Knock! Knock!
Hearing the knock, I closed the system interface. I'm pretty sure no one else can see it, but there's no reason to test that theory.
Opening the door halfway, I saw one of the few friends I actually had right now. "Good morning, Shisui."
"Good morning," he replied with a bright smile. "Happy birthday to you."
I was wondering why he came since it's off of academy classes, the fact that he remembered… yeah, it surprised me a bit.
"Thanks. Come inside." I lowered the kunai I had been holding in my other hand, slipped it back into my belt, and opened the door fully to let him in.
I still remember the day I first approached him. Honestly? It was a selfish move. I wanted to gain his trust… to manipulate him. I treated him like an NPC in a game, someone whose existence revolved around plot points I already knew.
But I realised pretty quickly that Shisui wasn't a character on a screen. He was just a kid, like everyone else around me. A boy who genuinely wanted a simple, honest friendship.
Reciprocating that was… strange. Mentally, I'm four times older than him, and it felt awkward at first, like I was acting out a role. But in the end, it worked out somehow, we're boys after all.
"I'm not giving any treat today," I said as we sat down on the floor.
"Yes, yes, I know. You'll get your money next week," he said, waving his hand casually, as if telling me not to worry. He understood the difference between us now, something he couldn't really grasp before. We're both orphans, both Uchiha, but our backgrounds are worlds apart. His grandfather was a student of the Second Hokage, and his father was a jōnin. Mine… was just a chūnin. The monthly compensation he gets from the clan is far higher than mine. Honestly, he doesn't even need it, his family left behind more than enough wealth.
At first, he was shocked when he realised I received less than him. He even planned to go complain to the elders about it. I had to stop him immediately, the last thing I want is people thinking I'm greedy. I am greedy… but not desperate enough to manipulate a kid and ruin my own image. My long-term plans rely on people trusting what they think I am.
I explained it to him, his father and grandfather took more risks for the village than mine ever did. The compensation he receives is what their service earned. There's nothing unfair about it. In fact, demanding equal money would be insulting to his late family.
He didn't understand everything, but he understood enough, enough to know I won't be taking his money.
"Oh yes, Itsuki, we're going to graduate!"
…What the hell? He just dropped a bomb like that as casually as commenting on the weather and that huge smile on his face wasn't helping.
Okay, calm down, Itsuki. He's a child. You are the mentally grown adult here. Don't get angry. Don't punch the idiot. Deep breaths.
"Cough… explain from the beginning," I said, forcing my voice to stay calm while resisting the urge to knock his teeth out.
"Well," he said, already excited, "I met Brother Satsuki on my way here, and he told me Hokage-sama announced early graduation for the senior years and some younger students who are ready to join the war. We were both selected!"
Of course we were. Damn that Sarutobi. The old man hasn't stepped onto the battlefield even once in this entire war, but he wants seven-year-olds to go act as meat shields.
"Itsuki, now we'll also be able to fight for the village!"
…No, I'm not imagining it. His eyes really are shining. He's genuinely excited.
"Yes. We'll… fight for the village," I said quietly. Not like we have a choice. A Hokage's order carries absolute authority especially during wartime. Even the Uchiha clan can't refuse a mobilization command. If they push back even slightly, disobedience can be written off as treason.
"Shisui, let's go eat something outside. My treat," I said as I stood up.
"Huh? But—"
I cut him off with a wave. "Don't worry, I saved some from before."
…Well, "saved." When you have a cute face and know exactly how to praise people, you can get discounts on a lot of things especially from tsundere Uchiha's.
Locking the door behind me, I stepped out, and Shisui followed. We crossed the clan compound together, heading toward one of the Akimichi restaurants.
I didn't want to go to the Uchiha-owned place.
I've eaten there enough times, and honestly, I wanted to try something different. Besides, everyone says the Akimichi run the best restaurants in the entire village. If anyone knows food, it's them.
And since I might not be alive for very long…
I should at least taste something good while I still can. It'll be expensive. But worth it.
We walked into the restaurant without anyone stopping us. No surprise there, kids our age coming here isn't strange at all. Many childrens little older than our age are already on the front lines. Two academy brats eating out is the least shocking thing in Konoha right now.
After placing our order, Shisui and I chatted while we waited. Nothing important just small talk to distract ourselves, until a loud, familiar voice caught my attention from the entrance.
"Kakashi! Let's fight after we eat! I'll definitely beat you this time!"
I turned and saw three kids slightly older than me entering the restaurant. One of them wore goggles on his head, the other had messy silver hair and a mask covering half his face, and the last was the only girl in the group, with red cheek markings that made her look like she was constantly pouting.
And behind them…A man with bright blond hair. Hair so obnoxiously golden it was like someone stuffed sunlight into human form.
Minato Namikaze. The future Fourth Hokage. And my personal early-warning siren for upcoming disaster.
I'm still stuck on whether I should actually save him or not. On paper it sounds easy, just pop a shadow clone, warn him about the upcoming disaster, boom, fixed. But reality? Way messier.
First problem: he's not going to trust an Uchiha after seeing Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes. Even if he knows it's Obito not Uchiha's, but any sane person would try to connect the dots. Honestly, even I would, if I was in his position.
Second problem: telling him about Obito. Sure, Minato might hunt him down or even kill him before things spiral… but that doesn't solve the real issue. Black Zetsu is the actual puppeteer, and I can't stop Obito from being used because Obito isn't the only potential pawn. With the war still raging, there are plenty of other broken, desperate shinobi Zetsu could latch onto.
And that leads to the third, and biggest problem: the timeline. If I mess it up too much, all my precious "plot knowledge advantage" goes straight out the window.
"Itsuki, look! It's senior Minato!" Shisui's eyes practically sparkle. The guy looks like he's seeing a celebrity. He probably ranks Minato just below Hiruzen on his personal 'Shinobi I Worship' list.
Not that he's the only one. Ever since last year, Minato has been everywhere in the village news. Any major announcement? His name is in it. Last month alone, he wiped out several enemy squads by himself.
What's weird, though, is the lack of news about Orochimaru and Tsunade. It's like they've been scrubbed out of the narrative. Jiraiya gets mentioned here and there, mostly in relation to how he's Minato's teacher which, honestly, feels intentional.
A smart PR move, I guess. Build Minato up as the golden boy now so he can slide into the Hokage position later with zero resistance.
Fugaku could never compete with that. He never had a chance from the beginning.
Becoming Hokage isn't all about getting people to acknowledge you. Only those already acknowledged will ever become hokage.
And an Uchiha?
Acknowledged?
By the village?
Please. The council would rather swallow a kunai than let that happen.
I don't think the Uchiha ever saw it that way before. Maybe some do now. Maybe some have finally realised the whole system is a farce… but it's too late. That window closed a long time ago.
The public distrusts them. The other clans have already chosen their side. And it isn't "hiruzen vs Uchiha," not really.
It's konoha vs Uchiha, because even the other clans, will never accept an Uchiha as Hokage.
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