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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
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Time flew by like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
Morning in Konoha, at the Mitarashi clan residence.
"Kai, today is your first day at the Ninja Academy. The Third Hokage will be giving the opening speech, so don't be late. And don't cause any trouble during the speech."
Shishio Mitarashi said as he watched Kai eating breakfast.
"Got it, got it," Kai replied absentmindedly.
"Never mind, I'll take you to the academy myself," Shishio said after a moment's thought, still feeling uneasy.
Kai rolled his eyes and waved his hand helplessly. "Fine, alright."
The Konoha Ninja Academy was established during the eighth year of Konoha under the initiative of the Second Hokage. The first class enrolled 38 students.
The academy was created with the intent to break the monopoly of clan-born ninja within the village, cultivating ninja directly loyal to the Hokage and thereby weakening the influence of the clans.
However, due to the inherent advantages of clan children, such as Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques, the academy's purpose yielded limited results.
Nonetheless, the academy's systematic and comprehensive teaching of ninja fundamentals attracted clan children over time, allowing it to endure. Eventually, the concept was adopted by other nations, leading to the establishment of ninja academies in villages across the Shinobi World.
The Konoha Ninja Academy was located in the heart of the village, not far from the Hokage Office and Hokage Rock, making it a bustling area, especially on enrollment day.
"From today onward, you will all be part of the Konoha Ninja Academy. Here, you will undergo training to develop the fundamental skills of a ninja…"
Standing on the podium, the Third Hokage delivered his speech with fervor.
Watching from below, Kai couldn't help but curl his lips in disdain. As expected, speeches from leaders were always dull and tedious, no matter the world.
What Kai didn't know was that the Third Hokage had been keeping a close eye on him throughout his speech. When he saw Kai's expression, he couldn't help but feel a pang of unease, immediately becoming more alert in case Kai decided to stir up trouble during the event.
Meanwhile, three renowned shinobi of the ninja world were engaged in conversation nearby.
"Shōmu, the white-haired boy in the front row—is that Kakashi?" Shishio Mitarashi pointed at a cool-looking child in the crowd and asked Sakumo Hatake.
"Yes," Sakumo replied with a cold expression.
"I heard Kakashi's swordsmanship already shows traces of your style?" Shishio inquired.
"He's still far from it," Sakumo replied indifferently, pausing before adding, "But he's doing well."
As a father, Sakumo was very satisfied with his son. At just over five years old, Kakashi already possessed the skills of a Genin—a genius rarely seen in a hundred years.
Indeed, it was true. Kakashi became a Genin at five, a Chūnin at six, and a Jōnin at twelve—a frightening level of talent.
If not for the limitations imposed by the Sharingan later in life, causing him to abandon the Hatake clan's secret sword techniques, Kakashi's strength at the start of the story would have been on par with Sakumo's peak.
Even with the Sharingan's constraints, Kakashi's experiences during the Fourth Great Ninja War allowed him to grow into a peak Kage-level shinobi and eventually become the Sixth Hokage.
"To earn your recognition, Shōmu, is no small feat," Shishio remarked with admiration before suddenly changing the subject.
"How about we make a bet?"
"Hm?" Sakumo frowned slightly, puzzled.
"Let's bet on whether Kakashi or Kai will graduate from the academy first. What do you think?" Shishio smiled at Sakumo, but his eyes showed a serious intent.
To Shishio Mitarashi, Sakumo Hatake was more than just a fellow villager. In Shishio's lifetime, he had faced countless enemies but had only ever lost once—and that loss was to Sakumo.
Shishio had always sought to surpass Sakumo, in every aspect.
"How will the winner be decided?" Sakumo didn't agree immediately but instead asked for clarification.
"If I lose, I promise that after Kakashi graduates, he can directly enter the ANBU, with a promotion to ANBU squad leader within three years and to division leader within ten years. If you lose, you will become Kai's mentor after his graduation. Deal?" Shishio proposed.
"Alright," Sakumo agreed after a brief moment of thought.
Seeing Sakumo accept the bet, Shishio's face lit up with a smile. He then turned to another ninja who had remained silent throughout their conversation.
"Jin Kurenai, want to join our bet?"
The ninja Shishio addressed was none other than Shinku Yuhi, the Kage-level genjutsu master known as the "Crimson Sunset" and the father of Kurenai Yuhi.
Shinku shook his head with a bitter smile. "I'll pass. Kurenai's talent is only slightly above average. Graduating before nine would be an achievement for her. She can't compare to Kai or Kakashi.
"By the way, Kurenai told me that Kai defeated Asuma with just two taijutsu moves. Shōmu, you might want to be careful—this time, you could lose to Shishio."
"Hm?"
Sakumo raised an eyebrow, looking at Shishio with curiosity. He had heard of Kai's name before, but not in a good way.
"Ha! Not at all. But Kai's abilities are decent. Even I fell for one of his tricks once," Shishio said, grinning proudly as he glanced at Sakumo.
"Hm!?"
Both Sakumo and Shinku were genuinely surprised. For Shishio, a battle-hardened warrior, to admit that he had been outplayed—even slightly—was something even most Jōnin couldn't accomplish.
Sakumo gave Shishio a thoughtful look but said nothing more. Meanwhile, Shinku continued to marvel at Kai's talent.
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