Chapter 22: Attending School

The Ninja Academy, first established by the Second Hokage, is an official institution that has been emulated across the entire ninja world. Its purpose is to provide a path for ordinary citizens to become ninja. 

Not only does it admit children without familial ninja heritage, but it also receives children from prominent ninja clans for training. Family secret arts and techniques don't need to be rushed into; the academy holidays provide sufficient time for such practices. Letting the village teach basic knowledge also saves time and effort. This way, the village is reassured, and the clans are at ease. After all, no one is always plotting rebellion.

Since the Ninja Academy is directly managed by the Hokage, the teaching materials used are meticulously selected and thoughtfully compiled, and even the teachers are appointed directly by the Hokage. With such comprehensive and careful training (brainwashing), whether they are civilian ninja or clan ninja, most honor the 'Will of Fire' and are willing to contribute their strength to protect the village, everyone, and the Hokage.

This is also an indirect method for the Hokage to influence ninja clans. However, despite the good intentions, most clan ninja, due to their birth, privileged environment, secret techniques they train in, and various conveniences provided by their clans, are more focused on their clans in the larger picture. While they have a strong sense of belonging to the village, close and distant ties are only natural after all. 

This is especially true for those few who hold the 'Will of Fire' close to heart and consider issues from the Hokage's perspective. 

Thinking of these matters inevitably brings to mind that devoted son of the clan's future. His battle intellect is off the charts, but his social intelligence is almost zero. How could he be so easily manipulated by the Hokage and Danzo, with one playing the bad cop and the other the good cop, to become their tool?

In his opinion, Uchiha Itachi was truly deceived by the Hokage and Danzo's collaboration. One preached the Hokage's way of thinking, portraying him as a good youth imbued with the 'Will of Fire.' The other threatened and lured him, implying that if it were their turn to act, even his precious younger brother wouldn't be safe.

Uchiha Itachi, being the eldest son of Uchiha Fugaku, chose to side with the Hokage. The struggle between the two Mangekyo Sharingan users left Fugaku unable to act. The clan's fate was sealed when he chose to become the sharpest blade in the Hokage's hand. Without the united strength of the two Mangekyo users, events wouldn't have developed as they did.

Then there was Uchiha Shisui, who was absurdly naive. By revealing his trump card to the higher-ups of Konoha, he almost lost the renowned 'Shunshin Shisui' title to a single ambush.

"Uchiha's family education is really worrying!" Uchiha Toshirou remarked, putting these chaotic thoughts aside.

Skipping over the Third Hokage's long 'monkey lectures,' due to his outstanding performance during the entrance exam, Uchiha Toshirou was placed in the first-grade (1) class. The entire first grade of the Ninja Academy has nearly ten classes, with about 30 students each.

Including teachers and administrative staff, the Ninja Academy has nearly 2000 people. Every year, more than 300 ninja graduate, which is a reasonable number considering Konoha Village employs over 10,000 ninja.

After entering the teaching building and turning right, Uchiha Toshirou easily found his class. Confirming the room, he stepped into the classroom.

Toshirou didn't arrive early; more than ten students were already there. In the center, conspicuously sat a boy with a small dog on his head, wearing a blue T-shirt and with red fang-like face paint. He was likely from the Inuzuka clan.

Glancing around, he paid no attention to the others, who were either civilian or clan children, and nodded lightly in greeting. He went straight to the last row by the window, a spot typically favored by underachievers and certainly a prime choice for a traverser.

Soon, as more ninja students arrived, the classroom grew noisier. Although most didn't know each other, a few standout 'social butterflies' quickly made new friends.

Scanning the class, Toshirou noticed he was the only Uchiha. The academy typically placed only one child from each clan into a class to diminish clan identity. While there were exceptions, out of the eleven clan children entering this year, only two were in the same class.

The establishment of the Security Force by the Second Hokage had successfully limited the Uchiha clan, but it also contributed to the clan's population growth.

There were eleven entrants this year, compared to the thirteen in the first internal ninja training. Two had given up on becoming ninja midway. Not all children possess the dedication and perseverance necessary for the rigorous journey of becoming a ninja.

Eventually, a young man with a notebook walked into the classroom, promptly silencing the chatter like spring snow melting under the sun.

"Students in the back, wake up. We're starting class!" He clapped his hands to get their attention, reminding the daydreamers, including Uchiha Toshirou, to focus.

Toshirou looked at the new teacher, whose appearance was quite distinctive. Dressed in a green chunin vest, black pants, and ninja sandals, with his forehead protector tied around his waist, his features were normal except for the striking bald head, which reminded Toshirou of Saitama from "One Punch Man."

"Uh! His serious look does resemble Saitama…"

"My name is Aoyama Ryouka. From today until your graduation from the Ninja Academy, I will be your instructor!" he said, writing his name on the blackboard.

Relieved that the teacher wasn't named Saitama, Toshirou felt like he wasn't entirely out of place. It would have been too much if more characters like Luffy or Bulma showed up.

The young teacher bowed to the class, showing good manners. Clearly, the Hokage had a knack for choosing staff.