"Even the night itself seemed to hold its breath—
the silence tonight belonged entirely to Mikoto's house."
— Uzumaki Akio
After Akio made it clear that he no longer intended to interfere in the matter of "Senju Akio" changing his name, the rest of the afternoon turned into a relentless verbal siege.
Mikoto talked.
Kushina talked.
They talked… and talked… and talked.
"Yes, I did say I'd handle it before—but I've changed my mind. You decide. I'll accept whatever outcome you reach."
"I was the one who helped make that agreement in the first place. If I go back on it in front of the Uchiha, where does that leave my dignity?"
"Kushina, what's that look for? Your great-grandfather has always cared about his reputation, thank you very much."
"And no, I didn't knock myself stupid! I'm perfectly fine!"
…
By evening, Mikoto's house finally fell quiet.
Akio let out a long breath. He had only just decided to start living more freely, and he was nearly dragged straight back down to earth by Kushina's puffed cheeks and Mikoto's pleading expressions.
To their credit, neither woman was unreasonable. Since Akio refused to take charge, they couldn't force him.
After an entire afternoon of trying, they finally gave up and went to figure things out themselves.
As for Toneri—
Whether it was lingering dizziness from being knocked out earlier, or simply being lulled to sleep by all the talking, the boy had curled up nearby and fallen asleep again.
But letting the silence stretch on felt awkward.
Akio considered breaking it.
Maybe a joke?
"Hahaha—"
He laughed before even starting. Kushina shot him a look that very clearly said: And you claim you didn't hit your head?
Fortunately, the door slid open just then, saving him.
"Mom! I won again today!"
Little Akio spoke calmly, as if beating Naruto was effortless.
"That's a lie! It was a draw!" Naruto protested, his face bruised as usual—then noticed Akio.
"Huh? Great-Grandpa! You're back!"
Akio raised a finger to his lips, signaling him to keep it down, then pointed toward the sleeping Toneri.
Naruto turned—and immediately shouted anyway.
"Whoa! Who's that guy?!"
Akio sighed.
"Your rival."
"Rival?" Naruto blinked—then grinned.
"This jerk likes Hinata too?!"
Akio: "..."
He dragged Naruto over, sat him on his knee, yanked down his pants—
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
The peaceful silence of Mikoto's home shattered instantly.
Toneri woke up groggily to a surreal scene:
a blond boy getting his backside thoroughly punished,
and a black-haired boy standing nearby with folded arms, watching like it was entertainment.
"…What's happening?"
The Next Day — March 1st
First Day of School
Mikoto led young Akio.
Minato and Kushina walked with Naruto.
Akio himself brought Toneri.
Together, they headed toward the Konoha Ninja Academy.
"When you registered a few days ago," Akio asked, "did you run into any familiar kids besides Hinata?"
Minato shook his head. "It was nearly noon by then. Most registrations were already done."
Kushina adjusted Naruto's collar and whispered sternly,
"Be good to your classmates—especially the girls. And forget about Haku. He's Kimimaro's."
Akio chuckled. Being a mom is rough.
Kimimaro was completely innocent in all this.
Naruto flushed red but didn't dare argue.
After yesterday's humiliation, he'd learned his lesson.
A few minutes later, the intimidatingly large "parent squad" arrived at the academy gates and split up.
Minato and Kushina escorted Naruto and little Akio to their classroom.
Akio took Toneri to complete a late registration.
The academy building was the same sturdy structure as ever.
Back when Akio helped build it, he'd insisted it withstand extreme disasters—nearly driving the Earth-Style ninja insane.
Judging by its condition, it could probably last another fifty years.
Being Akio made things easy.
He stopped a staff member and stated plainly:
"I'm Uzumaki Akio—the old one you've heard stories about. I'm here to register this kid and place him in a class."
The response was immediate disbelief.
"Y-You're that Uzumaki Akio?! It's an honor! Please, right this way!"
The only complication was Toneri's age.
At seven, with prior training, he technically qualified for second year.
They were led to the second-year instructor.
"If you want first year instead," the teacher offered, "I can take you there."
Akio nodded—and then glanced at a score sheet on the desk.
He froze.
"Oh, that's last year's finals," the teacher hurriedly explained.
Akio read:
Top Student: Tenten
Second: Hyūga Neji
…
Last Place: Rock Lee
"…Since when can academy students bring pets into exams?" Akio muttered.
He didn't understand how Tenten beat Neji all the way to the first-year classroom.
"Iruka," the teacher called, "there's another student joining your class. He's with Elder Uzumaki."
Akio looked up, studying Iruka—Naruto's destined mentor.
Iruka was still young, a bit nervous as he greeted Akio—but when he turned to Toneri, his tone instantly became calm and professional.
"Ōtsutsuki Toneri, please enter and find a seat. Prepare a short self-introduction."
A natural teacher.
Akio gave Toneri's shoulder a gentle pat.
Toneri scanned the classroom, ignoring the whispers about his unusual appearance, and walked straight to the seat behind Hinata.
His pale eyes made her glance back shyly.
Naruto and young Akio sat at opposite ends of the room, silently declaring they weren't friends.
Sakura and Ino whispered together—almost certainly about the handsome newcomer.
Akio spotted many familiar faces… and a few he didn't.
One boy looked suspiciously like Sai.
"Elder Uzumaki, is there anything else you need?"
Akio was about to answer—
Then a line of glowing text flashed before his eyes:
Witnessed and significantly altered a key event: Naruto enrolling in the Academy.
Witness Points gained: 100.
"Elder Uzumaki?"
"Hm? Oh—no. That's all."
Akio waved casually, smiled warmly at the curious children, and turned to leave the academy.
Stepping outside, he paused.
"…So," he muttered to himself,
"where do I go now?"
---
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