Konoha Year 57 — March 10th
Laughter echoed in the classroom of the Ninja Academy. Children sat in neatly arranged rows, some whispering behind books, others tossing paper shuriken at each other.
The door slammed open.
"Tadaaa! The future Hokage has arrived!"
Naruto Uzumaki entered with his usual over-the-top grin, hands behind his head, walking like he owned the place.
A few girls sighed. A few boys groaned.
"Ugh, it's him again.""He failed the chakra control test again. What a loser.""Bet he can't even mold chakra."
Naruto waved at no one in particular, dramatically spinning into his seat near the window.
"Iruka-sensei! I hope today we finally learn how to turn into a toad or something cool!"
Iruka blinked, adjusting his forehead protector. "Naruto, please sit quietly. And no, there will be no toad summoning today."
Behind his lazy smile, Naruto's mind was sharp and quiet.
Kagura's Mind Eye – Passive Mode: Active
"Two ANBU near the gate… one Chūnin with Hyuga blood watching the courtyard… No threats inside the classroom."
"Good. The kids are still safe."
📜 Flashback — Academy Enrollment (January 3rd)
Snow crunched underfoot as Naruto walked alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Naruto, today marks the beginning of your path as a shinobi," the old man said, voice warm. "You'll learn jutsu, make friends, and grow strong."
Naruto nodded, smiling faintly. "Sure, old man. I'll be the strongest."
Inside, he knew better. The Academy wasn't for strength—it was a stage. And Naruto had chosen his mask.
He would be the clown, the failure, the one no one watched too closely.
🎭 The Fool's Role
Over the last two months, Naruto played his part with flawless consistency. He shouted about ramen. He flubbed hand signs. He tripped on purpose during taijutsu drills.
Even Iruka sighed sympathetically during every test.
"Try again, Naruto. Don't give up.""Thanks, sensei!" he'd reply with exaggerated enthusiasm.
But when the sun went down, the real Naruto emerged.
🌌 Flashback — March 3rd, Hidden Cavern
Deep within the forests of Konoha, beyond the training grounds and past a sealed trapdoor beneath an ancient tree, five Uchiha children sat quietly around a warm fire.
Naruto stepped into the cavern, cloak dusted with leaves, carrying a scroll case and a small basket of food.
They looked up as one.
Misaki, 6, the eldest girl, stood and bowed. Her voice was calm but guarded.
"Naruto-nii… is it safe today?"
Naruto smiled softly. "As safe as it can be. No one followed me."
Takeshi, 5, narrow-eyed and serious, peeked behind Naruto. "You sure? The white-masked men haven't been sniffing around?"
"I'd know if they were. I'm using a sensory field that would catch even ANBU," Naruto replied.
Rei, 4, the quietest, clutched a burnt fox doll Naruto had given her. She didn't speak much—but her Sharingan had awakened the night of the massacre, traumatizing her deeply.
Aiko, 3, was the youngest, a chubby-cheeked girl who barely understood what had happened. She tugged at Naruto's jacket and asked softly,
"Naruto-nii, will we go home soon?"
Naruto crouched to meet her eyes, voice gentle.
"Not yet, Aiko. Your home is... gone. But I'll keep you safe. I promise."
Finally, Itsuki, 5, the only boy with both eyes still intact and unawakened Sharingan, asked in a low tone:
"Why? Why are you helping us? You're not even Uchiha."
Naruto hesitated. Then he replied simply.
"Because I know what it's like to be hunted. To be hated for something you didn't do."
"And because no one else will."
🌀 Teaching Begins
Naruto unrolled the chakra scrolls he had copied from Hiruzen's archives.
"Today, we start basic chakra circulation. You don't need to mold it yet—just feel it. Misaki, you go first."
She nodded, biting her lip, and sat in meditation pose. Naruto gently placed his hand on her back.
"Close your eyes. Breathe. Feel the energy in your stomach… don't force it."
The fire crackled.
Ding!Misaki has activated chakra pathways.Bond Progress: +15Skill Gained: Teaching Lv.1
The other children gasped. Misaki's face lit up with wonder.
"I… I felt it!"
"Good," Naruto smiled. "You're already stronger than you were yesterday."
🔒 Meanwhile — Atop the Hokage Tower
Danzo stood beside Hiruzen, voice low and cold.
"There are inconsistencies in the massacre records. We must confirm if any children escaped Itachi's blade."
Hiruzen sighed. "You suspect Itachi failed?"
Danzo's lone eye narrowed.
"I suspect someone interfered."
🏫 Back at the Academy — Present Day
Iruka addressed the class.
"Today, we're doing chakra control again. Tree-walking technique."
Naruto raised his hand dramatically. "Sensei! I still don't know what chakra is!"
Iruka chuckled. "That's okay, Naruto. Just try your best."
Kiba snorted. "He can't even walk straight, forget walking on trees."
Sasuke, silent and stoic as always, gave Naruto a faint glance. A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes—something strange about this idiot blond boy.
But Naruto just scratched his head and grinned.
"Think what you want. I have a mission to complete."
🌙 Later That Night — Training with the Children
"Naruto-nii, what's this?" Takeshi asked, pointing at a seal carved into the cave wall.
"That's a detection seal. If anyone tries to enter this cave without my chakra signature, it'll alert me—and burn them to ashes if I want."
Misaki stared. "You can do that?"
Naruto smirked. "I'm an Uzumaki. Seals are in my blood."
Rei clung to his sleeve. "Will the bad men find us?"
He hugged her gently. "Not while I'm breathing."
🧠 System Update
Ding!Daily Objectives Completed:
Fool Role at Academy: Success
Secret Training Session: +2 Intelligence
Chakra Suppression Training: +1 Control
Teaching Activated: Lv.1 ➝ Lv.2
New Title Earned: "Sensei in the Shadows"Bond Status – Uchiha Children: 5/5 Trusted
That night, Naruto lay on the roof of his apartment, staring at the stars.He whispered to himself:
"They think I'm weak. They think I'm alone. Good."
"The Uchiha survived. And no matter what it takes… I will protect them."