A Ninja Academy Full of Talent
"Yi, I want to challenge you again today." Minato Namikaze turned to Uchiha Yi, his gaze earnest.
To Minato, Uchiha Yi was both a kindred spirit and a rival.
Minato knew there was a huge gap between them, but every time they sparred, he discovered his own weaknesses and picked up a few tricks from Yi.
For someone from a civilian background like Minato, that was an invaluable opportunity.
Sometimes, Yi even offered him advice that taught him a great deal.
And now Minato had come to book another match with him.
"Sure! But it'll have to be a little later," Yi said without hesitation.
Minato was bound to catch Hiruzen Sarutobi's eye. In fact, Sarutobi Seiichiro had probably already reported him to Hiruzen.
If he weren't looking for talent, why would a Jonin like Seiichiro come teach the Ninja Academy's elite class?
Hiruzen could be a sly old fox, and he did hold back the children of many clans to some degree. But during his time as Hokage, he treated Ninja from civilian backgrounds fairly well.
Seiichiro led Yi and the others to the training ground. Their year wasn't the only one there; students from the two years above them had come as well.
Yi quickly spotted Uchiha Mikoto's class. They had already begun sparring under their teacher's direction.
The weaker students went first, though. Yi had a feeling Minato could beat them.
Then Yi found the students in the highest year. The Ninja Academy currently ran a four-year program, making them this year's graduating class. Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga, the two sons of the Hyuga Clan Leader, were both in it.
So was Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eldest son.
It was the strongest class in the school.
Of course, Mikoto's third-year class was strong too. It had Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, and this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho: Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka.
The second year had fewer standouts by comparison, but it still had Shibi Aburame, who would one day become a pillar of Konoha.
Uchiha Fugaku, the future Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, had graduated from the Ninja Academy just last year.
"All right, enough looking around. Our class's sparring matches are about to start, so show me what you've got. Don't embarrass yourselves in front of everyone." Seiichiro brought the students to their assigned field and gave them an earnest reminder. "Students from the other first-year classes may challenge us later. Don't lose to them."
Yi was in Class One, the so-called elite class.
On an occasion like this, they were entitled to a field of their own. The other first-year classes could only challenge them if they wanted to draw attention.
"Yes!"
"Good. The first pair is Shimura Xiangyang and Nara Shikagawa."
At Seiichiro's announcement, the two students stepped onto the field. After forming the Seal of Confrontation, they began fighting at his signal.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the Ninja Academy with Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.
Given their abilities, the students had no chance of noticing them if they wished to keep their presence hidden.
"Hey, old man, that's your son, right? He looks just like you!" Jiraiya teased, pointing at Sarutobi Shinnosuke as he stepped onto the training field.
Hiruzen rolled his eyes at Jiraiya. The nerve of the boy, calling him an old man.
He wasn't even forty yet. How did that make him an old man?
Still, his eyes filled with pride as he watched Shinnosuke.
Shinnosuke might not have Orochimaru's talent, but he was more gifted than most. He had also inherited Hiruzen's Five Natures Chakra. Once he learned Hiruzen's Five Nature Transformations, he would become a pillar of Konoha.
His bloodline really was strong.
His gaze moved to the brothers Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga. According to Shinnosuke, both were formidable and no weaker than he was.
They certainly lived up to the Hyuga Clan's reputation. It was a pity they belonged to such an old-fashioned clan. Even as Hokage, Hiruzen found it difficult to intervene in Hyuga affairs.
The Caged Bird Seal and the division between the Branch Family and Main Family left even Hiruzen helpless. Whenever he needed the power of the Byakugan, he had to negotiate with the Main Family. At least he didn't have to worry about another village acquiring the Byakugan.
The thought that other villages might have obtained the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu left Hiruzen heartsick.
Heavens knew he had never wanted to see the Uzumaki Clan destroyed!
If the entire Uzumaki Clan had moved to Konoha, he could hardly imagine how powerful the village would have become.
"Orochimaru, how is the search for Nawaki's teammates going?" Tsunade smiled when she spotted Nawaki in the distance.
Her younger brother got along well with people.
Unfortunately, she couldn't arrange for this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho to be his teammates. If she could, she wouldn't have to worry so much about his safety.
"I haven't found anyone yet." Orochimaru folded his arms and shook his head. He had no objection to Tsunade entrusting Nawaki's training to him. In fact, he liked the boy.
Nawaki was talented in both Earth Release and Water Release.
That was precisely why Orochimaru needed to choose his teammates with care.
"How about choosing an Uchiha?" Hiruzen asked Orochimaru out of the blue, fixing his gaze on him.
"An Uchiha?" Orochimaru frowned. Nawaki might not bear the Senju name, but he carried Senju Clan blood. Add an Uchiha to his team, and things would get interesting.
Hiruzen looked toward Uchiha Mikoto, his gaze intent. "Since Kagami sacrificed his life, there's been considerable turmoil within the Uchiha Clan. We need to help the faction close to Konoha grow stronger as soon as possible. Uchiha Mikoto is the Second Elder's granddaughter and a representative of the younger generation's peace faction. Taking her as a disciple would benefit both Konoha and the Uchiha Clan."
He went on, "Then there's Yi. I'd also like one of you to take him as a disciple. His talent is no less than Kagami's, and he, too, has inherited the Will of Fire. He needs someone to guide and protect him."