Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 293 Ninja Academy Speech

Kushina Uzumaki, her dazzling long hair swayed with her cheerful steps, like a burning flame.

She looked around curiously, her purple eyes filled with an inquisitive curiosity about everything new.

Holding Nagato's hand, her small body weaved through the crowd, afraid of missing any corner.

"Wow, Nagato, look! This is the Ninja Academy!"

Kushina's voice, clear and bright, brimming with undisguised excitement, contrasted sharply with the surrounding whispers. "It's bigger than all the houses in the village, and there are so many people here!"

Nagato followed closely behind Kushina, his dark eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Unlike Kushina, he didn't show any overt excitement; he simply observed silently.

This place has a completely different atmosphere from the school in Wochao Village in my memory. It is brighter, more open, and more vibrant.

He could feel the joy and anticipation on the faces of the people around him, and this atmosphere gradually dissipated a certain unease deep in his heart.

"Let's go take a look over there!"

Kushina suddenly pointed in a direction, to a window with a wooden sign that read "First-Year Student Registration".

Holding Nagato's hand, she quickened her pace.

At the registration desk, the children of the Uzumaki clan had already formed a long queue.

Most of them had striking red hair, and although they seemed somewhat uneasy, their eyes held a longing for a new life.

Standing at the front of the line, Ninth Generation Uzumaki reassured the somewhat timid children while whispering to the teacher in charge of registration.

Seeing Kushina and Nagato approach, Kyudai and the others waved.

"Kushina, Nagato, come over here quickly."

As the Ninth Generation spoke, a kind smile graced his face.

Kushina pulled Nagato forward and greeted Kyudai sweetly.

"Ninth-generation uncle~"

The Ninth Hokage patted Nagato's head lightly, then said to the teacher in charge of registration, "These are Kushina and Nagato. The Hokage has already explained their enrollment situation."

The teacher, a young Konoha ninja, flipped through the roster in his hand and said with a gentle smile, "The Hokage has specifically instructed that we will make proper arrangements for the Uzumaki clan children."

He first completed the enrollment procedures for Kushina, and then carefully verified Nagato's information.

"Konan, is this the Konoha Ninja Academy?"

Yahiko's voice trembled slightly, but more than that, it was filled with unbelievable excitement.

He stood beside Jiraiya, while Konan quietly nestled against him on the other side.

As the three of them arrived at the school gate, looking at the campus filled with laughter and joy, Yahiko and Minami felt not only longing for their new life, but also an indescribable sense of awe.

This contrasts sharply with their memories of the war-torn Land of Rain, and is also out of place with the somber military camp on the northwest frontier.

"Yes, Yahiko, this is Konoha."

Konan responded softly, her hand tightly gripping Yahiko's clothes. Her originally pale face was now flushed with a healthy blush.

Looking at the expressions on his two disciples' faces, Jiraiya felt a surge of pride.

He coughed lightly, adopting a deliberately serious posture.

"Hey, you two, stop staring like idiots."

Jiraiya patted Yahiko's head and ruffled Konan's hair. "This is your future home, the best place!"

Yahiko nodded vigorously and said loudly, "Teacher, Konoha is truly as you said, peaceful and full of hope."

Xiao Nan didn't speak, but instead cast her gaze at the enormous library, her heart filled with a thirst for knowledge.

The principal's office was spotless, with sunlight streaming through the window and falling on the desk.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in the Hokage robes, did not show his usual fatigue, and had a warm smile on his face.

He finished organizing the documents and confirmed today's arrangements. Then, he took a deep breath and stood up.

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, accompanied by the melodious sound of bells, the opening ceremony of the Ninja Academy officially began.

All the new and returning students, as well as some parents and important figures from the village, gathered in the spacious training ground.

Sunlight streamed down, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in the Hokage robes, slowly walked onto the high platform in the center of the arena under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

A gentle smile graced his face as his gaze swept over the densely packed students below the stage.

He saw Kushina's fiery red hair, the quiet Nagato, and he also saw the undisguised excitement in Yahiko's eyes.

Even in the corner, there was Nara Shikaku, reluctantly being pulled along by Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi—these were all part of Konoha's future.

"Students, teachers, parents,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice echoed clearly across the training ground, carrying a unique infectious quality.

"Welcome everyone to the Konoha Ninja Academy! Welcome back to our teachers, and a special welcome to all the new students, especially our friends from the Land of Whirlpools!"

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. The children of the Uzumaki clan were a little shy, but smiles appeared on their faces.

"I know that in many people's minds, ninjas are powerful fighting machines and the sharpest weapons of the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rose slightly. "That's true. But I want to tell you, ninjas are the foundation for protecting your families, comrades, and the future of your village!"

His words were like a gentle breeze, touching the hearts of everyone present.

Below the stage, Tsunade restrained her usual boldness and listened quietly, while Jiraiya, unusually, also put aside his cynicism and gazed intently at his teacher with deep eyes.

"We have just experienced a war."

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject, his voice becoming deep and serious. "War brings pain and separation. But we have also seen the power of unity and the glimmer of hope."

"We have won everything, but this is not the end. True peace is not just about the end of war. It requires each and every one of us to build and protect it. And that begins with every day you spend at the Ninja Academy."

He looked around, his gaze resolute.

"The Konoha Ninja Academy will be more than just a place to train ninjutsu. It will be a temple of learning and a paradise for growth."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, his gaze lingering particularly on those youthful faces.

"Our new education system requires you not only to master ninjutsu, including fire, water, taijutsu, and genjutsu, but also to study history to understand our past; geography to learn about our world; arithmetic to make life more efficient; and culture to enrich our minds."

"Because the village wants to cultivate ninjas who can think, not just tools for fighting!"

"Only a thoughtful ninja can make the right judgment in complex situations; only a thoughtful ninja can innovate ninjutsu and bring new development to the village; only a thoughtful ninja can truly understand what we are protecting!"

The speech was insightful yet simple, without flowery language, but full of sincere power.

The students listened intently, while the teachers nodded frequently.

They understood that the Hokage was drawing up a completely new blueprint for Konoha.

"Starting today, you will make new friends, learn new knowledge, and experience a new life here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out again, tinged with warmth. "You will laugh together, grow together, and face challenges together."

"There may be friction, there may be confusion. But please remember, you are comrades, you are the hope for the future of Konoha."

"I hope that you can find your own path here, discover your own value, and learn how to use your wisdom and strength to build a better world."

His gaze swept gently over the new faces in the audience once more, especially Kushina, Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.

"To all the new students, from today onwards, this is your home. Konoha, welcome!"

"Here you'll find the most united teammates, the most responsible teachers, the most delicious ramen, and the most dazzling fireworks!"

"So please enjoy every day you spend in Konoha!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the training ground. The students cheered loudly, and the teachers smiled.

The children of the Uzumaki clan felt an unprecedented sense of belonging. Tears silently streamed down Yahiko's face, but he wore a bright smile. Konan held his hand tightly, and both of them were deeply touched by his words.

"Alright, from today onwards, you'll be studying here!"

As Jiraiya spoke, he patted Yahiko on the shoulder.

Yahiko nodded solemnly and said to Jiraiya, "Teacher, we will definitely work hard and live up to your and the Hokage's expectations."

Konan gently tugged at Jiraiya's sleeve, her voice barely audible: "Teacher, the school is really beautiful."

Jiraiya smiled slightly, his gaze gentle.

"Of course. You will learn a lot here. You will learn how to protect and how to love."