Time flies, and the years pass by. When the autumn wind blows this year, the day Yūki fears most finally arrives.
"By the way, Father, my sister seems to have caught a cold. Shouldn't you go back and check on her?"
"The clan's medical staff just examined Hinata this morning and said your sister is stronger than an ox."
"That's not a very appropriate metaphor... I'm also concerned about how Mother is recovering after childbirth. It's truly worrying."
"It's been over three months since your mother gave birth. Do you think she's made of paper?"
"No, but as your son and her elder brother, it's only natural for me to care about Mother and Sister. You should too, Father."
"Enough nonsense." Looking at his eldest son's awkward expression, a trace of impatience flashed across Hiashi's usually icy face. He then pointed at the Ninja Academy's entrance and said, "In short, you are going in."
"Can I not go in?"
"Fine. When we get back, I'll change your sister's name in the clan registry to 'Hyuga Hammer.'"
So there's no room for negotiation? Secretly cursing, Yūki could only follow Hiashi into this brand-new prison—the Ninja Academy—with a dejected expression.
Today's Ninja Academy was bustling. As it was enrollment season, many parents could be seen inside and outside the school with their children, including some notable figures.
"Oh, if it isn't Lord Hiashi? Long time no see."
Just as Hiashi led Yūki into the central courtyard, a somewhat arrogant voice came from the adjacent corridor.
Then, three individuals wearing attire embroidered with the Uchiha fan emblem appeared from that direction. The one leading them was a man about Hiashi's age.
Hiashi was all too familiar with this man—he was also one of the people he disliked the most.
"Lord Fugaku, you seem well."
Even so, Hiashi greeted him with utmost grace, though his expression remained completely unchanged.
Is this man my father's "old rival," the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku?
Although it was his first time seeing the current Uchiha clan head, Yūki knew his relationship with his father was rather strained.
The Uchiha and Hyūga clans had a clear competitive rivalry. The clan heads of this generation, Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi, were very close in age and had been competing since they were young, so their relationship was naturally far from good.
However, compared to Fugaku, Yūki was more interested in the two much younger figures following the Uchiha clan head.
Both brothers had short black hair, dark eyes, and delicate features. The older one appeared more capable, while the younger one seemed more spirited.
Well, I just stepped into the school and already ran into a prodigy—and his older brother, another prodigy.
Seeing these two brothers, Yūki sighed inwardly but simultaneously observed these two figures who would influence the entire world in the future—focusing mainly on the older one.
This future "Uchiha traitor," who would later be feared by all, was still very young, only eleven years old this year. But for an eleven-year-old, Uchiha Itachi seemed far too mature.
Of course, this boy's maturity stemmed from his extraordinary talent and experiences. As a ninja who had been taken by his father to experience the Third Shinobi World War at a young age, Itachi had graduated from the Ninja Academy at seven. Last year, at just ten years old, he alone passed the difficult Chūnin Exams, becoming the first in Konoha's history to do so solo—a testament to his strength.
While Yūki secretly observed Itachi, Itachi was also observing him. Their eyes accidentally met mid-air, and they nodded simultaneously.
"So this is your eldest son? He's starting school this year too?"
By now, Fugaku and Hiashi had concluded their perfunctory greetings, and the former set his sights on Yūki standing beside Hiashi.
I've long heard the Hyūga clan's eldest son is quite talented, but now he seems rather ordinary. After a glance at Yūki, who was staring blankly ahead, Fugaku felt a distinct sense of superiority.
"Yes. Isn't your younger son here as well? Congratulations on having two fine sons."
"Indeed, this year is truly a double blessing. On one hand, Sasuke is embarking on the ninja path, and on the other, Itachi is preparing to join the Anbu."
Mentioning this, Fugaku couldn't conceal the joy in his tone. Clearly, his eldest son had given him much face in front of his old rival.
Joining the Anbu at this age?
Instantly, Hiashi couldn't help but frown. He knew Uchiha Itachi was only eleven this year. Although there were examples of teenagers joining the Anbu during wartime, this was peacetime. This was likely the first post-war instance of someone so young entering the Anbu.
From this perspective, it wasn't hard to see how outstanding Uchiha Itachi was compared to his peers—a reality that left Hiashi displeased, extremely so.
"Alright, it's about time. Let's go."
Seeing Hiashi's face immediately darken, Fugaku smiled faintly, then nodded and led the two brothers toward the school gate.
As he left, Fugaku deliberately said to his younger son in a voice just loud enough for Hiashi to hear, "Your brother was always first in the academy. You know what to do."
"I know, Father."
The young Sasuke was still just an innocent little kid. Seeing his strict father, he was like a mouse seeing a cat and immediately nodded vigorously.
First place? But it might not be that easy. At that moment, Itachi patted Sasuke's head and gave him a gentle smile, but he was secretly thinking otherwise.
The Hyūga young master from earlier is very strong. Although Itachi had never interacted with Yūki, that brief observation had left him with such an impression.
However, after the Uchiha father and son left, Yūki couldn't help but sneer and turned to his father. "Let's go, Father. We need to go inside to register."
"You have no sense of clan honor. The Uchiha just stepped all over us, and you show no reaction?"
"What kind of reaction should I have?"
"For instance, swear another oath that you won't let the second Uchiha young master take first place in the academy."
"Does that even need saying? If it's something I don't want to give, Father, do you think someone of his caliber can take it?"
That was true. Recalling his eldest son's monstrous ability and willpower, Hiashi couldn't help but nod, and the anger Fugaku had stirred moments ago subsided considerably.
"Father, I don't think it's necessary to be so angry with the Uchiha clan."
On the way to the registration office, Yūki suddenly said this to Hiashi, almost offhandedly.
"Why? Are you scared?"
"Why would I be scared? Never mind."
"Baffling."
I can't very well tell you that the Uchiha clan, including your old rival Fugaku, won't even last two more years.
Watching Hiashi swagger into the registration office to enroll his son, with the academic affairs teacher bowing and scraping beside him, Yūki felt somewhat helpless.
After all, although the Uchiha clan was currently a major clan on par with the Hyūga, in two years, this clan would be reduced to ashes—and the one responsible would be that eleven-year-old prodigy who just joined the Anbu.
Thus, in Yūki's eyes, there was nothing exciting about the Uchiha clan. Whatever the Uchiha said was like the words of a death-row inmate. Since they're already like this, why not humor them? Shouldn't we leave them with some good memories in their final days?
Sigh, maybe I'm just too kind-hearted. Thinking this, Yūki couldn't help but shake his head, seemingly lamenting his own pure nature—completely forgetting that not long ago, he had ordered someone executed and then taken the body to exchange for money.