Chapter 18: Tetsuya's Future at the Ninja Academy

Ninja School isn't an institution you can simply join; it requires either an admission notice or exceptional talent. Tetsuya had both, as the Third Hokage had assured him of his enrollment the following year.

Hinata, however, was worried they might be placed in different classes. Tetsuya, with his confidence in the Third Hokage's regard for him, assured her otherwise. "Don't worry, Hinata. With my standing, they'll definitely put me in the class with the future top ninjas."

Reassured by Tetsuya's confidence, Hinata felt at ease. They arrived at the Hyuga compound, and after seeing Hinata safely inside, Tetsuya turned to leave, though he felt a prying gaze upon him.

"Is that you, future father-in-law?" Tetsuya mused to himself, aware of Hyuga Hiashi's watchful eyes.

Within the Hyuga compound, Hiashi whispered to himself, "What an incredible Chakra for a five-year-old child... But is it enough?"

As Tetsuya walked home, he pondered Hiashi's intentions. The Hyuga clan's customs were strict, and he knew the road with Hinata wouldn't be easy. Unlike others, his father wasn't Hokage, his teacher wasn't Hokage, and his master wasn't a legendary ninja.

"The Hyuga clan is the most rigid in Konoha," Tetsuya thought. "If I want Hinata to marry without the Caged Bird mark, I need to prove my absolute strength." Despite this, Tetsuya felt no fear. If pushed, he was prepared to challenge and dismantle the Caged Bird system entirely. He believed the system could help him find a way.

As autumn turned to winter, Tetsuya continued to train diligently in Chakra Nature Transformation. However, the peace across the five nations led to fewer injuries and, subsequently, fewer patients at Konoha Hospital. Though peace was beneficial, it made Tetsuya restless as his opportunities for gaining attributes dwindled. He found himself wishing for the chaos Nagato would bring, though it felt wrong.

Thankfully, Itachi Uchiha remained a regular visitor, providing Tetsuya with opportunities to enhance his Fire Style ninjutsu. But the real prizes were Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu, Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan techniques. Though Tetsuya couldn't use them yet, he was determined to unlock their power.

By the end of March, Tetsuya received his admission letter to the Ninja Academy, scheduled to start in three days. He was excited about joining the academy and meeting the other members of Konoha's Twelve, having only known Hinata and Naruto so far.

However, he had a pressing matter to address first.

"Old man, what do you mean?" Tetsuya confronted the Third Hokage in his office. The Anbu guards tensed at his disrespectful tone but were waved off by the Hokage, who had grown accustomed to Tetsuya's candidness.

The Third Hokage, puffing on his pipe, explained, "Tetsuya, I know you have a kind heart and don't want to see others suffer. But with the current peace, Konoha Hospital is underutilized. For your academic focus, you shouldn't assist there for now."

Tetsuya vehemently disagreed, shaking his head. "I can still send a Shadow Clone to help at the hospital without any delays in my studies."

The Third Hokage was puzzled by Tetsuya's insistence but listened as Tetsuya defended his position. "I need to save for my future. How else will I support my wife without saving now?"

Tetsuya's earnings from the hospital had been significant, almost equivalent to four or five A-rank missions. Laughing, the Third Hokage agreed to his request with one condition.

"You can send your Shadow Clone, but all records of Kamiyo Tetsuya at Konoha Hospital will be erased. We'll create a fictitious ninja for you to receive your payments."

Tetsuya agreed without hesitation. As long as he could continue to gain attribute points, the details didn't matter.