Kakashi froze.
"Third Hokage… what do you mean by 'Uchiha evil spirit'?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke solemnly.
"It can only be seen occasionally. But behind Uchiha Kai, there is always an Uchiha apparition."
"Silver-gray hair. Mangekyō Sharingan. An elderly man, slightly hunched."
"Most importantly… the Mangekyō pattern matches exactly the records left behind by the Second Hokage regarding Uchiha Madara."
"We fear… it is Madara's lingering spirit."
Kakashi stared.
They were ninja.
And the Hokage was talking about ghosts?
Now, the Reaper Death Seal (Shiki Fūjin) was believable. Minato had once mentioned it during Kakashi's apprentice days—a forbidden jutsu that summoned the Shinigami in exchange for the caster's soul.
That was tangible.
But this?
Still—
Hiruzen continued.
"We do not know what this 'spirit' intends."
"If it can be removed, it must be removed."
"Kakashi… I entrust this to you."
Kakashi fell silent.
Years ago, when he was still in ANBU, Itachi had abruptly resigned.
Kakashi investigated and discovered Itachi imprisoned within the Uchiha clan compound.
When he reported it—
Hiruzen ordered him to forget everything.
Now…
Was the Hokage's inaction toward the Uchiha tied to Uchiha Kai's supposed 'ghost'?
And if spirits existed—
Would his father's shadow follow him too?
Kakashi looked toward Uchiha Kai in the distance.
Nearly eighty meters away—
Yet he felt as if their eyes met.
Kakashi quickly looked away.
A sharp gaze.
Far too sharp for a mere Academy graduate.
Still—
He knelt.
"I understand. I accept the mission."
Remove the spirit.
Protect his teacher's son.
This time—
He would not fail.
He was so preoccupied with this mission that he completely missed Naruto's near-expulsion incident the next day.
Naruto failed the exam.
Mizuki manipulated him into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
Iruka intervened.
Naruto awakened his resolve—
His Will of Fire blazed.
He mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Kakashi played no role.
The Next Day — Graduation
After the final exam, the class officially graduated.
Even Naruto passed—thanks to Iruka's retest.
"Congratulations," Iruka said warmly.
"Especially you, Naruto."
"You are now a Genin."
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
But protests erupted from the class.
"Why does Naruto pass?"
"He failed!"
Iruka replied firmly.
"He passed my retest."
"He has the strength required."
Naruto suddenly formed a hand seal.
Boom!
Ten Narutos appeared in the classroom.
Not illusions—
Multiple Shadow Clones.
The class was stunned.
The dead last—
Producing ten real clones?
"Looks like the dead last has started grinding," Uchiha Kai said lazily, resting his chin on his palm.
Hinata blinked beside him.
"Grinding?"
"Yes," Uchiha Kai replied.
"Most students think their current ability is enough."
"But if the last-place student becomes this strong—"
"Everyone else has no choice but to chase."
"At this rate, Naruto could catch up to Sasuke in two months."
"What did you say?" Sasuke snapped.
He walked straight toward Naruto.
"The dead last catching me?"
He had graduated top of the class.
Naruto clenched his fists.
He had always been paired against Sasuke during practice.
Always lost.
But now—
He felt reborn.
[Uchiha Revival Path — Daily Session Activated]
[Uchiha Izuna]: Today's session opened late.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: It seems to be the same time as yesterday.
[Elder Madara]: Two days aren't enough to establish a pattern. We'll observe further.
Madara suddenly turned to Izuna.
"Izuna… are you lonely in the Pure Land?"
"I didn't move on," Izuna replied.
"I was waiting for you, brother."
Madara froze.
He had stayed behind out of ambition.
He expected resurrection.
But Izuna—
Had waited.
He remembered.
Izuna, mortally wounded by Tobirama Senju, had willingly given his eyes to Madara.
That sacrifice birthed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
His brother had loved him unconditionally.
And Madara—
Had not avenged him.
Had made peace with Hashirama Senju.
Built a village.
A village that later produced cannon fodder for endless wars.
"Hashirama… if you were alive," Madara thought, "would you regret it?"
For once—
Madara's heart was calm.
But Fugaku had gone silent.
"Fugaku?" Madara asked.
"I… need a moment," Fugaku replied.
"My mind is in shock."
Madara looked back at the livestream.
And saw—
His son.
And the Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
Locked in an accidental kiss.
"..."
The classroom had erupted when Naruto lunged at Sasuke—
They collided—
And fell.
Their lips touched.
The room exploded in screams.
Madara blinked slowly.
"…Is this what children do now?"
Not only aiming to become Hokage—
But perhaps…
The man of Hokage, too?
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