A Gathering of Rising Stars

The next day, in Class A of the Ninja Academy's first year.

The classroom buzzed with noise. More than half the students had arrived. Nara Tsukimi glanced around, walked straight to a seat by the window in the back row, and sat down. Ignoring everyone else, he closed his eyes and thought back to Shikaku's words.

Awakening the Tara Mask had unlocked the Shadowkhan for him. It was inevitable that the higher-ups would take notice, but he had had no choice.

Ordinary training could also advance the Shadowkhan's unlock progress, but it was too slow. Fighting was the most efficient method. That was why he had agreed to attend school.

This year's students were exceptionally talented: Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Genma Shiranui, and more. They would be the backbone of Konoha for decades to come. To Tsukimi, they were a crop of high-quality targets he would never find elsewhere.

As for whether Danzo would set his sights on him? Tsukimi wasn't underestimating the man. Hiruzen Sarutobi might like to indulge Danzo, but he was still in his prime and could crush him whenever he pleased.

Besides, Tsukimi was a genius of the Nara clan. Ino-Shika-Cho had been allied with the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States period, and the three clans had stood firmly behind Hiruzen after he became the Third Hokage. In the original story, Asuma had even become the jonin instructor of their future clan heads. No matter how Tsukimi looked at it, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never let him fall into Danzo's hands.

"Hello."

Nara Tsukimi opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a pair of beautiful eyes, their red irises gleaming like gemstones.

"Hello. I'm Nara Tsukimi."

"Tsukimi, I'm Kurenai Yuhi. I hope we'll get along."

With that, the young girl sat down beside him. She seemed a little shy, nothing like the poised, confident woman she would become.

Tsukimi chatted with Kurenai now and then. Once the rest of the students had gradually arrived, a middle-aged ninja wearing a Chunin vest walked into the classroom.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Takashi Murakami, your homeroom teacher. I hope we'll get along over the next few years. Now, starting with the first student on the left, introduce yourselves. Your name, what you like and dislike, and your dream will do."

Takashi Murakami wasted no time. The first student on the left began his introduction.

"I'm Ken Tanaka! I like ramen and resting after a mission! Things I hate are... uh... nothing in particular right now! My dream is to become a qualified Chunin, then save enough money to open my own shop in Konoha!"

"Good energy! Next!"

"I'm Asuma Sarutobi. I like shogi and grilled meat. I hate being told what to do. My dream is to surpass the old man and become the strongest Hokage."

Well, if it isn't thirty-five million ryo. He's still a rebellious kid at this age. Just look at him sticking his nose in the air.

"I'm Rin Nohara. I like... um, helping people, I guess. And medical ninjutsu. I hate war and seeing my comrades get hurt. My dream is to become a skilled medical ninja who can protect the people around me."

Ah, Konoha's ghost girl is here. Looking at Rin Nohara and the two painted stripes on her cheeks, Tsukimi felt a pang of emotion. In a sense, her death was what had set the Fourth Shinobi World War in motion.

Kakashi was next. The classroom fell silent for a moment when he stood. As Konoha's White Fang's son, he had been known throughout Konoha as a genius even before enrolling.

"Kakashi Hatake. Nothing I particularly like. Nothing I particularly dislike, either. My dream is to become a ninja as strong as my father."

When he finished, he glanced toward Tsukimi.

That's the Kakashi I remember. I wonder how much progress I'd gain toward unlocking the Shadowkhan if I beat that little silver-haired brat?

"I'm Kurenai Yuhi. I like practicing genjutsu and wasabi octopus. I dislike arrogant people. My dream is to become a genjutsu ninja as accomplished as my father and never lose to anyone."

The young girl stood with her hands naturally at her sides. Her voice was soft, but there was resolve behind it.

Nara Tsukimi was next. He wore a simple black short-sleeved shirt and dark gray pants. Unlike the traditional Nara hairstyle, his hair was cut short, giving him a neat, fresh look that still carried a hint of the clan's characteristic laziness.

"Nara Tsukimi. I like days off. I hate things I didn't see coming. As for my dream... to make it to the end of the story."

Perhaps because Tsukimi was a Nara, no one seemed surprised by his introduction. It was very Nara of him.

"All right. Now that we know one another, let's begin class."

Just as Takashi Murakami was about to start, the classroom door flew open. A figure in goggles stumbled in, panting.

"Sorry, sir... Hah... hah... I'm late. Let me catch my breath first. Phew!"

The smile vanished from Takashi Murakami's face. His expression visibly darkened as he checked the class roster, then spoke in a low voice.

"Then explain to me why you're late on the very first day of school, Obito Uchiha!"

This was a challenge to his authority as a teacher!

Hearing the teacher's voice through clenched teeth, Rin Nohara looked at Obito with concern.

"Sir, let me explain! On my way to school today, I met an old lady crossing the street. I was late because I helped her. You've got to believe me, sir!"

"Helping an old lady cross the street? What a kind heart you have, Obito Uchiha. I'll remember you. Now come up and introduce yourself."

The teacher's words left Obito looking devastated. Having a teacher single him out was never good. But as soon as he heard he was to introduce himself, he perked up again. He stood at the front, adjusted his goggles, and spoke loudly.

"I'm Obito Uchiha! I like Rin's... lunches. I hate that stuck-up Kakashi. My dream is to become Hokage and make everyone recognize my name!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes at Obito's speech, while Rin watched him with a smile. Wanting to become Hokage was about the most common dream at the Ninja Academy. Several students had already said the same thing.

After finishing, Obito walked down from the front with a happy grin and sat beside Rin. He scratched the back of his head, still smiling foolishly. From the back row, Kakashi spat out two words.

"You idiot!"

"You bastard, Kakashi! You... just wait!" Obito was about to fire back when he saw the dark look on Takashi Murakami's face and thought better of it.

Tsukimi watched the exchange between them.

Obito Uchiha!

This hotheaded dead-last student, the disgrace of the Uchiha clan, will become one of the Shinobi World's greatest villains. Kamui is just absurdly powerful!

There was little substance to the first lesson. Takashi Murakami mostly outlined the courses for each year. The school workload was light, too; classes ended in the afternoon once the morning lessons were over.

What mattered was tomorrow. They would have a placement test.

A practical fight!

As Takashi Murakami put it, "Because you're students in the elite class, it's even more important that you know where you stand."