Chapter 2 – Companions, Classmates, and Family
Twenty days later—March 28th.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, visited the Ninja Academy to oversee the final preparations for the new term. While there, he happened to spot two boys running laps around the school, drenched in sweat—Matsushita Taichi and Might Guy. Curious, he asked the teachers about them.
Such hardworking youngsters…
With students like these, the future of Konoha will surely be bright.
The very next day, Might Guy's name appeared on the Academy's bulletin board.
"Guy, congratulations! Hard work really does pay off." Taichi smiled sincerely.
Of course he had known it all along—there was no way this year's intake would be complete without Might Guy. Clearly, the Third Hokage had been impressed by Guy's persistence and decided to admit him.
"Thanks, Taichi!" Guy grinned from ear to ear. The recognition of his efforts was the sweetest reward he could imagine.
"Then let's keep going. Today—eight hundred laps around the school. Fail, and we do it upside down."
---
April 1st.
Over three hundred children, all around five or six years old, gathered on the Ninja Academy's training field.
The Third Hokage stood on the platform, delivering a passionate speech about the Will of Fire.
Never underestimate the Will of Fire. Yes, it could sound idealistic, and yes, even some of its biggest advocates in the upper ranks didn't always practice what they preached—but it was still perfectly suited to the current state of the Land of Fire and Konoha Village.
Taichi neither dismissed nor fully embraced it. In his view, it was a tool—one worth using when the time came.
For the common citizens of the Land of Fire—most with little to no formal education—and for the battle-focused shinobi of Konoha, the Will of Fire was an ideal rallying cry. Clear, simple, and uplifting, it was one of the reasons Konoha stood above the other Great Shinobi Villages.
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will never die. The shadow of the flame will shine upon the village… and new leaves will bud anew."
With those impassioned words, the Third Hokage concluded his speech.
The crowd of new students and assembled shinobi erupted into applause. The entrance ceremony was over.
---
Classes would begin the next day.
Taichi and Guy walked home with their arms slung over each other's shoulders—only to spot a panting Uchiha Obito running up the street. Late again, of course.
Kakashi stopped and gave him a sidelong glance.
"Late even for the entrance ceremony…"
Obito spun around, glaring—he didn't even need to check to know it was Kakashi. Even now, he had to throw in his smug little comments.
Taichi slowed down too, turning to watch the show.
In the early days, Obito had been the brightest star among his group of friends—until Kakashi came along and stole the spotlight, especially when it came to Rin. Sure enough, when Rin's gaze shifted toward Kakashi, Obito's anger flared.
No wonder that, in the future, Obito awakened the Mangekyō the moment Rin died—he'd been carrying feelings for Nohara Rin since they were children.
Unlike Taichi, who had spent his life in the orphanage, Obito, Rin, and Kakashi had known each other long before entering the Academy.
At the moment, Taichi's only real friend was Might Guy.
---
"Here, this is for you."
Rin held out a folder to Obito.
"I knew you'd be late, so I prepared everything for you."
"Huh?"
Obito froze for a second, then lit up as he accepted it.
"As expected of you, Rin—thanks! I was really worried. If not for you, my grandma would've chewed me out again."
…
What a beautiful moment, Taichi thought. I hope they treasure it while they can.
He clapped Guy on the shoulder. "Let's go."
"You know them?" Guy glanced back.
"Sort of. That white-haired kid? He's the son of the famous White Fang of Konoha."
"I see… Looks like I've got another rival to keep an eye on."
"Not just one. This year's class is full of talent. We'll have to work even harder."
"Then how about a race? First to your place wins."
"Deal."
The two bolted off at full speed.
---
When they arrived at Taichi's new home, the place—unused for years—had already been scrubbed spotless. Yakushi Nonō had brought a few of the older orphans to help.
To Taichi's surprise, Might Duy was there too. Normally, Duy was busy taking on missions—after all, as a mere genin supporting two taijutsu specialists, he had no choice but to work tirelessly.
Looking at the house, now completely transformed from when he first received it, Taichi stepped forward and took Nonō's hand.
"Thank you, Sister Nonō!"
He turned to the others.
"And thank you, everyone. You're all staying for dinner tonight—no excuses!"
"Yay! We get to eat Taichi-nii's cooking again!" The younger kids practically bounced with excitement.
After all, Taichi's cooking was the product of two lifetimes of experience. If cooking had levels, he'd easily be Lv20.
"Uncle Duy, you're staying too. I promise—it'll be worth your while."
Originally, Might Duy had planned to leave right after helping out, but after hearing this, he stopped in his tracks, flashing his dazzling white teeth in a broad grin.
"Whoa, well, thank you so much, Taichi! In that case, this old man will stay and taste your cooking today!"
"Haha, just give me a moment and I'll whip something up," Taichi replied, heading straight to the kitchen.
He had already bought the ingredients early in the morning after his training, knowing that Nonō would bring people over to help. He had made sure to buy extra—otherwise, it wouldn't have been enough for so many mouths.
"You guys have no idea—Big Brother Taichi is the best cook in the entire Hidden Leaf! You'll see for yourselves in a bit!" a cheeky little brat declared dramatically.
"Really?!" Guy's eyes went wide in surprise. "Taichi never told me that!"
…
An hour later, Guy and Duy were staring, mouths agape, at the table covered with vibrant, aromatic dishes—meals so different from ordinary Japanese-style fare that it was hard to believe they'd been prepared in just an hour.
"Well? I told you I wasn't lying!"
"Don't listen to these little troublemakers," Taichi said with a laugh. "Uncle Duy, Guy—dig in while it's hot. It won't taste as good once it cools."
"Alright then, let's eat!" Both men pressed their hands together in thanks, picked up the food in front of them, and the instant they took a bite… tears streamed down their faces like waterfalls.
"This… this is amazing!"
"Haha! I knew it!" the same kid cackled theatrically.
"Come on, eat! You can't keep talking with your mouth full—look around, the food's disappearing fast."
"Hey, you traitors! You couldn't wait for me?!" the kid yelled, before diving into the fray for his share.
Off to the side, Nonō simply ate at her own pace, watching the lively scene with a faint smile tugging at her lips.
…
After the hearty lunch and some quick cleanup, Might Duy and Might Guy were the first to take their leave. Taichi then walked Nonō and the group of children to the door.
"Don't worry, Sister Nonō," Taichi said as she fussed over him with reminders. "I can take care of myself. And besides, you can always come visit me often."
Nonō smiled and nodded. "I believe you. But if you run into any trouble, you must come back to the orphanage and tell me, alright? The orphanage will always be your home—never forget that."
"I won't. I promise." Taichi nodded solemnly.
Nonō took out a notebook she had prepared earlier and handed it to him.
"These are my notes from years of studying medical ninjutsu. Once you've learned to use chakra, you can give it a try. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me. Consider this your housewarming gift."
Taichi accepted it eagerly, throwing his arms around her waist.
"Wow… thank you so much, Sister!"
She gently ruffled his hair. "From today on, Taichi, you're a little adult now—you can stand on your own two feet. Work hard, alright?"
"Mm…"
Taichi released her and watched as she and the children slowly walked away, disappearing down the road.
His mind wandered to Nonō's future. She was just over twenty now, and if his memory was correct, she still had at least ten years before her untimely death.
Ten years.
Matsushita Taichi withdrew his gaze and turned back to his room.
"I have to become a jōnin—no, even Kage-level—within these ten years. Otherwise, I won't be able to protect Nonō or everyone at the orphanage."
Of course, the best solution would be to find an opportunity to take out Danzō. Too many tragedies in the Leaf had his fingerprints all over them.
There would be a chance. During the Third Great Ninja War, that man often went on missions outside the village. If Taichi's strength was great enough by then, killing him wouldn't be impossible.
The key was power—absolute power.
With that thought, Taichi calmed his mind, notebook in hand, and turned toward his desk…