The next day, Uchiha Hayashi got up right on time, making his way to the ninja academy with only a few minutes to spare before class began.
The trees in front of the academy were covered in cherry blossoms, petals drifting down in the morning breeze. The sight was dazzling, though Hayashi wasn't exactly the kind of person who cared for flowers. Still, he found himself momentarily caught by the beauty before quickly pushing it aside.
Right now, his thoughts weren't on cherry blossoms at all. His mind was focused on the year ahead—on the classmates who would fight beside him, and more importantly, on who among them would become the source of his points.
Points were everything.
Oh, my foolish classmates, Hayashi thought with a smirk.
"Uchiha Hayashi, you're going to be late," came a calm but firm voice.
Hayashi turned and saw a chunin with a light green vest, Konoha's forehead protector, a dark complexion, and a muscular build.
"Ah, it's yesterday's… Dark Fac— No, Teacher Nishimura! Good morning!" Hayashi caught himself just in time, though it had been close. He had almost called him Dark Face Uncle. Would that nickname follow him for life?
"You were about to call me Dark Face Uncle, weren't you?" Nishimura narrowed his eyes.
"Haha, you're imagining things," Hayashi replied with a nervous grin.
[I'm only in my twenties, you brat!]
[What? I always thought you were in your forties.]
"Hmph, is that so?" Nishimura's expression darkened dangerously.
He was the same chunin who had supervised their test yesterday. Afterward, some of the students had nicknamed him Dark Face, convinced he looked twice his actual age.
"Speaking of which, greeting someone with 'Good morning' when you're late isn't very normal, is it?" Nishimura said.
"Ah, sorry. Um—your complexion is looking especially dark today."
"You little rascal, is that really more important than being late on your first day?"
"Oh, that's what you meant! Sorry, I'll hurry."
"You really are… Just get to class already." Nishimura sighed, watching Hayashi run off. Despite the irritation, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He really is different from the average Uchiha.
The academy was divided into classes based on entrance exam results. Those who scored the highest entered the elite class, alongside heirs of major clans. They would receive proper guidance from experienced jonin and were considered the future backbone of Konoha.
The rest? Ordinary classes, ordinary teachers. For them, the battlefield would be the only real teacher. If luck was on their side, they might rise to chunin, maybe jonin.
Reality in the shinobi world was always harsh.
Hayashi hurried along the corridor until he stopped before the door marked First Grade, Class A.
How should I enter? Cool? Dashing? A little intimidating?
He chuckled and shook his head. What am I even doing? I'm already five minutes late.
With that, Hayashi pushed the door open confidently, flashing his most disarming smile.
"Sorry, I'm a little late."
Several intense glares immediately locked onto him. He didn't need special perception to feel them; they were sharp enough to cut.
Sure enough, it was the three Uchiha boys he had humiliated yesterday. Alongside them were students from other clans—likely scolded by their parents after Hayashi had outperformed them during the exams.
So I've already made enemies, huh? Well, that saves me time.
But there were other gazes as well—this time from girls.
"Ahhh, so cool!"
"He's really handsome!"
As the top scorer and a strikingly good-looking Uchiha, Hayashi was quickly becoming a favorite. He had already been voted onto the academy's unofficial "Top Ten Most Desired Boyfriends" list. His popularity was rising fast.
Not bad for the first day, he thought, pretending not to notice.
He spotted Mikoto waving at him.
Hayashi, over here.
He made his way to her side and sat down, triggering a chorus of sighs across the classroom, both from jealous boys and disappointed girls.
"Good morning, Mikoto," he greeted with a smile.
"You're late again," she said softly, concern in her tone.
"Sorry. I helped an old lady cross the road today, so it took a while."
"Mm, Hayashi is so kind," Mikoto said warmly.
Hayashi smiled, and he looked away—only to realize that sitting beside him was none other than Namikaze Minato, calmly reading his textbook amidst the noise.
In front of him sat Senju Nawaki, who was staring at him with blatant curiosity.
What are you looking at? Hayashi ignored him with a glare.
"Mikoto, hasn't the teacher arrived yet?" Hayashi asked.
"Teacher Nishimura is late," she replied.
"What? He's our homeroom teacher? I just saw him wandering the campus."
Unbelievable. I'll complain to the Hokage someday.
Just then, the classroom door slid open. Nishimura strode in, textbook in hand, his presence enough to silence the class.
"Good morning. I am Nishimura Shin, your teacher for Class A."
He started to write his name on the board, then gave up halfway.
Wow, that's lazy.
About fifty students filled the cramped room, cobwebs clinging to corners, and a musty smell hung in the air.
[The principal must have stolen the renovation budget,] Hayashi whispered to Nawaki.
[The principal is Hokage-sama,] Nawaki muttered back.
Hayashi immediately shut his mouth.
"Let's begin with self-introductions," Nishimura announced.
Students began one by one, introducing themselves.
Minato stood and said with a bright smile, "My name is Namikaze Minato, and my dream is to become Hokage and protect everyone in Konoha."
The response was polite but not overwhelming—many shared the same dream.
Then came Nawaki. "My name is Senju Nawaki! I want to be like my grandfather, the First Hokage. But for now, my goal is to defeat Uchiha Hayashi!"
Hayashi felt several eyes shift to him.
Finally, Mikoto's turn came. "My name is Uchiha Mikoto. My wish is to protect the people I care about. Please look after me this year."
Her soft voice and gentle smile drew whispers from the boys around them.
Then it was Hayashi's turn. He took a breath, determined to make a strong first impression.
"Ahem. My name is Uchiha Hayashi. You can call me… 'Dear.' No need to be formal."
"De—Dear!"
The chorus of male voices that echoed back was nauseating.
"Forget what I said!" Hayashi groaned inwardly.
He quickly recovered, lowering his tone with a sly grin.
[Oh, my foolish classmates… Do you want my spot? Then work hard and take it. I'll be waiting right here. Come challenge me anytime.]
The class fell silent for a moment. Then, one by one, the glares sharpened.
Great. Now most of the boys hate me.
The rest of the introductions passed uneventfully, but Hayashi couldn't help but smirk to himself.
The year had only just begun.
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He only said that Cos he want points. It was cringe,I know !
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