"Well, everyone from Team 7 should be here now."
In a classroom at Konoha's Ninja Academy, seventeen-year-old Madara had already been waiting for some time when Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, who had just graduated from the academy, pushed open the door.
"Older Brother!"
"What! It's Big Brother Itachi! Awesome! If you're our jōnin instructor, we'll definitely be the strongest team in our year!"
Sasuke immediately broke into a delighted smile when he saw Madara. Seeing the normally aloof Sasuke smile made Sakura's heart beat even faster, though being on the same team as him had already set it racing. Naruto, meanwhile, shouted in pleasant surprise.
Over the past few years, while Naruto and Sasuke attended the Ninja Academy, Madara had often found time to give them pointers. In this life, Naruto believed Madara was invincible.
"Huh?! Our jōnin instructor is Uchiha Itachi?! Is this really happening? Sasuke's legendary genius brother?"
Only after hearing Naruto call Madara's name did Sakura catch on.
If he's Sasuke's Older Brother, doesn't that make him my Older Brother too?
At that thought, Sakura blushed, though neither Sasuke nor Madara would pay any attention to that. Naruto, the only one interested in Sakura, was too careless to notice either.
Over the past few years, with the support of the Third Hokage and the Uchiha Clan, Madara Uchiha had successfully made a name for himself in Konoha. Even a civilian ninja with no influential background like Sakura had heard of his exploits, so she felt deeply honored to learn that Uchiha Itachi would be teaching her.
"Since you know who I am, I'll skip the lengthy introduction. Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, I've already looked into your backgrounds, so let's cut to the chase and start our mission. Your assignment is a Survival Exercise."
Madara had