Peace is a lie. 10 years after the Shinobi World War concluded, another began. A war that wiped out everything that Uzumaki Naruto and the Golden Generation fought and sacrificed for. Corruption spread through the political ranks. Crime and murder filled the streets of Konoha. The treaties between the five great nations crumbled. The short period of peace was like breath on a mirror.
Peace is a lie.
Chapter 1: Reasons
RIIIIIIIIING
Ugh
Wiping his sleepy eyes, Sazuto death glared at his alarm clock. The temptation to throw his pillow at the still ringing timepiece was high, but he couldn't. Not when he could accidently miss and hit either of picture frames surrounding it. No, those frames contained the photographs of those he held most dear to him.
The first held a photo of his family. The Pride of Konoha. The second was of him and his best friend Arisa. He smiled at the thought of her. Her dark blue hair cut in a short, leveled hime-cut style above her forehead, with chin-length strands framing her face. The irises in her eyes were enlarged and featureless, with no visible pupils. Her soft creamy skin. Many did not find her pretty, but Sazuto knew they were all wrong. For a while now he knew what he felt for her was more than friendship. Much more than that. But he couldn't bring himself to confess his feelings to her. Not without the risk of losing what he had now.
"Sazuto wake up! Breakfast is ready!" A fierce feminine voice came from the kitchen downstairs.
Mendokusai(1)
Experience has taught him not to take his time or he will face the wraith of Mrs. Uchiha Shizukesa. Getting up, he gave the alarm clock a good whack on its head to shut it up and proceeded to the kitchen. Groggily taking his seat, he realized that his father and brother were both having a light conversation. Accepting the bowl of rice his mother offered, he gave a lazy "Itadakimasu(2)" and began wolfing down his breakfast.
Ten minutes later…
Shinichi eyed his younger brother, who was greedily stuffing his face. "Sazu, aren't your academy exam results going to be released today?"
"Oh really? I didn't know," Kobeushi paused his reading. "You better be the top student and not Boruto's brat ya hear me? As a member of Konoha's most powerful clan I do not expect anything less. That bastard won't stop yapping bout how he's a better father if you did."
He is a better father than you
"I know you've done your best Sazu. If you get the top placing, I'll teach you a new jutsu" Shinichi grinned.
"And I'll cook for you your favorite black pepper steak!" Shizukesa added.
"Really? Yeah! Now I'm all fired up!" Sazuto stood up with flames in his eyes and ran straight to take a shower.
"The two of you shouldn't encourage him with such petty rewards. If the boy wants power, he'll find it himself. Otherwise he'll just be the worthless son I've always known him to be," Kobeushi returned to his newspaper article.
Shinichi said nothing and returned to his meal while Shizukesa glared at her husband.
Unbeknownst to them, Sazuto had heard what his father said. His red Sharingan burning in his eyes. His teeth gritting and his fists clenching.
Worthless? So what if I am not a pure blood Uchiha like my brother? Just because my mother, unlike your first wife and Shin-nii's mother, is a Nara doesn't make me any less of your son. It doesn't me make me worthless. My name is Uchiha Sazuto, grandson of the famed Uchiha Sasuke. When I become the Hokage, the first ever Uchiha Hokage, I'll show you who is worthless.
XXX
Byakugan!
The veins near Takeshi's temple bulged, his pupils becoming more distinct. He had activated his dojutsu(3) in order to find his favorite cousin Arisa.
"What are you doing?" asked a voice from behind him.
"AHHHHHHH father you scared me!" Takeshi turned to face the leader of the Hyuuga clan, Hyuuga Boruto.
"How could I scare you? Isn't your Byakugan activated?" Boruto questioned his heir.
"Yeah well…"
"Yeah well if you're looking for Arisa then you're out of luck. She left early for the academy, it's her turn for the weekly classroom cleanup," Boruto explained, making his way to the dining hall.
"What? Father you let her go to the academy alone?" Takeshi inquired, a little too loudly, causing the older Hyuuga to stop and turn back.
"Don't be an idiot Takeshi. As always, Sazuto-kun walked her to the academy. Those two really are inseparable. Come son let's have breakfast!"
15 minutes later…
The two ate their breakfast in comfortable silence. From afar, it looked like Boruto was having breakfast with a smaller Boruto. Takeshi did inherit most of his father's looks, such as the golden mess of hair. The most prominent difference between the two were that Takeshi's eyes were similar to Arisa's while Boruto's were relatively normal with a deep blue color.
"Gochisousama deshita(4)!"
"You don't have to yell Takeshi. The servants aren't deaf," Hyuuga Boruto chided his eldest son.
Servants? How can you call them servants! They're your people for god's sakes!
"Hehe my bad," Takeshi rubbed the back of his golden locks while flashing a toothy grin.
A servant arrived to clear his plates. It's not that he was lazy. It was custom.
The main house was treated with the upmost respect and service from the rest of the branch house. The branch house members are branded with a seal on their foreheads that resembles a manji. Its purpose was to seal the Byakugans of fallen Hyuugas to preserve its secrets and power. When a branch house Hyuuga dies, the seal disappears, sealing away the Byakugan with it. Its secondary purpose is to control the branch house members, since it can be activated at will by a main house member with hand seal only known by them to destroy the wearer's brain cells.
That seal was abolished when Uzumaki Naruto rose to power and, along with his wife Hyuuga Hinata, altered the Hyuuga ways. That however was altered back after The Revolution. Takeshi too was never a fan of the idea of a separated Hyuuga clan. To him, all Hyuugas are equal and should be treated equally. But there was nothing he could do now. Not until he took the title of "Clan Head" from his father.
"Heard you're getting your academy exam results today. I do hope you beat Kobeushi's kid. That man does not know how to raise his sons right," Boruto questioned, setting his chopsticks and empty bowl onto the table.
"What do you mean? Isn't Uchiha Shinichi an ANBU captain even though he's barely 14? That is no simple feat. I don't think he could've done it without the tutelage and guidance of his father, one of the strongest shinobi in our village, father," Takeshi had heard stories of his classmate Sazuto's older brother from his seniors. Many young aspiring academy students looked up to Shinichi as an idol.
"Kobeushi may be an exemplary teacher but in no way is he a good father, at least not to Sazuto. I've tried multiple times to make him see the error of his ways but that man is as stubborn as boulder. He won't take advices from anyone, not even his best friend," Boruto's rubbed his temple, worried for Sazuto.
Takeshi could only nod at his father's explanation.
"You better start getting ready young man you won't want to late for your last day at the academy," Boruto eyed Takeshi before picking up the Daily Shinobi to catch up on the latest news.
Takeshi nodded and hurried away. Deep down, he couldn't wait to see his results knowing that he had tried his absolute best. He had always wanted the coveted title of being the top student of his batch.
Top student. One step closer to being the hokage. My name is Hyuuga Takeshi, grandson of 7th Hokage Uzumaki Naruto. And when I become, I'll change Hyuuga forever.
XX
Senju Ren was enjoying the morning walk to the academy. Her final walk to the academy. Alongside her were her twin sister Chiaki and her cousin Kanzaki. She couldn't help but hum a soft tune to herself as she walked past the falling leaves of autumn.
"You seem awfully cheerful today. Didn't think you'd be happy, knowing that it's the last day at the academy and you might be separated from Sazuto after this. Don't tell me you're gonna confess your feelings to him, Sis," The voice brought Ren out of her thoughts and she stopped humming.
Ren couldn't help but blush at her sister's words. She turned to see Chiaki smirking while Kanzaki was suppressing a giggle. It's true that she has had a crush on Uchiha Sazuto since the first day of the academy years ago. Who wouldn't? His chin length hair, spiky in the back with his bangs hanging on both sides of his face to roughly frame his cheeks. His onyx eyes that seem to pierce your soul when you make eye contact with them.
"Well then aren't you worried you won't see Aizen anymore?" Ren quizzed back, grinning.
"Touché," Chiaki replied with a shrug.
The Senju clan, once a strong proud clan of Konoha, now consists of three 10 year olds who are about to graduate from the shinobi academy. War definitely took a toll on their clan. All they had left with was each other. Even if they were to be separated upon graduation, the bond they share would never break.
Kanzaki never fails to protect the twins that he considers his sisters. Many boys have tried to catch the attention of the twins. They can't be blamed however; the twins are a sight to behold. Light creamy skin. Shoulder-length straight caramel hair that matched their eyes. The only way to tell the difference between the two is Ren usually kept her hair in a high ponytail while Chiaki had hers in two loose ponytails.
Kanzaki wasn't too bad looking himself. Sporting similar shoulder-length straight as his cousins, his was kept in a bowl-cut, hanging around his face. Not the best looking, but cute nonetheless.
They continued their trek to the academy, with Chiaki and Ren continuously teasing each other's crushes.
I will not anything happen to Chiaki or Kanzaki. I don't know how I'd continue if I lost either of them. I need to protect them. My name is Senju Ren, and I will be the hokage to protect my loved ones.
XX
Hyuuga Arisa picked up a broom and dustpan from the corner, having just fineshed wiping the chalkboard clean. "Sazuto-kun I know you've done great. I just wonder whom you'll be posted to. Going out on missions is dangerous and if your sensei isn't strong enough to protect you then-"
"Then I'll protect my sensei Arisa. Haha you don't have to worry about me. No way am I going to die before I become the Hokage!" Sazuto interjected proudly, raising a fist to emphasize his point. He watched Arisa sweep the floor of her classroom while sitting atop a desk. He had offered his help but Arisa was adamant that she do it herself as it was her duty. Sazuto wanted to be the first to see his results but when they arrived the teachers were still setting up the scoreboard.
Sazuto eyed the floor, worried for the answer of his next question. "Will you miss me?"
Arisa stopped sweeping and turned to face Sazuto, a troubled look on his face. She stood infront of him, her face inches away from his. "Are you kidding? You're my best friend. Ever since I enrolled in the academy you've been guiding me. Walking me to and fro. You've always brought me along when you trained alone or with Shinichi-san. While others called me a failure because I haven't awakened my byakugan, you gave me hope. So yes Sazuto-kun, I'll miss you. I'll miss you so much. I just hope you won't forget about-"
Sazuto cut her off with a crushing hug. Arisa dropped her broom in surprise. "You're an idiot, just like your cousin. I'll try my best to find the time between missions to meet you. To train with you. To spend time with you. I'll never forget about you."
I love you
They stayed that way for a few moments, till they heard a cough from behind them.
"Am I interrupting?" A voice came up from the front of the class.
The two best friends immediately lept away from each other. Embarrassed, they kept their eyes on the ground.
"Aren't you early, sensei?" Arisa asked, picking up her broom.
"No I'm not Arisa. Class starts in 5 minutes. Sorry for interrupting your little thing. Uchiha-san I know you and Arisa are close friends but please refrain from such acts in my classroom. Especially to a sweet innocent girl like Arisa" the sensei teased
Arisa couldn't stop the blush from covering her face while Sazuto let out a guilty chuckle. They didn't realize how long they were embracing each other till her sensei arrived.
"The scoreboard has been set up. I suggest you get going Uchiha-san. Arisa still has some cleaning up to do," The sensei took his seat and began preparing for the day's lessons.
Sazuto's eyes shot up and he took off, giving the sensei a short thank you and bidding Arisa a brief farewell.
XX
Students shuffled into the school gates. In the middle of the yard was a giant board. A board that held the scores of the graduating batch. Sazuto pushed through the crowd to get a glimpse of the top of the board, knowing that the results were arranged according to scores, with the highest at the top.
"Guess you aren't the best eh, teme(5)" Takeshi went up to Sazuto's side, smirking proudly.
"Neither are you usuratonkachi(6)" Sazuto turned to face the blond, returning the smirk.
"WHAT?" Takeshi stared back at the board, not believing the Uchiha.
"Aizen is at the top," Sazuto pointed towards the top of the list.
"Sazuto, Takeshi, you're both idiots. We're all at the top. The both of you, Aizen, Ren, Kanzaki and I have perfect scores. The reason why Aizen is at the top is that alphabetically Hatake comes before Hyuuga, Sarutobi and Uchiha. Idiots." Eria explained, coming up behind the two.
The boys turned to see a smiling Eria. Sarutobi Eria. Her long shaggy black hair and piercing red eyes have caught the attention of every male in their year, even Sazuto himself, which is a hard feat to accomplish. Not only blessed with looks, Eria is also blessed with intellect, thus her flawless results. Her rivalry with Ren is no secret.
"Students kindly proceed to the main hall after you've seen your results. The hitai-ate graduation ceremony will begin shortly " was announced on PA system.
A hitai-ate. A forehead protector. A headband that is worn by shinobi, composed of a metal plate engraved with the symbol of the ninja's Hidden Village. Upon receiving his, Sazuto secured it around his forehead. It made him proud. The students were then ushered to their respective classes for the last time.
XX
Taking their regular seats, Takeshi softly kicked the chair in front of him to catch Sazuto's attention. "Hey Teme do you think we'll be in the same team after this?"
Sazuto sighed. He hated having to repeat himself. "Don't you know how this works, Usuratonkachi? I told you this last week. We'll be split into teams of 3 and we'll be assigned to a Jounin to oversee our trainings and missions. The manner of which the teams are decided are according to our scores. To evenly distribute the new Genins both of us won't be on the same team as both of us have perfect scores. It wouldn't be balanced. Pay attention next time Usuratonkachi."
Takeshi nodded shyly and leaned his back on the seat.
I wish I could be on the same team as Sazuto or any of the top 6. Being in strong team means I can go on harder missions and I'll progress faster.
The door to the classroom opened and in came Omaeda-sensei.
"Alright runts! I have your team listing and I'm only going to go through it once so pay attention! That means you Takeshi!" The Hyuuga let out an audible groan.
(1) troublesome
(2) I humbly receive
(3) Eye jutsu / Eye technique
(4) Thanks for the meal!
(5) Bastard
(6) lit. Thin Hammer = Idiot / Useless
