Chapter 322. Interview
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Today, the weather was sunny and clear.
It was enrollment day for new students at the Konoha Ninja Academy.
So—
Early in the morning, many parents brought their children to register.
After all, getting into the Ninja Academy also required talent—those without enough aptitude couldn't enroll.
For example, Might Guy—now a star deliveryman for the Yuto Group and future successor to the "God of Delivery" title—almost got kicked out back then just because he only knew Taijutsu.
That's why the academy gate was quite lively today—most people were there to register and take the entry test.
…
Thinking about how his youngest son needed to enroll, Uchiha Fugaku, head of the Konoha Police Force, had specially taken the day off.
Even though he stood there with arms crossed and a cold expression, everyone was used to it.
That was just the Captain's personality!
Konoha's fastest racer—The Black Phantom!
He was fairly famous.
So everyone was familiar with him and didn't pay much attention.
At that moment—
The Uchiha family was walking slowly toward the Ninja Academy.
As the older brother, Uchiha Itachi held the hand of his little brother, Sasuke.
Starting today, his little brother was going to the academy. He wasn't a kid anymore.
And he had prepared a gift for Sasuke—
A limited edition Flying Thunder God sword.
This was a very popular toy weapon among kids these days!
It glowed, and with a press of a button, it would play the Second Hokage's voice!
Super cool!
It wasn't cheap either—he had to secretly deliver quite a few orders to afford it.
"Thanks, Onii-chan!" Sasuke was overjoyed, hugging the gift tightly. He planned to wear it on his waist and bring it to the academy to make the other kids jealous.
Children~
When they get a gift, they light up, especially if it's from their favorite brother.
"I'll definitely become a strong Taijutsu ninja like you!"
Lately—
He had also been secretly practicing the Uchiha clan's traditional dance moves!
He just wanted to follow in his brother's footsteps!
"Mm!" Itachi smiled gently, patted his brother's head, and nodded. "Sasuke is really smart!"
However—
While the brotherly bond was warm and sweet, Uchiha Fugaku, standing beside them, twitched the corner of his mouth.
[Taijutsu again?]
What about the Uchiha's Sharingan?
At that moment—
They arrived at the Ninja Academy. A line had already formed at the entrance—parents with kids waiting to register.
"Yo~ Brother Fugaku!"
Hearing that familiar and annoying brotherly voice, Fugaku's face turned even more rigid, watching Yuto approach cheerfully, slipping money to a kid.
It had been years now—
And he was still handing out the same gift?
"Don't be so stiff~" Yuto was used to Fugaku's stoic face.
If Fugaku ever wasn't stoic… honestly, it would feel weird.
Just imagine—
If one day…
His brother started acting like a cringey edgelord, covering his face and laughing maniacally, his first instinct would probably be to pack up and flee Konoha overnight.
That's how Uchiha breakdowns start.
Mild cases: suicide.
Severe cases: clan massacre!
Absolutely terrifying!
Laughing, he threw his arm around Fugaku's shoulders. "Today's the day my second nephew starts academy—come on! Smile!"
And Uchiha Fugaku was already used to him.
This guy… never says anything decent.
He was no longer that diligent, training-obsessed younger brother who used to trail behind him asking about ninjutsu, dreaming of becoming a powerful ninja.
He pried Yuto's arm off and said flatly, "You don't even have a kid starting academy. What are you doing here?"
"Oh come on! I'm just happy to see my second nephew entering the academy~" Yuto looked at Sasuke, who was holding Itachi's hand with his left and gripping that wildly popular toy—the limited Flying Thunder God Sword—with his right.
He sighed emotionally and patted Sasuke's head, speaking with heartfelt wisdom: "At the academy, study well. Listen to your teachers. Stay humble. Don't get too full of yourself too soon—people who do that usually get beat up!"
"???"
Little Sasuke looked up at Uncle Yuto, totally confused, as if asking, [What's Uncle Yuto talking about?]
Why couldn't he understand a word of it?
But Yuto didn't say more.
He was really just there to join the excitement and watch the [Rookie Nine] enter the academy.
Meanwhile, Hanabi was already holding up the camera, ready to interview the young future legends about their dreams!
"Hanabi-sensei!"
"Good morning, Itachi!" Hanabi greeted Itachi, then turned her gentle smile to the future comrade of the Seventh Hokage, the hidden guardian of Konoha—the young Uchiha Sasuke—and softly asked,
"Sasuke, what's your dream for the future?"
It was a strange and unique experience.
But she was getting used to it now. Maybe when they returned to their own time, watching these clips would be really fun for the Seventh and her sister.
And then—
Sasuke's little face froze for a moment, not quite understanding why this female ninja was asking him such a thing. But even as a kid, he threw a cool little head tilt and answered seriously:
"I want to become a strong Taijutsu ninja just like my Onii-chan!"
"…"
Hanabi's hand trembled. She looked at the expressionless Itachi, then glanced at Clan Leader Fugaku, whose mouth seemed to twitch slightly.
She also realized—this wasn't the original Ninja World.
In the end, she still showed a gentle smile and said, "That's a truly wonderful dream! But Hanabi-sensei thinks Sasuke has incredible talent in genjutsu, kenjutsu, and lightning-release ninjutsu! Don't give up~!"
Just thinking of the future—
The once male idol of Konoha, taking off his clothes, bare-chested, revealing his muscular physique, shouting [X Gate: Open!].
Then—
Rushing forward to fight side by side with the Seventh Hokage, she felt an inexplicable sense of emotion!
What a beautiful scene!
At this moment—
Mikoto, who had been chatting casually with Suzune like housewives do, also smiled and turned her head, looking at the person who brought a child, a wife, and... a journalist?
She shifted her gaze from the inexplicably emotional Hyuga Hanabi to Yuto and smiled, "Maybe in a few years, Yuto will also bring his child and personally handle enrollment for them."
Only—
Who would the child's mother be?
"When are you planning to get married, Yuto?"
"Soon, soon!"
Then—
She quickly asked Hanabi, who had finished taking photos, to move on to the next family and not block Clan Leader Fugaku from enrolling his child.
Didn't she know how busy Clan Leader Fugaku was?
He still had to protect Konoha!
Besides—
Your dad and your sister are here too!
As for Suzune… it seemed the next thing was a Konoha housewives' meeting, so she stayed behind with Honoka to chat about recent household matters with Mikoto.
Just like a mom hanging out at the park with her kid, running into a fellow housewife for a chat!
Only—
This "housewife"… would eventually be her sister-in-law!
On the other side—
When they got to the Hyuga clan's area, Yuto cheerfully pulled out a gift envelope and handed it to the shy little girl, Hinata.
Uchiha Yuto hadn't prepared much, just a slightly generous entrance gift!
"You have to study hard~"
Afterward, the Hyuga Clan Leader's wife led Hinata in returning the greeting!
However—
Even though Clan Leader Hiashi had never been overly warm before, he'd always shown Yuto a decent amount of face.
But today—
Why were his eyes filled with killing intent?
That clearly hostile gaze… way too obvious!
Could it be that Yuto Group had built apartments near the Hyuga estate, and Hiashi didn't like it?
Sensing that the mood was a bit off, Hanabi quickly smiled and looked at the shy "big sister," feeling emotional inside. [Sister was so cute when she was little!!!]
She wanted to hug her!
"Sis—ahem, I mean, what's Hinata's dream?"
"???"
Little Hinata peeked out from behind her mom, clutching tightly to her mother's clothes. She seemed a little embarrassed, blinking those crystal-clear eyes like white jade.
But when she saw the familiar white eyes of the "sister" in front of her, her shyness lessened a little, and she said softly and gently, "To protect Dad, Mom, and Hanabi."
The voice was so soft, like a tiny hum from her little nose.
Even so, Hanabi froze for a moment.
She thought of that older sister who was once abandoned by their father for being too timid, the sister who always held back when sparring with her younger sibling, the one who worked so hard to pursue happiness.
Her sister… was the bravest of all!
"Hinata will definitely fulfill her dream!"
After speaking—
She glanced at her father, whose gaze toward Hinata was also complicated.
Perhaps… in Father's heart, he was still worrying about the next heir to the Hyuga clan.
She gave a faint smile. "Hello, Clan Leader."
As the words fell—
Hyuga Hiashi furrowed his brow slightly, gave a small nod and a "hmm," then gave her a deep look, but said nothing. He turned and walked with his wife and daughter into the academy.
Once they'd gone inside—
Hanabi remained standing there, staring with a complicated expression at her father's back.
And Yuto…
He was also watching that figure.
"Is your father mad at me or something?" Yuto rubbed his chin, face full of concern. "That look he gave me just now… felt like he was about to unleash Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms right on the spot!"
Did I offend him somehow?
Then—
"Haha~" Hanabi gave a nervous laugh, blinking as she said, "No way! You must've imagined it!"
But Father…
Had he guessed something?
She quickly turned her head, looking around. "Hurry up! I still have other people to interview!"
At that moment—
"Huh? Yuto came too?"
A familiar, gentle voice called out.
The Fourth Hokage had arrived as well—with his wife and children.
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