Sorry for the delay, had some issues with my Note. I'm writing from the work computer hahaha.
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Chapter 8 – Future Allies
Naori watched as Sato entered the academy along with the other children, still unsure how to handle the reality that an Uchiha had fallen in love with a Senju.
It wasn't even a matter of prejudice. It was more like a law, a celestial taboo, was being broken.
"Ahhh, whatever. Maybe he can pull it off," Naori muttered as she walked away, still sighing a little, not putting much faith in Sato's ability to start a relationship with Tsunade.
I mean, there were a thousand years of bloodshed and hatred between their two families. That wasn't something that could be erased so easily. But Sato had knowledge of future events, so who knows.
'Wait a second,' Naori suddenly stopped. 'If he has knowledge of the future, that means he's older. So… does that mean he's an older man interested in a five-year-old girl?'
Naori was stunned by the thought. Could her student actually be a perverted old man?
"No, no… Even though he has memories of the future, they're just that—memories, knowledge. He's still just a five-year-old child with a more mature mind," Naori reassured herself, feeling calmer. She then continued on her way, thinking about different forms of torture—uh, I mean, training—for her disciple.
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At the ninja academy, on one of the outdoor training fields, Sato stood with several other children in front of a small stage.
There, Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, was giving a brief and passionate speech about family, the village, and responsibility.
His oratory skills weren't the best, and the speech seemed rather improvised, but none of that diminished the impact of his words on the children. After all, he was the strongest man in the world—the one who, together with Uchiha Madara, had ended the era of constant conflict and brought peace to the ninja world.
"I hope all of you enjoy your time at the academy not just to train, but also to make friends. You are the future of Konoha, and I hope you'll keep it safe," Hashirama said with a smile as he finished his speech, receiving applause from both the children and the teachers.
After that, the children were divided into different classes, from A to D.
From classes B to D, most students were members of smaller clans with mediocre talent or children of civilians who had managed to enter the academy.
As for Class A, it was filled with members of large and mid-sized clans, as well as children of skilled ninjas with above-average talent.
As the children started entering the classroom, Sato watched their interactions with mild curiosity.
According to his memories, he didn't get along with these kids. After two months, he would be pulled from the academy by the clan elders, replaced by Fuku—a more 'normal' Uchiha child. However, because of that decision, Fuku would have a hard time making friends at the academy, becoming more withdrawn, which would only worsen the Uchiha clan's image among the children and, consequently, among their clans.
'Well, this time it's going to be different,' Sato told himself as he walked to the back of the classroom and sat next to a pale-skinned boy with golden eyes.
He didn't say anything, only gave the boy a small nod, which was returned in the same manner. The two then sat quietly, watching the other children settle in.
Sato looked at the future leaders of Konoha's most important clans with mild boredom. Most of them had never been very friendly to the Uchiha, even before he became an arrogant idiot. Still, there were a few with whom he could talk—and maybe even bring to his side.
Fuuma Kotarou, a young boy with green hair and black eyes. The Fuuma clan was a distant ally of the Uchiha, and when Konoha was founded, they were invited to join the village. However, out of fear and some internal disputes, only a few members followed the Uchiha to Konoha, settling in the village, while the rest stayed in the Land of Rice Fields.
Sato knew that the few members of the Fuuma clan in Konoha were under pressure—whether because of their lack of strength or because they didn't have reliable allies. Even the Uchiha who convinced them to come were facing problems due to Madara's defection and past internal conflicts.
'Well, Kotarou isn't anything special, but he'll eventually reach Jonin level, which is something.'
He then turned his gaze to another person—a shy girl with curly hair and golden eyes with feline-like pupils.
'Amagi Izuno,' Sato thought as he watched her shrink a little in her seat.
The Izuno clan wasn't anything remarkable. Even among small-to-medium clans, they were considered pretty weak.
Whether it was their fighting style, techniques, or anything else, they were very limited compared to other clans. However, their secret arts were still useful, and they could be good allies. Besides, the Uchiha could use their relationship with Nekobaa and the ninja cats to find ways to strengthen the Izuno clan.
Then he looked at the last person—Yume Kurama, a girl with dark brown hair, matching eyes, and fair skin.
As much as he didn't want to admit it, her clan had the power to rival—and even surpass—regular Uchiha members with two or even three tomoe when it came to genjutsu.
That was no small thing. If it weren't for the drawbacks of their Kekkei Genkai, the Uchiha might have lost their position as the most powerful illusion users.
Yume had decent talent but was forced to retire early after getting injured on a mission. Soon after, she was pressured into marrying a clan member to raise a child.
She died shortly after giving birth, and her name faded with time. But this time, Sato was determined to have her as an ally.
'Yume, Amagi, and Kotarou... They'll be the foundation to bring the Uchiha Clan back to the center of power in Konoha. Besides...'
Sato glanced at the boy sitting next to him with even greater interest—a civilian-born genius and future S-rank traitor of Konoha: Orochimaru. There was no way Sato was going to miss the chance to have him as an ally.
Forget his talent as a ninja—that wasn't what mattered. What mattered was his talent as a researcher.
Even though Sato didn't know exactly what Orochimaru was researching, the fact that the Third Hokage turned a blind eye to it as much as possible meant it was something extremely important—important enough to overlook the lives of civilians and fellow ninjas.
Entrusting something that important to Orochimaru meant he was a genius in that field, and it would be foolish not to use him to strengthen the clan.
'But... it's not time yet.'
Sato wanted to be Orochimaru's only friend—the one person he could trust with his secrets and ambitions. And to achieve that, Orochimaru first needed to lose his parents and be left alone in the world.
'Sorry, Orochimaru... but until your parents are dead, you're useless.'
Sato shifted his gaze away from Orochimaru and finally looked at the person he had been avoiding since walking into the room—Tsunade Senju.
'This is going to be awkward,' he sighed internally as he stared at his childhood crush.