A Gathering of Talent

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, headed straight for a seat by the window in the back row, and sat down. Ignoring everyone else, he closed his eyes and thought back to what Shikaku had said.

Awakening the Tara Mask had unlocked the Shadowkhan for him. It was bound to draw the higher-ups' attention, but he'd had no choice.

Ordinary training could advance the Shadowkhan's unlocking progress, but it was too slow. Fighting was the most efficient way, which was why he had finally agreed to attend school.

This class was packed with talent: Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Genma Shiranui, and more. They would be Konoha's pillars for decades to come. To Tsukimi, they were all prime targets for training, and he wouldn't find opportunities like these every day.

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

Besides, Tsukimi was a prodigy of the Nara clan. Ino-Shika-Cho had been allied with the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States period, and they had stood firmly behind the Third Hokage since he took office. In the original story, Asuma had even become the Jonin instructor of the Three Clans' future heads. However 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 jewels.

"Hello. I'm Nara Tsukimi."

"Tsukimi, I'm Kurenai Yuhi. I look forward to getting to know you."

With that, the young girl sat 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 students had gradually all 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, let's start introductions with the first person on my left. Just tell us your name, what you like and dislike, and your dream."

Takashi Murakami wasted no time, and the first student on his left began.

"My name's Ken Tanaka! I like ramen and the downtime after finishing a mission! Things I hate are... um... nothing in particular right now! My dream is to become a proper Chunin, then save up and open my own shop in Konoha!"

"Full of energy! Next!"

"I'm Asuma Sarutobi. I like shogi and barbecue. I hate having people decide things for me. My dream is to surpass the old man and become the strongest Hokage."

Well, if it isn't Thirty-Five Million. He's still a rebellious kid at this age. Just look at him, 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 an excellent medical Ninja who can protect the people around me."

Ah, the Konoha Ghost Woman is here. Looking at the two streaks of face paint on Rin Nohara's cheeks, Tsukimi felt a twinge 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 the son of Konoha's White Fang, he had been known as a prodigy throughout Konoha before he even enrolled.

"Kakashi Hatake. There's nothing I particularly like. Nothing I particularly dislike, either. My dream is to become a Ninja as strong as my father."

After speaking, he glanced toward Tsukimi.

Same old Kakashi. I wonder how much progress the Shadowkhan would gain if I beat that little white-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 skilled as my father and never lose to anyone."

When the young girl stood, her hands hung naturally at her sides. Her voice was soft, but there was resolve in it.

Nara Tsukimi was next. He wore a simple black short-sleeved shirt and dark gray pants. Unlike most Nara clan members, he kept his hair short, giving him a neat, fresh look beneath that characteristically laid-back Nara air.

"Nara Tsukimi. I like days off. I dislike things I didn't see coming. As for my dream... to live until 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've met each other, let's begin class."

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

"Sorry, sir... huff, huff. I'm late. Let me catch my breath first. Whew!"

The smile on Takashi Murakami's face visibly darkened. He checked the class roster, then spoke in a low voice.

"Then please explain 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 anger in their teacher's voice, Rin Nohara looked at Obito with concern.

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

"You helped an old lady cross the street? How kind of you, Obito Uchiha. I'll remember you. Now come up here and introduce yourself."

The teacher's words left Obito looking crushed. Being singled out by a teacher was never pleasant. But as soon as he heard he had to introduce himself, he perked right up. He stood at the front of the classroom, adjusted his Goggles, and spoke loudly.

"I'm Obito Uchiha! I like Rin's... packed 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. Becoming Hokage was about the most common dream at the Ninja Academy. Several students had already said the same thing.

After finishing, Obito cheerfully walked down from the front and sat beside Rin. He scratched the back of his head with a goofy grin still on his face. From the back row, Kakashi muttered two words.

"Idiot!"

"You bastard, Kakashi, just you wait!" Obito was about to snap back, but he saw the dark look on Takashi Murakami's face and stopped.

Tsukimi watched the exchange between them.

Obito Uchiha!

This Idiot Two, the dead last of his class and a disgrace to the Uchiha clan, would become a major boss of the Shinobi World. Kamui was just too overpowered!

The first lesson held little substance. Murakami mostly went over the courses for each year. The schoolwork wasn't particularly heavy, either; classes ended after the morning session, and they were dismissed for the day.

The important part was tomorrow: they would have a placement test.

Practical combat!

As Takashi Murakami put it, "You're students in the elite class, so it's all the more important to know where you stand."