Ninja School

In the bitter midwinter, the biting cold wind wove through the alleys of Konoha like a mischievous sprite. Five-year-old Shisui walked with a steady, upright gait through the streets of Konoha.

Who would have guessed that at such a tender age, he already stood at one meter fifty, towering over his peers.

He wore a high-collared, purple-black garment with a scarf around his neck; the fabric was fine and smooth, shimmering with a subtle luster under the gentle caress of the daylight.

On the back of his clothes, the striking Uchiha Gunbai pattern served as a silent declaration, highlighting his noble birth and extraordinary family background.

Shisui's steps were light, his eyes holding a composure far beyond his years as he occasionally scanned the surrounding shops and pedestrians.

The street stalls were filled with a dazzling array of goods arranged neatly: exquisite ninja tools, colorful fabrics, and three-colored dango emitting an enticing aroma.

However, the reactions of the civilians on the street were starkly different. When their gazes fell upon the Uchiha Gunbai on Shisui's back, their expressions—whether relaxed and joyful or busy and focused—froze instantly.

In the crowd, some stopped their hurried pace, while others unconsciously halted their movements, turning their heads to look at Shisui.

In their eyes lay a barely concealed hostility. Those gazes were like sharp needles, seemingly carrying deep resentment. Several children playing nearby were quickly pulled behind their parents, their eyes filled with wariness.

Time in Konoha flowed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, five years had passed.

Throughout these long years, as Shisui walked the streets and alleys of Konoha daily, he deeply realized that the way these civilians looked at the Uchiha clan had never changed.

The complex emotions mixed into those gazes were like a heavy haze, perpetually shrouding the Uchiha clan.

At this moment, Shisui strolled leisurely through the streets of Konoha, his expression calm, his black eyes like bottomless pools, taking in everything around him without a trace.

It has been five years, and the way these civilians look at the Uchiha clan has never changed, Shisui whispered to himself, his tone filled with helplessness and insight.

As a transmigrator who knew the plot of Naruto, he understood that behind this facade, the Hokage and the mysterious "Root" were subtly pulling the strings.

This force hidden in the shadows invisibly influenced the balance of power in the village, swaying the emotions and perceptions of the populace.

Shisui did not linger, lifting his feet to leave the bustling, noisy street and heading toward the tall, red, circular building in the village—the Hokage Building.

The Hokage Building stood with majesty, like a steadfast guardian witnessing the trials and changes of Konoha.

In front of the building, the flow of people was like a loom, with ninjas in green flak jackets hurrying to and fro. They moved with agility, their eyes sharp, every step exuding the efficiency of rigorous training; one could tell at a glance they were burdened with important missions.

Looking up, the high-pitched cries of hawks echoed in the sky from time to time, their vigorous figures cutting across the azure expanse, adding a touch of murderous intent to this village of ninjas.

Shisui seemed not to hear this, only subconsciously tightening the scarf around his neck to ward off the winter chill. He bypassed the Hokage Building and crossed a withered cherry blossom forest.

Once, this cherry blossom forest had been in full bloom, like clouds and mist; when the breeze blew, petals would drift down like snow, a breathtaking sight. But now, only dry branches shivered in the cold wind, leaving behind only the phantom of past prosperity.

Passing through this somewhat desolate cherry blossom forest, a vibrant building appeared before Shisui—the Konoha Ninja Academy. The school gates were wide open, as if warmly welcoming every child who harbored dreams of becoming a ninja.

Shisui stepped into the academy grounds with a steady, unhurried pace. By now, the campus was already bustling, filled with parents and children who had come to enroll.

Young parents beamed with eager anticipation, their eyes following the children bouncing beside them, as if they could already see them shining on the path of the ninja in the future.

The children were full of curiosity and excitement, tugging at their parents' hands, looking left and right, chattering about the school life that was about to begin.

A breeze brushed by, carrying the unique, fresh scent of Konoha. Shisui stood quietly in place, his gaze sweeping slowly across the crowd, his heart as calm as water.

He remembered his grandmother, who had loved him dearly, passing away from illness when he was four. That had been a dark time; as a transmigrator, it was the first time he had deeply felt the pain of losing a loved one, yet it was also what awakened his Sharingan.

The clan had begun to place importance on his education, and the clan leader had personally arranged for an experienced jonin instructor, hoping to carefully cultivate this young Uchiha genius. But Shisui had resolutely refused the offer, choosing instead to enter the Ninja Academy.

The area was teeming with people, filled with laughter and chatter. Rin Nohara, dressed in a beautiful pink and white outfit, stood in the crowd like a blooming flower, fresh and bright.

The corners of her mouth lifted into a sweet smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Obito beside her and said softly, "It really is lively, isn't it, Obito?"

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, like birdsong in the forest, instantly piercing Obito's ears. Upon hearing this, Obito froze as if hit by a binding jutsu; he was stunned for a moment, then a flush rapidly spread across his face, turning even his earlobes red.

He scratched his head nervously, his fingers tangling in his messy hair, his mind going blank. It took him a long time to stumble back to his senses, and he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Ah... yes! Rin."

Once the words were out, he felt his voice was too loud, drawing sidelong glances from those around him, which only made him more embarrassed; he wished he could crawl into a hole.

Seeing Obito like this, Rin couldn't help but let out a giggle, her laughter sounding like silver bells, exceptionally melodious in the noisy schoolyard. Obito watched Rin's smile and was momentarily dazed.

At this bustling Ninja Academy enrollment site, Kakashi's signature silver hair was particularly eye-catching in the crowd.

He stood straight with a steady gait, but wore a black mask, revealing only his dead-fish eyes. He was currently looking at Obito with complete indifference, spitting out two words: "Idiot."

His voice was not loud, but it easily cut through the surrounding noise and drilled straight into Obito's ears.

Obito was already annoyed by his loss of composure in front of Rin, and being provoked by Kakashi like this, he instantly bristled.

How could he lose face in front of the girl he liked?

Obito was instantly furious, turning his head sharply, his eyes seemingly spitting fire as he glared viciously at Kakashi, who was always at odds with him and clearly meant trouble.

"You white-haired bastard!" Obito's face turned red with rage, the veins on his neck bulging as he waved his fists and roared at the top of his lungs, "I am not an idiot!"

His posture suggested he might rush over and start a brawl with Kakashi at any second. The surrounding parents and children heard the heated argument and cast curious glances; the once lively enrollment site became even more intense due to this small conflict.