Unless Emily is an unparalleled beauty, a super genius like Minato Namikaze, what reason would the Sannin have to take her in as a personal student? Is Emily a super genius? Clearly, at best, Emily is just a jonin, nowhere near being a genius. So, Orochimaru’s purpose in taking Emily as a personal disciple is obvious—he needs the power of Mitarashi Zixiao to support his bid to become Hokage. Yet, it’s precisely this powerhouse, whom even Orochimaru wants to win over, who has become so henpecked that he’s practically at death’s door.

Konoha’s women really are fierce! I remember Naruto’s mom was just as tough. The dignified Fourth Hokage, the Golden Flash who shook the ninja world, was turned into a good homemaker with impressive cooking skills under her training. Truly... delightful to see.

“Emily, when you grow up, you must become a virtuous and kind woman.” Henry Carter hooked pinkies with Little Emily, the two making a promise. In the original story, that tomboyish, brash girl was basically the ultimate evolution of a zombie—unacceptable. My Emily will definitely become the perfect woman in the future.

Chapter 7: Are There Really No Normal People at the Ninja Academy?

“Where the leaves dance, there is fire. The fire’s light will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout again. When you want to protect those you cherish, that’s when a ninja’s true strength emerges...”

At the entrance ceremony for the new class at the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood on the podium, passionately instilling the Will of Fire into Konoha’s next generation. Known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi was indeed a great orator. The applause from the parents was thunderous, one round after another. After all, all the adults made their living in Konoha—if you got outshined at a time like this, how would you get by in the future? According to a certain anonymous purple-haired, masked Anbu, the Third Hokage is actually quite petty.

Henry Carter stood among a group of four- and five-year-old kids, constantly sizing up the crowd. He couldn’t help it—there were just too many big shots present today. Not to mention the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the podium, even among the kids there were many who would become Konoha’s pillars in the future.

There was the thick-browed, bowl-cut kid in green—Might Guy, the future Blue Beast of Konoha, who was currently just a clueless newbie. You’d never guess this guy would one day open all Eight Gates and rub Six Paths Madara’s face in the dirt. Then there was Obito Uchiha, who had just helped an old lady cross the street and was half an hour late because of it. This future boss was currently sneaking glances at the brown-haired girl next to him. Hmm, that’s Olivia Parker. To the right of Olivia Parker was a white-haired boy with dead-fish eyes—Sakata Gin... no, Kakashi Hatake. White hair and a mask—he kept this look until he died, which is probably why he never had a girlfriend.

“Ahem... Nice to meet you, I’m James Harris.”

Interrupted, Henry Carter looked to his side. James Harris, with black hair, had something that looked like a cigarette in his mouth, striking a cool pose. Slurp, slurp—the thing in his mouth turned out to be a lollipop.

What should I say about you? If you want to act cool, why not use a real cigarette? Though you’d probably get beaten up by the Third right there on the podium. Still, you’ve got the veteran smoker look down pretty well—must have stolen plenty of the Third’s cigarettes! Kid, don’t say I didn’t warn you: smoking causes impotence.

“That’s my dad up there on the podium. That’s right, even though I hid it so well, you still figured it out—I’m the Third Hokage’s son.” Seeing the girl he liked ignoring him and looking annoyed, James Harris quickly played his trump card. Usually, when those aunties heard he was the Third’s second son, they’d shower him with hugs and kisses. But as soon as James finished, he regretted it. How could the goddess he admired be like those flashy little vixens? Her looks were so perfect, her posture so graceful, her temperament so outstanding—she definitely wouldn’t care about his status. She might even dislike him for what he just said, thinking he’s a lazy good-for-nothing. She’s frowning—crap, better change the subject, there’s still time.

“But don’t tell anyone, keep it low-key. I don’t want too many people to know.”

If you don’t want people to know, don’t say it so loudly! That super loser over there, Obito Uchiha, is already looking at you with envy, jealousy, and hatred! You’re doomed—you definitely won’t make it to the end of the story.

Actually, Obito Uchiha was thinking: So cool, he’s already confessing! I really want to get to know the girl next to me too, but there are so many people... I’m so shy! Maybe I’ll dress up cooler and talk to her another day!

James put his hands in his pockets, took a slurp, and said to Henry Carter with deep emotion, “I don’t want people to treat me differently because of my father’s status. Even though everyone likes me, I know it’s because of my dad. I just want to prove myself. Also, I hope to make some friends who don’t care about my status. Can we be friends?”

Get lost... Are you blind? I’m a real man! If you want to hit on girls, go over there—see that red-eyed girl? That’s Kurenai Yuhi, go flirt with her!

Henry Carter stared into James’s eyes, and after making him blush and his heart race, coldly spat out five words: “Get lost, I’m a guy!”