Ninja Academy

The long streets, low courtyard walls, and gray tiles all looked worn.

A group of people walked by in their finest clothes, all headed for the same destination.

Kaede had rarely left the Uchiha Clan Grounds in the past six years.

When he was four, he had eagerly stepped outside the grounds for the first time, hoping to see the real Konoha. But the red Gunbai on his back had drawn strange looks from the villagers and laughter and mockery from the village children. The Uchiha were not a clan people liked.

Back then, he had thought:

The Uchiha's destruction definitely wasn't caused by something that happened overnight.

Today was the first day of school at the Ninja Academy.

Plenty of Uchiha had come out of the clan grounds to take their children to school, but they were still fewer than the total number of clan children old enough to attend. The reason was obvious.

For the sake of the clan, those with exceptional talent were naturally kept within the clan to be taught. Why would the Uchiha hand over all their children to the Third Hokage and let 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 the Chunin teachers at the Ninja Academy compare with Jonin from the clans? Still, only the most talented clan members could enjoy that privilege.

At that time, the Uchiha Clan Grounds were still in the heart of the village, not far from landmarks like the Ninja Academy and the Hokage Building. Kaede quietly followed his father to the opening ceremony.

Kaede intended to grow up without drawing attention. He had never shown his abnormal talent to the clan or outsiders. Only his father, Mingye, knew how terrifying it was.

He only needed to act sensible and show that he had decent talent. That would be enough to get what he wanted at this stage.

"Kaede, cheer up! It's your first day of school. Make sure you try to make some friends!"

Kaede pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at his father.

He had entered the Ninja Academy with a purpose, treating it as his first step into the Shinobi World. As for making friends, he'd do it if the opportunity came along.

"Hey, Mingye! Long time no see."

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

"Why, it's Tangdong! It really has been a long time."

The Uchiha Clan was large, and its members all had missions to attend to. Few were as free as Mingye, who stayed home. The war was now in its final stages.

Fighting had pretty much stopped on every front. All that remained was to sign the peace treaty and return home.

Konoha had made a name for itself in this war. The Sannin had risen to prominence in the Shinobi World, and the White Fang of Konoha had also proved formidable.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was at the height of his power, and within the village, powerful clans like the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Ino-Shika-Cho supported Konoha. The village had reaped a great harvest in the Second Shinobi World War.

Except that one woman had lost her only family member.

"Hitomi, come out and say hello."

Uchiha Tangdong turned his head and called to the person behind him.

A delicate face peered out shyly. She had long, fine eyebrows, a pair of clear, glistening black eyes, and a tiny red mole right in the middle of her forehead that perfectly accentuated her cuteness.

She poked her head out from beside Uchiha Tangdong and looked curiously at Kaede and Mingye. Mingye smiled warmly and nodded to her. She pressed her lips together and smiled back.

Kaede nodded in greeting. The dainty little girl hurriedly hid behind Uchiha Tangdong.

He touched his handsome face, perplexed. Am I... that scary?

I'm a cute little boy! Who wouldn't like me? The Uchiha are a good-looking bunch.

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

A dangerous glint flashed in Mingye's eyes as he reminded Kaede to be nice to the cute little girl.

Kaede: ...I haven't even done anything, okay?

"Looks like we can go to the Ninja Academy together. I thought I'd have to go alone, and I was already getting bored. It'll be much better with you there."

"Haha, let's go."

Mingye put an arm around Tangdong's shoulder, and the two men walked ahead.

Uchiha Hitomi glared at Kaede, then hurried after her father, leaving Kaede standing there, completely baffled.

He scratched his head. He didn't think he'd ever met the little girl before. Why did she seem to hold a grudge against him?

They walked a little farther and arrived at the Ninja Academy.

"All right, you two go on in. Parents aren't allowed inside the school. We'll come back to pick you up after classes this afternoon."

Uchiha Tangdong spoke to the two little ones.

"Goodbye, Father. Goodbye, Uncle Mingye."

Hitomi's clear voice trembled shyly as she bowed deeply to her father.

Mingye signaled to Kaede to show him some respect while they were outside.

Kaede rolled his eyes, then copied Hitomi and said goodbye to his father.

Once the two men had turned to leave, little Uchiha Hitomi glared at Kaede, her cheeks puffed up with anger.

"Uchiha Kaede, I'm going to beat you one day!"

Her straight black hair fell to her waist, tied simply at the ends. Two locks hung straight down beside her face, and a flush of anger on her delicate, smooth, oval face only made her look cuter.

She stamped her foot, tossed her head, and marched through the school gate on her own.

Kaede clenched his hands, his knuckles cracking.

"Little girl, you're asking for trouble. Think I won't smack your little butt?"

He watched Hitomi's little backside sway as she walked away, a dangerous look in his eyes.

"State your name."

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

"Uchiha Kaede."

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

"Thank you, teacher."

Each year, new students were assigned to different classes, but no one knew what the criteria were.

"Seems like there are quite a few Uchiha this year!"

"There are plenty of children from other clans, too. Doesn't that show the village is getting stronger?"

Just after Kaede had left, a white-haired boy with a slight build, a cool demeanor, and a mask over his face arrived at the entrance.

"Name?"

"Hatake Kakashi."

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

Meanwhile—

Kaede strolled to the Class B classroom. It had tiered seating, and he quietly headed for a seat by the window. In a classroom like this, you had to sit by the window. It was not only airy and well-ventilated, but also gave you a view of the blue sky—the perfect spot for daydreaming.

"Wait. Someone's already sitting here."

A familiar voice sounded behind Kaede.

He turned around reluctantly and looked at the person there, silently asking what was going on.

"What's your deal?"

"I got here first."

"There's no name written here, and there wasn't anyone here just now."

Kaede propped his elbow on the desk and rested his head in his hand.

He wore an expression that said, "Go on, try to make me move."

"You..."

Uchiha Hitomi was furious. She showed her little canine teeth and clenched her tiny fist, ready to fight.

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

"You want to hit me? Fine. I'll give you a good smack on your little butt."

"Everyone, take your seats! You two in the back, what are you doing? Get back to your seats."

An adult ninja appeared in the doorway. He was of average height, a little plump, and had a stern look in his eyes. He was 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 there to give a speech. When we get there, everyone will listen quietly, or else..."

The blackboard eraser in his hand crumbled to dust.

The children who had been watching with interest fell silent, too scared to make a sound.

Kimura Oishi: Well, that intimidation worked nicely! It's my first time teaching, and I'm really nervous!