Ryuichi's pov
Standing in front of the academy gates after a month of compound arrest, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. My punishment was over, but in all honesty, I had grown somewhat fond of it. The academy itself never really interested me much—it was a place that seemed to move in slow motion, teaching things I found largely useless, especially considering the war going on outside the village. Despite the conflict, the academy clung to its rigid structure, teaching the bare minimum—basic taijutsu, some shurikenjutsu, and the occasional ninjutsu. Then, they would ship off kids, barely trained, to fight in a war where most of them wouldn't survive.
I sighed, pushing open the doors and making my way toward my classroom. As I walked through the halls, I spotted Kakashi ahead of me. He, of course, gave me nothing more than a cold shoulder, acting as if I didn't exist as he strolled into the classroom. Typical. I followed him inside, heading to my usual spot next to him in the back of the room. The atmosphere in the class was always dull—stifling almost—but I made do.
"So, how was your month-long vacation?" Kakashi asked lazily, his voice barely more than a whisper. He glanced at me with one eye, the other half-covered by his eternally droopy eyelid.
I leaned back in my chair, resting both hands behind my head, trying to mimic his laid-back attitude. "Honestly? I learned a lot more than I ever would have here," I said, my voice carrying a bit of frustration as I glanced around the room, taking in the blank faces of the other students.
Kakashi closed his eye again, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I heard you're trying to graduate early."
"Yeah," I replied, glancing sideways at him. "Are you?"
He gave a small nod, not elaborating further. It was like talking to a wall sometimes, but that's just how Kakashi was. He didn't waste words, and I could appreciate that.
Our quiet conversation was soon interrupted by the arrival of our teacher, who began droning on about the history of Konoha, as if this was the most crucial information we would ever need. To be honest, I couldn't understand why we were even bothering with it. Learning about the First and Second Hokage felt like listening to a bedtime story—one that had long outlived its relevance. Sure, the First was supposedly the "God of Shinobi," but from what I had gathered, he was more of a dreamer than anything else. And don't even get me started on the Second Hokage. A genius in his own right, yes, but he was also blatantly clannist, especially toward my own Uchiha clan. It was hard to respect someone who was so openly prejudiced against my people.
I leaned back in my chair, tuning out the rest of the lecture. My mind wandered as I imagined being anywhere else but here, when finally, after what felt like an eternity, the first period ended.
Next up was taijutsu training. Now this was a part of the day I actually looked forward to. The physical combat lessons were one of the few things I genuinely enjoyed. Sparring against Kakashi was always a challenge, and one I relished. He was slightly better than me in taijutsu, a fact that annoyed me to no end, but also motivated me to push harder. In a ten-round fight, he'd probably win six, but I'd make sure to close that gap soon enough.
Today, however, my enthusiasm quickly faded when I was paired with a random civilian kid—someone who wasn't even a challenge. The match was over almost before it started, and it felt more like a chore than a learning experience. Kakashi was the only one in our year who could really push me. The other students... well, let's just say they hadn't reached my level yet.
Still, I went through the motions, completing the exercise without much effort. It was frustrating how limited the academy was. For someone like me—someone with real talent—it felt like I was being held back.
After taijutsu came another theory class, but this one wasn't as dull as the first. The lesson focused on tactics—how to outmaneuver an opponent, especially one stronger than yourself. Now this was something worth learning. Understanding how to think on your feet, how to exploit weaknesses in a fight, was a skill every shinobi needed to master. As I listened to the instructor's breakdown of various strategies, I found myself mentally applying them to my own battles, figuring out how I could incorporate these tactics into my own style.
The day dragged on, uneventful as ever, but eventually, it came to an end. I wasted no time heading home, eager for something more stimulating than the slow grind of the academy.
As I walked through the Uchiha compound, I felt a sense of relief. There was one part of my day that I genuinely looked forward to—my lessons with Kushina. She was teaching me the art of fūinjutsu, and while it wasn't a field of study most academy students dabbled in, I found it fascinating. There was something peaceful about the process, the delicate strokes of calligraphy, the focus it required. When I was with Kushina, the world outside seemed to fade away, and I could lose myself in the intricate lines of ink that would eventually form seals capable of incredible power.
I arrived home, greeting my mother briefly before heading to the small room where Kushina and I usually met. I could already hear her voice as I approached, cheerful and full of energy, and for a moment, the weight of the day lifted.
I opened the door to my room, expecting the usual calm environment, but instead, I was greeted by an unexpected sight—a girl with bright red hair, standing next to Kushina. She looked almost like a younger version of my teacher, but probably a little younger than me. The resemblance was uncanny, down to the deep red hue of her hair and the fiery intensity in her eyes. The girl glanced away from Kushina, then flicked her gaze to me before quickly looking back at her.
"Ryuichi, meet Fuyumi Uzumaki," Kushina said, pointing at the girl with her trademark bright smile. "She's one of the daughters of the Uzumaki survivors who managed to flee from the village on the day it was attacked." There was a brief sadness in Kushina's tone, but it was gone as quickly as it had come.
"Hello, Fuyumi," I said, giving the girl a nod. She returned the gesture with a slight nod of her own but didn't say a word, her eyes still cold and distant, much like Kakashi's demeanor.
"I've decided to take her in as a disciple," Kushina continued, her tone upbeat despite the obvious tension in the room. "She'll be studying alongside you. And before you even think about complaining," she added with a knowing smile, "I don't have the time to teach two different students separately. I've already talked to your parents, and they're fine with it."
I let out a small sigh, but there wasn't much point in arguing. "That's fine," I muttered, making my way over to my desk. I sat down and began practicing my calligraphy, focusing on the precise strokes I'd been taught. From the corner of my eye, I could see Kushina introducing Fuyumi to the basics of the art—something I'd already mastered over the course of a month. I couldn't help but wonder how this new girl was going to catch up. There was no way she could close the gap that quickly, and frankly, I wasn't particularly interested in getting to know her. She had that same aloof, distant air that Kakashi carried, making her feel unapproachable.
Time passed, and as I worked on my own calligraphy, I could overhear Kushina guiding Fuyumi through the basics. It was all stuff I had gone over a hundred times by now. I figured I had at least some time before she'd even come close to where I was. But I was wrong—so wrong.
Within just a few hours, Fuyumi had not only caught up to me, but she'd mastered the month's worth of training I'd painstakingly put in. I stared at her calligraphy in disbelief, my fragile ego cracking as I realized how fast she was progressing. The ink on her paper was flawless, the strokes precise, clean, and beautiful. It was like watching a prodigy at work. Meanwhile, I felt like a beginner all over again.
"Wow, Fuyumi! You learned this way faster than Ryuichi did," Kushina exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement. Her words felt like a knife to my pride, twisting deep. It wasn't enough that Fuyumi was ahead of me now—Kushina's open praise for her felt like salt on the wound.
I grimaced, trying to focus on my own work, but I could feel the weight of her words pressing down on me. Kushina, ever the kind teacher, must have sensed it because she added, "You've improved quite a bit too, Ryuichi. Don't sell yourself short!" She ruffled my hair playfully, her attempt at comfort falling flat.
"Yeah, right," I muttered under my breath, barely able to conceal my frustration. I got up from my desk, walking past them without another word and heading straight for the dining table. I needed space, and more than anything, I needed to shake off the irritation I was feeling.
As I sat down, I could hear Kushina and Fuyumi gathering their things to leave. The two of them made their way toward the clan exit, Kushina chatting away in her usual lively manner, while Fuyumi remained as silent as ever. I watched them go from the corner of my eye, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
On the one hand, I was irritated—no, envious—of how quickly Fuyumi had surpassed me in something I'd worked so hard on. But on the other hand, there was a small part of me that recognized her skill for what it was. She was undeniably talented. Maybe too talented.
But that didn't make it any easier to swallow.
-{0}-
The next day, I woke up, groggy and disoriented, my mind still caught in the web of strange dreams. I had been having these visions for a while now, but this one was clearer than ever. I finally pieced together much of what the dreams were trying to tell me. It was about someone named Naruto Uzumaki—an unknown boy, probably from the future. The dreams seemed too vivid, too detailed to be random; they showed scenes of Konoha, but there were elements I didn't recognize, things that didn't exist yet. And then, there was Kakashi. That was the part that confirmed it had to be set in the future. In the dream, Kakashi was this Naruto's Jōnin sensei.
The Kakashi I knew was still a fellow academy student, not a teacher. The realization made my chest tighten with confusion, but also curiosity. What did these dreams mean? Why was I seeing them?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I couldn't focus on the dreams right now—there was no sense in dwelling on them until I could piece together why they were happening. Patience. I needed patience.
I pushed myself out of bed, getting ready for the academy. After eating a quick breakfast, I made my way toward the academy with the usual feeling of reluctance weighing me down. Today was bound to be another uneventful day. As I entered the school grounds, I spotted Kakashi heading into the classroom. Just like yesterday, he gave me the cold shoulder, not even glancing in my direction as he walked in ahead of me. I sighed but followed him in, taking my usual seat next to him at the back of the class. Kakashi, as always, remained distant, his attention focused elsewhere.
Soon after, the teacher entered the room, coughing a couple of times to get everyone's attention. The classroom fell into a murmur of silence as the students straightened up, curious about what the teacher had to say.
"Alright, class," the teacher began, his voice cutting through the quiet, "we have a new student joining the academy today."
I stiffened slightly, not expecting any new faces. My stomach churned, especially when I realized who it might be.
"Everyone, please welcome Fuyumi Uzumaki," the teacher announced.
Just as I thought—her. The same Uzumaki girl who had, without much effort, shattered my confidence the day before. Fuyumi walked in with calm, measured steps, giving the class a simple nod in greeting. Her red hair stood out sharply against the sea of ordinary colors, and her presence seemed to command attention without her needing to say a word.
She scanned the room, her eyes searching for a place to sit. Her gaze landed on me, and I felt a strange sense of inevitability as she made her way over. Without hesitation, she sat right next to me. Of course.
"Hello again, Fuyumi," I said, trying to sound neutral, even though I could feel my annoyance lingering from yesterday.
"Hello, Uchiha-san," she replied with a nod, her tone formal and distant.
I couldn't help but grimace internally at her stiffness. Why did she have to be so formal? It made things feel...awkward. It was hard to get a read on her. She looked like Kushina, but she acted nothing like her—no warmth, no casual banter. Fuyumi was cool, calculated, and reserved, much like Kakashi.
Trying to ignore the growing awkwardness between us, I turned my attention to the board where the teacher had started lecturing. Today's topic was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his long-standing legacy.
I groaned internally as the teacher began to preach about the importance of remembering the Third Hokage's contributions to Konoha. History lessons again—dry, tedious, and, in my opinion, mostly useless. I had no interest in the politics of past leaders. I was far more concerned about the future, about becoming stronger and figuring out what these dreams meant.
I glanced over at Kakashi, who sat with his usual nonchalance, paying only half-attention to the lecture. His sharp gaze, though lazy on the surface, never missed a thing. He was already leagues ahead of the rest of the class. Next to me, Fuyumi was focused, her eyes absorbing every word the teacher said like a sponge. It irked me a little. She's probably going to be another prodigy like Kakashi, I thought bitterly.
Why did the only two people I knew in the academy—the only ones worth paying attention to—have to be so distant and unreachable? Fuyumi, with her cold, disciplined demeanor, and Kakashi, with his disinterest in everyone around him. I felt like an outsider, stuck between these two untouchable forces, trying to make sense of where I fit in.
As the lesson dragged on, I sighed and leaned back in my seat. It was going to be another long day. But somewhere in the back of my mind, those dreams lingered, unanswered questions swirling around.
=chapter end=