Ch. 1The Unremarkable Uchiha Mai
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked academy teacher Murakami Keining whether any prodigies had emerged since Kakashi, and Murakami pointed him toward Uchiha Mai. Hiruzen agreed to judge Mai’s talent in a match, leaving Murakami anxious that the supposedly gifted boy was only impressive in appearance.
- Sarutobi Hiruzen reminisced about the talented shinobi the Ninja Academy had produced and asked Murakami Keining about new prodigies.
- Murakami Keining claimed he had discovered a promising student in Kakashi’s class and pointed out Uchiha Mai dancing for a crowd of children.
- Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu noticed Mai’s striking looks, while Hiruzen wondered why a talented Uchiha had been sent to the academy.
- Hiruzen asked to assess Mai’s strength in a match, and Murakami nervously agreed to arrange one.
- Murakami blew his whistle and called the students to assemble.