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Chapter 30 - The Hokage’s Reaction

The next day, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in his office, the early morning light filtering through the window. Before him lay the results of the first-grade students' exams. He had already gone through the theoretical exam scores and was now poring over the optional chakra test results. The stack of papers in front of him represented the achievements of around 100 students, spread across four classes.

As he reviewed the theoretical exam scores, Hiruzen's expression shifted from mild interest to shock. The lowest mark among the first-grade students was 70%, while the highest was a perfect 100%. This was a stark contrast to the previous year, where over 60 students scored below 50%, and only a handful managed to break the 90% mark. Yet, here was a class where 20 students had achieved scores above 90%, all from the elite class. Topping the list were Aryan Uchiha and Tsunade Senju, both tied for first place. Following closely were Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo Hatake.

Hiruzen set the papers down and rubbed his temples, trying to process what he was seeing. It was unprecedented, almost unbelievable.

Then he moved on to the results of the optional chakra extraction test. As he scanned the results, his disbelief deepened. Nearly every student had successfully extracted chakra, a feat that was rare among first-year students. The Hokage blinked, momentarily wondering if he was trapped in some elaborate genjutsu. He flipped through the results multiple times, each time confirming what he had read. A slow smile spread across his face, a mix of excitement and awe.

"Could this be real?" Hiruzen muttered to himself. He glanced up at the teachers of the first-grade classes standing before him, their expressions a mixture of pride and apprehension.

He leaned forward, his voice tinged with suspicion but also a hint of hope. "Is this some kind of prank you're playing on this old man? The results seem almost too good to be true."

The teacher from Aryan's class stepped forward, his demeanor serious. "No, Lord Hokage, this is not a prank. These results are the product of the students' hard work, particularly under the leadership of Aryan Uchiha."

Hiruzen's eyebrows shot up. "Explain," he commanded, his curiosity piqued.

The teacher took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "It all started after the class leader selection, about a week after Aryan was chosen. He approached me with a request. He had noticed that some of his classmates, particularly those from civilian backgrounds, were struggling with their studies and training. Aryan asked for permission to use the school facilities on holidays to help these students."

Hiruzen listened intently as the teacher continued. "Seeing his determination, I approved his request with the school's consent. Aryan took it upon himself to organize study sessions and training groups. Tsunade soon joined him in this endeavor. They worked tirelessly, even asking for funds to purchase training equipment. I used some of my own salary to support this, believing in Aryan's vision of helping civilian students who aspire to be ninjas."

Another teacher chimed in, "We noticed that class leaders from other classes also began to join this 'study group' led by Aryan. At first, we didn't pay much attention to it. But now, seeing these results… we're not sure what to make of it."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The implications of this were profound. An entire generation of students, most of whom were from civilian backgrounds, had suddenly leaped forward in their abilities. This was a direct challenge to the traditional power dynamics within the village, where clan-born students typically held the advantage.

After a moment, Hiruzen nodded, a look of resolve settling on his face. "You've done well to support this initiative. The village will reimburse you for the funds you spent on the training equipment."

The teacher's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'm glad to have been able to contribute to the students' success."

Hiruzen gave the teacher a warm smile. "Continue to guide them well. This new generation of ninjas may very well lead Konoha into a brighter future."

As the teachers finished their explanations, Hiruzen dismissed them with a nod, thanking them for their diligence. Alone in his office, he turned his gaze to the village outside his window. He understood the significance of what Aryan had done. If nurtured correctly, this could lead to a greater integration of civilian ninjas into Konoha's ranks, potentially reshaping the village's future.

But with such a shift came risks. The clans had long held a dominant position within the village, and any challenge to that status could lead to unrest. Hiruzen hoped that Aryan's initiative would foster unity rather than division.

He also knew that in this era, many clans still believed that becoming a ninja was their exclusive right, viewing civilians as unworthy. The results from the first-grade exams had the potential to change that perception, but only if handled delicately.

As he set the papers aside, Hiruzen silently resolved to monitor Aryan's progress closely. The boy had already demonstrated leadership and a willingness to bridge the gap between clan and civilian students. He was a potential catalyst for change, and Hiruzen would ensure that Aryan received the support he needed to continue his efforts.

But there was also the unspoken fear—the hope that Aryan wouldn't face setbacks or opposition that could derail what he had started. Hiruzen knew that the path ahead was fraught with challenges, but for now, he chose to focus on the potential for a brighter future.

Author's Note:

This fanfic is a product of my imagination running wild, so don't worry too much about small details regarding character timelines or canon accuracy. I'm just having fun with this story, and I hope you are too. If this isn't for you, feel free to move on, but if you're enjoying it, just go with the flow and enjoy Aryan's journey in this unique take on the Naruto universe!

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