Chapter 12: Desk Mate

Sitting in the sacred last row by the window, Uchiha Kiyoshi was engrossed in his book.

With this perfect seat, Uchiha Kiyoshi dared to openly read extracurricular books even during class!

As time passed, more and more classmates arrived.

There were members of the Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara, and Sarutobi clans, as well as a few from the Aburame clan.

One could say that Class 1 was impressive. Each clan sent their top-performing ninjas, and they were all doing well.

Class 1 had a mix of students, including some civilian ninjas. Class 2 was different; it consisted entirely of clan ninjas who hadn't performed exceptionally well in the special training and were assigned to this class.

As for Class 3, it mostly comprised civilian ninjas, but there were also a few clan ninjas. Of course, they were the ones with slightly less talent, but they still ranked high in the class.

Class 4 was the lowest-ranked class, composed entirely of civilian ninjas.

This arrangement resulted in the top few positions in the first three classes being dominated by clan members. Unless a highly talented civilian emerged, it was unlikely to change.

As more classmates arrived, the seats in the classroom gradually filled up.

In addition to Uchiha Kiyoshi, there was another Uchiha in his year, Uchiha Tō, who had fought against Uchiha Kiyoshi during their special training.

With an older brother like Uchiha Takeshi, Uchiha Tō had a solid foundation in taijutsu. He made significant progress during the special training, and only Uchiha Kiyoshi could match him in combat.

Uchiha Tō's high-profile attitude was evident as he directly sat in the front row by the window. His proud demeanor truly befitted a member of the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Kiyoshi observed the class and realized that there were no important characters from the original storyline in their year.

Apart from the ones mentioned earlier, Uchiha Kiyoshi also noticed a child wearing the uniform with the Senju clan emblem.

At this time, the Senju clan hadn't completely declined. The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, died during the First Great Ninja War. Under the leadership of the First Hokage's wife, Mito Uzumaki, the Senju clan had intermarried with civilians and existed in a semi-hidden state. However, there were still some active ninjas from the Senju clan in the ninja world.

At that moment, a boy with short brown hair and a smiling face entered the classroom. His first impression was radiant.

As soon as he entered, he stood on the podium and shouted to the class below.

"Listen up, everyone! My name is Senju Nawaki, and I'm here to become a future Hokage!"

He then burst into laughter.

Uchiha Kiyoshi and his classmates had the same expression of shock. Did he really have to be so arrogant? Couldn't he be a bit more humble?

Uchiha Kiyoshi had even more thoughts.

"Senju Nawaki? Isn't he Tsunade's brother? But wait, how is he in the same year as us? Shouldn't he be in the next year with Uchiha Mikoto?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi couldn't understand.

Uchiha Mikoto, the mother of Itachi and Sasuke in the original story, was the wife of the Uchiha clan leader and the granddaughter of the Uchiha clan's Third Elder.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had asked around and learned that Uchiha Mikoto was five years old this year, making her one year younger than him.

Uchiha Kiyoshi remembered that Nawaki should be in the same year as Uchiha Mikoto.

"Did I remember wrong? Or is it the butterfly effect? But wait, the butterfly effect shouldn't cause Nawaki to be born a year earlier..."

Unable to figure it out, Uchiha Kiyoshi decided not to dwell on it and continued reading his "Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu."

Now Nawaki is on the podium, looking at the almost full classroom, feeling a bit troubled as he scratches his head. Suddenly, it seems like he spotted something interesting and walked towards the last row.

Uchiha Kiyoshi was engrossed in his book and had no idea that Nawaki was coming towards him.

Nawaki reached the empty seat next to Uchiha Kiyoshi and sat down.

Uchiha Kiyoshi felt someone beside him and looked up, furrowing his brow. Why did Nawaki end up here? Didn't he notice the prominent Uchiha clan emblem on my clothes... Ahem... the Uchiha clan symbol?

Nawaki turned his head towards Uchiha Kiyoshi at that moment, revealing a smile and a hint of curiosity. He casually asked,

"Hey! You're from the Uchiha clan, right? I heard that your clan is quite proud, just like that guy in the front. So, why are you sitting in the last row? You're different from the others."

Uchiha Tō in the front row heard Nawaki's words and glanced at him without saying anything.

Nawaki didn't back down and stared back at Uchiha Tō.

Uchiha Kiyoshi watched the interaction and sighed. Indeed, they are just kids.

Without paying too much attention to Nawaki, Uchiha Tō refocused and continued reading his book.

Nawaki felt annoyed by this and was about to shout, but Uchiha Kiyoshi quickly stopped him.

"Just like Naruto, making a fuss over such small things. No wonder he stepped on a booby trap in the original story and got blown up without any room to escape," Uchiha Kiyoshi thought to himself.

At this moment, Nawaki realized his earlier confusion and looked at Uchiha Kiyoshi.

Seeing Nawaki's curious eyes, Uchiha Kiyoshi explained to him.

"Ah! Yeah, I'm from the Uchiha clan. Didn't you see the clan emblem on my clothes?

As for why I'm sitting in the last row, well, it's because this is the best seat, of course."

After hearing this, Nawaki had another question, and he transformed into a curious kid who wanted to know everything.

"Why is this the best seat? The teacher can't see you here."

"Didn't you just say it yourself?" Uchiha Kiyoshi replied.

"Huh? Why is it good if the teacher can't see you? Hey, hey! Explain it properly."

"If the teacher can't notice you, then you can do whatever you want, right?"

"Really? That actually makes sense! Why didn't I think of that?"

Nawaki seemed to have discovered something interesting and decided to adopt this seat for himself in the future.

Uchiha Kiyoshi could only accept the reality. After all, could he really drive Nawaki away?

Nawaki felt that his desk mate, Uchiha Kiyoshi, seemed a bit different. He wasn't as difficult to get along with as his family had warned.

Restless by nature, Nawaki was naturally bored and kept asking Uchiha Kiyoshi various questions.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had no choice but to answer each one.

In the whole classroom, Nawaki's incessant talking was getting on everyone's nerves. However, among his many questions, there were some that interested them.

Uchiha Kiyoshi's answers surprised them, making them realize that this low-key Uchiha Kiyoshi was actually quite impressive. They originally thought he was just an ordinary ninja, but he turned out to be a powerhouse.

At that moment, Nawaki noticed the "Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu" in Uchiha Kiyoshi's hands.

"What are you holding there?"

"Huh? The 'Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu'? Medical ninjutsu? What's an Uchiha like you doing reading that? Can you handle it?

Personally, I can't stand it. My sister is always studying medical ninjutsu, and I'm tired of it," Nawaki said, being familiar and forgetting that he had just met Uchiha Kiyoshi, constantly finding new topics and never stopping his chatter.

This time, Nawaki's words surprised the other students who were secretly eavesdropping.

Indeed, why would an Uchiha be interested in medical ninjutsu?

Only Uchiha Tō in the front row thought of something, nodded in understanding, but remained silent.

Uchiha Kiyoshi felt helpless with Nawaki's questions. Couldn't Nawaki sit still? It had only been a short while, and he had already asked so many questions. Didn't he see everyone reading books?

However, Uchiha Kiyoshi misunderstood. Not everyone was quietly studying. Apart from a student who was sleeping and another one playing with a dog, many students were pretending to study.

It was only Nawaki, the big bundle of nerves, who could boldly speak up in this situation.

In fact, after Nawaki took the lead, a few others had started whispering among themselves.

Uchiha Kiyoshi already had answers to Nawaki's questions, even though he didn't intend to share them. But theywere more or less the same.

"Who says Uchiha clan ninjas can't learn medical ninjutsu? Can't I be interested in it? Once I master medical ninjutsu, I can heal injured ninjas, saving one life after another. Isn't that an exciting prospect?

And as I continue to learn more powerful medical ninjutsu in the future, I'll be able to save even more people.

My goal is to become a great medical ninja and provide healing for my comrades."

Uchiha Kiyoshi passionately expressed his grand aspirations, leaving many students in awe. Even Nawaki admired him and thought about his own sister, the violent woman. In comparison, his desk mate was truly great. Both being medical ninjas, the gap between them... no, the gap between them as ninjas was so vast.

Uchiha Tō in the front row heard Uchiha Kiyoshi's words and sneered in his heart. Great? If I didn't know your style, I might have believed it. Saving the lives of comrades? You can spin it that way if you're afraid of death. You have quite the eloquence.

...

On the other side, in the Hokage's office.

Clap!

A female ninja with a ponytail and a beautiful face slammed her hand on the Hokage's desk, shouting loudly.

"Sensei, how could you approve Nawaki's enrollment in the ninja academy? He's only five years old, not old enough to attend!"

That's right, this female ninja was Tsunade. Before various unforeseen events occurred and her relationship with her teacher soured, Tsunade still referred to him as "sensei," but her attitude...

It was quite rebellious!

Jiraiya and Orochimaru remained silent on the side.

This had nothing to do with them, so it was best not to get involved. Otherwise, if Tsunade got hold of them, it would be troublesome, especially with her monstrous strength. Not everyone could withstand being punched by her.

The Third Hokage remained calm and composed, smoking a cigarette he had recently bought, and explained with a smile.

"Tsunade, don't be so impatient.

Nawaki has already started refining chakra long ago; he won't fall behind his classmates."

Tsunade still couldn't accept it and slapped the desk.

"It's not about keeping up or not, it's that Nawaki is still too young, not of the age to go to school yet."

The Third Hokage tapped the desk to signal Tsunade to calm down.

"Nawaki is already five and a half years old, just half a year away. After he insisted on it for so long, I couldn't help but agree."

With things having come to this point, Tsunade had no choice but to accept it. Hmph, she would just have to teach that kid a lesson when he got home.

Nawaki, who was still constantly asking questions to Uchiha Kiyoshi in the classroom, had no idea that Tsunade had set her sights on him again. What kind of "affection" awaited him?

As for why again? Well, you figure it out.

Just as Tsunade was being pacified by the Third Hokage, a cat-masked ANBU ninja entered the Hokage's office and bowed, reporting.

"Hokage-sama, young master Nawaki has completed his enrollment."

Sneaking a cautious glance at Tsunade, who had an unpleasant expression, the ANBU ninja continued reporting under the Hokage's signal.

"Young master Nawaki has been assigned to Class 1, in the last row by the window. His desk mate is a member of the Uchiha clan..."

That's how the ANBU ninja reported what happened after Nawaki entered the school.

Tsunade frowned upon hearing this. "A member of the Uchiha clan? How did he end up in the last row? And why did that brat Nawaki mix with the Uchiha clan?"

Under the Hokage's signal, the cat-masked ninja reported information about Uchiha Kiyoshi.

Upon hearing Uchiha Kiyoshi's declaration in the classroom, the Third Hokage, Tsunade, and Jiraiya were all surprised. Such lofty ideals?

Even Tsunade was momentarily moved by it.

However, as the cat-masked ninja revealed Uchiha Kiyoshi's previous training and background, the Third Hokage and the others suddenly realized.

So, it wasn't a grand ideal, just a simple fear of death? Is this the only odd one out among the Uchiha clan?

Well, it made sense. Losing his parents at the age of two might have left some psychological impact.

But this was also good. The Uchiha clan would have one more medical ninja, healing more people. With their acceptance, it might significantly ease the conflicts between the Uchiha clan and the village.

Moreover, who knows, Konoha might gain another excellent medical ninja!

Glancing at his proud disciple, the Third Hokage seemed to have a thought in mind.

Tsunade caught the gaze from the Third Hokage and immediately knew what he was thinking. She promptly refused.

"Sensei, don't even think about it. I won't take an Uchiha clan ninja as my disciple.

And besides, I'm only eighteen and don't want to take on disciples."

The Third Hokage could only dismiss the idea.

...

Time passed quickly.

With Nawaki leading the way, the classmates gradually started chatting and getting to know new friends.

At this moment, a middle-aged ninja with a gentle demeanor, wearing a green vest, stepped onto the podium.

"Everyone, settle down. The new students have arrived. Gather at the playground; we're about to hold the opening ceremony."

After speaking, the ninja walked away directly.

The students in the class got up one by one and headed towards the playground.

Nawaki pulled Uchiha Kiyoshi, who was already familiar with him, to the playground.

Arriving at the playground, Uchiha Kiyoshi experienced another opening ceremony.

However, unlike before, this time there weren't many tedious details.

It was just the Third Hokage preaching the Will of Fire on stage, while a group of elementary students looked up to him in admiration.

Uchiha Kiyoshi couldn't put on an expression of admiration, but he had a look of "I'm listening and thinking seriously."

On stage, the Third Hokage occasionally observed the reactions below and was pleased to see so many children admiring him.

At the same time, he also noticed Uchiha Kiyoshi.

Seeing the serious and occasionally nodding appearance, the Third Hokage was satisfied.

Tsunade, on the other hand, observed Uchiha Kiyoshi for a while but didn't find anything remarkable. After a while, she stopped paying attention.

And as for Nawaki? At this point, his eyes were shining brightly, as if he couldn't help but shout out.

...

Speeches were boring, no matter how passionate they were. Over time, even the most enthusiastic speeches would become tedious.

Finally, amidst the anticipation of everyone, the Third Hokage reluctantly concluded his speech.