"Hello, can I know your name?" said a girl who looked older than me. She had beautiful radiant red hair and dark violet eyes.
Her crimson hair gleamed like a torch, drawing stares and whispers. I recognized her. Who wouldn't?
My clone completely ignored her due to the strict orders I gave it, which made the girl angry enough to punch it on the head—only to realize it was a shadow clone.
Poof.
The clone vanished into smoke, leaving her stunned to see a child using a shadow clone to attend class while the original did something else.
The information quickly reached me, and I realized the girl was Kushina Uzumaki. Even though I'm not good at recognizing faces, that red hair is unmistakable. The only women in Konoha with that hair were Mito Uzumaki, Kushina Uzumaki, and Karin. But Mito should already be dead or very old by now, and Karin hadn't even been born yet, or was just a baby in Kusagakure. So the only option left was Kushina.
When my clone dispersed so suddenly, it left me mentally drained. It felt like I'd been calculating math formulas for hours or reciting digits of pi like a lunatic mathematician. But after recovering, I simply absorbed the clone's memories.
"Didn't expect her to get that mad," I chuckled internally, though I knew if it had been my real body, I'd be screwed. "I guess next time I should go in person to hear what she wants. But for now, back to training."
I resumed my kenjutsu training against a straw dummy in an empty training field.
Given what my clone experienced, I have to admit I struggle recognizing faces to the point of sometimes mistaking my mother for other Uchiha women. She noticed this quickly and started wrapping one of her hands with a marked bandage so I could tell her apart. Since then, the confusion stopped.
It's not as bad as seeing everyone like eggs, like in that one manga, but if there's nothing distinctive—skin tone, hair, clothing style—I get lost.
I continued striking the straw dummy with my wooden sword. The blows rebounded painfully into my arms, numbing them. But that's necessary if I want to improve my kenjutsu and withstand whatever comes next.
I haven't started practicing actual techniques yet; I know it'd be dumb to do flashy moves without building a solid foundation. That would just make me a circus clown with fancy moves, only good for show.
I increased my strength, and unconsciously started channeling lightning chakra into my body to push my limits. I accidentally unlocked the Body Flicker Technique and possibly the beginnings of what Kakashi later taught Sasuke… Speaking of which, I haven't even practiced that yet.
But it's not training time anymore. The sun is setting, and I'm hungry, so I head back home.
My mother prepared a light dinner—ramen with bits of meat and vegetables, which warmed my body and instantly eased my fatigue.
"I heard you've been sending a clone to the academy," my mother said in a tone that might've been angry.
"Uh, yeah." I can't lie.
She looked at me, then reached out to pat my head and gave me a slight smile. "I'm proud that you've already learned the shadow clone jutsu, but I don't want you to overwork yourself," she said gently, stroking my hair.
My chest warmed at that gesture, and I returned her smile. "Don't worry, Mom. I feel fine. Plus, your cooking always makes me feel refreshed."
She averted her eyes as she closed them and returned to her usual expression. "That's good."
After that, I went to bed, though I read a scroll on Uchiha fire release before sleeping—so now I had study material for tomorrow.
The next day, I went to the academy with my real body since I had some things to do myself. I sent a clone to study the Uchiha clan scrolls, so I was finally free from books for now—but I still had weights strapped to my body since I'd gotten used to them.
Rin looked at me with some confusion, probably because it was rare to see me without a book, while Obito was still dazed staring at her like a loyal dog to its owner.
Thinking that the shinobi world went to hell because of a simp... I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Class subjects were easy, so I took the chance to doze off. After all, I only came here for one reason.
"Young Kenji, can you answer this question?" the teacher asked loudly, seeing me asleep.
I opened my eyes, looked at the problem, analyzed it, and gave the answer. He asked how I got the result.
"I asked my balls and they said yes," I thought to myself, though of course I couldn't say that out loud. Instead, I walked up to the front, solved the equation, and handed the chalk back.
It's always been this way, even in my past life. For some miraculous reason, just seeing the problem and having a bit of context let me answer it accurately. And something I loved to do was overcomplicate the problem, spin it around, and present the answer in an annoyingly complex way just to make the teachers too tired to keep questioning me.
I did it again. So while I got comfy in my seat to nap, the rest of the class stared at my scribbles disguised as equations.
"Hahaha, their faces saying: 'What the hell just happened?' are pure gold," I thought.
A few hours later, class finally ended, and I took the opportunity to do what I came for.
"Professor, can I graduate early?" I asked groggily, still half-asleep.
I developed this magical ability to wake up at the perfect moment back when I was a student. Apparently, it carried over into this life. I should thank whatever deity brought me here for that.
The teacher looked at Kakashi when I said that—he must have made the same request.
"Alright," he sighed, "but you'll have to pass both a written and physical test to prove you're ready to become a ninja." He paused, searched through some papers, and handed me a slip with the test date. "Go to the upper class hall on this date to take the exam. I'll inform the Hokage of your early graduation request."
Having made my intentions clear, I left for home. I had no friends, and no intention of wasting time making any.
Just as I stepped out of the academy, the same red-haired girl from yesterday confronted me.
"Hey you! How dare you ignore me—even if it was just a clone I talked to?" she exclaimed angrily, pointing a finger at me.
I looked behind me, as if mocking her with a "Who are you talking to?"
But she stomped over, grabbed my head, and turned it toward her. "I'm talking to you," she said.
In this situation, you'd think I should just accept my fate. But my passion is teasing people.
"Oh, it's just that I couldn't believe such a beautiful young lady with such amazing hair would be talking to me," I replied with a fake smile.
She gulped, blushing as her face turned into a frozen expression, like her brain stopped working. "My brain isn't braining."
She let go of my head and cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. "Anyway, I came again because I want to know your name."
"For what?" I replied flatly.
She was speechless—clearly not expecting that response from a five-year-old.
"Because… maybe I want to be your friend?" she said, forcing a smile.
I glanced at her without meeting her eyes. Honestly, it's really uncomfortable to make eye contact. "Why? I don't think it's worth being friends with a weirdo like me. Besides, this feels forced—like SOMEONE suggested it to you. Also, I prefer being alone. I don't like being distracted."
Kushina made a conflicted face, like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Besides, I don't think you'd benefit from knowing me. I'm just someone who prefers studying over socializing. I don't see the point of friendship. I don't have anything of value to offer."
Honestly, I don't see any value in that friendship—not because she annoys me or because I know she'll die anyway—but because I genuinely have nothing to give. I'd feel awful if she helped me and I couldn't return the favor. So I prefer it this way.
Also, it feels like someone planted the idea in her to try and connect with me. Was it the Third Hokage? Or maybe Minato, that walking bundle of kindness? Whoever it was, I dislike this kind of semi-forced friendship. It just feels wrong. Even if it's voluntary, I don't like receiving without giving back.
POV Kushina
What's up with this brat? —I say to myself. —He's only five and already thinks like a recluse?
When he says those things, I look around and notice how the other kids instinctively keep their distance or even insult him. But this boy doesn't react at all. Could it be he's being bullied and that's why he feels this way?
I need to observe him more. Minato said he's very smart but extremely solitary. That's why I approached him—to give him company. But the fact that he suspected someone suggested it… That's not normal. Minato wasn't lying.
Since pushing won't work, I'll back off for now. But I'll keep watching him.
I was also an outcast once. If no one had reached out to me… I wouldn't be who I am now. I'm not letting that boy vanish into solitude without a fight—even if he doesn't want someone to fight for him.
POV Kenji
I see Kushina's conflicted expression, lips pursed. Since she has nothing more to say, I decide to leave.
I start walking home, but I sense she tries to stop me. I activate Body Flicker and vanish.
Kushina was left stunned. She didn't expect a five-year-old to already master Body Flicker. But with a determined look, she vowed to uncover the truth behind this boy.