The Uchiha Clan's Blind Swordsman

In an era like this, spending three full years at the academy is already considered a long time.

Students from various clans gathered one after another on the academy playground.

Many parents were busy instructing and admonishing their children.

Yet, there were also many children who had come alone.

Those who arrived alone either had parents on the front lines or parents who had already died on the battlefield.

War is cruel.

One could tell just by looking at their eyes which children's families had been ravaged by the scourge of war.

Eyes that had experienced war and suffering had long since shed the innocence a child should possess.

What filled those gazes was either a heart full of ambition or, alternatively, monstrous hatred.

Fortunately, none of the three—Chiba, Koizumi, or Itachi—fell into those categories.

Koizumi was innocent and carefree, perhaps never even thinking about the war, while Itachi, having witnessed war, spent his days muttering about the "meaning of life," his melancholy tinged with a hint of profundity. As for Chiba, no one could ever read his eyes.

Chiba brought Koizumi along and met up with Itachi there.

The convergence of the two drew quite a bit of attention from those around them.

One was a young boy with deep nasolabial folds, possessing a maturity that defied his age.

The other was a blind boy who stood leaning on a cane, radiating an aura of murderous intent just by standing there.

The Uchiha genius and the Uchiha blind boy.

These were two famous figures of the Uchiha Clan.

The former was always the "other person's child" that parents spoke of at home.

The latter was a popular topic of conversation for everyone after dinner.

The two, who seemed as different as heaven and earth, had somehow formed a pair.

It was truly thought-provoking.

"I brought these dumplings for you!"

As soon as they met, Chiba handed a package to Itachi.

Upon opening it, five skewers of dumplings lay quietly inside.

Dumplings were not just a favorite for young girls; Itachi also had a special fondness for them.

Seeing this, Koizumi blinked in curiosity.

"So, the genius of the clan head's family likes these sweets too."

It was the first time he had been told such a thing.

Itachi seemed a bit embarrassed, lowering his head.

However, his hand was honest enough to take a skewer and put it in his mouth.

There was no need for Itachi to answer.

Watching the speed at which Itachi polished off the dumplings, Koizumi knew he was a lover of sweets as well.

When Itachi had finished off all the dumplings, the scene suddenly fell silent.

Looking toward the direction where the silence had first begun, a figure was seen slowly walking onto the high platform.

"The Hokage... is here!"

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked just like a grandfather from next door, wearing a kind smile.

Perhaps to appear more approachable, he held a pipe in the corner of his mouth, though he did not light it, as the area was filled with children who had yet to enroll.

If expressions could cloud one's judgment, then Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile would be his best disguise.

Seeming to see the Hokage they had long yearned for, the children below appeared somewhat excited.

The longing in their eyes could not be hidden.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked out over the crowd, his smile gentle.

"You... are all the future of our Konoha!"

"Today, we once again welcome our annual entrance ceremony!"

"Before we officially begin classes, I will give you all your first lesson! It is called... the Will of Fire!"

"Where the leaves dance, fire shall burn. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

"The young are the hope of the future; the older generation must trust and protect them. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless, but serve to inspire the young to become the pillars that carry the future."

"This is the Will of Fire as I understand it!"

"For now, you are still tender sprouts, in need of protection from us, the older generation!"

"However, you will grow up in the future, and the future is something you must create and protect!"

The annual [brainwashing] was an absolutely indispensable part of the process.

You could be mediocre, you could be born dull-witted, but... you had to be loyal, and you had to be obedient.

No politician in a high position likes betrayal.

Chiba understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's actions.

Standing in the same position, Chiba would likely do the same thing.

No one knew what kind of dark, hideous nature lay beneath Sarutobi Hiruzen's hypocritical, benevolent face.

But who would care?

The children below were listening with great interest.

The longing for the [Hokage] radiating from their eyes grew even more intense.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's seemingly wandering gaze fell intentionally or unintentionally upon Chiba and Itachi.

Is this that child from back then?

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and beckoned the two of them over.

"Ah, the Uchiha children... come over here!"

All eyes instantly locked onto the two of them.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and patted their heads, looking very kind.

"Everyone should know more or less about what happened five years ago... he is that invisible Uchiha child."

At this moment, Itachi suddenly looked up at Sarutobi Hiruzen beside him, lost in thought.

Hokage-sama, what is he doing?

"I know there are negative rumors about him in the village, but in my eyes, whether it is an Uchiha child or a child from any other clan, they are all children of Konoha. We are all one family!"

"The Uchiha have never been special; this child is also a victim. I hope everyone will treat him equally!"

Whether intentional or not, while saying this, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Itachi.

The Hokage is truly so benevolent.

This sentence seemed to be directed at Itachi.

Yes, the Uchiha have never been special.

The Uchiha are also Konoha's Uchiha; they should be one group together...

Just as Itachi was stunned, Chiba suddenly raised his hand in full view of everyone and flicked Itachi on the forehead.

"Itachi, what are you... thinking about?"

Seeming to have noticed Itachi's gaze, a smile appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.

A good look in his eyes.

In that instant, Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to see a familiar figure in Itachi.

Those two existences who did not limit themselves to the Uchiha clan but looked at the entirety of Konoha.

Uchiha Kagami and his descendant, Uchiha Shisui.

This is a very good start.

Noticing Itachi's change, Chiba sighed.

Can he really be led astray this easily?

"Hokage-sama, may I... ask a question?"

Chiba stepped forward and arrived in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He leaned on his cane with both hands, standing quietly. The large and the small, the tall and the short, formed a sharp contrast.

"Uchiha child, what do you want to say?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face still wore a smile.

"Five years ago, when the Uchiha clan bore the brunt of public opinion because of me, why didn't you stand up and say that the Uchiha were never special?"

Does he feel aggrieved?

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled.

Although his talent is remarkable, he is still somewhat childish after all.

"Ordinary after-dinner chatter, I think, is not what I would call public opinion. Since we in Konoha are one big family, such things between us can be laughed off in any clan!"

"As for why I am bringing this up specifically now, it is because you are the center of that discussion. The other adults understand boundaries, but the children in the academy do not. This is all for your own good!"

This, was all for his own good.

Chiba was genuinely curious just how thick Sarutobi Hiruzen's skin had to be to say such a thing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had ultimately overestimated his own personal charisma.

And he had underestimated Chiba's perception of him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's speech finally came to an end.

Unlike Koizumi, who felt a bit excited to have received special attention from the Hokage, Itachi simply stared blankly at Chiba.

He understood his best friend.

Usually silent, it was impossible for him to ask a question just because of a word or two from the Hokage.

Moreover, regarding the so-called public opinion within the village, Itachi knew that Chiba had never cared for it.

Combined with the fact that his forehead had just been flicked a moment ago.

"Chiba-kun, did you... want to tell me something just now?"

"Look around you."

Chiba walked ahead, scouting the path.

Itachi immediately scanned his surroundings.

The strange gazes had not diminished because of the Hokage's words; if anything, they had only increased.

--By what right does a blind Uchiha get the attention of Lord Hokage?