No matter what Hashirama said, the light in Kaede's eyes remained lifeless — dull and defeated.
Hashirama couldn't stand it anymore. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he promptly smacked Kaede on the head.
"Come on! If you've got complaints, speak up instead of standing there like a corpse."
Kaede blinked back to awareness, his eyes regaining a faint glimmer. He slowly raised his head and asked weakly,
"…Can I not go?"
"No." Hashirama's rejection was merciless and immediate.
"..."
Kaede slumped in resignation. His fate was sealed.
Seeing that, Hashirama sighed, then spoke in a tone both earnest and fatherly.
"You're really letting something like a school defeat you? You're my student — the student of the First Hokage!"
"Where's your courage, huh?"
He tried to stir Kaede's fighting spirit with a speech fit for a motivational scroll.
Kaede exhaled heavily and muttered in defeat, "Forget it. I can't win against you anyway."
Hashirama burst out laughing, patting him proudly on the shoulder.
"Now that's the right attitude, kid — learn to face reality."
"I'll head out first. Remember, don't be late tomorrow." And with that, Hashirama strode off cheerfully.
Kaede could only force a smile at the others, apologize for leaving early, and wander off, his steps heavy.
Behind him, Hiruzen and the others exchanged mischievous grins — the kind that said "better you than us."
---
After one last day of freedom, dawn arrived.
Standing before the modest wooden building that was Konoha Academy, Kaede couldn't help but sigh.
"So this is the predecessor of the Ninja Academy, huh… No wonder it looks so plain."
Konoha Academy had been established alongside Konoha Hospital — a place where heirs of various clans came together to study, share knowledge, and build bonds. It was Hashirama's vision for unity made real.
Just as Kaede lingered outside, a timid voice came from behind him.
"E-Excuse me… Are you Lord Hoshino?"
Kaede turned, puzzled. Before him stood a dark-haired boy, wide-eyed with both fear and curiosity.
"Uh… yeah, that's me," Kaede answered, a bit flustered.
He wasn't used to being called "Lord."
But apparently, that day had finally come.
The boy's eyes lit up in excitement, and his words tumbled out awkwardly.
"I-I'm… Tōdō Takatora! P-Please… take care of me!"
He had split the sentence into about three separate attempts, but Kaede waited patiently and replied kindly,
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hoshino Kaede. And please — no need for the 'Lord' stuff. I'm not worthy of that title yet."
In Konoha, only those who had made true contributions to the village deserved to be called "Lord." Kaede knew he wasn't one of them.
"Can I call you Takatora?" he asked.
It took the boy several seconds to process the question — like a lagging machine trying to reboot.
"Y-Yes!" he stammered, then hesitated before shyly adding, "C-Can I… call you Kaede?"
"Of course. My family and friends call me that too."
At that, Takatora's eyes sparkled. "Then… I'm your friend?" he asked hopefully.
Kaede chuckled and hooked an arm around his shoulders.
"Of course! You're the first person I've met here — my first school friend."
"Or… don't you want to be?"
Takatora panicked at the thought. "N-No! I mean— I do! I just—"
Kaede patted him on the back. "Relax. Take a deep breath. Let your nerves go."
After a bit of reassurance, the boy finally calmed down, his sentences no longer breaking apart.
"That's better," Kaede nodded approvingly. "What were you so nervous about?"
Takatora smiled bashfully, cheeks red as apples.
"Oh, by the way," Kaede added, "do you know where the classroom is? It's my first day, and I'm completely lost."
Takatora's eyes widened. "Oh no! We're going to be late!"
Before Kaede could react, the boy grabbed his hand and sprinted.
The sudden burst of speed nearly yanked Kaede off his feet — he felt like he was being dragged by a hurricane.
"No wonder they say youth is the peak of life…" he thought, stunned.
After a mad dash through the corridors, they finally made it into the classroom just in time.
Inside were dozens of students — heirs from every major clan. Kaede recognized symbols from the Nara, Akimichi, Hyūga, Uchiha, and even lesser-known families.
Takatora led him to the very last row. Kaede grinned.
"Perfect. Best spot for relaxing."
"Hey, Takatora," Kaede whispered, glancing around, "how did you even get in here?"
Back then, before the Ninja Academy system, it was nearly impossible for commoners to receive formal training.
Takatora explained earnestly, "Normally, I wouldn't have. But Lord Hokage insisted that civilians should have a chance to learn too. He fought hard for it. And… I was one of the lucky ones chosen."
Kaede nodded in understanding.
So that was it — Hashirama was already planting the seeds for the future Academy.
By mixing clan children and civilian students, he was forcing both sides to adapt — an open political move disguised as education.
A balance between power and equality.
A calculated step toward a unified Konoha.
As Kaede pondered this, light footsteps approached from outside. His sharp senses immediately caught them.
Moments later, the lively chatter in the classroom died instantly.
A middle-aged man entered. His presence alone silenced the entire room.
Beside him, Takatora stiffened, trying to make himself as small as possible.
Kaede glanced around, then whispered, "What's wrong? You look terrified."
"Y-You're not scared? That's Izawa-sensei… the scar on his face—he looks like a demon!"
Kaede looked closer.
Indeed, a long, jagged scar ran down the man's left cheek, from forehead to chin, still faintly red and angry-looking. It was the kind of face that could make small children cry on sight.
"Yeah," Kaede thought, "I can see why."
Suddenly, Izawa's sharp gaze locked directly onto him.
The man's lips curled into a grin — the scar twisting grotesquely with the motion.
His voice rang through the room like a kunai striking stone.
"Hoshino Kaede!"
"Here!" Kaede blurted instinctively, snapping to his feet — then froze, realizing what he'd just done.
The corner of his eye twitched.
This… was going to be a long semester.