Konoha Year 41.
The undercurrents of the shinobi world surged beneath the surface, as frictions between the great ninja villages grew more frequent by the day.
At this time, the Third Hokage of Konoha—Sarutobi Hiruzen—who also served as the principal of the Ninja Academy, arrived for an inspection visit, accompanied by the Hokage's advisor, Utatane Koharu.
Standing inside the office, Hiruzen looked through the blinds toward the training grounds below, where groups of little brats were running about.
With a sigh heavy with emotion, he said,
"Back then, when the Second Lord lay on his deathbed, he personally appointed me as the Third Hokage.
That same year, I also took on the position of principal of the Ninja Academy.
For more than ten years, every time I thought of the responsibility resting on my shoulders, I could barely eat or sleep in peace.
Fortunately… I did not disgrace the Second Lord's expectations. I managed to achieve something, at least.
Under my administration, the Academy produced outstanding shinobi such as Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Minato, and Kakashi.
Exceptional youth are the future of a village.
The responsibility of the Ninja Academy's principal… is a heavy one indeed."
Seeing Hiruzen sink into memories of the past, Academy instructor Murakami Keinin understood perfectly how to flatter him. He immediately seized the opportunity and said,
"Hokage-sama's achievements are naturally beyond question.
Your students—the Sannin—fought fiercely against the so-called Demigod of the Shinobi World, Hanzo, just a few years ago. Now, each of them has become a powerhouse capable of standing on their own.
Minato-san was promoted to jōnin only a few years after graduating—his future is boundless.
With your wise leadership, Hokage-sama, both Konoha and the Ninja Academy would be thriving even if they didn't want to."
Flatter first—always the correct move.
"Hahaha, I've merely done a small amount of work."
Hiruzen waved his hand modestly, then suddenly recalled something.
"After Kakashi graduated, has the Academy produced any other prodigies?"
"This…"
Murakami Keinin hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.
Talented students certainly existed. Konoha had never lacked capable youth.
But who had the Hokage just mentioned?
The Sannin.
Namikaze Minato.
Hatake Kakashi.
Among them, aside from Jiraiya, every single one had displayed extraordinary talent from a very young age—genius visible to the naked eye.
Comparing people could kill. Comparing goods could get them thrown away.
When your superior had just listed several once-in-a-generation monsters, whoever you brought up next couldn't possibly fall too far behind, could they?
"Haa…"
Hiruzen let out a sigh, a trace of disappointment flashing through his eyes.
"I suppose I'm being too greedy.
Young people as outstanding as Minato and Kakashi—having one appear every ten years is already a blessing.
The students currently in the Academy… even the oldest among them should be no more than Kakashi's age."
Murakami Keinin understood the implication immediately.
In theory, these students were of the same generation as Kakashi. Yet Kakashi had graduated after just one year, while they were still grinding away in the Academy.
The difference was obvious at a glance.
A sense of crisis rose in Murakami Keinin's heart.
As an Academy instructor, his greatest responsibility was to cultivate and discover outstanding young talent for Konoha.
Even if geniuses couldn't be produced on demand, the Third Hokage could still say something like—
When I focused on education, I produced the Sannin and Minato. Why did everything fall apart when it came to you?
So what if you're an Academy teacher, Murakami Keinin?
If you don't have the ability, don't you have any shame at all?
Gritting his teeth, Murakami Keinin stamped his foot and said,
"Geniuses on the level of the Sannin are naturally extremely rare.
However, during my years as an instructor, I haven't come up empty-handed either. I did discover one outstanding young talent.
This person… is from Kakashi's generation."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen's curiosity was immediately piqued. After a moment of thought, he smiled.
"From Kakashi's generation, yet still remaining in the Ninja Academy? Then I must meet him."
"He's the type whose talent blooms late," Murakami Keinin added without hesitation.
Don't ask—just say late bloomer.
He pulled aside the blinds and pointed toward a corner of the training field.
"Hokage-sama, please look. That young man dancing over there is the prodigy I wish to introduce."
Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu followed his gesture.
Under the shade of a tree stood a black-haired boy of seven or eight years, surrounded by more than a dozen children. He was dancing an unknown routine—yet one with overwhelming visual impact.
Most of the onlookers were girls, each with sparkling eyes as they shouted,
"Mai-nii is so handsome!"
"Mai-nii, do the moonwalk again~!"
With just one glance, Hiruzen believed Murakami Keinin's words.
This black-haired brat was absolutely a once-in-a-generation genius.
Even if he was already seven or eight and hadn't graduated yet.
Even if he wasn't even a genin.
Even if Kakashi, at the same age, had already become a chūnin.
He was undoubtedly a talent no inferior to Kakashi.
Because this kid…
Was simply too handsome.
Delicate features, red lips, white teeth—none of that was enough to describe his beauty. Compared to Kakashi, Namikaze Minato, even that Uchiha kid from later generations, he was far more striking at the same age.
Someone this good-looking—
It was hard to believe his aptitude could possibly be ordinary.
Every genius who made a name for themselves early at the Ninja Academy shared one common trait:
They were handsome.
Orochimaru.
Minato.
Kakashi.
This was surely a late-blooming talent!
"What is this child's name?" Utatane Koharu asked.
"Uchiha Mai."
Seeing their expressions, Murakami Keinin immediately knew he had gambled correctly.
No one could resist that face.
He finally relaxed internally. Good—he had managed to bluff his way through.
"Uchiha…"
Hiruzen murmured the name, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sensed something off.
When the Ninja Academy was first established, it hadn't been valued by the major clans.
At that time, the most outstanding youths of each clan were never sent to the Academy, instead being trained internally.
Even now, great clans like the Uchiha and Hyūga still retained this habit, preferring to personally train their talented offspring.
If this Uchiha Mai was truly as impressive as described…
Why was he sent to the Ninja Academy?
"I'd very much like to see this for myself," Hiruzen said with a smile.
Murakami Keinin's heart instantly leapt into his throat.
See for himself?!
Was that face still not convincing enough?
"What, are you nervous?" Hiruzen glanced sideways at him.
"N-No."
Murakami Keinin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Could he possibly say that Uchiha Mai was nothing more than a pretty face—an empty spearhead with no substance?
Absolutely not.
"I'll arrange a sparring match immediately," Murakami Keinin said.
Hiruzen nodded slightly, signaling him to proceed.
The best way to judge a shinobi's quality was, of course, strength.
And the best way to display strength was combat.
As Murakami Keinin walked out of the office, his heart pounded with anxiety. He silently prayed that Uchiha Mai would at least show something—anything at all—so he wouldn't be forced to praise thin air with nothing to back it up.
"Tweet—tweet—tweet!"
A sharp whistle pierced the air.
Lowering it, Murakami Keinin shouted,
"Free activity time is over! Everyone—assemble!"
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