April, with winter giving way to spring, the freshest and most interesting event for the people living in Konoha Village was the upcoming first-ever opening of the Ninja Academy.
Regardless of birth or gender, as long as one possessed talent, they could become a student of this academy and receive training to become a Ninja. This might not be much for Ninja clans, but for commoners, it was exhilarating news.
In a world that valued bloodline and origin, the status of Ninja was not high. In the eyes of nobles and Daimyo, they were merely useful but untrustworthy tools, far less reliable than monks or samurai. However, in the eyes of commoners, being a Ninja was already a very prestigious profession.
For commoners, while the high mortality rate and bloody nature of Ninja work certainly instilled fear and hesitation, the mortality rate of commoners during wartime was even higher than that of Ninja constantly on dangerous missions. In the face of rampant mountain bandits, rogue Ninja, and wandering Ninja, commoners had no power to resist.
What exactly were commoners to the Ninja World?
They were laborers and providers of wealth, but at the same time, they were lambs to the slaughter, the lowest rung, subjected to layers of exploitation. To change this situation, they had to gain power, and to gain power, they had to master Chakra. However, the methods to obtain Chakra were entirely monopolized by Ninja, priestesses, monks, and even samurai.
The path for commoners to become strong was blocked from the very beginning. But the Ninja World was inherently a place where the strong preyed on the weak; in this world where there was no justice or fairness to speak of, lacking Chakra itself was an original sin.
However, this impregnable boulder blocking the path would begin to be shaken today. The Ninja Academy was the first ray of dawn seen by commoners who had been arbitrarily trampled and bullied by the strong and noble throughout the long years.
Dense crowds gathered at the entrance of the Ninja Academy; almost everyone in Konoha Village had come. Under the giant Konoha symbol, a notice was posted listing the names of the first batch of Ninja Academy students.
The number of students in the first batch of the Ninja Academy was not large, but they were almost all famous geniuses. The less than thirty names on the list had significant backgrounds; aside from the Senju and Uchiha Clans and some nameless commoner children, smaller and medium-sized clans like Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura, and Ino–Shika–Chō were also on the list.
The crowd whispered, pointing at the names on the list and the children gathered at the entrance. From their clan emblems on their clothing and their distinctive appearances, it was easy to distinguish their clans.
The Uchiha cubs, dressed in black high-collared clan attire with red and white fan emblems embroidered on their backs, looked very conspicuous. Though young, each of them already possessed the Uchiha's characteristic aloof and proud demeanor, their beautiful faces expressing a 'do not approach' aura, so the crowd quietly retreated, wisely leaving them private space.
What they didn't know was that the Uchiha cubs were currently as anxious as ants on a hot pan. With the academy opening imminent, only four of the six Uchiha on the list were present!
Being late on the first day of school would be utterly humiliating. Uchiha Miki, the leader of the cubs, paced anxiously. She widened her eyes, trying to spot the last Uchiha in the passing crowd, but among the people were Sarutobi, Byakugan users, and even Senju Clan dolts, but none of their Uchiha Sharingan users.
To make matters worse, at such a crucial moment, all the adults had gone to a clan meeting, making it impossible to find anyone to help! Miki, almost angered into awakening a pair of Sharingan, turned to glare at the cub next to her, asking with murderous intent:
"Where is Kamitsuki?"
"Sister Miki, I don't know. I've been with you the whole time."
Miki's younger sister, Uchiha Inari, quickly shook her head innocently, silently glancing at the next cub, Uchiha Ichima. This unlucky child had just swallowed a candy when he was suddenly stared at by everyone, and the candy got stuck in his throat, choking him.
"Cough cough... help, cough, me!"
After a series of heart-wrenching coughs, Ichima, who had already rolled his eyes, finally swallowed the troublesome candy. Recovering, he retorted irritably:
"Why are you looking at me? I didn't see her either!"
"Then where's Kagami? Wasn't he here just now? Why is he gone too?"
Miki, both anxious and angry, counted the people again. There had just been five Uchiha cubs, and now there were only four. This time, the one missing was Uchiha Kagami, the oldest and most reliable one!
"I know this! He went to look for Kamitsuki!"
Uchiha Kaen raised his hand. The four Uchiha cubs all looked in the direction he pointed, hope rekindling in their hearts. At this moment, they sincerely prayed for him.
Kagami, you must bring Kamitsuki back!
Within the Uchiha Clan Land, Uchiha Kagami, on whom the cubs had placed high hopes, was sprinting towards Kakka's house. He swiftly jumped onto the second-floor balcony, skillfully entering Kamitsuki's room.
In the room, Kamitsuki, hugging a black cat doll, was comfortably curled up in her futon, sound asleep. Sensing someone approaching, she merely opened her eyes to a slit. After roughly recognizing who the newcomer was, she trustingly sank back into her dreams.
"Kamitsuki!"
Kagami yelled in exasperation, trying to use noise to fight off her sleepiness. He grabbed Kamitsuki's shoulders and shook her non-stop, finally rousing her from her deep slumber. Woken up, she opened her eyes again, glanced at Kagami, and grumbled discontentedly:
"Kagami, stop bothering me..."
"Kamitsuki, stop sleeping! We're going to be late!"
To Kagami's stern protest, Kamitsuki's response was to pull the futon over her head, her muffled voice coming from the barrier formed by the bedding:
"I just fell asleep. Just five more minutes, I promise..."
Kamitsuki's inability to get up was mainly Uchiha Madara's fault.
Half a month ago, the news of Kamitsuki awakening her Sharingan shook the entire clan. An awakener at only five years old, and also the youngest awakener in history, Kamitsuki had thoroughly solidified her reputation as a genius.
Before this, clan members had quite a few objections to the clan head taking Kakka's daughter of unknown origin as a disciple. Kamitsuki's talent was indeed excellent, but there was no lack of geniuses among the younger generation, such as Uchiha Kagami and Uchiha Miki. Not only were they exceptionally talented, but their family backgrounds were also impeccable. Which one wasn't better than Kakka's illegitimate daughter?
For the Uchiha Clan, who placed extreme importance on emotions, having a child without marriage was truly a terrifying thing. Even if Uchiha Kakka was an elder, it didn't stop them from gossiping about him behind his back. But in the face of the Sharingan, they could abandon their principles without any psychological burden. Now, whoever saw her wouldn't help but praise, saying things like, 'Lord Madara has such good foresight,' or 'Elder Kakka has a good daughter.'
Apart from Kakka, who boasted about it all day, Uchiha Madara was the happiest about it.
The more talented Kamitsuki proved to be, the more likely she was to gain the power of All Creation. Especially her unique Sharingan; although it was only the most basic one-tomoe, it already possessed extremely powerful strength.
It was this power that convinced Uchiha Madara that the path to peace and ideals would be real.
Whether out of a desire for peace or simply out of a teacher's duty, Uchiha Madara urgently desired Kamitsuki to become stronger. Therefore, Kamitsuki's training intensity was strengthened to an unprecedented degree.
However, Uchiha Madara had been very busy these past few days. He couldn't spare any time to train Kamitsuki during the day. He and Hashirama stayed in the newly built Ninja Academy all day, doing various tasks for the upcoming opening.
This made Kamitsuki overjoyed. However, Kamitsuki, who thought she had escaped, didn't get to be happy for long. Uchiha Madara pulled her out of bed that very night. Since there was no time during the day, they would train hard at night. In Uchiha Madara's dictionary, there were no words for 'rest.'
This grueling life continued until the Ninja Academy opened. That's right, Uchiha Madara was truly a devil. Kamitsuki, who had trained until dawn the day before, was now sprawled in her futon, unable to get up, no matter how much Uchiha Kagami called her. Finally, he had no choice but to invoke Uchiha Madara's name to scare her.
"Kamitsuki, Lord Madara will be at the academy today too. If he doesn't see you, then..."
As soon as these words were uttered, the effect was immediate and striking. Kamitsuki, who had been on the verge of death from sleepiness, immediately opened her eyes, grabbed her clothes, and rushed into the bathroom.
On the other side of Konoha, in the newly built teaching building, the man who had targeted the Uchiha Clan his entire life stood on the podium.
Senju Tobirama's crimson eyes scanned the classroom, looking at the students one by one. He picked up a list from the podium. Although he didn't think anyone would be late, calling roll and recognizing faces was still a very necessary step.
"Roll call will now begin, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Teacher, I'm here!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose name was called, immediately jumped up from his seat, greeting Tobirama with a cheerful smile, afraid he wouldn't be seen. Seeing his disciple so energetic, Senju Tobirama subtly pursed his lips.
"Next, Danzo Shimura."
"Present!"
"Very good, next."
....
The roll call proceeded in an orderly manner. After all, it was the first day of class, and even the naughtiest children didn't have the courage to cause trouble.
"Uchiha Kamitsuki."
As he reached the next name on the list, Senju Tobirama's eyes subtly shifted. Today's main event had finally arrived.
This was Uchiha Madara's disciple, and also the child his older brother Hashirama praised endlessly. According to Hashirama, the proposal to establish the Ninja Academy was made by her.
Tobirama looked up, his gaze becoming sharper at that moment. He absolutely had to use this opportunity to personally confirm what kind of person she truly was.
"....."
However, as time passed minute by minute, no one in the classroom responded. An awkward silence echoed in the air, and the children exchanged glances, their breathing rising and falling.
Senju Tobirama's eyes widened slightly in disbelief. He had just thought no one would be late, and now someone was proving him wrong.
"Uchiha Kamitsuki, Uchiha Kamitsuki, where is she?"
"....."
It's over.
Uchiha Miki covered her face and collapsed onto her desk in despair. The other three Uchiha cubs looked at each other, seeing helplessness and confusion in each other's eyes.
Now, they were truly going to make a name for themselves at school.
To be late on the very first day of the academy's opening, what kind of formidable person was this!
The children, who had just been too intimidated by Tobirama's aura to speak, now put their faces together, whispering excitedly and conversing. As a result, their childish vivacity and playfulness were fully unleashed, and it became uncontrollable. The once relatively quiet classroom was now as noisy as a marketplace.
"....Quiet!"
Senju Tobirama, whose veins were bulging on his forehead, glared with his red eyes, scaring the little cubs into collective silence. He lowered his head and looked at the name Uchiha Kamitsuki once more, so angry he almost scoffed on the spot.
An Uchiha brat, daring to be late on the first day. Very good, truly commendable courage.