Chapter 4: First Steps into the Future
The next morning, Ren woke to find Itachi's futon already empty. His brother was likely on another mission. Sasuke was still a motionless lump under his covers, lost in the deep sleep of childhood.
After a quiet breakfast, Ren steeled himself. He approached his father, who was sipping his tea and reading a mission report.
"Father," Ren began, his voice calm but firm. "I wish to enroll in the Ninja Academy."
The soft clatter of dishes from the kitchen ceased. Uchiha Mikoto stopped her cleaning, turning to look at her son with surprise. Uchiha Fugaku slowly lowered his scroll, his dark, assessing eyes fixing on Ren.
"The Academy?" Fugaku's tone was neutral, giving nothing away. "Explain your reasoning."
"Staying at home is… unproductive," Ren replied, meeting his father's gaze without flinching. "I am of the correct age. It is time I began my formal training."
Fugaku studied his son for a long, silent moment. The request was logical, yet it was the first time this particular son had ever asked for anything. "I see," he said finally. "The new term begins in two days. I will take you and Sasuke to be enrolled."
"Thank you, Father." Ren gave a short, formal bow to both his parents before turning to leave.
"Fugaku…" Mikoto started, her voice laced with maternal concern, but her husband raised a hand.
"There is no need," Fugaku said, his gaze still on the doorway Ren had exited through. "They are both six years old. It is the appropriate time. And… this is the first thing he has ever asked of us." A rare note of something akin to pride entered his stern voice. "Let him have it."
Outside, Ren allowed a slight, grim smile to touch his lips. The first step was complete.
*The Academy in two days,* he thought, a thrill of anticipation cutting through his usual reserve. *I'll meet them all. The entire Konoha 12, in the flesh.*
Names and faces from his past life flashed through his mind: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Hyuga Hinata. The main cast of the story he'd once watched on a screen. The reality of it was still staggering.
*But first, training,* he resolved, pushing the excitement down. *I still need to test the Finger Gun.* He made his way to his secret training spot, a secluded forest at the edge of the Uchiha compound that he'd claimed as his own a year prior.
The air was cool and carried the scent of pine and damp earth. Here, he was truly alone.
Taking a stance before a thick, old tree, he focused. The knowledge was just there, ingrained in his muscle memory by the system. He concentrated his strength, his chakra, into the index finger of his right hand. It felt like channeling a needle-thin bolt of lightning.
"Finger Gun!" he whispered, and thrust.
***Thwip!***
The sound was sharp and clean. His finger sank into the tree trunk up to the second knuckle with shocking ease, as if piercing soft clay instead of solid wood. He pulled his finger back, leaving a perfectly round, deep hole behind.
A genuine, wide grin spread across Ren's face for the first time since his arrival in this world. "Incredible," he breathed, examining his unmarked finger. "If it can do this to a tree, what could it do to a person?"
The power was visceral, real. It was the first tangible proof that the system could truly make him strong. He spent the rest of the day drilling the technique until his chakra reserves were depleted and his body ached, then dragged his exhausted frame home for dinner.
***
Two days later, they stood at the door, ready to leave.
"Are you prepared?" Uchiha Fugaku asked, his voice echoing in the quiet entrance hall. "It is time to go."
"Now, Ren, Sasuke," Mikoto said, kneeling before them to straighten their collars and brush non-existent dust from their shirts. Her touch was gentle, her eyes worried but proud. "You are going to the Ninja Academy today. You must be respectful to your teachers and try to be kind to your classmates."
"Understood, Mother," Ren replied with his usual flat tone.
"Tch. I'm going to be a genius like big brother Itachi," Sasuke declared, puffing out his chest. "I don't need to waste time on a bunch of weaklings." The ingrained Uchiha superiority complex was already strong in him, a product of the clan's insular culture.
*Idiot,* Ren thought, the criticism sharp and immediate. *You have no idea what true weakness or strength even means yet.* His memories of the Sasuke from the anime—arrogant, entitled, and constantly chasing a power that was often handed to him—rose to the surface. First by Orochimaru, then by Itachi's ultimate sacrifice gifting him the Eternal Mangekyo, and finally the revelation of being Indra's transmigrant. *Some people are just born on third base,* he mused with a trace of bitterness.
"Let's go," Fugaku commanded, and turned to lead the way. Ren and Sasuke fell into step behind him, two identical boys with vastly different interior worlds.
After a walk through the bustling streets of Konoha, they arrived. The Academy was exactly as Ren remembered it from the anime: a large, multi-story building with a familiar facade, the heart of Konoha's future military strength.
"This is it," Fugaku stated. "Konoha's Ninja Academy. This is where you will learn the shinobi arts."
Ren looked up at it, a strange sense of destiny settling over him. This was the starting line.
Fugaku led them inside, through quiet hallways, to a staff room. Several teachers were inside, taking a break between classes. Among them, Ren immediately spotted the first villain of the original story: Mizuki.
"Lord Fugaku," the teachers said, almost in unison, standing a little straighter upon his entry.
"Lord Fugaku," Mizuki said, oozing false warmth as he approached. "To what do we owe the honor?"
"These are my sons," Fugaku said, his voice devoid of warmth. "Enroll them. They are starting today."
"Of course! Right away!" Mizuki's smile widened, his eyes flicking over the twins. "The sons of the great Clan Head! I'm sure they will be exceptional prodigies, just like their elder brother." His tone was sickly sweet. "Come with me, boys. I'll take you to your classroom."
Ren felt a cold dislike settle in his stomach. He knew the kind, helpful persona was a facade hiding a treacherous and jealous man.
"Go with him," Fugaku instructed. With a final bow, Ren and Sasuke followed Mizuki out.
"You're a little late, you know," Mizuki chirped as they walked. "The other students have already begun their lessons."
"Okay," Ren replied, utterly disinterested. Sasuke didn't even grant him that much, walking in haughty silence.
Mizuki's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "Right. Well, here we are." He stopped before a classroom door. "Wait here a moment. I'll fetch your homeroom teacher."
Mizuki slipped inside the classroom. Ren could hear a lecture happening within. A moment later, a young man with a scar across his nose and a kind face stepped out.
"Mr. Iruka," Mizuki said. "These two are new transfers. Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Sasuke."
Iruka Umino's face broke into a warm, genuine smile that was the polar opposite of Mizuki's. "New students! Welcome! I'm Iruka Umino, and I'll be your teacher." He looked between them, his expression open and friendly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Iruka-sensei," Ren said, offering a polite bow. He felt a genuine respect for this man. In his previous life, he'd admired Iruka—a man of ordinary strength but extraordinary heart, whose belief in Naruto had fundamentally shaped the boy's future for the better.
Just then, a burst of raucous laughter erupted from the classroom. Iruka's smile instantly flipped into a scowl of exasperation.
"Sorry about that," Iruka said, sighing. "Those little… I have to get back in there. Mizuki-sensei, thank you." He then turned to the twins. "Alright, you two, come with me. Let's get you introduced."
Iruka marched back into the classroom, and Ren followed, stepping across the threshold into a new chapter of his life. His eyes immediately found the source of the commotion: a shock of bright yellow hair at the blackboard where a boy was frantically drawing a cartoonish monkey wearing a Hokage's hat.
"Naruto! You idiot! Get back to your seat this instant!" Iruka yelled.
The boy—Naruto Uzumaki—jumped, dropping the chalk. "Tch! So boring," he muttered, slinking back to his seat under the giggles of the class.
Iruka took a deep, calming breath, running a hand over his face. "Everyone, settle down! We have… a slight interruption." He turned to the doorway. "We have two new students joining us today. Please, come in."
Every eye in the classroom turned, curious and assessing, to land on the two identical Uchiha boys standing in the doorway.