In the late autumn of Konoha's fortieth year, there was already a distinct chill in the air. The leaves on the old tree in the corner of the yard had turned dry and yellow, and a few occasionally spiraled down. Kyohaku Uchiha leaned on his cane in the yard, attempting the most basic chakra control exercise—gathering an almost imperceptible thread of chakra at his fingertips and trying to make a fallen leaf float. The process was slow and difficult. The strain of standing on his right foot brought a fine sheen of sweat to his forehead, but his mind remained intensely focused as he felt the minute energy flow with utmost precision.
Just then, a gentle female voice came from beyond the courtyard gate. "Excuse me, is this Kyohaku Uchiha's home?"
Kyohaku immediately dispersed the chakra at his fingertips, and the fallen leaf drifted to the ground. He adjusted his expression, putting on a hint of childish timidity, then hobbled over on his cane and opened the gate.
Outside stood a female ninja in her twenties, dressed in a Chunin vest and wearing a warm smile. She held a folder in her hands. When she saw Kyohaku's condition, understanding and sympathy flickered through her eyes.
"Hello, I'm a teacher from the Ninja Academy. You can call me Teacher Mizuno." She bent slightly so that her gaze was level with Kyohaku's. "You're Kyohaku Uchiha, right? You should have enrolled this year, but because of what happened before... it was delayed. Are you feeling better now? I'm here on behalf of the school to inform you that you can begin attending classes tomorrow."
So it had come. Kyohaku understood inwardly, but his face showed the appropriate blend of nervousness and faint expectation. "Hello, Teacher Mizuno... I-I'm much better now. I can... go tomorrow?"
"Yes." Teacher Mizuno's smile became gentler. "Don't worry. The teachers will help you catch up on the lessons you missed. There are plenty of other students at school too, and you'll make new friends." Her eyes casually swept over the cane he leaned on and his slightly unnatural stance before she added, "The school knows about your condition as well. Some of the physically demanding training will be adjusted appropriately based on your health."
"Thank you, Teacher." Kyohaku nodded obediently, though his mind was racing. The Ninja Academy... a place full of variables. A large number of children his age meant countless observers and potential risks. He had to be even more careful in playing the role of a Uchiha orphan who was "introverted, somewhat gloomy due to injury, illness, and the loss of his parents, but trying to fit in."
"Here is your enrollment notice and some things to keep in mind." Teacher Mizuno handed him several sheets from the folder. "Report to the first-year classroom at eight tomorrow morning, on time."
After seeing Teacher Mizuno off, Kyohaku stood in the yard holding those flimsy yet immensely significant sheets of paper, silent for a long time. No outsider, including that teacher, could know that within the body of this seemingly pitiful, limping five-year-old child resided the soul of a twenty-eight-year-old from another world. To him, the Ninja Academy was far more than a place to study. It was a stage where he would need to keep up his disguise at all times.
That evening, as he prepared a simple dinner in the kitchen, the courtyard gate was knocked on again.
This time, Shota Uchiha stood outside, dusty from travel. He still wore the uniform of the Konoha Military Police Force, and his face bore the fatigue of a completed mission, but his gaze was much softer than it had been during their last meeting. He had clearly heard that Kyohaku had moved. His eyes swiftly swept over the somewhat remote and shabby little house, and his brow creased almost imperceptibly, but he ultimately said nothing.
"Kyohaku." Shota Uchiha's voice was hoarser than usual. "I heard about your enrollment as soon as I got back. I also went to where you used to live, and only then learned that you'd moved here... Why didn't you tell your uncle?" There was a trace of barely noticeable reproach in his tone, but even more complicated concern.
"Uncle." Kyohaku lowered his head and fiddled with the hem of his clothes, repeating the excuse he had prepared long ago. "The old house... was too big. I was scared living there alone. This place... is smaller. It's nice."
Shota Uchiha fell silent for a moment, then sighed. He could understand the child's feelings, but he still felt that the decision had been too hasty and too distant. He entered the house and saw that, though cramped, it was clean and tidy. The faint aroma of a simple meal drifted from the kitchen. It seemed the child was truly trying to live on his own.
"I heard the schoolteacher came to notify you about enrollment?" he changed the subject.
"Mm. I'm going tomorrow."
"Good. Once you're at school, study hard. Although..." He paused, his gaze falling on Kyohaku's right foot, and his tone became solemn. "Although your body is impaired, the Uchiha name must not be disgraced. You must do well in academic and theory classes. As for taijutsu and shuriken training... just do your best. Don't force yourself and aggravate your injury." His words contained both the pride of the clan and a trace of helplessness and advice born of reality.
"I understand, Uncle. I'll study hard," Kyohaku replied.
"If you run into any difficulties, or if anyone bullies you, remember to come to the Konoha Military Police Force and find me." Shota Uchiha looked at his overly quiet and mature nephew, feeling somewhat uneasy. He could only emphasize it again. "We're family, understand?"
"Mm. Thank you, Uncle." Kyohaku nodded obediently again.
Shota Uchiha stayed a while longer and asked about some details of his life. When he learned that Obito's grandmother lived next door, his expression seemed to relax slightly. He left behind some pastries he had bought on the way, gave a few more reminders, then rose to leave. As a squad captain in the Konoha Military Police Force, he still had many matters to handle.
After seeing his uncle off, Kyohaku closed the door. The obedient timidity gradually faded from his face, replaced by calm contemplation.
The enrollment notice, his uncle's visit... The outside world was pulling him back onto the predetermined path, one step at a time.
The Ninja Academy would be the first and most important testing ground for his ability to disguise himself. While learning the necessary knowledge of a ninja, he had to hide himself perfectly and "grow up" like a real five-year-old child who had suffered misfortune.
He looked out the window. Dusk had settled in, and the outline of Konoha's walls in the distance appeared increasingly forbidding against the night.
Tomorrow, everything would officially begin.
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