the younger ones, earning him their admiration.

Shinobu, longing to become a ninja like Kizaru and attend school with him, envies the trio.

"Brother Kizaru, you'll definitely become the strongest ninja!" Shinobu gazes up at him, eyes shining with admiration.

"Absolutely!" Kizaru affirms without hesitation.

With that, he straightens up, addressing his three younger brothers, "Yoshihiko, Yuki, Shinobu, let's go! We'll be late!"

"Ready, Brother Kizaru!"

"Let's go, Brother Kizaru!"

"Okay, Brother Kizaru!"

With chests puffed out proudly, the three follow Kizaru, walking towards the school gate, under the envy-filled gazes of their peers.