As soon as the rays of the sun made their way through the window and fell on Naruto's face, he instantly woke up and jumped off the couch. Today is his first day at the Ninja Academy! To Naruto's surprise, he woke up before his mom, who usually always woke him up in the morning. But the boy decided not to waste time and immediately began to collect all the necessary things for studying. In their small two-room apartment, Naruto slept in the living room on a pull-out sofa, and Anko had a separate bedroom. Quietly, so as not to wake his mother, Naruto took out his backpack and put notebooks, pens, and pencils there. He was soon ready to run out of the house when suddenly the bedroom door opened and Anko came out, rubbing her eyes from sleep.
-Where are you going so early? she asked, yawning.
- Can you guess? - sarcastically answered Naruto's question with a question.
Anko, still sleepy, went to the kitchen, trying to remember what day it was.
- Oh my God, today is my first day at the Academy! How could you forget about that? Naruto said cheerfully with mock indignation.
- Oh right, you're going to the Academy today! At these words, a warm smile appeared on Anko's face. - Well, let's have a quick breakfast, and I'll walk you out, okay?
She gently patted Naruto on the head and began to cook breakfast for them to see her son off. After a quick breakfast, Anko and Naruto got dressed and went outside. It immediately became clear that they were walking towards Anko's favorite sweet shop, where dangos were sold.
- Let me guess, we're going to the store where you're going to buy dango? Naruto asked shrewdly.
- To the point! How can it be without this on such an important day? Anko laughed.
They went into a small cozy shop, where they were joyfully greeted by an elderly salesman:
- Oh, Anko and Naruto! What early guests today! What will you take?
- Give us 5 dangos, please! Anko asked.
The seller carefully packed 5 fragrant dangos and handed the bag to Naruto.
- Here you go! Good luck to you today! Be diligent and hardworking!
-Absolutely! Thank you very much! Naruto smiled, taking the package.
Anko gently stroked his head, and they left the shop, heading towards the Academy. After a couple of minutes, Anko couldn't stand it and took the bag of dango from Naruto. She took out two sticks, gave one to Naruto, and took the other for herself. Mom and son happily walked along the road, eating fragrant sweets. Naruto ate his favorite treat with pleasure, and Anko smiled tenderly, looking at the happy boy. When dango's wand was left, Naruto continued to hold it in his mouth, smiling cheerfully. He walked down the street, ignoring the passers-by, some of whom turned around to look at the couple. Anko was dressed as usual, while Naruto had a gray jacket completely unbuttoned at the chest, with a gray mesh T-shirt underneath. He was also wearing grey trousers and black sandals. Naruto and Anko came to the gates of the Ninja Academy. A lot of kids with their parents have already gathered in front of the entrance.
-Well, here we are, Anko said, turning to Naruto. - Are you ready for new discoveries?
- yes! I'm ready! Naruto replied cheerfully, although deep down he was still worried.
- Everything will be fine. Just be yourself and try to establish contact with your classmates. And after class, I'll be waiting for you right here.
- Thanks, Mom! I'll try my best! Naruto nodded and hugged her tightly goodbye.
Anko ruffled his hair once more and gently pushed him towards the gate. Naruto entered the gates of the Academy and found himself in the schoolyard. Guys were scurrying around, talking animatedly. Naruto looked around uncertainly in search of familiar faces. Suddenly, he noticed a boy in the crowd, dressed in a mesh T-shirt and a short open vest of gray with green edging, and on each sleeve was the symbol of the Nara clan. It was Shikamaru Nara, whom Naruto sometimes saw on the playground. Next to Shikamaru stood a fat boy with a pack of chips in his hands - Choji Akimichi.
-hello! Naruto waved his hand. – Are you going to the academy too?
-Oh, it's you, Naruto, Shikamaru replied without much enthusiasm. - Yes, Choji and I will study here too.
- What do you think awaits us on the first day? Naruto asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
-Probably some introductory speeches, getting to know the teachers, Choji shrugged. - The main thing is that there is time to have a snack after classes!
But despite the rather restrained reception, Naruto continued to be cheerful and smiling. He still had a dango stick in his mouth.
- And from which families will you study here? Naruto asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
-We are from the Nara and Akimichi clans,- Shikamaru replied in a tone as if that should explain everything.
- The Nara and Akimichi clans must have been very famous and strong Shinobi there, right? Naruto asked, trying to hide his awkwardness.
-Well, yes, our ancestors were famous for their techniques,- Choji nodded.
- That sounds cool! By the way, I'm from the Mitarashi family. We are not so famous, but I will do my best to succeed! Naruto declared enthusiastically.
- Mitarashi? Oh, well, yes, it seems that I've heard something about this family,- Shikamaru drawled thoughtfully.
- That's right! I will try to prove what I am capable of, despite the lack of a big name! Naruto said confidently.
- That sounds cool! Good luck to you! Choji encouraged him.
When the bell rang, Iruka Umino went out into the courtyard of the academy and invited new students to enter the classroom. The guys sedately entered and looked around.
- Welcome, guys! Come on in, take a seat at your desks! First, let's get to know each other. I am Iruka Umino, and I will be your mentor throughout your studies at the Academy.
Naruto, Shikamaru and Choji occupied the same desk together. Two girls sat next to her - the pink-haired Sakura and the blonde Ino. Naruto stole a glance at Sakura and felt his cheeks flush. -How beautiful she is!- He thought.
One by one, the guys called their names. When it came to Naruto's performance, he stood up and said:
- My name is Naruto Mitarashi! I promise to be a diligent student and master all ninjutsu! Nice to meet you!
After meeting Iruka, Umino distributed notebooks with the curriculum for the year to everyone and began the lesson:
- So, guys, today in the first lesson we will start with the basics. Let's open the textbooks on page 4 and explore what the chakra is, as well as how ninjas use it...
Naruto diligently wrote down everything Iruka said in a notebook. Shikamaru was sitting next to him, looking bored, and Choji was quietly crunching chips under the desk. After the end of classes, the students began to slowly go home. Naruto left the Academy building and stopped at the gate, waiting for his mother to arrive. Naruto waited for a long time at the gates of the Academy, but Anko was still not in sight. The classmates dispersed, there was almost no one left in the yard. Finally, Naruto was approached by a familiar-looking woman with long black hair and red eyes. It was Kurenai Juhi, Anko's friend.
- Hi, Naruto! Why are you standing here alone for so long? Where's Anko? -What is it?- she asked.
-hello! I'm waiting for my mom, she promised to meet me after class, but she's still not here... Naruto replied in frustration.
- Hmm, let me help you find her? Let's go together! Kurenai suggested.
Naruto and Kurenai went to look for Anko. They knew that she could be in two places - in a store with dango and in a bar. After checking the store with dango, they went to the second place and finally found Anko, who was drunk and asleep at the table.
-Why am I not surprised,- Naruto thought to himself. Kurenai was not surprised either.
Kurenai gently shook Anko awake and helped her get up from the table. Anko blinked sleepily and looked at her friend and Naruto in surprise.
- Oh, Naruto... I'm sorry, I think I'm a little late,- Anko muttered, staggering.
- Yes, -a little bit- - Kurenai chuckled. - Okay, let me help you bring Naruto home, and I'll come by your place in the evening.
Naruto silently spat out dango's wand and took his mother's arm, helping her walk. He wasn't too offended that Anko had forgotten about him because of sake, given that it wasn't the first time. At home, Anko lay down to rest, and Kurenai and Naruto had a snack together.
-You know, she loves you very much,- Kurenai said softly. - It's just that sometimes it's hard for her to deal with the past. But she's trying for you.
Naruto nodded. He wasn't mad at Mom. In the evening, Kurenai visited Anko. And in the morning, she apologized to Naruto and once again promised not to do that anymore. Naruto always forgave his mother. After all, she was his only family. The next day, Naruto went to the Academy as usual. Anko walked him to the gate, but she didn't look well at the same time - apparently, she was hungover. In class, Naruto sat down at his desk and took out a textbook and a notebook. Shikamaru and Choji sat down next to each other.
- Hey, Naruto, what happened to you yesterday? Shikamaru asked. - We saw you standing at the gate for a long time after class.
- Just like that... I was a little late,- Naruto replied evasively, not wanting to tell the truth.
- Maybe we can all go to eat ramen together after school today? Choji suggested. - I know a great place nearby!
Naruto smiled and nodded in agreement. A group of friends will help him take his mind off household problems. After classes, the three of them went to the ramen room at Ichiraku. There they had a delicious meal and rested a little after studying. Naruto gradually became amused. In the evening at home, he told Anko about his day. Anko was glad that her son was making friends. After dinner, Anko told Naruto:
- Starting tomorrow, you and I will start additional training after classes at the Academy. The main task will be to practice chakra control so that it is easier for you to master ninjutsu.
Naruto nodded enthusiastically - he liked the idea of additional training with Anko.
- Also, try to find any books and scrolls on the theory and practice of chakra control in the library or bookstores. It will help you in your studies. I'll look for something too.
- Okay, Mom, I will definitely try to get useful books! Naruto promised. He was glad of any opportunity to spend more time with Anko.