After entering the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Hayashi officially began his shinobi training.
The first year's curriculum was simple: besides basic theory, the most important lesson was learning how to refine chakra. Chakra was the foundation of all ninjutsu, and in the very first week, the teachers taught the children how to extract it.
For Hayashi, this wasn't new. He had already learned to extract chakra when he was four years old. By now, his chakra reserves were considered excellent for his age, though not overwhelming. The Uchiha clan's bloodline gave him a natural advantage, but compared to some others, it was modest.
Take Senju Nawaki, for example—the boy sitting just in front of him. Hayashi could feel that Nawaki's chakra was several times greater than his own. That was simply the difference between their physical constitutions.
Still, no one dislikes having more chakra, Hayashi thought. He didn't want to become the type who collapsed after using a few jutsu, like Kakashi would someday be known for.
He envied the First Hokage most of all. Hashirama's chakra was said to rival a tailed beast, perhaps even surpass it. Such reserves were beyond anything Hayashi could imagine.
Fortunately, he had his greatest advantage—the ninja system. With points, he could steadily improve his chakra and every other attribute, as long as he worked for it.
When it came to physical skills, Hayashi hadn't been much of an athlete in his past life. He was the kind of person with a sharp mind but average body. But here in the Naruto world, with his life on the line, he forced himself to change. He trained relentlessly, never letting laziness win. Whenever he grew tired, he pictured strong enemies waiting for him in the future—enemies that would crush him if he slacked off.
He did everything from running laps, frog jumps, rope skipping, push-ups, striking wooden posts, and endless sit-ups. They were simple exercises, but consistent. And more importantly, they gave him points.
He also had a hidden edge. Having lived twenty years in his past life before awakening here as a child, his mental energy was far greater than his peers. Combined with his Uchiha bloodline, this made him naturally gifted at genjutsu—even before awakening his Sharingan. It seemed almost fitting, considering that in the future, his son would become one of the greatest illusionists of the clan.
A year passed quickly. By the time Hayashi advanced to the second grade, he had secured first place in his class.
Now six years old, he sat slouched over his desk, eyes fixed on the glowing panel of his system:
[ Host: Uchiha Hayashi ]
[ Origin: Land of Fire ]
[ Age: 6 years old ]
[ Strength Index: Invincible among Academy students ]
[ Chakra: Level 3 (0/2000) ]
[ Taijutsu: Level 5 (0/6000) ]
[ Shurikenjutsu: Level 4 (0/4000) ]
[ Hand Seals: Level 3 (0/2000) ]
[ Ninjutsu: Level 3 (0/2000) ]
[ Genjutsu: Level 4 (0/4000) ]
[ Wind Release: Level 2 (0/1000) ]
[ Fire Release: Level 3 (0/2000) ]
[ Lightning Release: Level 2 (0/1000) ]
[ Water Release: Level 0 (0/100) ]
[ Earth Release: Level 0 (0/100) ]
[ Yin Release: Level 0 (0/100) ]
[ Yang Release: Level 0 (0/100) ]
[ Remaining Points: 600 ]
The difference from a year ago was remarkable. His taijutsu had reached the level of a genin, and his skill with shuriken and illusions stood above the rest. He had even begun practicing elemental ninjutsu, focusing on his three natural affinities: wind, fire, and lightning.
His classmates had paid the price for his growth. Many, especially the Uchiha trio he had beaten before, now avoided him entirely. In truth, Hayashi had become something of a shadow over their childhood.
He sighed, leaning his chin into his hand. In his mind, a familiar voice stirred.
[Give me a chance. I didn't have a choice before, but now I want to be a good person.]
[ Then go ask the system if it will let you be one. ]
[That's just asking me to die.]
[ Sorry, I was forced into it. ]
[Who knows?]
"…Hayashi, you seem unhappy recently?"
The gentle question pulled him out of his thoughts. Mikoto was watching him closely. Normally, he'd be up on the roof reading or training, but today he was listless, his head resting on the desk.
"I'm about to become a cross-dressing big brother. Leave me alone," Hayashi muttered dramatically.
"Eh?" Mikoto blinked, clearly not understanding.
He waved her off with one hand, though when she leaned closer, his other hand naturally rose to pat her head.
"Really, Hayashi…" she murmured, letting him ruffle her hair without complaint.
"Are you sure nothing's wrong?"
Before he could answer, another voice chimed in.
"Do you want to have a spar during class?"
Hayashi lifted his head to see Namikaze Minato smiling at him warmly from the desk in front.
"Minato… No, not today," Hayashi replied immediately. There were no points in fighting Minato right now, so he had no reason to waste energy.
Minato wasn't offended, simply nodding. "I heard something interesting. Our outdoor training later won't be with Teacher Nishimura. A jonin will be coming instead. Apparently, one of the Third Hokage's personal students."
Hayashi raised his brows. A moment later, his mind clicked. The Sannin?
The infamous trio: Jiraiya, the eccentric sage with his pervy books; Tsunade, the legendary medic who gambled away fortunes; and Orochimaru, the genius who would one day terrify the world.
"Yes," Minato continued. "They just returned from a mission, so the Hokage sent them here to teach for a while."
Hayashi narrowed his eyes in thought. So the Hokage is already grooming talent this early, looking for future leaders inside the Academy…
Meanwhile, Minato's excitement was written all over his face. Unlike Hayashi or Mikoto, Minato wasn't from a great clan. At his age, he had only learned the basic Three Body Technique. He hadn't yet had the chance to touch the wider world of ninjutsu.
Hayashi, on the other hand, had already been sharpening his skills in taijutsu, shurikenjutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. For now, at least, even the boy who would become the Fourth Hokage was no match for him.
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