Deskmate (Please Bookmark)

Sitting in the sacred window seat at the back of the classroom, Uchiha Kiyo read with great interest.

With such a perfect seat, Uchiha Kiyo dared say that even during class, he could openly read extracurricular books!

As time passed, more and more students arrived.

There were also several ninja from the Aburame Clan, Sarutobi Clan, Nara Clan, and Yamanaka Clan.

As expected of Class 1, every clan had sent ninja from their ranks, and all of them were among the better students.

Class 1 could still be considered mixed, with a few civilian ninja among them. Class 2, however, was different. It was entirely made up of clan ninja—those who had not performed as outstandingly during special training were assigned there.

As for Class 3, most of its students were civilian ninja. Of course, there were still clan ninja there, though they were generally less talented. Even so, they still ranked near the top of their class.

Class 4 was the worst class, composed entirely of civilian ninja.

With things arranged this way, the top students in the first three classes were basically monopolized by the clans. Unless a few exceptionally gifted civilian students emerged, that was simply how things would remain.

As the students trickled in, the classroom gradually filled up.

Aside from Uchiha Kiyo, there was another member of the Uchiha Clan from the same generation in Class 1: Uchiha Tao, who had sparred with Uchiha Kiyo during special training.

With an older Jonin brother like Uchiha Ryu, Uchiha Tao had an extremely solid foundation in taijutsu. During special training, his progress had been nothing short of rapid, and only Uchiha Kiyo could spar with him.

With Uchiha Kiyo as an opponent, blocking every one of his attacks no matter how he struck, Uchiha Tao made great progress each time. Even Uchiha Ryu had been astonished.

Having such a powerful opponent naturally benefited Uchiha Kiyo as well, and his taijutsu improved at an astonishing pace.

Unlike Uchiha Kiyo, Uchiha Tao was extremely high-profile. He sat directly in the window seat of the first row, looking every bit as proud as one would expect from an Uchiha brat.

Uchiha Kiyo looked around as well. There were no important characters from the original story in his year.

Aside from those mentioned earlier, Uchiha Kiyo spotted a child wearing a uniform emblazoned with the Senju Clan crest.

At this time, the Senju Clan had not yet completely declined. During the First Shinobi World War, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had died in battle. Under the leadership of the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito, the Senju Clan had intermarried with civilians and entered a semi-reclusive state. Even so, some Senju ninja remained active in the Ninja World.

Just then, a smiling boy with short brown hair entered the classroom. His first impression was one of sunshine and cheerfulness.

The moment he entered, he climbed onto the podium and shouted at everyone below.

"Listen up, all of you! My name is Senju Nawaki, and I'm going to become Hokage!"

Then he burst into loud laughter.

Uchiha Kiyo and the other students all wore the same expression: utter shock. Did he have to be this arrogant? Couldn't he keep a lower profile?

And Uchiha Kiyo was thinking even more.

"Senju Nawaki? Isn't he Tsunade's younger brother? That can't be right. Why would he be in the same year as us? Shouldn't he be in the next year, alongside Uchiha Mikoto?"

Uchiha Kiyo could not make sense of it.

Uchiha Mikoto was the mother of Itachi and Sasuke in the original story, the wife of the Uchiha Clan Leader, and the granddaughter of the Uchiha Clan's Third Elder.

Uchiha Kiyo had asked around before. Uchiha Mikoto was five this year, one year younger than him.

He remembered that Nawaki was supposed to be in the same year as Uchiha Mikoto.

"Did I remember wrong? Or is this the butterfly effect? No, the butterfly effect wouldn't make Nawaki be born a year early..."

Since he could not figure it out, he stopped thinking about it and continued reading the Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu in his hands.

Nawaki stood on the podium, looking at the nearly full classroom with some frustration as he scratched his head. Then, as if he had spotted something novel, he headed toward the back row.

Uchiha Kiyo was focused on his book and had no idea that Nawaki was approaching him.

Nawaki walked over to the empty seat beside Uchiha Kiyo and sat down.

Uchiha Kiyo sensed someone beside him and looked up. He frowned. Why had Nawaki come over here? Couldn't he see the glaring ping-pong paddle... cough... Uchiha Clan crest on his clothes?

Nawaki turned to look at Uchiha Kiyo as well. Smiling with a hint of curiosity, he asked bluntly.

"Hey! You're from the Uchiha Clan, right? I heard your clan is all really proud, like that guy in the front. So why are you sitting in the last row? You're different from the others."

Uchiha Tao in the first row heard Nawaki's words and turned to glance at him, but said nothing.

Nawaki refused to back down and glared right back at Uchiha Tao.

Uchiha Kiyo watched from the side, speechless. As expected, they were still children.

Not paying Nawaki much attention, Uchiha Tao turned back and continued reading his book.

Nawaki grew furious at this and was about to shout, but Uchiha Kiyo hurriedly stopped him.

Sure enough, he has the same personality as Naruto. Over something so minor, he wants to start yelling. No wonder he stepped into an Explosive Tag in the original story—and an Explosive Tag pit, at that—getting blown to death without any chance to escape.

Uchiha Kiyo thought to himself.

Nawaki then remembered his earlier question and looked at Uchiha Kiyo.

Seeing Nawaki's wide eyes brimming with curiosity, Uchiha Kiyo gave him an explanation.

"Yeah, I am from the Uchiha Clan. Can't you see the clan crest on my clothes?

"As for why I'm sitting in the last row? Of course it's because this is the best seat."

After hearing that, Nawaki immediately had another question, turning into a walking encyclopedia of whys.

"Why is this the best seat? The teacher can't even see us."

"Didn't you just answer that yourself?"

"Huh? Why is it good if the teacher can't see us? Hey, hey! Explain yourself."

"If the teacher doesn't notice us, can't we do whatever we want?"

"Huh? That actually makes sense! How did I not think of that?"

Nawaki seemed to have discovered something interesting and decided that he would sit here from now on.

Uchiha Kiyo could only accept reality. What else could he do? It was not as if he could chase Nawaki away.

Nawaki felt that this Uchiha beside him seemed a little different. He was not nearly as hard to get along with as the elders at home had said.

Unable to sit still, Nawaki naturally got bored and repeatedly asked Uchiha Kiyo all sorts of questions.

Uchiha Kiyo could only answer them one by one.

Nawaki was the only one chattering away in the entire classroom, annoying the other students to no end. Still, some of Nawaki's questions interested them as well.

Uchiha Kiyo's answers surprised them. They had not expected this low-key Uchiha Kiyo to be so capable. They had thought he was bronze, only to discover that he was actually a king?

At that moment, Nawaki noticed the Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu in Uchiha Kiyo's hands again.

"What are you holding?

"Huh? Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu? Medical Ninjutsu? Why is an Uchiha reading that? Can you even stand reading it?

"I can't, anyway. My older sister studies Medical Ninjutsu all day long, and I'm sick of just looking at it."

Nawaki was incredibly familiar and friendly, completely forgetting that he had only just met Uchiha Kiyo. He kept searching for topics, his mouth never stopping.

This time, Nawaki's words surprised the other students who had been "eavesdropping."

Indeed, why was an Uchiha reading Medical Ninjutsu?

Only Uchiha Tao in the front seemed to think of something. He nodded as though he understood, but still said nothing.

Uchiha Kiyo was helpless in the face of Nawaki's question. Could Nawaki really not sit still? It had only been a short while, yet he had already asked so many questions. Couldn't he see that everyone was reading?

However, Uchiha Kiyo had misunderstood. Not everyone was actually reading properly. Aside from one student who was sleeping and another who was petting a dog, many students were only pretending to study.

The earliest arrivals had all been quiet, and with that Hyuga ninja and Uchiha Kiyo both reading, everyone else obediently started "reading" after entering the classroom.

Only Nawaki, with his thick nerves, could speak without the slightest hesitation under such circumstances.

In fact, with Nawaki taking the lead for so long, several students had already begun quietly chatting among themselves.

Uchiha Kiyo had long prepared an answer to Nawaki's question. Though he had not prepared it specifically for Nawaki to hear, it was close enough.

"Who says Uchiha Clan ninja can't learn Medical Ninjutsu? What's wrong with being interested in it? Once I learn Medical Ninjutsu, I'll be able to treat injured ninja and save the lives of one ninja after another. Isn't that exciting?

"And once I learn even more powerful Medical Ninjutsu, I'll be able to save even more people.

"My goal is to become a great medical ninja and provide treatment for my companions."

Uchiha Kiyo spoke passionately of his grand ambition, making it sound deeply moving.

Quite a few students were filled with admiration after hearing him. Even Nawaki was impressed, thinking of his violent older sister. Compared to her, his deskmate was truly great. Both were medical ninja, so why was the difference between them as people... no, as ninja, so huge?

Only Uchiha Tao in the front sneered inwardly upon hearing Uchiha Kiyo's words. Great, my ass. If I didn't know what you were really like, I might have believed you. Saving your companions' lives? You can make being afraid of death sound like that? Your eloquence is really something.

Elsewhere, in the Hokage's office.

Smack!

A pretty female ninja with a ponytail slammed her hand against the Hokage's desk and shouted loudly.

"Sensei, how could you approve Nawaki going to the Ninja Academy? He's only five years old. He hasn't reached the school age yet."

That was right, this female ninja was Tsunade. Before all those accidents had happened, and before her relationship with her teacher had fractured, Tsunade still called him "Sensei." Though her attitude...

Was exceedingly fierce!

Jiraiya and Orochimaru, standing to one side, remained silent.

This had nothing to do with them, so it was better not to get involved. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if Tsunade latched onto them, especially with that Monster Strength. Not just anyone could withstand one punch from her.

The Third Hokage remained unhurried. Taking a drag from the tobacco he had bought recently, he explained with a smile.

"Tsunade, don't be so impatient.

"Hasn't Nawaki already begun refining Chakra? He won't fall behind his classmates."

Tsunade still could not accept it and slapped the desk again.

"This isn't about whether he can keep up. Nawaki is still too young. He hasn't reached the age to attend school."

The Third Hokage tapped the desk, signaling Tsunade to calm down.

"Nawaki is already five and a half. He's only half a year short. He spent half the day making a fuss in my office, and seeing how determined he was, I could only agree."

With matters already settled, there was nothing Tsunade could do. Hmph, she could only go home and teach that brat a lesson.

Nawaki, who was still endlessly asking Uchiha Kiyo questions in class, had no idea that Tsunade had set her sights on him again. What kind of "affection" awaited him?

As for why it was again? Savor it. Think carefully.

Not long after the Third Hokage calmed Tsunade down, an Anbu ninja wearing a cat mask entered the Hokage's office and bowed as he reported.

"Lord Hokage, young master Nawaki has completed registration."

As he spoke, he carefully glanced at Tsunade, whose expression was less than pleasant. At the Hokage's signal, the Anbu ninja continued his report.

"Young master Nawaki has been assigned to Class 1. He is seated in the last row by the window, and his deskmate is a member of the Uchiha Clan..."

The Anbu ninja proceeded to report everything that had happened after Nawaki entered the academy.

Tsunade frowned as she listened. "The Uchiha Clan? Why would he be in the last row? And how did Nawaki get mixed up with the Uchiha Clan?"

At the Hokage's signal, the cat-masked ninja reported Uchiha Kiyo's information.

When they first heard Uchiha Kiyo's declaration in class, the Third Hokage, Tsunade, and the others had all been surprised. Such lofty ideals?

Even Tsunade had been moved for a moment.

But as the cat-masked ninja explained Uchiha Kiyo's previous special training and his background, the Third Hokage and the others suddenly understood.

So it was not some great ambition. He was simply afraid of dying? The Uchiha Clan had actually produced such an oddball?

Well, perhaps losing both his parents at the age of two had left some kind of trauma.

Still, this was good as well. If the Uchiha Clan produced another medical ninja, treating more people and gaining acceptance, perhaps it could greatly ease the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village.

And perhaps Konoha might gain another capable medical ninja!

The Third Hokage glanced at his prized disciple, seeming to have an idea.

Tsunade understood what he intended the moment she saw his look and immediately refused.

"Sensei, don't even think about it. I won't take an Uchiha Clan ninja as my disciple.

"Besides, I'm only eighteen. I don't want to take on a disciple yet."

The Third Hokage could only dismiss the thought.

Time passed quickly.

With Nawaki taking the lead, the students gradually began chatting and getting to know new friends.

At that moment, a middle-aged ninja with a gentle appearance, wearing a green vest, stepped onto the podium.

"Everyone, quiet down. Now that all the new students have arrived, gather at the training ground. We will be holding the entrance ceremony."

With that, he left immediately.

The students rose one after another and headed toward the training ground.

Uchiha Kiyo was dragged along to the training ground by the overly familiar Nawaki.

Upon arriving at the training ground, Uchiha Kiyo experienced another school entrance ceremony.

The difference was that this time, there were not many tedious formalities.

It was simply the Third Hokage standing on the stage preaching the Will of Fire, while a group of elementary school students below gazed at him with boundless admiration.

Uchiha Kiyo could not force himself to look that worshipful, but he still put on an expression of "I'm listening carefully and thinking seriously."

On the stage, the Third Hokage occasionally observed the reactions below. Seeing so many children looking at him with admiration, he felt deeply satisfied.

At the same time, he noticed Uchiha Kiyo.

But seeing him listening attentively and occasionally nodding in agreement, the Third Hokage was pleased.

Tsunade also observed Uchiha Kiyo from the side, but found nothing remarkable about him. After watching for a while, she stopped paying attention.

As for Nawaki? His eyes were already shining, and he looked as though he could not wait to shout.

Speeches were boring. No matter how passionate a speech was, it became boring if it went on long enough.

At last, amid everyone's anticipation, the Third Hokage reluctantly brought his speech to an end.

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