In Konoha, at the training field within the Uchiha compound.
Bathed in the afterglow of sunset, a child drenched in sweat practiced hand signs.
"Clone Technique!"
Poof!
A puff of white smoke billowed out—and nothing appeared.
"Argh! Failed again…"
Obito clutched his head and let out a shout.
Why can Night Maple-sensei's clones pass for the real thing!
Why is Kakashi's Clone Technique so polished!
Why can't I pull it off!
Today, Night Maple's words had hit him like a blow to the head.
He had fantasized about becoming a prodigy, stunning the world, becoming Hokage, looking down on the shinobi world.
But the truth was, he wasn't particularly gifted.
He'd tried to fool himself—today, he couldn't anymore.
And from time to time, members of the Uchiha cast him strange looks.
"That's Obito—training so hard."
"Shame his parents died early."
"Without parents to teach him, he's miles behind."
"Heard he came back crying today…"
"Probably failed—headed back to the Academy for retraining."
Murmurs drifted over, laced with looks of disdain.
Obito's shoulders trembled; he roared, "I'm not useless!"
Carrying a surge of resentment, Obito returned home.
His grandmother greeted him. "Obito, you're back. Come eat."
"Not hungry!"
He shut himself in his room and started doing push-ups like a madman.
…One hundred ninety-seven, one ninety-eight, one ninety-nine—two hundred!
Gritting his teeth, he kept going, sweat dripping to soak the floor.
At last he collapsed to the ground—Night Maple's words echoing in his mind.
You—dragging down your teammates, shaming your clan…
Obito clenched his teeth, pushed himself up, and kept training!
…
At Nohara Rin's home, her parents beamed. "So Rin, that means you're a genin now?"
Rin nodded. "Yes. Night Maple-sensei's actually pretty nice. Oh—Dad, Mom, have you heard of Night Maple-sensei?"
"Night Maple? No—why, Rin?"
Propping her chin with a small hand, Rin pictured Night Maple's bright, hearty smile.
"Kakashi says Night Maple-sensei's a real big deal."
"A big deal? Then you'd better learn from him."
"Mm." Rin nodded obediently.
…
At Kakashi's place, he ate instant noodles alone. His father was out again—probably busy with official business.
In his mind he replayed what Night Maple had told them.
Was this Night Maple-sensei unreliable—or just too indulgent with students?
That someone like Uchiha Obito could pass… truly amazing.
…
Night Maple was eating dinner; seated with Uzumaki Mito and Kushina was Tsunade as well.
No sooner had they sat than Tsunade started grumbling that the Medical Department's workload was huge—she barely had time to sleep.
Then she mentioned the current unrest in Kirigakure—the Hidden Mist—where many low-ranking shinobi had been injured or even killed.
Multiple Konoha agents planted there had also fled amid the upheaval.
Not a few died on the road.
Those who made it back to Konoha were all gravely wounded.
So these past few days, Tsunade had been too busy to sleep.
Night Maple pricked up his ears, listening to tidbits you'd scarcely find in Konoha's official chronicles.
Kirigakure is most infamous as the Village of the Bloody Mist, but Night Maple didn't really know why—was it simply killing their own?
Tsunade supplied the answer.
"Kirigakure used to be like us in Konoha—everyone equal—but after the Third Mizukage took office, the policies gradually shifted."
"The native old clans of the village, plus various shinobi families who won military merit in the wars, became nobles of the highest status."
"The small clans Kirigakure annexed—including bloodline limit families and ordinary ones—became commoners."
"Those commoners carry out the most dangerous missions—treated purely as tools, less than dogs."
"As for 'Bloody Mist,' it refers to Kirigakure's genin exam requiring you to kill one of your own classmates."
"Of course, only commoners go through that exam—the nobles don't."
"So the commoners grew dissatisfied—and revolted."
"And I hear the village leadership sent out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to bloody the suppression; all of Kirigakure is shrouded in terror."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen!
At last—something Night Maple recognized.
But the Seven Swordsmen Tsunade named were Jūzō Biwa, Fuguki Suikazan, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino, Jinpachi Munashi, Raiga Kurosuki, and Hōzuki Senjin.
Night Maple didn't know a single one.
Where was Momochi Zabuza…
Then Tsunade added, "Now Sensei's planning to send several teams to scout near Kirigakure—probably that idiot Jiraiya will act as overall commander."
Night Maple asked curiously, "Isn't Jiraiya the principal? Why's he going out on missions too?"
Tsunade gave Night Maple a 'dummy' look. "The Ninja Academy exists to train shinobi who go out on missions. The Academy principal acting as mission commander—how is that not normal?"
"Uh… we're not sending our Academy students on this mission, are we?"
Tsunade shrugged. "That's what I've heard. Mainly we're short-handed—lately border disputes are flaring everywhere, and even chūnin and above are almost all deployed."
"If necessary, fresh genin will head to the battlefield too."