Entrance Exam

"Naruto, what's so bad about going to school? You'll make lots of friends." Kushina Uzumaki told Naruto about the benefits of attending the Ninja Academy.

Naruto noticed that many people they passed looked at Kushina Uzumaki with disgust.

Hmph. Bunch of trash.

"Naruto, big brother." Karin ran over from the residential area of Konoha Hospital early in the morning. "I made you some sushi. Try some."

Karin placed a lunchbox in front of Naruto, looking eager.

Just then, a loud "hyah!" rang out.

Rock Lee rushed over first. "Naruto, have a match with me! Neji won't spar with me anymore."

By rank, Rock Lee should have been Naruto's junior. He was resilient and hardworking, and had more talent in Taijutsu than Naruto.

Might Guy had said that he'd seen Rock Lee training hard in the woods and had been so moved that he decided to teach him.

Naruto thought that Might Guy must have seen his younger self in Rock Lee. The two had such similar personalities, yet somehow they weren't father and son.

Naruto found it baffling.

"Lee, I'm going to the Ninja Academy. We'll have plenty of time later," Naruto said, turning him down. Sparring with Lee was a real hassle. Unless Naruto exhausted him, Lee wouldn't stop.

Naruto's ring finger twitched.

Hinata had arrived.

She wore a long-sleeved top and pants, and her eyes were a pale lavender.

"Naruto!" Hinata's gaze fell on Karin, and a trace of alarm stirred in her heart.

Naruto casually picked up the lunchbox. "This is Karin. We're all friends. Karin, can I share these with everyone?"

Karin adjusted her glasses. "Of course, Naruto, big brother."

Neji Hyuga stood at a distance, maintaining the bearing of a Hyuga Clan prodigy. He didn't want Lee to drag him into a match, nor did he want to talk much with Naruto.

Even though they actually got along pretty well.

Karin soon got to know Hinata, and the two little girls started fishing for information from each other.

Hinata often spent time with Naruto, so she wasn't as timid anymore. Even though she always lost to Neji in Gentle Fist matches, she could take it in stride. But when another cute red-haired girl suddenly appeared by Naruto's side, Hinata lost her composure.

Karin didn't think too much about it. Naruto had saved her life, so naturally she wanted to be good to him.

Naruto found the two of them amusing. They were just children, wanting the people they cared about to get along with them and not with other members of the opposite sex.

Kushina Uzumaki gave Hiashi Hyuga a polite nod.

Ever since Hizashi Hyuga's incident, the Hyuga Clan's ties with Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had grown closer and closer, gradually forming a bond of shared interests and affection.

So the Hyuga Clan hadn't stopped Hinata from spending time with Naruto. If anything, they seemed to support it in secret.

With the influence of the Fourth Hokage and the Hyuga Clan, it was easy for Naruto and Hinata to enroll. The entrance exam was also an opportunity for the children to show themselves.

Ninja Academy training ground.

The children preparing to enroll and their parents stood to one side.

Umino Iruka stood nervously beside a wooden target. He would be in charge of this year's incoming students, and this was his first time taking on full responsibility. "Hello, everyone. My name is Iruka, and I'll be in charge of today's entrance exam. It's very simple: hit the target beside me with a shuriken from five meters away. If you hit it, you pass. I'll call out the students' names in the order they registered. When I call your name, you can take the exam."

Naruto stood with Hinata on one side and Karin on the other. Karin wouldn't attend the Ninja Academy. She would mainly learn the Uzumaki Clan's ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu from Kushina Uzumaki.

Hinata was angry with Naruto because he hadn't told her about Karin sooner.

Naruto smiled and coaxed her.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

Iruka called Naruto first.

Kushina Uzumaki ushered Naruto out of the crowd, and many people turned to look at him.

Iruka looked forward to seeing how Naruto would do. He knew Naruto was the son of Lord Hokage, the Fourth Hokage, and was sure he'd inherited the Hokage's excellent shinobi bloodline.

Naruto took two shuriken from Iruka. He only had to hit the target with one to pass.

Pinching both shuriken between his fingers, Naruto stood at the throwing line and flicked his hand.

Thwack! Thwack!

Half of each shuriken sank into the target.

Iruka was startled. Naruto had a lot of strength. He really was the son of Lord Hokage, the Fourth Hokage.

"Uzumaki Naruto, pass."

"Uchiha Sasuke."

The Uchiha were one of the most powerful clans in Konoha.

Sasuke stepped forward, wearing a simple black long-sleeved shirt and shorts. The Uchiha Clan's fan emblem was on his back.

Naruto brushed past Sasuke.

Sasuke had black hair and eyes, delicate features, and fair skin.

"Sasuke! Sasuke! You're the best!"

Girls in the crowd cheered him on.

Naruto smiled. Handsome people naturally drew attention.

Whatever. Naruto didn't even know him.

Sasuke didn't respond to the girls cheering him on. The Uchiha were naturally competitive, and Naruto's Shurikenjutsu had stirred up his desire to outdo him.

"My brother taught me how to use shuriken himself." Sasuke's stance was textbook.

The shuriken spun through the air in a graceful arc, then changed direction and struck the center of the target. It was a flawless performance.

The Uchiha Clan had produced another prodigy.

"Sasuke, that was amazing!"

Screams rang out.

Sasuke turned to look toward Naruto. He'd thought Naruto would be just like him, but instead, Naruto was grinning and chatting up the little girl from the Hyuga Clan. Sasuke felt a sudden flare of irritation, but didn't show it.

The entrance exam continued.

Iruka was pleased with all the students' performances, especially Naruto and Sasuke. They would certainly become young talents the village focused on nurturing.

Hokage Office.

"Sensei, Naruto did very well." Kakashi wore his Anbu mask.

Minato Namikaze was reviewing documents. "Guy taught him well. But Naruto's too slippery. I hope he'll become a little more serious at school."

"What do you expect of Naruto, Sensei?" Kakashi asked curiously.

Minato Namikaze said, "I hope he can grow up easily and happily."

Kakashi sighed. "You love Naruto so much, Sensei."

"Kakashi, is the evidence that Fugaku Uchiha is planning a rebellion conclusive?" Minato Namikaze frowned. "The reports we've gathered from various sources say that Fugaku Uchiha has joined forces with a group of restless people within the Uchiha Clan. They're dissatisfied with the clan being isolated by Konoha's leadership and want more power."

Kakashi analyzed the situation. "Sensei, someone must be stirring up Fugaku Uchiha. You've given the Uchiha a lot of room to grow over the years. But unfortunately, Shisui Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi were transferred under Danzo. That's made our strategy very difficult."

Minato Namikaze instructed him, "Kakashi, don't implicate the entire Uchiha Clan. Konoha needs the Uchiha's strength to stay united, but we can't let Fugaku Uchiha keep stirring things up in secret, either. Find a chance to draw him out."

"You want to move against Fugaku Uchiha, Sensei?" Kakashi asked.

Minato Namikaze said, "The Third Hokage is indecisive, and the council of elders and Danzo both seem to want to wipe out the entire Uchiha Clan. Other forces may join in as well. But if we get our hands on Fugaku Uchiha, the situation definitely won't get that bad."

Besides, Fugaku Uchiha's wife, Uchiha Mikoto, was close friends with Kushina Uzumaki.

"Yes, Sensei. I'll go take care of it right away." Kakashi left.

Root.

Danzo stared at Shisui Uchiha. "The evidence is right in front of you. How can you still refuse to believe the Uchiha Clan intends to rebel against the village? Shisui, it's time for you to make a choice."

Shisui Uchiha wore a dark, high-collared short-sleeved shirt, triangular armor, and matching pants with leg wraps. A small sword was strapped to his back.

"I'll explain the situation to the Third Hokage," Shisui said calmly. "I believe Fugaku Uchiha can still be stopped. Besides, given the Fourth Hokage's attitude, he won't just stand by and watch."

Danzo sensed Shisui wavering. "Shisui, you're Body Flicker Shisui, the strongest member of the Uchiha Clan. If you're willing to work with me, I can persuade the Third Hokage. As for the Fourth Hokage, he hasn't truly valued the Uchiha Clan. Otherwise, why was Kakashi the one who survived the battlefield, and not Uchiha Obito?"

Shisui didn't trust Danzo. He trusted only the Third Hokage, so he nodded and then disappeared from Root in a swarm of crows.

"Keep an eye on Shisui."

"Yes, Danzo-sama."

Uchiha Clan residential district.

Sasuke was practicing shuriken in the backyard by himself when he suddenly heard the front door open. He immediately smiled and dashed over.

The person who came in was Sasuke's older brother, Uchiha Itachi.

"Brother, I got into the Ninja Academy today! I'll definitely be just like you and become the best graduate in the school." Sasuke spoke with conviction.

Itachi had long black hair tied back, and a samurai sword strapped to his back. "Little brother, practicing your shuriken again?"

Sasuke nodded. "Brother, I think I'm ready to learn ninjutsu."

Itachi patted Sasuke's hair. "Then I'll teach you a jutsu. Make sure you learn it well."

Sasuke said excitedly, "You're the best, Brother!"

Itachi raised his head and looked toward the house. Inside, he was torn between his clan and the village. He had no idea what to choose.

Why had things come to this?

Barbecue restaurant on Konoha's main street.

Naruto took out his allowance and treated Hinata to barbecue.

Then Neji showed up with Lee.

Karin came along with Naruto, naturally.

Seeing Naruto's face scrunch up like a bitter melon, Hinata smiled instead. This time, she could make him pay big time.

Naruto had promised, so he let everyone order whatever they wanted.

"Neji, can you really eat all that?" Naruto shouted. Neji alone had ordered ten plates of pork belly.

Neji said seriously, "I can finish it."