Ninja Academy

Long streets, low courtyard walls, gray-white roof tiles—all somewhat worn.

A group of people walked in formal attire, all sharing the same destination.

For six years, Kaede had rarely left the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

Because when he was four years old, the first time he stepped out of the clan grounds with excitement, wanting to see the real Konoha, the crimson fan on his back drew strange looks from the villagers and jeers from the civilian children. The Uchiha were not a well-liked clan in the village.

Back then, he had only thought:

"The Uchiha's annihilation was definitely not caused overnight."

Today was the opening day of the Ninja Academy.

Quite a few Uchiha came out of the clan grounds to take their children to school, but still fewer than the total number of school-age children in the clan. The reason for this went without saying.

For the sake of the clan, exceptionally talented members were naturally kept within the clan for training. How could the Uchiha hand over all their children to the Third Hokage, letting him brainwash them with the Will of Fire?

All the major clans did the same—they didn't send every child to the Ninja Academy.

How could a group of chunin teachers at the academy compare to the clan's jonin instructors? But such privilege was reserved only for the most talented clan members.

At this time, the Uchiha Clan Grounds were still in the village's core area, not far from landmarks like the Ninja Academy and the Hokage Building. Kaede silently followed his father to the opening ceremony.

Planning to grow up low-key, Kaede had never revealed his monstrous talent to his clan or outsiders. Only his father, Mingye, knew the terror of his abilities.

He only needed to show that he was sensible and fairly talented to get what he wanted at this stage.

"Kaede, cheer up. Today's your first day of school—try to make some friends~"

Kaede pursed his lips and shot his father a sidelong glance.

He was entering the Ninja Academy with a purpose, using it as his first step into the ninja world. Making friends? He'd do that when the opportunity came.

"Yo~ Mingye, long time no see."

At the intersection of two streets, another Uchiha greeted Mingye.

"Isn't this Tangdong? Yeah, it's been a while."

The Uchiha clan was large, with many members, and everyone had their own missions. Someone like Mingye, who was idle at home, was rare. This was the tail end of the Second Shinobi World War.

Fighting on all fronts had basically stopped; they were just waiting to submit peace treaties and go home.

Konoha had shone brilliantly in this war. The name of the Sannin had risen across the ninja world, and the "White Fang of Konoha" stood firm.

With the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, at his peak, and powerful clans like the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Ino-Shika-Cho supporting the village, Konoha had reaped a great harvest in the Second War.

Except for one woman, who had lost her only relative.

"Hitomi, come out and greet them."

Uchiha Tangdong tilted his head and spoke to someone behind him.

A girl emerged—delicate features tinged with shyness, long eyebrows, and a pair of watery black eyes. A small red mole perfectly centered on her forehead added to her cuteness.

She poked her head out from beside Uchiha Tangdong, curiously looking at Kaede and Mingye. Mingye smiled warmly and nodded at her; she pursed her lips and smiled back.

Kaede nodded at her as a greeting, but the delicate little girl startled and hid back behind Uchiha Tangdong.

Kaede touched his own handsome face, full of confusion. Am I... that scary?

I'm a cute little boy! Who wouldn't like me? The Uchiha's looks are top-notch.

"Kaede, this is your Uncle Tangdong's daughter—Hitomi. You two met when you were little."

Mingye's eyes glinted with a dangerous chill, reminding Kaede to be nice to the cute little girl.

Kaede: ...I didn't do anything, okay?

"Looks like we can go to the Ninja Academy together. I thought I'd be going alone—was feeling bored. Now that you're here, it's much better."

"Haha, let's go."

Mingye hooked his arm around Tangdong's shoulder, and the two walked ahead.

Uchiha Hitomi glared at Kaede, then clung tightly to her father's back, leaving Kaede alone, baffled.

He scratched his head, unable to figure it out. He didn't remember ever meeting this little girl—why did it feel like she had a grudge against him?

After walking a while, they arrived in front of the Ninja Academy.

"Alright, you two go on in. Parents aren't allowed inside. We'll pick you up when school lets out in the afternoon."

Uchiha Tangdong said to the two children.

"Father, Uncle Mingye, goodbye."

Her childish voice carried a timid tremble. Hitomi bowed politely at a ninety-degree angle, bidding farewell to her father.

Mingye signaled Kaede with his eyes—show some face for him outside.

Kaede rolled his eyes and mimicked Hitomi's farewell to his father.

As the two adults turned and left, the little girl Uchiha Hitomi glared at Kaede, her angry face puffing up like a steamed bun.

"Uchiha Kaede, I'm definitely going to defeat you."

Her straight black hair reached her waist, simply tied at the ends with a hair tie. Two strands of sideburns hung straight down. On her delicate, peach-like oval face, a flustered blush made her look even cuter.

He stamped his foot, tossed his head, and walked through the school gate on his own.

Kaede cracked his knuckles, the joints popping loudly.

"Little girl, you're picking a narrow path. Believe me or not, I'll smack your little bottom, slap slap slap."

A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes as he watched Hitomi's swaying rear walk away.

"State your name."

When Kaede reached the school building, two teachers at the entrance stopped him.

"Uchiha Kaede."

"Class B, first floor, second room on the right."

"Thank you, teachers."

Every year, new students were assigned to different classes. As for the principle behind the assignments, no one knew.

"There seem to be a lot of Uchiha this year!"

"There are plenty from other ninja clans too. Doesn't that just show the village is growing stronger?"

Just after Kaede left, a child with white hair, a lean build, a cool demeanor, and a mask covering his face appeared at the entrance.

"Name."

"Hatake Kakashi."

"Class C, first floor, first room on the left."

Elsewhere—

Kaede strolled into the B-class classroom. Eyeing the tiered seating like a lecture hall, he silently made his way to a spot by the window. In a classroom like this, you had to sit by the window—good ventilation, a view of the sky, and the perfect choice for slacking off.

"Hold on, that seat's taken."

A familiar voice rang out from behind him.

He turned around helplessly, looking at the newcomer, and raised an eyebrow in question.

"What are you doing?"

"I got here first."

"There's no name on it, and no one was sitting here just now."

Kaede propped his chin on his hand, resting his elbow on the desk, with a look that said, "Go ahead, bite me."

"You..."

Uchiha Hitomi fumed, baring her little fangs and clenching her fists, ready to throw down.

A sly smirk curled at the corner of Kaede's mouth.

"Hit me? Fine, that's just the excuse I need to spank your little bottom."

"Everyone sit down! What are you two doing in the back? Get to your seats."

A grown ninja appeared at the doorway—medium build, a bit chubby, with a stern look in his eyes, probably in his twenties.

"I'm your teacher, Kimura Oishi. Now follow me to the school grounds for the opening ceremony. The Third Hokage will be attending to give a speech. Everyone will listen quietly, or else..."

He crushed the chalkboard eraser in his hand.

The kids who had been watching the commotion just moments ago fell silent, trembling.

Kimura Oishi: Ah, yikes! That intimidation worked pretty well. First time teaching, I'm really nervous!