Noah never would have guessed that sending a message via Shisui's raven would catch the Third Hokage's attention.
Nor did he expect that Itachi had already told the Third Shisui was alive.
In hindsight, Itachi's move made sense.
A living Shisui was a far stronger deterrent than a dead one, especially since the Uchiha needed the ultimate Eye Technique's protection at the time.
Itachi didn't know his father possessed the same power-he assumed Shisui was the last.
To prevent the Third from acting after his departure, Itachi used the information as leverage-a subtle threat.
He hadn't told Shisui. Otherwise, Shisui might have left the village entirely.
Knowing Shisui was alive unsettled the Third. The village owed him, and his eyes were formidable.
Still, Shisui had been a top operative. The Third didn't dare over-monitor him.
He reinforced the village barrier, controlling entry and exit for everyone except active missions.
Once he confirmed the Uchiha were stable, the Third observed Shisui.
The results: Shisui lived quietly, like any commoner.
The Third assumed Shisui had simply grown disillusioned.
He stopped worrying-until Noah drew his attention.
The boy was Shisui's student. That explained his advanced Body Flicker and combat prowess.
His low profile? Likely due to Shisui's warnings and the old man who raised him.
Mostly speculation, of course. Some assumptions were right, others wrong. But it was a story the Third told himself.
Fortunately, Itachi had been honorable-he hadn't mentioned Shisui was fully recovered, nor had he exposed Noah.
Otherwise, Noah wouldn't be enjoying the quiet life of honing his skills and patching weaknesses.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was twitching.
None of these three kids were simple. He considered refusing the assignment, but he couldn't.
He sighed and asked the Third how to proceed.
The answer was simple: teach them normally.
If Noah wanted to learn, teach him.
Perhaps it was guilt, or the Third's desire to wash his hands of the past, but he seemed unusually invested.
Kakashi fell into routine.
The following days were quiet, almost dull.
He led the novices through basic tasks, showing them how to handle ninja business efficiently.
At the Third's suggestion, whenever Noah asked about techniques, Kakashi explained in detail, highlighting common mistakes.
As the "Copycat Ninja," his technical knowledge was meticulous.
The missions seemed mundane: chores designed to train fundamentals without realizing it.
Tasks included finding lost pets, harvesting crops, delivering messages, chasing pests, and clearing river trash.
Consistent practice made skills like tree-climbing and water-walking natural.
Kakashi knew Noah and Sasuke already grasped the basics.
Shisui likely taught Noah; Sasuke, a clan heir, was trained.
Naruto was different.
Thanks to sheer persistence, Kakashi's guidance, and help from Noah and Sasuke, Naruto pulled an all-nighter and mastered the skills.
Kakashi was impressed by the willpower but slightly depressed it took so long.
Your dad learned this in minutes. I took a few hours.
"Not bad. Quick learners," Kakashi said.
"You're about one-twenty-fourth of my level at that age."
Naruto froze.
"One-twenty-fourth? Kakashi-sensei, you..."
"Don't worry," Kakashi said.
"Standard chores are beneath you now. Noah, Sasuke-you two need real training."
"Yes!" Naruto jumped, ignoring the last part.
"Mission? Assassination? Protecting a high official?"
Kakashi, Noah, and Sasuke ignored him.
Novice fantasies about assassinations or guarding officials were delusional.
Kakashi led them to the Leader's office.
After a month, he understood them well.
Sasuke: textbook clan-trained, strong theory and physical skills, but no real-world experience.
Noah: great at almost everything, yet martial arts lacked a certain knack.
Naruto: a work in progress, a living weapon without genius, but with unshakable grit.
The Leader, behind his desk, nodded.
"I've heard the report. If Kakashi says you're ready for higher-level work, I approve."
Noah felt calm-and a little amused.
The Third had changed the rules. Much better than the original story where Naruto threw tantrums and the Leader "let him see the world."
Noah had already altered plenty himself.
A sense of accomplishment settled in.
I should tone it down a bit.
He glanced at the drunk old man with the flask. Tazuna.
Looks like the mission mirrors the original: a meeting with Zabuza, "Tutorial Boss No. 2."
Noah didn't care much for Zabuza but was curious about Haku.
In his past life, people wondered if Haku was a girl disguised as a boy.
Now, he could finally find out.
Mission accepted, they went home to pack.
At the village gates, Noah took a deep breath.
"I've been cooped up for twelve years. Finally, some fresh air."