Year 25
Seasons passed. Leaves changed color and fell. Snow gathered on the rooftops. People grew another year older.
And the day arrived, Uchiha Shinichi's first day at the Ninja Academy.
But the academy was not what he expected.
There were no structured curriculums or rigorous training. It was more of a gathering ground; a melting pot where children from every clan came together to bond, play, and learn the meaning of unity.
Any village children aged six to ten were required to attend. Graduation wasn't based on exams or rank either. It simply required a ninja or clan to take a student as their apprentice. Age didn't matter.
A decade ago, Senju Hashirama had taken in Uchiha Kagami, Akimichi Torifu, and Shimura Danzo as disciples. Tobirama had taken Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homur. Though Hashirama was the Hokage, it was Tobirama who ended up teaching all six, laying the foundation for his future Hokage Guard Squad. And Uchiha Kagami's placement was also Tobirama's design.
Senju brothers' choices had shocked the village. Clan leaders taking in disciples from other clans and even civilians at that was unheard of. But Tobirama's precedent changed everything. Now, many ninja competed to take in talented students, regardless of background.
---
There was no grand speech. No class assignments. Just registration.
Classes were split by age, with 300-400 children per group. In total, the academy held around 1,500-2,000 children. But only 200-300 would be selected as apprentices and officially registered as Konoha ninja every year. The rest either gave up or found other paths.
Only those who graduated received a registration number, becoming the first true Konoha Shinobi.
***
A few days in, Shinichi's face was filled with disappointment.
'This is the Ninja Academy? It's just a clan playground scaled up to include the whole village.'
He realized the academy's true purpose wasn't to produce elite shinobi; it was to foster unity. To imprint the idea that call clans were one family under Konoha.
'Hashirama's vision wasn't to train warriors. It was to let children grow up as children, not as weapons.'
Still, Shinichi saw potential. In his past life, multiple military academies trained nobles and elites, and even commoners when necessary.
He mused on how Konoha's academy might evolve in the future.
Currently, the lectures emphasized unity. The rest of the time was free and children trained or played as they pleased.
At first, children from other clans viewed the Uchiha with caution. But after a few games, the walls broke down.
'If our generation builds unbreakable bonds... will the gods still create monsters like Hashirama to torment us?'
---
Without hesitation, Shinichi began interacting with children from all clans. He blended in, then began to stand out.
One afternoon, he showcased a skill from his past life – hari/senbonjutsu – using cafeteria chopsticks.
He stood with his arms relaxed at his sides. Then, with a sleight of hand, he equipped eight chopsticks between his fingers and launched them in a rhythmic, elegant motion, crisscrossing his arms as he threw.
Then, with a sudden movement, his hands were re-equipped. He uncrossed his arms and spread them wide- another barrage.
Again, his hands were full. He spun, launching chopsticks from his right hand, then spun again, backhanding the rest from this left.
The chopsticks struck every falling leaf, pinning them to the academy wall, each one pierced dead center.
The children erupted in applause.
From that day forward, Shinichi became the leader of his class- and even earned respect from older students.
***
As 'leader' of the Ninja Academy, Shinichi repeated what he had done with Uchiha clan.
He conquered the playground, inventing games that disguised training as fun. He created a ranking board, encouraging friendly competition. Top performers were made leaders of each game, acting as referees and organizers.
Shinichi didn't micromanage. He let the leaders supervise while he quietly tested his theories on chakra manipulation and transformation.
The changes were subtle, but they shook the village.
Games like Hopping Across the Field of Fire, The Ninja game, Capture the Flag, and an improved Shuriken Jutsu Throwing Contest spread like wildfire. Children played with joy, unaware they were training.
To the discerning eyes of elders and veteran shinobi, it was clear: the children were improving rapidly without them realizing it.
***
Hokage's office
"…This child. Isn't he the son of Uchiha Fukashi? The disciple of the Madara?"
Senju Tobirama's voice was skeptical. He recalled the little boy's defiant figure on the night of the fateful duel.
"These games… they're effective," Sarutobi Sasuke added. "They motivate the children to compete, improve, and bond."
"Is this the Uchiha's method of training?" Tobirama asked.
"No, Tobirama-sama," Shimura Shien replied in confirmation. "The Uchiha never trained like this before. It must be a new method. There was a report about the Hopping Across the Field of Fire game, but nothing else."
None of them considered the possibility that all of these methods and ideas came from Shinichi. That idea was simply too absurd.
"Hahaha! It's good to see the Uchiha contributing to the village," Hashirama chuckled. "They're mixing well with the other children."
"Anija!"
Tobirama's voice cut through the room.
"Don't," Hashirama said softly. "I won't be here for you forever. Sooner or later, you'll have to take over as Hokage."
"…???!!!!!"
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. Something was wrong.
He quickly signaled Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Shien to leave the office.
"What do you mean, brother?"
Hashirama's gaze was heavy.
"Tobirama… I don't have much time left. You can't rely on me to suppress the Uchiha or hold village together. Not anymore."
"???!!!"
"Ever since my last battle with Madara, I've felt it. My strength is waning."
Hashirama clenched and unclenched his hand, his expression solemn.
"No… That's' impossible. You have the strongest physique in Senju history. Your bloodline is unmatched. There must be a mistake."
Tobirama rushed forward, scanning his brother's body with chakra. but he found nothing, no illness or weakness.
Yet Hashirama simply nodded.
"I can feel it. I have five years left at most. Next year, you must become the Second Hokage."
Tobirama's face, usually unreadable, crumbled. He turned away, covering his eyes as a single tear escaped.
Then, just as quickly, he composed himself and asked.
"So that's why you rushed the tailed beast negotiations… and the peace treaty?"
Hashirama nodded again.
Tobirama's mind raced. He had plans; gradual reforms, slow restructuring of clan systems, public education, and academy curriculums. But now, everything had to accelerate.
If Hashirama was no longer going to shield Konoha form external threats and internal divisions, Tobirama would have to build the walls himself.
He would need countermeasure and safeguard systems.
Because the age of peace was ending, and the age of strife was coming.
He had to hurry.