c10: Admission
When Chiba arrived at the Ninja Academy, he saw that many parents and children had already gathered. They stood in small groups, chatting and exchanging gossip. The scene resembled a festive market more than an institution for training shinobi.
Chiba, uninterested in idle chatter, simply wanted to complete his enrollment and leave the noisy crowd behind.
Today was only for formal registration; classes wouldn't begin until tomorrow. That meant once the paperwork was done, he could leave immediately.
"Isn't this Chiba of the Hatake clan? Are you here to register for the Academy already?" a ninja asked curiously upon noticing the four-year-old boy.
Due to Hatake Sakumo's fame in Konoha as the "White Fang," his sons, Kakashi and Chiba, were already known to the villagers. Kakashi had recently graduated from the Academy at age five, breaking records. Naturally, people were curious about his younger brother.
"Chiba, are you really starting at the Academy so young? Are you planning to follow in Kakashi's footsteps?" someone asked in surprise.
The Hatake family already had a prodigy in Kakashi, and now another gifted child seemed to be rising. For many parents, it was both impressive and intimidating. If Chiba, too, turned out to be a genius, their own children's progress might pale in comparison.
"Well, I do plan to study here. Like my brother, I intend to graduate early and become a full-fledged ninja," Chiba answered confidently.
Boom!
As soon as Chiba spoke, the surrounding crowd stirred. Murmurs rippled through the group as parents exchanged surprised glances.
"It seems the Hatake clan has produced two prodigies," someone remarked.
"Hatake Sakumo was already powerful enough to rival the Sannin. Now, with both his sons showing talent like this, they might become a legendary trio in the future," said another.
"Maybe the Hatake clan will evolve into one of Konoha's major families," another speculated.
The name "White Fang" still carried weight in Konoha. Had Sakumo not fallen from grace after that infamous mission where he chose his comrades over the mission's success, some believed he could have even been a contender for the Fourth Hokage's seat.
Had things played out differently in the manga's canon, Sakumo's suicide could have been avoided, and with both his sons excelling, the Hatake clan's legacy might have reached even greater heights.
Chiba listened to the chatter but paid it no mind. He wasn't here for praise or speculation. With documents in hand, he moved to the registration table.
Admission at the Ninja Academy wasn't complicated. He submitted his information to the Chūnin handling enrollment, who registered him in the system. The process took less than half an hour.
Once done, Chiba made his way to the Academy's training field for the entrance assembly an inspirational speech from the Hokage himself, a symbolic rite of passage for every new student. Officially, it was to instill the "Will of Fire," the ideological cornerstone of Konoha.
According to the timeline and the official Konoha history, several recognizable figures from the manga were likely part of this year's incoming or nearby classes Uchiha Obito, Ebisu, Iruka Umino, Asuma Sarutobi, Might Guy, and others. Though some were older and enrolled later due to age norms, they would all intersect in the coming years.
The usual entry age for the Academy ranged from six to eight. Kakashi and now Chiba were exceptional cases rare prodigies whose talents warranted early admission.
Looking around at the other new students most of them toddlers compared to him mentally Chiba sighed internally. Looks like I won't be seeing any fellow prodigies in my year. This is going to be a solo run.
As more families gathered at the field, a hush eventually fell over the crowd. On the elevated platform stood four figures dressed in standard shinobi attire.
The moment they appeared, all eyes turned toward them. Among them was the current Hokage the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi accompanied by the legendary trio: Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, the Sannin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, now aging but still sharp-eyed, wore his ceremonial robes and hat. From the high platform, he looked down at the assembled children the future of Konoha with calm, focused eyes.
Flanking him, the Sannin stood quietly. Orochimaru's expression was unreadable, Tsunade looked mildly bored, and Jiraiya wore a grin that faded quickly when Sarutobi stepped forward.
Sarutobi's voice rang out clear and strong across the field:
"Welcome, young ones, to the Ninja Academy. You are the future of the Hidden Leaf. From today, you begin your journey. Study hard, train with dedication, and uphold the Will of Fire the belief that the strong protect the weak, and that the village thrives when we care for one another as a family."
His words echoed throughout the campus. Parents looked on proudly; many of the children were filled with excitement or awe. The speech, crafted to inspire, painted a noble vision of life as a shinobi.
But Chiba, who already carried the mind of an adult and the memories of a more complicated future, wasn't moved. To him, Sarutobi's words sounded like idealistic propaganda well-meaning but detached from the truth of the ninja world.
After all, the manga had shown that the Will of Fire alone could not prevent tragedies like the Uchiha massacre or Danzo's treachery.
So while others stood captivated, Chiba tuned it out, eyes half-lidded, resisting the urge to yawn.
Thankfully, the speech didn't drag on too long. Once Sarutobi finished, the Sannin gave brief nods of encouragement, and the Hokage left the stage.
Class assignments and introductions would be handled by the Academy instructors from here on out.
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