Naruto woke up to the familiar chime of a system notification:

[You have slept in your bed. HP & CP are fully restored.]

His eyes snapped open, and a wide smile spread across his face. The ongoing notifications confirmed that this extraordinary experience wasn't just a dream.

"Yes!"

"Shut up!" came the irritated shouts from neighboring apartments.

Unfazed, Naruto turned his attention to the changes he had undergone after clearing the dungeon:

[ Substitution Jutsu - Level: 2 ]

[ Transformation Jutsu - Level: 3 ]

[ Kunai Bukijutsu - Level: 4 ]

[ Shuriken Bukijutsu - Level: 4 ]

[ Class Feature: Scroll Arts - Level: 2 ]

[ Class Feature: Fuinjutsu - Level: 3 ]

Naruto grinned. In just a day, he had improved more than he ever thought possible. But the thought that his teachers might have been deliberately sabotaging him weighed heavily on his mind.

He knew Fujino was struggling with her own issues, but the idea that everyone else might be involved too seemed off—like there was a bigger piece of the puzzle missing.

Should I ask Jiji to help?

The Third Hokage, his beloved Jiji, was often too swamped to make daily visits. His visits were sporadic—sometimes weekly, sometimes only once a month. Naruto cherished those moments at the Sarutobi clan house or when Jiji stopped by his place.

But could he really burden him with this?

It's Gramps's job to help, right? he pondered as he went about preparing his breakfast. Naruto decided on his favorite combo: cup ramen and cereal. Not everyone's choice, sure, but he loved it.

[ Alert: World Quest ]

[ Quest Title: Don't Be Late ]

[ Objective: Arrive at the Academy on time. Time limit: 10 minutes. ]

[ Rewards: 10 Experience Points. Enhanced reputation with Class. ]

[ Penalty for Failure: . ]

[ Action Required: Acceptance or Declination of Quest ]

"It's a reusable quest?!"

[ Quest: Don't Be Late ]

[ Status: Successfully Completed ]

[ Rewards Granted: 10 Experience Points, +5 Reputation with Classroom. ]

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Naruto burst into the classroom just as the timer of the quest rang, his entrance perfectly timed. He quickly glanced at the system, hoping to see some sort of achievement notification for his last-second arrival.

But all he was met with was silence.

"Damnit, give me an achievement!"

This outburst startled some of his classmates, who looked at him with wide eyes and confusion. Whispers quickly spread through the room:

"Did Naruto finally lose it?"

"He just burst in and started talking to himself," another whispered, eyeing Naruto warily.

"I heard he's been acting weird lately... Maybe he's cracked under the pressure," a third student speculated in a hushed tone.

Realizing how odd his behavior must have seemed; Naruto felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. Despite this, he couldn't help but grin as he soaked in the attention from his classmates.

Even though they looked at him like he was a bit of a fool, he didn't mind.

To him, attention was attention, and that was all that mattered. Spotting a free seat next to Hinata, he plopped down beside her with his usual exuberance. Ignoring the shocked expression on Hinata's face, which looked like she was about to melt from embarrassment, Naruto just flashed her one of his broad, confident smiles.

"Hello, Hinata."

He knew his new friend wasn't the most comfortable person, so there was no need to overwhelm her with his loudness. He can be calm when he needs to be.

Hinata spoke softly, disbelief coloring her tone. "You're early two days in a row."

Naruto sweat-dropped, scratching his head as he grumbled back, "Is it really that much of a surprise?"

Hinata nodded, about to say something more, but she was interrupted as Iruka-sensei entered the room. "Quiet!" Iruka used his Big Head Jutsu, instantly silencing the class. "Good, now I'll take attendance."

When he reached Naruto's, he paused and looked up, surprised to see Naruto actually in his seat.

"Am I drunk?" he said out loud, causing snickers to spread through the class. Naruto's face turned red as he retorted, "I can come on time, Sensei."

"Naruto, the last time you were on time was three years ago."

"What about yesterday?"

"You missed the Pledge of Fire yesterday."

"The what now?" Naruto asked, his confusion prompting a series of facepalms around the classroom.

Iruka sighed deeply.

"The Pledge of Fire is the vow of loyalty to Konoha. It's where you repeat the Will of Fire that has been passed down since the First Hokage," Sakura chimed in, turning to Sasuke, expecting some reaction, but finding none.

Naruto shrugged nonchalantly.

"Whatever, I'll do the pledge thing. Anyway, sensei," he continued, puffing out his chest a bit, "I finally got that saying—the early bird gets the... apple?"

"Worm, Naruto, worm," Iruka corrected him, then continued with the attendance.

Meanwhile, Naruto leaned over to Hinata. "What were you saying earlier?"

"I found some information about Uzushiogakure."

"What?!" he exclaimed loudly, unable to contain his surprise, which drew a stern look from Iruka.

"Naruto, I know you're early, but please don't start in the morning."

"Sorry, sensei," Naruto whispered back, then turned his attention to Hinata.

"Tell me everything."

Hinata quickly shared what she had found about Uzushiogakure – its role in Konoha's history, the attitude of people towards it, and the fact that it had been destroyed.

As Hinata relayed the information, Naruto struggled to process it. He had just discovered he had a family, and now he was learning that it had been destroyed. He pondered how he ended up with blond hair – perhaps one of his parents had escaped from Uzushiogakure and married someone in Konoha.

Naruto clenched his fists under the desk, a wave of anger washing over him. Is this why people glare at me? Fear me? Because I'm an outsider, because my clan's village led to the Third Great Ninja War?

As Iruka called the class to stand for the pledge, Naruto rose mechanically, his mind buzzing with the realization that perhaps his teachers were targeting him for reasons beyond his control. He stood there, trying to wrap his head around the idea that those he should be able to trust were using such justifications to harm his future.

As the class recited in unison, "I pledge fidelity to the Will of Fire of the Hidden Leaf Village, and to the unity for which it stands, one community, indivisible, with love and protection for all its people."

Naruto couldn't help but snort at the mention of love. Love, yeah right, where is my love?

His brooding was interrupted when he felt a gentle nudge from Hinata, who offered him a small, encouraging smile. That simple gesture significantly lightened Naruto's heavy heart.

Glancing around the room—at the system, at Hinata, at Iruka, and thinking about Teuchi, Ayame, his Jiji, and the Sarutobi clan—he realized something profound.

I have my own love.

So what if the rest of them don't show me any love?

I'm done caring about their approval.

I've got the system, and I've got folks who care about me.

I'm going to be strong enough to protect those who gave me love and I'll show the world—the Uzumakis aren't to be forgotten.