The academy yard bustled with children running, laughing, and dragging their feet after classes, but two boys stood out from them, walking towards the training grounds,in the opposite direction—calm, focused, purposeful.
They had spoken of it during the afternoon lecture, whispering while others idly scribbled notes. The decision had been mutual.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," Enji had said firmly. "It is a very useful technique. Not just in combat - it can accelerate our training. It can also serve as a distraction while we are escaping.
Elemental techniques can wait. This is a must know jutsu."
And so, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's careful instruction, they learned. The first attempt was clumsy - a puff of smoke, a faltering duplicate that crumpled within seconds. But by the day's end, they could each stand beside a perfect reflection, indistinguishable in stance and aura.
By the weekend they could control the chakra split between the clones, instead of dividing it equally among the clones.
It wasn't long before they began to exploit it fully. While their classmates dozed through academy lectures, both boys sent shadow clones in their place, perfect replicas taking notes and answering questions. The originals, meanwhile, trained relentlessly in Ground 36.
For Itachi, even maintaining four clones for a full day was draining, his chakra stretched thin and his mind tired by the end of the day. Yet he endured, sharpening his efficiency with each attempt.
Enji, however, discovered something startling. He could sustain six clones through an entire day of sparring, elemental drills, and taijutsu practice, and still remain steady when night fell.
One clone with a quarter of his chakra, was attending the academy.
The rest each trained in shurikenjutsu, taijutsu techniques and the 3 elemental jutsus he knew, while the original body did weight training.
His vast chakra reserves, coupled with his adult mind and stronger physique made it possible.
He was tired mentally and physically at the end of each day, but his body was back to normal, refreshed and ready to go,after a good night's rest.
Two months passed in this rhythm-academy attended by clones, training by originals. Their growth was exponential, bordering on frightening, but at the academy they always kept their restraint.
When the progress reports reached the Hokage's desk, the instructors' words were clear:
"Both Itachi Uchiha and Enji Sarutobi are already performing at the level of full-fledged genin. Their scores, reflexes, and jutsu proficiency surpass the curriculum by years. They could graduate immediately."
Hiruzen Sarutobi read the scroll, a mixture of pride and concern flickering across his face. The children were blossoming into shinobi faster than their age should have allowed.
But before he could weigh the matter further, his office doors creaked open.
"Hiruzen," a cold voice rasped.
Danzo Shimura entered, his cane tapping softly against the floor, his single visible eye sharp and unyielding. His very presence darkened the room, like a shadow cast where no light should reach.
"I have heard...," Danzo began, "that two academy children already surpass genin standards. If this is true, then their talents must not be wasted. Entrust them to Root. I will shape them into the weapons Konoha needs."
Hiruzen's jaw tightened. He leaned forward, his voice sharp as a kunai's edge.
"Danzo. Do not mistake Konoha's children for tools at your disposal. These boys will grow as shinobi of the village, not as shadows bound to your leash.
They are talented, yes but they are just children, they need to form bonds and develop love for the village.
That is what we must do."
Danzo's lips curled, disdain flickering across his face. "You let sentiments blind you, Hiruzen. The Uchiha child's potential is wasted under your softness, and this Sarutobi boy..." his eye glinted, "is far more than his files suggest. Instead of wasting their talent, playing house with the other brats, send them to me, I will make sure that they become the strongest and the most loyal weapons of konoha."
Hiruzen's face darkened." Danzo, i have made my decision. They will not be send to the Root."
Danzo's stone like expression cracked.
"Mark my words, Hiruzen, your indulgence will cost this village dearly."
The Hokage slammed his pipe against the desk, fury boiling over.
"Enough! I have heard of your dealings with Orochimaru. It better not be true, Danzo."
" Everything I do is for Konoha." Danzo hissed back.
The Hokage was now truly enraged, seeing the blatant disregard.
"Your ambition clouds your loyalty. Get out, Danzo;before I forget you are my comrade."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Danzo's body stiffened not expecting this reaction from his usually hesitant and accomodating teammate.
His face twisted into a scowl, but he bowed stiffly.
"Very well. But remember this, Hiruzen. When your hands were tied, it was me who carried the burden you refused to bear."
With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only the chill of his presence.
' Something's not right, he has regained his sharpness. I need to lay low for now.
Hiruzen, I'll take back the Hokage seat.
It should've been me!!. Only I can make Konoha great again.' Danzo thought as he hurried to his base, planning to clear any loose ends.
Hiruzen sat back heavily, eyes troubled.
' It will not be long before these boys must leave the academy… but they must walk the path of the Will of Fire, not the darkness of Root.'
He signalled to the Anbu gaurding him -
" Call the elders for a meeting. Tell them it's about assignement of personal to Root, also ask them to bring the files of their respective departments since the last 3 years." The Anbu ninja saluted and left.
' I've been too trusting of them. I hope they have not done anything unredeemable.'
...
A week later, Enji noticed something strange. The air in Konoha was heavy, tense. Shinobi patrolled rooftops and alleyways with sharp eyes, their movements unusually tight. Hidden presences lingered at every corner.
At Ground 36, Itachi arrived later than usual, his expression grim.
"Enji," he said softly, "you've felt it too, haven't you? Orochimaru… he has betrayed the village."
Enji froze. "What? The Sannin?"
Itachi nodded. His voice, though calm, carried an undertone of sorrow.
"The Hokage confronted him. They fought… but Orochimaru escaped."
Enji's mind whirled. He had read enough from his past life and seen enough now to piece it together. 'He couldn't bring himself to kill his favorite pupil… He held back, even knowing the danger. It had taken the First and Second Hokage together with Orochimaru to end him. No way he couldn't handle him alone, that too, with him even younger than in canon.'
Mercy… mercy is his weakness.'
But he did not have the strength or status to raise his opinion or advise the Hokage.
.....
As the year drew to a close, Enji and Itachi were informed of their graduation exams. For most children, the prospect was terrifying. For them, it was routine. They had already mastered the Three Basic Jutsu, their clones executing them flawlessly.
On the day of the exam, they passed without breaking a sweat. Every jutsu executed with ease, to perfection.
When the results were announced, the Hokage himself arrived at the academy to present their head protectors. His steps were slower, his posture more stooped. His hair seemed grayer than before, his face lined with weariness. The battle with Orochimaru had aged him years in mere weeks.
Hiruzen's voice trembled faintly as handed the head protectors to them.
"You have made me proud. Carry the Will of Fire with you always."
Enji bowed deeply, eyes shadowed with thought.
' This man has given everything for the village… and still is ready to give more.'
Hiruzen continued with a kind smile - " come tomorrow,sharp at 8 am to class 6-A, your jounin sensei will meet you there. All the best. I look forward to your growth."
Everyone saluted as the Hokage turned around and left.
Itachi turned to Enji - " Sorry, Enji. I'm in a bit hurry, I have to meet my father. Let's have a meetup tomorrow at Yakiniku, I'll send a shadow clone to your house to tell you the details. "
" It's okay Itachi, let's make it a party. Invite anyone you want, Bye ."
Both of them,flickered away, vanishing in an instant surprising the chunin instructors present with their speed.
Enji moved towards his home. On his way he saw the Hokage walking down the street, nodding to the greetings,with a kind smile.
Enji flickered beside the Hokage.
" Is there anything you need,Enji ?" Hiruzen, with a smile, turned to Enji as soon as he landed beside him.
" No, grandpa. I wanted to treat you to a meal....since I graduated. If you are busy, it's okay, maybe another time."
Hiruzen face lit up, he said jovially - "Haha, I'm always ready for a meal, let's go. Lead the way Enji."
.....
Teuchi, hearing someone entering his stall, looked up, and was stunned to see the Hokage along with a young boy entering.
"Two bowls of miso ramen, Teuchi. Make them extra large. This boy can finish one faster than I can light my pipe. Haha" Hiruzen spoke with a grin plastered on his face.
Teuchi bowed and hurried inside, the dishes arriving within 5 minutes.
For a while, only the sounds of the soft slurp of noodles and the occasional clink of chopsticks echoed in the stall.
As the silence dragged on Enji placed down his chopsticks and spoke to the Hokage - " Grandpa, is there something bothering you? "
Hiruzen, not expecting Enji to ask this, stayed silent for a second. Then with a joking tone, said -
" There are a lot of things for a Hokage to worry about.Do you think , I am sitting around my office, smoking a pipe, lazing around all day?"
" No Grandpa, i didn't mean it like that.I know you're always working, I've seen the lights in your office way late into the night." Enji immediately said shaking his head like a rattle.
" Haha, look at you, getting all flustered. I can manage for now. I am waiting for the next generation like you to step up." Hiruzen burst into laughter seeing Enji's reaction.
Perhaps, because he was in a good mood he continued, as if saying to himself, almost in a whisper -
"This fire of mine… once it blazed so brightly. But now, it feels as though it has burned out. What remains is nothing more than a weak ember, ready to fade. "
But Hiruzen's eyes widened as he heard Enji's reply - "Grandpa… embers aren't just the end of a fire. They are capable of lighting up new flames.
An ember carries warmth, promise, and the chance to spark something greater. If you think you're just an ember now, then you're the ember that will ignite the next generation."
Hiruzen chuckled softly - "Heh… to think I'd come here expecting nothing more than dinner, and instead I'm reminded of who I am by a boy with ramen broth on his chin. You're right, Enji. Even an ember can light the way… so long as someone tends it."
"Thank you, my boy. You've given this old man more hope than you realize."
Enji just smiled, bowing his head. They finished their meals in silence - both the young and the old, deep in thought.
Teuchi watched them go later, the Hokage's laugh echoing down the street, his flame rekindled.