I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 196 Ninja Academy Entrance Ceremony

After finishing our business.

Zhishui and the others then got up to say goodbye.

Uchiha Hikaru, at Fugaku's warm invitation, stayed to try Mikoto's cooking.

While waiting for dinner, she randomly picked a few books from the stack of "book reviews" and glanced through them.

Hmm... judging from the looks of it, there shouldn't be any plagiarism.

Even if it exists, it doesn't really matter.

After all, there are only a few dozen young people in the Uchiha clan, and it's unrealistic to expect every member to become a top student. As long as Shisui and Izumi, the leaders, can be trained, that will be enough to maintain the clan's reputation. As for the others, they just need to avoid being too foolish.

"Sniff sniff—"

Uchiha Hikaru suddenly sniffed and looked up towards the kitchen: "By the way, is today some special day? The food looks quite lavish."

"this……"

Fugaku hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course it's because of your return, Great-Grandma. Also, there's a trivial matter... my son Sasuke is starting his ninja academy tomorrow, and there will be a grand opening ceremony, so I asked Mikoto to buy some extra vegetables and meat to give him some extra nutrition."

"...School starts?"

Uchiha Hikaru was slightly taken aback.

The Konoha Ninja Academy's academic system is similar to that of modern society. School starts in August each year, with two semesters and winter and summer vacations... However, the vacation time is relatively short because the ninja academy is, after all, a "military academy," which is quite different from modern compulsory education. Even summer vacation was only invented in the last ten years or so.

"Has almost a year already passed without us realizing it?"

Uchiha Hikaru let out a soft breath, recalling the scene when he had just woken up from the darkness and lifted the coffin, and suddenly felt as if he had been in another world.

"Now that Sasuke is enrolling..."

"Then Naruto should be the same, right?"

Ok.

It seems I've returned at just the right time.

As is customary, parents are required to accompany their children to the Ninja Academy's entrance ceremony. Since Minato is not present, he will have to fill in as the "substitute guardian."

She just hoped that Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't be too long-winded when he gave his speech at the ceremony. She didn't have the patience to listen for too long.

……

That evening.

Uchiha Hikaru enjoyed a hearty meal at Fugaku's house before returning to his own residence. He first created two shadow clones to clean the house and change the sheets, then used his main body to immerse himself in the depths of his "sea of ​​consciousness" and connect with Shimura Danzo, whom he hadn't contacted in a long time.

After being promoted to "Eternal Kaleidoscope", her pupil power has increased significantly compared to before.

When using "Remote Tsukuyomi," which directly pulls people in through engraving, it becomes much smoother and more fluid.

In just a moment of distraction, Danzo was pulled into the Tsukuyomi space.

then……

"Tsk tsk."

Uchiha Hikaru looked at Danzo, who was wearing a black robe with red clouds, and clicked his tongue for a moment before asking about his "mission progress".

Danzo joined the Akatsuki organization just over two weeks ago.

The person responsible for guiding him was a man wearing a vortex mask on his face—Obito, who called himself "Uchiha Madara".

Pain, the nominal leader of the Akatsuki organization, did not appear.

—This is inevitable.

Danzo and Hanzo were the masterminds behind the destruction of the first Akatsuki organization and the death of Yahiko. Although Hanzo of the Salamander was primarily blamed for this, and he was later killed by Nagato, Danzo was still an object of resentment for both Nagato and Konan. Allowing Danzo to join Akatsuki was already the maximum concession Nagato could make; if he were to personally welcome him again… Nagato would likely have killed Danzo on the spot.

Perhaps for this reason, Danzo was forbidden from approaching Amegakure, and no detailed information about the Akatsuki organization was revealed to him.

However, there are still arrangements for partners.

"It's Juzo Biwa, the rogue ninja from Kirigakure, the owner of the Executioner's Blade. I'll be working with him for now," Danzo said.

"oh."

Uchiha Hikaru nodded, indicating that he understood.

She knew that Juzo Biwa was one of the weakest members of Akatsuki, not even reaching Kage level, only considered an elite Jonin. She had no interest in even bothering to fight him.

"What else do you know about the Akatsuki's movements?"

Faced with Uchiha Hikaru's question, Danzo hesitated for a moment before speaking, "There's one thing... I'm not quite sure about. It seems that the Akatsuki organization has recently visited the Land of Demons a few times and has been in contact with a group there called the 'Yomi Cult.' Also, they may have tried to contact Orochimaru."

"Um?"

Uchiha Hikaru raised an eyebrow slightly.

Orochimaru was indeed one of the original members of the Akatsuki organization.

In the storyline where she doesn't appear, Orochimaru actively contacted the Akatsuki organization because he coveted Pain's Rinnegan. He was then brutally beaten by the Akatsuki, joined them, and was soon beaten again by Itachi, leading to his defection... Given this connection, and considering Orochimaru's status as a "Konoha S-rank rogue ninja," it's not surprising that the Akatsuki turned on him.

but……

The Land of Demons? The Cult of the Underworld?

If I remember correctly, there was something called "Wangliang" there. Could it be the target that the Akatsuki organization wanted to recruit?

This is indeed a piece of information worth paying attention to...

Judging from the original storyline, that "Wraith" seems to be quite extraordinary. It not only killed the former priestess of the Land of Demons, but also almost killed fifteen-year-old Naruto.

For Esdeath... he should be a worthy opponent.

At that moment, Uchiha Hikaru gave Danzo a few instructions and then casually released Tsukuyomi.

Then he took his clothes and went to the bathroom to shower and go to sleep.

……

Time flew by and the next day arrived.

Naruto was still half asleep when he was woken up by a series of barking dogs. When he opened his eyes, he saw a white mochi lying next to his pillow, barking and licking his cheek, its short tail almost turning into a propeller.

More than half a year has passed.

These two ninja dogs from the Inuzuka clan have grown almost twice their original size. The white mochi is very lively every day, taking Naruto out for walks for several hours, while the black dough still looks listless, preferring to lie down rather than stand, and preferring to stand rather than walk.

"Nian Gao, stop fooling around... you're drooling all over the sheets!"

"...It's already this late, oh no, I'm going to be late!"

Naruto rubbed his eyes, and after checking the time on the alarm clock, he hurriedly got up, dressed, and headed to the bathroom.

Brush your teeth, wash your face, and comb your hair.

During this process, Naruto subconsciously glanced at the cubicle in the corner of the living room a few times, as if hoping that a figure he used to spend every day with would come out from there.

but……

Nothing happened.

"..."

Naruto lowered his eyes somewhat dejectedly, ate a sandwich, drank a bottle of milk, and then went out wearing goggles.

They arrived at the ninja academy.

By this time, the school was already crowded with people, adults and children chatting in twos and threes.

For example, a cherry-haired girl with both parents.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, standing together with their respective fathers.

Hinata no Naka de timidly huddled at the back of the crowd.

and also……

"Naruto!"

Suddenly, a black hedgehog-like figure pounced from behind and patted Naruto on the shoulder.

The blond-haired boy was startled, but after a moment, a smile appeared on his previously gloomy face: "Tooth, it's you..."

"Hmph, only I, the great one, would not mind your clumsiness."

Kiba Inuzuka gave a smug look before glancing at Naruto's sides; "Didn't mochi and rice balls come with you? And your older sister, what's her name, Hikari..."

Snapped!

Before Kiba could finish speaking, Hana Inuzuka caught up from behind and gave him a light tap on the head: "You have no manners! How dare you call Master Hikaru by his name so casually? If I were wearing a police uniform right now, I would have arrested you already..."

After giving his younger brother a few words of reprimand, Kiba Inuzuka squatted down and looked at Naruto gently, asking, "Naruto, didn't Master Hikaru come with you?"

"Hmm... Hikari-neechan must be busy with something very important. I'm a big girl now, I can come to the entrance ceremony by myself."

Naruto raised his little face, making a determined expression.

However, the hint of melancholy in his eyes was impossible for an adult to hide.

Inuzuka Hana pursed her lips, then ruffled Naruto's hair. Just as she was about to say something, her gaze suddenly froze: "Wait, what's that over there...?"

"?"

Naruto was also taken aback for a moment. Just as he was about to turn around to follow Inuzuka Hana's gaze, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and then a strand of hair fell down his face. Her breath was sweet and fragrant: "What's wrong? You've only been apart for a few months, and you've already started missing me?"

"...Hikari-neechan?!"

"It really is you!"

Naruto's expression brightened, revealing a surge of joy. His azure eyes sparkled, and with the whiskers framing his face, he resembled a large cat who had reunited with its owner.

the other side.

"Oh."

Uchiha Hikaru smiled and then straightened up: "Long time no see."

It has indeed been a long time.

Uchiha Hikaru left Konoha at the beginning of the year. After completing his plan to subdue Orochimaru, he spent some time in the worlds of Dragon Clan, Inuyasha, and Akame ga Kill! before returning. Nearly half a year had passed since then.

Compared to six months ago, Naruto has grown significantly taller, and his blond hair has also grown a bit longer and is neatly styled, giving him a resemblance to Minato Namikaze at first glance.

"Hmm...it looks much better than before."

"turn out to be?"

—When Uchiha Hikaru said "originally," he meant the original timeline.

In that timeline, Naruto lived a slovenly life because he was orphaned. His clothes were a dull, yellowish color, and his hair was a dark, malnourished yellow. He was completely different from who he is now.

At this time.

The Fugaku couple, who had been standing nearby for a while, finally coughed and interjected, "Grandma, is this the fourth... you mean Naruto-kun? He looks about the same age as Sasuke. Maybe they can become good friends."

"...Ah, it's you!"

Naruto and Sasuke recognized each other.

They had actually met before, but because they lived far apart and the Anbu responsible for monitoring Naruto intentionally prevented him from going to the Uchiha base, they didn't interact much, only occasionally passing each other in the village. Now, after exchanging greetings, they immediately began to display a tense, confrontational attitude.

Fugaku quickly reprimanded her, and Mikoto squatted down and gently persuaded her.

Uchiha Hikaru watched the spectacle with his arms crossed, and casually took a few photos to send to the group chat.

[Anonymous: [Naruto.jpg] ×5]

[Anonymous@Yongdaimei: Mr. Minato, this is Naruto's latest photo.]

[Oni-hime: ! ]

[Oni-hime: So this is what Minato Namikaze's son looks like! He's so cute! I really want to hug him!]

Yamato was the first to bubble up.

Uchiha Hikaru wasn't surprised by her reply.

In the original work, Yamato, due to her admiration for Kozuki Oden, not only called herself Oden but also regarded Momonosuke as her son, going to great lengths to protect him. Now, Yamato's admiration for Minato is even greater than that for Oden, and she's probably already imagining a "father-son relationship" between herself and Naruto.

[Yongdai Mei: Naruto looks like he's grown up a lot... Is this the Konoha Ninja Academy? The kid next to Naruto looks familiar.]

Uchiha Koushin thought to himself, "That's the child who almost became your 'daughter-in-law,' how could she not look familiar?"

[Nameless: That's Sasuke, Fugaku Uchiha's son. He's the same age as Naruto and also enrolled this year.]

[Eternal Sister: So it was him... I saw him once when I accompanied Kushina to her prenatal checkup. He was just a tiny little bundle in Mikoto's arms back then. I never imagined he'd grow up so big in the blink of an eye.]

[Brand: By the way, in the world of Hikari and Minato, do children start school at such a young age? They look like they're only five or six years old, right?]

[Anonymous: You haven't seen the Warring States period here. Five or six-year-olds could already die on the battlefield.]

[Brand: ?]

While Uchiha Hikaru was daydreaming and chatting with everyone in the chat group.

The annual entrance ceremony for the Ninja Academy has begun.

First, Hiruzen Sarutobi went on stage and said a few words, followed by speeches from the school principal and teacher representatives... Perhaps because he had learned from the Anbu that Hikari Uchiha had returned and had seen her in person, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not dare to give a long speech. He simply said a few clichés such as "leaves fluttering and firelight burning" before hurriedly stepping down.

Finally, he glanced nervously at Uchiha Hikaru a few times, seemingly afraid that his explanation of the "Will of Fire" would be found to have some problems.

Good thing...

Uchiha Hikaru had no interest in paying attention to him.

When the ceremony was nearly over, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly strolled over, smiled at Hikaru Uchiha, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then spoke in a low voice: "Miss Hikaru, we received intelligence that an Uchiha clansman activated Susanoo in Kusagakure and went on a killing spree. We don't know..."

"Yes, I did it."

(End of this chapter)