Chapter 15

AN : As promised, He is the extra chapter.

The group of ninja wannabes gradually circled the training ground. This was a crucial component of the entrance examination, evaluating their physical strength and endurance.

The contrast between the kids from ninja families and civilians becomes apparent as the group of children gradually separates into two groups, with the gap widening.

Toshiro naturally finds himself among the faster runners, having diligently trained his body early. In terms of current physical fitness, he surpasses most of the children from ninja families.

It doesn't take long for him to claim the lead. Compared to the struggling kids trailing behind, he appears relaxed, as running is his basic training routine and the norm for ninjas. While running may seem ordinary, it serves as a means to build endurance, a vital requirement for aspiring ninjas. In this aspect, he stands head and shoulders above the rest.

His performance doesn't go unnoticed by the examiner, who observes him closely and nods in approval. By the end of the test, Toshiro consistently maintains a significant lead, distinguishing himself from the others. Once the final candidate crosses the finish line, the exam concludes officially.

Those who abandoned the race midway are disqualified, while those who managed to finish, regardless of speed, pass the exam.

Today marks this year's inaugural day of the Ninja Academy. Established by the second Hokage and adopted by the entire ninja world, the Academy serves as an official institution, offering a pathway for civilians to pursue ninja training.

It not only admits children from commoner families lacking any hereditary lineage but also welcomes offspring from major ninja clans, entrusted to the academy for their education.

Families prioritize the practice of their secret arts at their own pace, utilizing school breaks for such endeavors. This approach saves time and effort while ensuring that students receive essential foundational knowledge from the village. And it provides peace of mind for both the village and the families involved.

Operating directly under the Hokage's authority, the Ninja Academy utilizes meticulously curated teaching materials and instructors appointed directly by the Hokage.

Through this multifaceted approach, individuals are carefully nurtured (and subtly influenced). Whether they hail from civilian or clan backgrounds, most students uphold the 'Will of Fire' and willingly contribute to the village's protection, embodying a collective spirit of unity.

This educational system also serves as an indirect tool for the Hokage to shape the ideologies of ninja families.

However, despite the noble intentions behind the concept, many family ninjas, influenced by their lineage, environments, specialized arts, and family provisions, maintain a strong allegiance to their clans. While they may feel a deep connection to the village, familial ties often remain paramount, reflecting the inherent complexity of human nature.

Except for a select few who embody the 'Will of Fire' and view things from the perspective of the 'Hokage'.

When pondering these matters, I can't help but consider Itachi's situation. He has a great battle IQ and is a great strategic thinker. But has minimal emotional intelligence. How else could he fall prey to the Hokage and Danzo, who were clearly playing good cop and bad cop.

In his view, Uchiha Itachi fell victim to the Hokage and Danzo's machinations. Hiruzen might have had good intentions, but he always let Danzo off the hook for all the things he did and made the most of the positives of the other's dirty plans. Leaving the negatives for Danzo. Which just made Danzo even more mad with his situation of having no recognition.

The idea that Hiruzen is the benevolent Hokage and that Itachi is the one who thinks like Hokage (Hiruzen) made Itachi even more compliant with the words of Hiruzen. When the order was given, Itachi couldn't help but think that the annihilation of the clan was the only way forward.

Uchiha Itachi, his eldest son and his pride, siding with the Hokage made things worse for the Fugaku. This was a great blow to his psychology which made Fugaku choose between his son and the clan. The already skewed balance of power between the village and the clan became even more skewed. He came to the conclusion that fighting Itachi would only make things worse for his sons. With Itachi going blind and everyone else in the clan put to sword, He gave his sons the best chance he could for them to live and have a possibly better life in the future.

The downfall of the family was sealed when Itachi chose to become the Hokage's most obedient tool. Then there's Uchiha Shisui, equally naïve and imprudent, divulging his secrets to the higher-ups in Konoha but not to the clan. A single wave of sneak attacks from the root nearly claimed his life, severely tarnishing the reputation of Shunshin no Shisui.

"The Uchiha clan's methods of upbringing children are truly cause for concern!" After lamenting the family's educational practices, Toshiro dismissed these tumultuous thoughts. He chose not to dwell on the 'Hokage counseling' passed down through the generations of Hokages.

Due to his outstanding performance in the entrance exam, Toshiro was placed in the first-year (1) class. The first year of the entire ninja school comprises nearly ten classes, each with approximately 30 students.

There are nearly 2,000 students in the academy, along with their teachers and staff. With over 300 ninjas graduating each year, this figure seemed reasonable considering the workforce in Konoha Hidden Village, which exceeds 10,000 ninjas.

Upon entering the school building and turning right, he easily located his classroom. After confirming everything was in order, he entered the classroom. Toshiro wasn't among the first to arrive; there were already over ten people present. Sitting imposingly in the middle was a young boy with a puppy atop his head, donning a blue T-shirt with two fang-like red marks painted on his face.

In the front row sat a girl with black hair and delicate features. The whiteness of her eyes revealed her Hyuga lineage. However, a white bandage wrapped around her head indicated a different story — she was likely a 'caged bird'.

His gaze scanned the room, disregarding the other future classmates, whether they were civilians or from ninja families.

With a light nod, he greeted the curious students and made his way to the back row by the window. It seemed like the perfect spot for a loner, fitting for someone like him, a traveler from another world.

Before long, more ninja students began to trickle in, filling the classroom with chatter. Though most were strangers to one another, some outgoing individuals had already begun forming new friendships.

Once more, his gaze swept over the class, confirming that he was the sole Uchiha child. This, too, seemed to be a deliberate arrangement by the ninja school. Typically, only one child from the same clan would be placed in a class, aimed at diluting the sense of clan identity. However, there were exceptions; he knew that two of the eleven children enrolled in the academy from his clan this year would share the same class.

While the second Hokage's establishment of a police force successfully curbed the Uchiha family's influence, it inadvertently contributed to the family's recent population growth.

The enrollment count of eleven instead of thirteen during the clan's initial foray into ninja training was due to two individuals giving up on their ninja aspirations in the past two years. Not every child possesses the perseverance and dedication required to pursue the path of a ninja.

A young man carrying a notebook entered the classroom, and the clamor and chatter subsided like melting snow under the summer sun.

"Those at the back, wake up! It's time to start the class!" He clapped his hands to grab the attention of the distracted students, including Toshiro.

Toshiro cast a brief glance back at the new teacher, who stood out with his distinctive appearance. Clad in a green ninja vest, paired with black trousers and the customary ninja sandals, the instructor sported a forehead guard tied around his waist. His facial features could be described as ordinary, yet his gleaming bald head was undeniably eye-catching.

The sight immediately brought to mind an anime character from "One Punch Man" and its protagonist, Saitama-sensei, whom he had watched in his previous life.

"Uh! He even shares a slight resemblance with Saitama."

"My name is Ryosuke Aoyama, and I'll be your teacher from today until you graduate from the academy," he announced, writing his name on the blackboard with chalk.

Upon hearing the instructor's name, Toshiro breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the dreaded scenario didn't unfold. If the teacher had been named Saitama, he would have been at a loss for words. His own name, Toshiro, already made him feel like he belonged in the wrong setting. Imagine if there were another Saitama, a Luffy, or anything similar; it would feel like a complete farce.

With a respectful bow, the young instructor turned to address the class. Well, his demeanor wasn't bad; it seemed that the Hokage still had a knack for selecting instructors.

AN : You can read chapters published ahead on my p@treon account - p@treon.com/noviceauthor777