The Belated Enrollment Notice

In the late autumn of Konoha's fortieth year, the air had already taken on a distinct chill. The leaves on the old tree in the corner of the yard had withered yellow, and a few occasionally spiraled down. Kyohaku Uchiha was leaning on a cane as he practiced the most basic chakra control exercise in the yard—gathering a barely perceptible thread of chakra at his fingertips and attempting to make a fallen leaf float. The process was slow and difficult. The strain of standing on his right foot brought a thin sheen of sweat to his forehead, yet his mind remained intensely focused as he sensed the extraordinarily delicate flow of that faint energy.

Just then, a gentle female voice came from outside the courtyard gate. "Excuse me, is this Kyohaku Uchiha's home?"

Kyohaku immediately dispersed the chakra at his fingertips, and the leaf drifted gently to the ground. He adjusted his expression, adding a touch of childish timidity, then limped over with his cane and opened the gate.

Outside stood a friendly-looking female ninja in her twenties, dressed in a Chunin vest. She held a folder in her hand, and when she saw Kyohaku, a flicker of understanding and sympathy passed through her eyes.

"Hello, I'm a teacher from the Ninja Academy. You can call me Teacher Mizuno." She bent down slightly, bringing her gaze 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 notify you that you can start classes tomorrow."

It was here. Kyohaku understood inwardly, but his face showed just the right mixture of nervousness and a little anticipation. "Hello, Teacher Mizuno... I-I'm much better now. I can... go tomorrow?"

"Yes." Teacher Mizuno's smile became even gentler. "Don't worry. The teachers will help you catch up on the classes you've missed. There are also many students at school, so you'll make new friends." Her gaze casually swept over the cane he leaned on and his slightly unnatural stance before she added, "The school is aware of your situation as well. Some physical training classes will be adjusted appropriately according to your condition."

"Thank you, Teacher." Kyohaku nodded obediently, though his mind was racing. The Ninja Academy... a place filled with variables. So many 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 his injuries and the loss of his parents, but trying hard to fit in."

"This is your enrollment notice and some points to keep in mind." Teacher Mizuno handed him several sheets from the folder. "Report to the first-year classroom at eight tomorrow morning, all right?"

After seeing Teacher Mizuno off, Kyohaku stood in the yard holding those light yet deeply significant sheets of paper, silent for a long while. 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 maintain a disguise at all times.

That evening, while he was preparing 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 carried the fatigue of a completed mission, but his eyes were much gentler than during their last meeting. He had clearly already learned that Kyohaku had moved. His gaze quickly swept across the somewhat remote and shabby little house, and his brow creased almost imperceptibly, but in the end, he 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 found out you'd moved here... Why didn't you tell your uncle?" There was a trace of barely detectable reproach in his voice, 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 and sighed. He could understand the child's feelings, but he still thought the decision had been too hasty and distant. He entered the house and saw that, though small, it was clean and orderly. The kitchen also carried the scent of simple food, as though the child truly was trying to live on his own.

"I heard a school teacher 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 sweeping over Kyohaku's right foot as his tone turned solemn. "Although your body is inconvenienced, the Uchiha name must not be disgraced. You must do well in academic and theory classes. As for taijutsu and shuriken practice... just do your best. Don't force yourself, or your injury may worsen." His words contained both the clan's pride and a touch of helplessness and advice born of reality.

"I understand, Uncle. I'll study hard," Kyohaku replied.

"If you have any difficulties, or if anyone bullies you, remember to come find me at the Konoha Military Police Force." Shota Uchiha looked at his overly quiet and mature nephew, feeling somewhat unsettled. All he could do was stress it again. "We're family, understand?"

"Mm, thank you, Uncle." Kyohaku nodded obediently once more.

Shota Uchiha sat for a while longer and asked about some details of Kyohaku's life. When he learned that Grandma Obito lived next door, his expression seemed to relax somewhat. He left behind some pastries he had bought on the way, gave a few more reminders, and then got up 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 on his face gradually faded, leaving only calm contemplation.

The enrollment notice, his uncle's visit... The outside world was pulling him back onto the predetermined track, step by step.

The Ninja Academy would be the first and most important testing ground for his ability to maintain his disguise. 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 fully settled, and the outline of Konoha's walls in the distance appeared increasingly grim beneath the night sky.

Tomorrow, everything would officially begin.