Konoha Village, Uchiha Clan Training Grounds
The setting sun cast long shadows across the training field. A small boy, drenched in sweat, was still at it—his hands fumbling through seals.
"Clone Technique!"
Bang!
A puff of white smoke appeared, then dissipated into nothing.
"Ah! Failed again…"
Uchiha Obito scratched his head in frustration, nearly pulling his hair out.
Why is it that Teacher Ryoma's clones always look perfect?
Why does Kakashi perform them so effortlessly?
Why can't I get it right?!
He could still hear Ryoma-sensei's stern words from earlier, cutting deeper than any kunai.
Obito dreamed of being a genius—someone who would shock the village, rise as Hokage, and earn the admiration of the entire shinobi world.
But the cruel truth was clear: he had no talent.
He wanted to lie to himself, to believe he was improving… but today, he couldn't.
And worse still, members of the Uchiha clan walked past, their eyes lingering on him with pity—or disdain.
"That's Obito, training so hard."
"A shame his parents died so young."
"Without guidance at home, he's lagging behind."
"I heard he came back crying today."
"Probably failed again. He's hopeless."
Their whispered voices stung like poisoned senbon.
Obito's shoulders trembled. Then he snapped, shouting into the wind:
"I'm not a failure!"
Fighting back tears, he stormed home.
His grandmother greeted him gently:
"Obito, you're back. Come, let's eat."
"I'm not hungry!"
He slammed his door shut, collapsing onto the floor of his small room. Then, with a surge of desperation, he began doing push-ups.
"…One hundred ninety-seven, one hundred ninety-eight, one hundred ninety-nine, two hundred!"
His body shook, arms trembling as sweat pooled on the floor beneath him. He collapsed face-first onto the damp wood, panting heavily.
But Ryoma's words echoed in his skull—
You drag down your comrades. You bring shame to your clan…
Grinding his teeth, Obito forced himself back up. He would keep going. He had to.
...
At Nohara Rin's Home
Her parents exchanged amused smiles as Rin helped clear the table.
"Rin, you've been training hard lately, haven't you?"
The girl nodded, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Yes. Teacher Ryoma is actually very kind… By the way, Dad, Mom, have you heard of him?"
"Ryoma? Can't say we have. Why do you ask?"
Rin propped her chin on her hand, her thoughts drifting. She recalled his easygoing grin, his warm laugh.
"Kakashi says Ryoma-sensei is really strong."
"Oh? Then you should learn all you can from him."
"Mm." Rin nodded earnestly.
...
At the Hatake Residence
Kakashi sat alone, slurping instant noodles. His father, the White Fang, was away again—no doubt buried in missions or council duties.
Kakashi's thoughts wandered back to training earlier.
Ryoma-sensei… is he really reliable? Or is he too soft with us?
It was astonishing that even Obito—hopeless as he was—managed to scrape by under his guidance.
...
At Ryoma's Table
Meanwhile, Ryoma himself was having dinner, joined by Uzumaki Mito, Kushina, and Tsunade.
The moment she sat down, Tsunade launched into complaints, her voice weary.
"The Medical Corps is drowning in work—I barely even sleep these days."
Soon, the conversation shifted.
Reports had arrived of chaos within Kirigakure. A violent uprising had left countless low-ranking shinobi dead or gravely injured.
Even the Konoha spies embedded there had been forced to flee amidst the turmoil.
Many never made it back—slain on the road. Those who did return were battered and broken, their injuries severe.
These days, Tsunade was so overworked that she barely had time to sleep.
Ryoma perked up his ears, carefully listening to the conversation. News like this rarely reached even the higher circles of Konoha, much less the students.
Kirigakure—the Village Hidden in the Mist—was infamous for its epithet: "The Bloody Mist." But why exactly was it called that? Was it truly because they turned their blades against their own people? Ryoma didn't know.
Tsunade provided the answer.
"Kirigakure used to be much like us here in Konoha—everyone was equal. But ever since the Third Mizukage took power, their policies shifted."
"The old noble clans and the elite jōnin families who earned prestige in the wars rose to become the ruling class. Meanwhile, the smaller clans absorbed into Kirigakure—especially those with kekkei genkai—as well as ordinary families, were reduced to little more than commoners."
She took a sip of tea before continuing, her expression sharp.
"These civilians are forced to take on the most dangerous missions. They're treated purely as tools—not even given the worth of dogs."
"As for the name 'Bloody Mist,' it comes from their graduation exam. To pass, an academy student must kill one of his own classmates."
Her tone hardened. "Of course, this cruel exam is reserved only for the commoners. The nobles are exempt."
Ryoma's brows furrowed. "So it's no wonder they would rebel."
"Exactly," Tsunade nodded. "But when the civilians started rioting, the leadership sent in the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to crush them. The entire village drowned in terror and blood."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
At last, Ryoma recognized something. He leaned in with interest.
Tsunade listed the names casually:
"Loquat Jūzō, Fuguki Suikazan, Jinpachi Munashi, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino, Raiga Kurosuki, and Mangetsu Hōzuki."
Ryoma blinked. He didn't know a single one of them.
Huh? Where's Zabuza Momochi? Shouldn't he be on the list…?
Before he could dwell on it, Tsunade went on:
"Now, the teacher is planning to send several teams of shinobi to the outskirts of Kirigakure. Jiraiya, that idiot, will be acting as commander-in-chief."
Ryoma raised an eyebrow.
"Wait, isn't Jiraiya the principal of the Academy? Why would he personally lead a mission like this?"
Tsunade shot him a look that all but screamed, Are you an idiot?
"The ninja academy exists to train shinobi for missions. Why wouldn't the principal of the school also take the role of commander when the time comes?"
"Huh… I thought missions like this wouldn't involve us students."
Tsunade shrugged.
"I heard it's being considered. There simply aren't enough shinobi right now. Border disputes are flaring everywhere, and nearly everyone has already been deployed."
Her expression turned grave. "When the situation demands it, even fresh genin will be sent to the battlefield."
...
TN:
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