The Final Place

Konoha Ninja Academy

In the empty classroom, rows of long tables were neatly arranged, with various books placed on them.

Half of the chalk writing remained on the blackboard, though half of it had been erased.

The window was half-open, and the setting sun slanted in, casting a warm golden light into the classroom.

Kou walked to a seat, picked up a book from the table, and his face showed an undisguised look of disdain.

"Tsk, why does it have to be an exercise book that I just randomly picked up? That's really bad luck!"

He slammed the notebook shut, tossed it back onto the table, and then rubbed his hands on his robe as if he had touched something unclean.

"Ha, that's quite unexpected."

With his arms crossed, Ban looked at Kou's disgusted expression and couldn't help but tease him:

"I thought you'd miss it, since if I remember correctly, you were best at theory classes back in the Ninja Academy."

I thought you'd prefer theoretical knowledge to practical application.

"Huh? Are you kidding me? What student in the world likes doing homework?!"

Kou said matter-of-factly, then turned his head to look at the empty seat behind him. His lips twitched as if recalling some unpleasant memory.

"Besides, every morning when homework is due, that Obito cries and begs me to let him copy it."

"It's one thing for him to copy, but this idiot even copied it in the wrong place."

I clearly wrote it on the third question, but he copied it onto the fifth question, and the Teacher found out, which implicated me too. It's absolutely unbelievable!

Kouchi recalled the time he was implicated by Obito and forced to stand as punishment, and his face immediately darkened.

"Damn Kenji, this is just too sweet!!"

"Ah, that's certainly true."

Ban nodded approvingly, followed Koko's gaze to the empty seat, and said coldly:

"That brat is truly an incurable idiot."

"It seems we're surprisingly on the same page when it comes to that idiot."

Koko pursed his lips, seemingly unwilling to discuss Obito's matter any further.

Alright, let's not talk about that unlucky guy anymore.

Let's go, let's go to the next place.

As he spoke, Kou turned around and walked towards the door, casually waving at Ban as he went.

Ban watched Kou's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He was about to take a step forward when his footsteps suddenly stopped.

"Let me explain: my dislike for homework isn't just a student's instinct."

He tilted his head slightly and glanced at the blackboard at the front of the classroom out of the corner of his eye.

Kou's gaze lingered on the blurred handwriting for a moment, then his voice deepened:

"I just... hate being forced to learn."

"I hate learning those things—the knowledge of killing—that I have to learn just to survive."

After saying that, he Earth Flow of the classroom without looking back, as if he had no attachment to the place whatsoever.

Ban stood at the doorway, silent for a moment.

He glanced intently through the classroom window at the face of the Hashirama on the Hokage Rock in the distance, then turned and followed Koko's footsteps...

--

Uchiha Clan Compound - Archive Room.

The Archive Room was quiet, with rows of tall bookshelves standing on both sides.

Twilight streamed in through the high windows, casting slanted beams of light between the bookshelves, illuminating the fine dust motes floating in the air.

Kou and Ban strolled one after the other through the book gallery.

His tapping fingers occasionally glide lightly across the spine of the book, as if greeting an old friend; a slight smile plays on his lips, as if he is lost in memories of the past.

"As expected, only here, no matter how quiet it is, does one feel out of place."

"After Candle Flame, that old man, Zhu Huo, has always been very demanding. Even if someone from the clan comes here looking for some information, they usually just borrow it and don't want to stay here for long."

"But thanks to him, for a long time, this place was basically my own private area."

As he spoke, he walked to the counter and looked down at a booklet spread out on it.

The booklet cover had the words "Loan Register" written on it, and inside were densely filled names and dates.

His fingers slid slowly across the booklet, the tips brushing over each name, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Ever since I made a name for myself in the tribe, this place has gradually become less peaceful."

That old man complained to me a lot in private, saying how much extra work I'd given him, and how a bunch of people came every day to disturb his peace and quiet.

"Ha, that old man looks pretty happy, he's just being stubborn."

"Candle Flame...?"

Ban walked to Kou's side and looked down at the Loan Register:

"I remember that child; he was one of the few Uchiha clan members who could be considered to have some backbone."

"Hmm? I didn't expect you to still remember this old stubborn fellow."

Kou glanced at Ban beside him, a hint of surprise in his voice:

"If that old geezer knew that you still remembered him, the one he talks about Tenten, he'd probably jump out of his coffin in excitement."

"... Hmph, I've only ever Izuna mention that kid's name."

Ban snorted coldly and turned his head away:

"On the other hand, it might not be a good thing if he knew about my affairs."

"After all, when he was dying, he probably didn't expect the Uchiha to be wiped out one day."

Ban turned his head, observing Koko's expression, and slowly spoke meaningfully:

"Before you make up your mind to leave Konoha, may you die peacefully with the hope that you can revive the Uchiha."

For that kid, it should be considered a pretty good ending.

"... Perhaps."

"At least Grandpa Candle Flame still had hope for the future as he was dying."

"Although it's a bit late, I now have the confidence to meet his expectations."

Kou chuckled softly, tilting his head slightly towards Ban, his tone carrying a hint of teasing:

"After all..."

"I defeated Uchiha Madara, the symbol of invincibility in his heart."

"... We've had enough small talk already, what exactly do you want to say?"

Ban looked at Kou, his brows furrowed, his patience seemingly reaching its limit.

"Don't make that face, it's creepy."

Kou said casually, turned around, and walked towards the entrance of the Archive Room, his steps neither hurried nor slow:

"There's no need to rush us. We've already shown you most of the places we needed to."

"Now, only one place remains."

He walked to the door, stopped, turned his head, and looked calmly at Ban, who was still standing in front of the counter.

"Let's go, Madara."

I will be there to answer your questions.

"... a pretentious little devil."

Ban watched Kou's retreating figure disappear through the doorway, muttering angrily under his breath, but ultimately continued on his journey to its end.

Naka River.