Chapter 129

As the classroom fell silent in anticipation, Zenitsu Hatake stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. His silver hair glistened under the classroom lights as he surveyed the eager faces before him.

"Good morning, young Shinobi," he began, his voice firm yet gentle. "I am Zenitsu Hatake, and I will be your homeroom teacher for this year."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "The Hokage has already informed you of what to expect in the Shinobi course. But let me make one thing clear: while you may expect to have fun in my classroom, you must also understand that you need to have what it takes."

Zenitsu's gaze swept across the room, his expression serious. "I do not mind repeating or teaching you things you may not understand. However, I expect diligence and effort from each and every one of you. This class will be the elite class, where equal opportunity will be given to everyone, regardless of their status."

He emphasized, "Even the civilians and orphaned children who may struggle to obtain the resources that clan children have access to can approach me directly. But they must be willing to work for it."

Pausing for a moment to let his words sink in, Zenitsu continued, "Every month, there will be a complete overall assessment. Those who cannot clear it will not be able to continue in the elite class and will be moved to a lower level."

With that, he looked around the room, his eyes meeting each student's gaze with determination. "Remember, young Shinobi, greatness is not achieved overnight. It is earned through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I expect nothing less from each of you."

As the revelation hung in the air, the classroom fell into a hushed silence. Shikamaru's inquiry about the chance to return to the elite class lingered, his expression betraying a hint of concern. The old man, Zenitsu, nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes holding a glint of curiosity as he awaited the question.

"Sensei, do we get a chance to return to the elite class if we fall to a lower level?" Shikamaru's voice cut through the stillness, drawing the attention of his classmates. All eyes turned to Zenitsu, eager for his response, as the weight of their privileges hung in the balance.

Zenitsu's lips curled into a knowing smile. "A Nara kid, huh?" he remarked with a hint of amusement before addressing the question. "Yes, you will have a chance to return to the elite class. However, I must warn you, it's much easier to stay in the elite class than to claw your way back. And rest assured, extenuating circumstances such as prolonged injuries will be taken into consideration."

Before another question could be raised, Naruto's impatience broke through. "Sensei, does the assessment include academic subjects as well? Will we have exams on trigonometry and science?" His voice betrayed his anxiety, and the fear of failure was evident in his words.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Zenitsu repeated, his eyes glinting with recognition. "Yes, the assessment will be comprehensive. It will encompass all aspects—ninjutsu, physical training, intellectual pursuits, and the knowledge you acquire."

Naruto's shoulders slumped in dismay, his head dropping onto the desk in disbelief. "Why did they have to add all those stupid things to the assessment? I'm sure I'm going to be pushed out of the elite class," he murmured, his confidence wavering.

But Zenitsu wasn't about to let Naruto succumb to doubt. "Naruto," he called out, his tone firm yet encouraging. "Tell me, what is your dream?"

Naruto's head shot up, determination flashing in his eyes. "I am going to become the greatest shinobi of Konoha and become the hokage," he declared with unwavering resolve.

"Ah, a Hokage," Zenitsu mused. "So tell me, future Hokage, let me present you with an imaginary scenario." His voice took on a serious tone, capturing the attention of the entire classroom. "You and your companions are on a mission, ambushed and trapped in a maze. Your teammates are poisoned; their lives are hanging in the balance. Using your wit is the only way out. What would you do?"

The question hung in the air, and the challenge was clear. It was a test not just of skill but also of character. And as the young Shinobi pondered their teacher's words, the true journey of their training was only just beginning.

As Zenitsu's words hung in the air, a wave of contemplation washed over the classroom. Many students had previously dismissed academic subjects as irrelevant to Shinobi training, but they wouldn't be far from the truth. While swinging a sword might come naturally to some, the importance of antidotes, fuinjutsu, and ninjutsu cannot be denied. True mastery of the ninja arts required a breadth of knowledge and skill beyond mere physical prowess.

Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha's muttered disdain for Naruto, the Yondaime's son, did not go unnoticed by Zenitsu. Despite the Uchiha clan's reputation for greatness, Sasuke's judgmental attitude betrayed his arrogance.

"Tch, he is the Yondaime's son? Such a coward, so much weakness," Sasuke whispered under his breath as he looked at Naruto with disdain. His brother Itachi had told him how great the Yondaime Hokage was, so he had great expectations for his son. He even had thoughts of becoming friends with him, but now he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

However, Zenitsu noted this, carefully observing each of the more than 100 children in the classroom.

"You there, Uchiha kid. What's your name?" Zenitsu questioned, gesturing toward Sasuke, who stood up to address the old man.

"Sasuke Uchiha!" Pride dripped from every pore of his body. Even though the Uchiha clan had changed a lot, there was still that characteristic arrogance etched into their very bones. Sasuke had inherited it completely. He wouldn't show this in the presence of his family, but here, where he thought he was the greatest genius, he looked down on everyone.

"Tell me, kid, do you think you are better than everyone present in this classroom?" Zenitsu questioned, expecting a confident answer.

Without hesitation, Sasuke affirmed, "Yes, Sensei."

However, in the next second, a massive wave of bloodlust engulfed the entire classroom, freezing everyone in their tracks. Some even succumbed to their fear, crying and pleading for release. Even Sasuke, who stood, was completely frozen in fear. His instinct told him to run, and he questioned how the rest of these mediocre students would handle things.

Contrary to his expectations, however, some students, especially the trio of Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji, showed exceptional resistance to the bloodlust. They were even in a position to defend themselves if need be. Zenitsu also noticed a few other students who showed great courage and resistance to his bloodlust.

Releasing his aura, Zenitsu freed the classroom from the pressure. Sasuke was left completely soaked in sweat, his composure shattered.

"Tell me, kid, do you think you are stronger than the rest who reacted to my bloodlust in a better way?" Zenitsu questioned, not wanting to embarrass Sasuke further because he understood this was the kind of pride most clan children held.

"Remember, children, everyone has weaknesses. It is nothing to be ashamed of. What you should be ashamed of is not being willing to put in the effort to mitigate these weaknesses. And strength doesn't come in a single form. Even being willing to withhold the secrets of your village under enemy torture is a kind of strength," Zenitsu continued.

However, Sasuke's face was already completely drained of color as he sat back. Sakura and a few other girls who idolized Sasuke by the side saw this and couldn't help but inwardly curse their new sensei, which did not escape Zenitsu's watchful eyes.

Zenitsu's gaze shifted to Sakura, who stood uncertainly amidst the tension in the classroom. "No need to stand; just answer me. Do you think this is harsh?" He asked, his tone firm but not unkind. Sakura, feeling the weight of the room's atmosphere, simply nodded, choosing not to voice her opinion aloud for fear of drawing unwanted attention.

"Would you kids believe me if I told you that I was already fighting on the battlefield when I was your age? Would you believe me if I told you that I have cut down enemy Shinobi who are even younger than you?" Zenitsu's words hung heavy in the air, punctuated by the gravity of his experiences.

"Remember, the peaceful life that you enjoy now is the result of countless sacrifices made by courageous Shinobi and the efforts of a few exceptional individuals who built this safe haven, like Hashirama-sama and Madara-sama," Zenitsu continued, his voice unwavering. "What you guys enjoy now is heaven compared to the hell that existed before Konoha was built."

The children in the classroom reeled in shock and disbelief, their murmurs and hisses echoing in the tense atmosphere, particularly among the clan Shinobi. Uchiha Madara was a taboo topic in the Leaf Village, but Zenitsu refused to deny the man the respect he was owed. Though Madara ultimately sought to harm the village he helped create, one could not deny the contributions he made—at least, Zenitsu wouldn't.

Sasuke, who had been gloomy, looked up as the name of Uchiha Madara was mentioned. As for Zenitsu, Tsunade had tasked him with honing these younglings to the best of his abilities, and that was precisely what he intended to do.

"I am not asking you children to become mindless cold-blooded killers, but if you want to call yourselves Shinobi one must atleast be prepared to kill and be killed , you must at least be in a position to defend your village and your loved ones, don't you think?" Zenitsu's voice held a practical edge, shaped by his experiences in both the harsh reality of the warring states and the serenity of village life. He knew all too well that just because they had a village now didn't mean the world was safe—if anything, it had become more dangerous. No one knew what kind of danger lurked, and all he could do was prepare these children to the best of his abilities.

"You kids don't have to worry. Don't think that to stay in the elite class, you have to be the absolute best at everything. Not everyone can excel in everything, so it will be a comprehensive score. I don't expect you all to be geniuses, but I will not tolerate mediocrity as well. You must at least be able to answer at least 6 out of 10 questions posed to you in the future and as long as I feel someone is putting enough effort I might even consider keeping them in elite class even if they are a bit below threshold."

"So, I won't bore you kids with more nonsense. As for your names, I won't ask for them now. Stand out from the rest of your peers and excel in what you do. I will ask for your names myself. Trust me, although talent matters, it is not everything. There are people who are even willing to challenge the gods with mere will and effort. So get up; let's not waste any more time. It's time to help you kids with chakra refinement and control." With that, Zenitsu directed the children towards the massive training area dedicated to the young Shinobi.

As the class progressed into the morning, Zenitsu proved himself to be a truly elite shinobi. He tailored and adjusted his teachings to suit every child's needs. While most clan children already possessed a decent knowledge of chakra control, the same couldn't be said for civilian and orphan children. Despite this discrepancy, Zenitsu managed to adapt his lessons to accommodate each child's current level of understanding.

The practical lessons were particularly engaging, with additional instructors brought in to provide individualized attention and guidance. For those struggling with basic chakra control, Zenitsu patiently worked with them, offering tips and techniques to help them improve. Meanwhile, he challenged the more advanced students with increasingly complex exercises, pushing them to refine their skills further.

By the time noon arrived, the classroom was buzzing with energy and excitement. The children had already learned so much in just a few short hours, and they couldn't wait to see what the rest of the day had in store for them under the tutelage of their formidable sensei.

As lunchtime approached, senior students lined up neatly in the cafeteria area, their anticipation evident as they eagerly awaited the feast that awaited them. Some carried their own lunch boxes, but these were mostly the first-year students who had yet to understand the true benefit of the food provided by the academy, while others looked forward to sampling the academy's offerings. The scent of freshly prepared dishes wafted through the air, enticing hungry appetites.

The dedicated semi-outdoor area designated for the cafeteria was a sight to behold. Neatly arranged tables sprawled across the serene environment, each capable of comfortably accommodating a dozen students. The atmosphere was vibrant yet peaceful, with the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds providing a soothing backdrop.

The kitchen, equipped with cutting-edge technology, hummed with activity as skilled chefs meticulously prepared meals tailored to the needs of young shinobi. The food, not only delicious but also nutritionally balanced, was designed to fuel the students' growing bodies and sharpen their minds. Utilizing exotic meats sourced from animals captured in the Forest of Death, the academy ensured that each meal was infused with vitality and energy.

For those seeking a more serene dining experience, the option to dine under the shade of trees or on the neatly manicured lawn was available. Tables were strategically placed to take advantage of the natural surroundings, providing students with the perfect setting to relax and enjoy their meals amidst the tranquility of nature.

Overall, the cafeteria area offered not only nourishment for the body but also a sense of community and camaraderie as students gathered to refuel and recharge before returning to their rigorous training sessions.

Shikamaru and the rest of the familiar faces had already formed a tight-knit group, their camaraderie evident as they lounged together. Unlike the others, Shikamaru and Choji showed up without any lunch boxes, prompting Naruto to question their lack of preparation. Even Hinata and Ino, part of the group, looked on with curiosity as to why their friends hadn't brought lunch.

With a nonchalant shrug, Choji explained their strategy: "We're hitting up the school cafeteria. Trust me, the food there is top-notch, and the best part? It's all you can-eat for free." His eyes lit up with excitement, sparking interest among nearby students who overheard. The prospect of such enticing cafeteria fare piqued their curiosity, and whispers spread throughout the first-year groups.

Before Naruto could delve further into their plan, Shikamaru and Choji made their exit, heading off to satisfy their hunger. Their confidence in the cafeteria's offerings left Naruto and the others intrigued, wondering what culinary delights awaited them within the school's dining halls.

As the rest of the group unpacked their lunches, Shikamaru and Choji returned bearing two massive platters overflowing with food. The sight left the younger children in awe, their eyes widening in disbelief as the duo approached. Ino couldn't contain her surprise, blurting out, "Since when did you start eating so much, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru's expression remained somber as he glanced at Choji, who flashed a sheepish grin in return. "What?" Choji retorted, his tone casual. "Your plate was empty, so I figured I'd save us the trouble and fill it up for you instead of getting a second plate for myself." His explanation drew chuckles from the group as they realized the comedic situation: Shikamaru wasn't carrying all that food for himself, but rather because there was simply no more room on Choji's plate.