Konoha's Ninja Academy was packed with people and buzzing with excitement. Today was the graduation day for Konoha's first class of graduates, and the day its first teams would be formed. Parents and students were taking commemorative photos all over the school, and laughter echoed through every corner of the grounds.
A beautiful young girl entered through the school gates, holding the hand of an exquisitely handsome little boy. At once, they drew everyone's attention.
"Whose child is that? He's unbelievably good-looking!" Parents made remarks from time to time, their eyes full of amazement and envy.
"Isn't that Biwako? Our school's goddess and most beautiful girl." Some students recognized Biwako, a famous figure at school, and excitedly pointed her out to the people beside them.
"Hey, who's the kid with her? I've never seen him before." Someone raised the question, their curiosity thoroughly piqued.
Shimura Danzō nudged Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him and whispered, "Could the one with Biwako be that little brother she's always talking about?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded. "He should be the brother she mentioned! He looks pretty cute, but he doesn't seem as powerful as he said. Test his strength later."
Shimura Danzō rolled his eyes, his face full of disdain. "I'm not doing it. You want me to fight some little brat? I'd lose all my dignity. Let that kid Kagami Uchiha do it. He's pretty strong too, so he can test the other guy's strength."
Just then, Utatane Koharu ran over and looked Little Tsubasa up and down, curiosity written all over her face. "Biwako, so this is that perfect little brother you were talking about. He really is good-looking! No wonder you praised him to the heavens. But he's just a cute, handsome little brother. Is he really as strong as you say?"
Biwako smiled and pulled Tsubasa in front of her. "Tsubasa, this is my classmate Utatane Koharu. You can call her Sister Koharu."
A sweet smile on his face, Tsubasa politely nodded and greeted her. "Hello, Sister Koharu."
Before long, a middle-aged couple walked over. The man wore lavish clothes, and his eyes held an innate arrogance. The woman was dressed elegantly and richly, and every movement she made carried a noble air. The man spoke. "Koharu, who are these two? Won't you introduce them?"
Utatane Koharu smiled and introduced them. "This is my classmate Biwako and her brother." Then she turned to Biwako. "These are my father and mother, nobles of the Land of Fire and heirs of the Utatane Clan. Biwako, where are your parents? How come I don't see them?"
A trace of embarrassment crossed Biwako's face, and a hint of disappointment showed in her eyes. "My parents aren't coming to my graduation today," she said quietly. "It's enough to have my brother with me."
Utatane Koharu frowned. "How could your parents do that? They aren't even coming to your graduation today. Don't they care about you at all?"
Tsubasa noticed Biwako's embarrassment and hurriedly changed the subject. He tugged on her hand and smiled. "Sister, let's go have a look over there! There are so many people!"
Biwako gave Tsubasa a grateful look and nodded. "All right. Koharu, we'll head over there first."
Utatane Koharu took her parents by the hand. "Father, Mother, let's go take a look too!"
Tsubasa followed Biwako over and saw that everyone was discussing the team assignments.
Eijō Yuhi beamed at Biwako. "Goddess, there's a team assignment exam today. It would be great if we ended up on the same team."
Tora Inuzuka patted his chest and said confidently, "Goddess, let's be on the same team. I'll protect you then. And we'd have an extra teammate, Toramaru." As he spoke, the dog beside him barked, as though he understood his master's words and was helping him recruit a teammate.
Amused by their enthusiasm, Biwako patted Toramaru on the head. "I hope so. Toramaru is pretty cute, but team assignments are up to Lord Hokage. Whether you end up on the same team as me depends on how lucky you are."
Tora Inuzuka said firmly, "I have a feeling the two of us will definitely be on the same team. My hunches are very accurate."
"Just anyone thinks they can be on the same team as Biwako? Take a look at how strong you are first." Shimura Danzō looked at Tora Inuzuka with disdain and gave a soft snort.
"Biwako, you're here. This must be your brother beside you, right? Hello, I'm Hiruzen Sarutobi, a good friend of your sister's. If you run into any trouble in Konoha in the future, come find me. I'll take care of everything for you." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tsubasa with a friendly smile.
Tsubasa thought that this was the future Third Hokage and Biwako's future husband, and that he needed to build a good relationship with him. So he smiled and said, "Hello, Brother Sarutobi, I'm Tsubasa. Then I'll come to you if I need anything in the future. Don't pretend you don't know me when the time comes."
Kagami Uchiha walked over, his hands in his pockets and looking cool. "You're Biwako's brother Tsubasa, right? You're also the kid who's been in the Hokage's office lately, right? Please accept my challenge."
The moment Biwako heard that, she stepped in front of Tsubasa like a mother hen protecting her chick, her eyes full of vigilance. "Kagami Uchiha, what are you doing? Tsubasa is only six! What do you mean, challenging him?"
A helpless smile appeared on Kagami Uchiha's face as he explained, "It's a task the elders in my clan gave me. Don't worry, I won't hit him too hard. It'll just be a spar."
Biwako was still worried and held Tsubasa tightly. "No way. Tsubasa is five years younger than you. How could he possibly be a match for you?"
Seeing that Kagami Uchiha was in a difficult position, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurried to smooth things over. "Don't worry, Biwako. Kagami has to complete the task his elders gave him. They're just going to spar; it'll be fine. Didn't you say Tsubasa was a genius? Besides, we'll be watching them. We won't let anything happen to Tsubasa."
Shimura Danzō chimed in from the side. "It's just a training match. Why are you protecting him so much? Ninja all grow through adversity. Tsubasa, was it? A man shouldn't hide behind a girl."
Ten'i poked his head out from Biwako's side, his face full of defiance. "Fine. You're Kagami Uchiha, right? Who's afraid of you? We'll fight once your team assignments are done. My taijutsu is very strong."
Biwako looked at Tsubasa with deep concern. "Tsubasa, Kagami is a very skilled ninja. Don't agree to it."
Tsubasa patted Biwako's hand and reassured her. "It's fine. I've already agreed, and you'll all be watching, won't you?"
Biwako sighed helplessly and had no choice but to relent. "All right, then."
The boys and girls, however, had failed to notice that the parents were all watching them.
Sasuke Sarutobi watched his son Hiruzen Sarutobi's performance and nodded in satisfaction. He turned to Dansuke Shimura with a smile. "It looks like the Uchiha Clan made the first move. Let's see what this kid from the Senju Clan is made of."
A vicious gleam flashed in Dansuke Shimura's eyes. "Should we notify Kazuo Yamamoto and Kazuo Shinozuka to have the suicide squad they're leading get ready? They should already be lying in wait nearby."
Sasuke Sarutobi sneered. "Keep them in reserve for now and wait for an opportunity. If today's team assignments aren't favorable to us, we can also eliminate a few geniuses from other clans if we get the chance."
Dansuke Shimura gave a sinister smile. "I think that little fellow called Kagami Uchiha ought to be eliminated. At his young age, he should already have the strength of a Jonin."
The moment Dansuke Shimura mentioned moving against Kagami Uchiha, Sasuke Sarutobi's face turned grave. His brow furrowed deeply, and his eyes were full of warning as he stared at Dansuke Shimura. "Whatever you do, don't provoke the Uchiha for now! Get this straight: our business with the Senju is still unresolved. If we provoke the Uchiha too, wouldn't we be facing enemies on both sides? Go send word to the suicide squad. Tell them not to act rashly, and every last one of them had better behave!" As he spoke, he waved his hand forcefully, as though that could convey his firm stance. He thought to himself that Dansuke Shimura really didn't know the gravity of the situation. If they provoked the Uchiha, they would be in serious trouble. Now wasn't the time for a direct confrontation with the Uchiha; they had to settle the problem with the Senju first.
After hearing Sasuke Sarutobi's words, Dansuke Shimura showed a strange smile, tinged with a carefree and cynical air. He chuckled softly. "Kazuo Yamamoto and Kazuo Shinozuka are both notorious lunatics. You know that. If an opportunity really falls into their hands, how would they ever show restraint? They're sure to make a huge spectacle of it!" As he spoke, he shook his head gently, picturing the two men acting like madmen. The smile on his lips grew wider, as though he rather admired their crazy behavior.
Sasuke Sarutobi ignored Dansuke Shimura's seemingly joking remarks and looked up at the bustling assembly hall not far away. "All right, enough of that. Things are about to start in the assembly hall. Let's hurry over and see just how exciting this first graduation ceremony will be. We might even find something useful there." With that, he set off toward the hall, full of anticipation for the ceremony about to begin. Seeing this, Dansuke Shimura hurried after him, and the two gradually disappeared into the crowd heading for the hall.