12

The most exciting battle that any academy kid could hope to perform played out in front of the stunned eyes of the children.

Most were surprised that it took so long for The Sasuke Uchiha to beat down a no-name demon brat.

While a small portion of the audience was surprised that Naruto Uzumaki was able to fight with Sasuke on equal grounds.

"Bravo Sasuke. Bravo Naruto. Well done both of you. Unfortunately, for now, the match will be a draw. Keep up the good work, keep pushing each other, and rise higher. Let's see who will win the next time." The Hokage chuckled as he walked towards the two youngsters laying on the ground, panting hard, with bruises and scratches all over their bodies.

"No way old man. I'm not done yet. I can still go on." Naruto uttered out through huffs and puffs of deep breaths, while still looking at Sasuke with excitement in his swollen eyes.

"Yeah. Hokage-sama. Let me continue with the match. I can still go on. I'll show this dobe what I can do." Sasuke in a similar state stated.

"Enough you two. I know you guys are excited to keep fighting, but you have been going on for the past 20 minutes. I think it's time for you to stop and call it a draw." The Hokage continued with a smile, but with authority in his tone.

""But..""

"No buts. Now go to the infirmary and get yourselves cleaned up. Am I clear?" The Hokage suddenly turned stern, but still kept his grandfatherly smile on his face, as the two boys nodded and helped each other to the infirmary.

"Look what you did you dobe. Now the Hokage is mad at us." Sasuke angrily stated.

"Me. Look what you did, teme. It's because of you that the old man is mad at us." Naruto rebuked.

This childish rivalry continued as they both stumbled into the infirmary before the nurse gently patched up Sasuke and annoyingly threw a packet of bandages at Naruto to help himself.

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"Wow. I didn't think that demon brat would be this strong. It must be because he is the demon brat. Why is he even allowed in the academy? What was the Hokage thinking, letting that demon near our children." Similar sentiments were shared by numerous parents of children after they told the story about the first Taijutsu class at their homes.

"We should take this up with the Hokage."

"Yeah. We should. I'll contact the civilian council. We can't have that demon anywhere near our children."

Like wildfire, a new wave of hysteria passed through the villagers, as they all rallied towards the civilian council, before stopping by the Hokage tower.

"But Hokage-sama. How can we keep our minds at ease when that fox demon is so close to our children? What if the events of that night happen again? So many people died. 20% of the civilian population died in the Kyuubi attack. Furthermore, almost half of the Shinobi died as well, along with the Fourth Hokage.

How can that demon be allowed in the academy?" A spokesperson of the civilian council, Mebuki Haruno came forward to speak.

"So, let me get this straight. You rallied up all those in front of the tower, came to my office, all to do what.

Speak out that I made a bad decision? That the decision that I made is idiotic? Is that it?" No longer was there the friendly grandfatherly appearance.

What sat in front of Mebuki was the face of a man who had survived more wars than most and lived a very long life in a world of early deaths.

Hearing this, Mebuki was speechless. She stood there, not knowing what to say, as she thought up the correct words to utter.

"Why so quiet now. Where is that zeal and vigor you had when you were criticizing all of my decisions? Where is it? Huh? WHY ARE YOU QUIET NOW?" raising his voice, Hiruzen commanded.

"S-sorry, Hokage-sama. Your decision is the correct one. I shouldn't have said anything, not that there was anything to say, really. Sorry for barging in here like this. I will take my leave now. Sorry to disturb you Hokage-Sama." Panicked, the orange-haired woman bowed in fear, sweat dripping down her forehead, and slowly creeped out of the office not daring to show her back to the leader of the village.

Click.

"How dare that woman question my decision. Does she not want to live peacefully? I know what I am doing. By the end of it all, that brat will be putty in my hands, no more than a puppet for me, Danzo Shimura to use.

With that brat, I will bring Konoha to be the strongest village in this world. All the other villages will bow down to us!!!" 'Hiruzen' chuckled darkly as a foggy figure with bandages on his face floated out from the body, only to leave the body of Hiruzen panting on the chair, tears in his eyes, as he could barely move.

'Sorry, everyone. I have failed all of you.' hiruzen thought as the memories of the brief interaction were completed erased from his mind.

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