Chapter 3: A New Beginning

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Chapter 3: A New Beginning

The mansion they now called home stood tall and imposing, its sleek, modern architecture a far cry from the humble, rustic homes Naruto had known in Konoha. Minato had spared no expense in acquiring the perfect home for his family in this unfamiliar world, and it was beautiful—a sprawling property with manicured lawns, a pool, and wide windows that allowed the sunlight to pour in, casting soft, golden beams across the spacious living room. Everything was pristine, almost too perfect.

Naruto had been in awe of the house when they first arrived. It was everything he had never dreamed of—luxurious, comfortable, and filled with everything he could need. But despite the lavish surroundings, there was a nagging sense of discomfort deep within him. The transition from being a ninja in Konoha to a high school student in the real world wasn’t going to be easy. It was something he hadn’t expected, even though his parents had mentioned it the night before.

Now, as they settled into their new life, Minato’s voice broke through Naruto’s thoughts.

“Alright, Naruto, we’ve got everything in order. Now, you’re going to have to go to high school tomorrow. It’s time to blend in with the world around us.”

Naruto blinked, his expression faltering. School? Again? he thought, his mind flashing back to the countless years he spent sitting in class, either ignored by his peers or dismissed as the "problem child" of Konoha. Though his grades had improved after his training with the Hokage, the school environment had never been something Naruto enjoyed.

“Wait, school? High school? Oh man...” Naruto groaned, running a hand through his messy, blonde hair. His bangs fell into his eyes, mirroring the wild, untamed look of his father. Despite everything that had happened, his appearance still mirrored that of Minato—blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and tan skin, not to mention the signature whisker marks on his cheeks. His father’s good looks were definitely in his genes. But his resemblance to Minato wasn’t just skin deep. There was a quiet strength in his posture and a natural charisma in the way he held himself. Naruto had always been the center of attention back in Konoha, and here, in this new world, it seemed like he was about to become the same.

Minato, ever the calm and collected figure, chuckled as he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. “Yes, Naruto. You have to go. It's important for you to understand how this world works. And... we don’t want to raise any more suspicion. You’ve got to live a normal life here, at least for now.”

“But I’m not normal…” Naruto muttered, his words almost a whisper as he thought back to everything he had done in Konoha. I’ve trained to be a warrior, not a student. What do I even do at a high school?

Kushina, who had been preparing breakfast in the kitchen, overheard their conversation and walked into the living room with a warm smile. “Oh, Naruto, it’s not so bad. High school isn’t as tough as you think. Just think of it as... a way to get to know more about this world. Plus, you’ll probably make new friends!” she added cheerfully, trying to comfort him.

Naruto looked at his mom, then at his dad, who seemed so confident about this decision. He sighed, resigned. “Fine. I guess I’ll go. But if they try to make me wear a uniform, I swear I’ll—”

“You’ll go along with it, just like any normal student,” Minato interrupted with a playful grin. "You need to adjust to the world, Naruto. You’ll be fine.”

The next morning, Naruto dressed in the standard high school uniform Minato had gotten for him—a white dress shirt with a blue tie, a navy blazer, and matching slacks. He hadn’t expected to feel so... out of place. The sharp edges of the clothes felt restrictive compared to the loose, comfortable attire he was used to back home. He looked at himself in the mirror, examining his reflection for a moment. He still looked like Minato—perhaps even more so now that he was wearing this uniform. But he didn’t feel like him. Not yet.

I’m Uzumaki Naruto Namekaze now. I’m going to make my own name here, he reminded himself, setting his jaw in determination.

Arriving at the school felt surreal. It was a massive building, unlike anything he had seen back in Konoha, with towering glass windows, hallways that stretched endlessly, and the constant hum of students chatting and laughing in between classes. The hallways buzzed with energy, but Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a world where he didn’t belong.

When he entered the classroom, every head turned toward him. The murmur of whispers filled the air, and Naruto immediately felt the weight of all those eyes on him. He couldn’t help but notice that many of the girls seemed especially interested in him, their eyes wide with curiosity.

He was used to attention, but not like this. This was a different kind of attention. A curious, almost reverential one. It didn’t help that he resembled his father—Minato’s handsome features were clear on his face, down to the way his blonde hair fell in messy waves, like he had just rolled out of bed. And then there were those stunning blue eyes that seemed to captivate anyone who looked into them. His tan skin only made his features stand out more.

Naruto shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. I guess I can’t just blend in like I thought I could, he thought.

“Ah, you must be the new student,” the teacher, a middle-aged man with glasses, said as he glanced up from his desk. “Naruto Uzumaki Namekaze, right? Why don’t you introduce yourself to the class?”

Naruto straightened, brushing his messy hair out of his eyes as he stood at the front of the classroom. His hands were a little sweaty, but he pushed through it, giving the class a grin, his usual energetic demeanor coming to the forefront.

“Yeah, uh, I’m Naruto Uzumaki Namekaze. I just moved here, and I’m looking forward to... um, getting to know all of you!” he said, flashing a confident smile. His voice had the usual upbeat tone, even though inside, he felt like he was standing on a different planet. He wasn’t the Hokage’s son here. He wasn’t the boy who was constantly looked down on. He was Naruto—just Naruto.

The class remained silent for a moment before a few students clapped. The girls whispered excitedly among themselves, while the guys seemed to be sizing him up, trying to figure out who this mysterious new student was.

As Naruto sat down at his desk, a group of students walked over. One of them, a tall boy with short black hair and glasses, introduced himself.

“Hey, I’m Kaito. You’re the new kid, huh? You look like you could handle yourself pretty well. You’re from Japan, right?”

Naruto nodded, deciding to play it cool. “Yeah. Came here with my folks.”

Kaito grinned. “You’re gonna fit right in. Just don’t make too much of a scene, alright?” His tone was friendly, but there was an underlying challenge in his voice.

Naruto's smile widened. “I never make a scene... unless I want to.”

The class chuckled lightly, but Naruto’s mind was already racing. So this is high school, huh? It’s gonna be a lot different from being a ninja... but I’ll figure it out. I always do.

And with that, Naruto Uzumaki Namekaze, the son of the legendary Hokage and the man who would make a name for himself in the world of boxing, took his first steps toward creating a new life in this strange world. The real challenge was just beginning.

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