The establishment of the Ninja Academy was one of the most significant reforms in Konoha's history. Before its existence, shinobi were trained exclusively within clans or taken as apprentices by experienced ninja. The academy changed that.
It was the vision of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju—a means to integrate both clan and civilian children, ensuring that future generations were unified, educated, and battle-ready.
Tobirama believed that Konoha's strength came from cooperation between shinobi, not just powerful clans. By training children together from a young age, he hoped to forge bonds that would strengthen the village as a whole.
More practically, with the First Shinobi War raging, Konoha needed a structured method to produce capable ninja efficiently.
Now, at the age of five, Indra stood at the entrance of the academy, staring at the legacy Tobirama had built.
His next step had begun.
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The academy's assembly hall was packed with young children—some excited, some nervous. Among them were clan heirs, war orphans, and aspiring shinobi from civilian backgrounds.
At the front, Tobirama Senju stood with unshaken authority.
His piercing red eyes scanned the students, his white hair gleaming under the sunlight filtering through the windows. Even though Indra knew Tobirama would soon die, the man exuded an overwhelming presence—a leader forged in war.
Tobirama's voice was deep and commanding as he spoke.
"From this day forward, you take your first steps into the world of shinobi."
"The path ahead is not easy. It will test your will, your strength, and your resolve. But remember—we are all bound by the Will of Fire."
The children listened intently.
"The Will of Fire is not just a phrase. It is what makes Konoha strong. It is what unites us. No matter where you come from—clan or not—you are shinobi of this village. You fight for your comrades, for your home, for the future."
"One day, you will be asked to protect Konoha with your lives. But that day is not today. Today, you learn. You train, you grow, and you forge the bonds that will shape the future of this village."
The speech was simple but powerful. Indra saw how the children around him sat up straighter, eyes filled with determination.
He knows how to inspire loyalty… No wonder the Senju were the backbone of Konoha.
Indra, however, had his own Will of Fire—one that prioritized growth, power, and the elimination of weakness.
He would take everything this academy had to offer… and surpass them all.
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The students were soon taken to their classroom. Indra sat beside Asahi and observed the others. This was an important moment. These children would be his generation's shinobi, the future pillars of Konoha.
Tsunade Senju, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were the most famous names here. But there were also children from the Uchiha, Nara, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and even the Senju clan.
One by one, each student introduced themselves.
When Indra's turn came, he stood, keeping his posture firm and confident.
"I am Indra Hyuga. And I will become the strongest Hyuga in history—even surpassing the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."
The room stirred at his declaration.
Some gasped. Others laughed, thinking he was being arrogant.
Indra leaned back, a confident smirk playing on his lips as he settled into his seat beside Asahi and Tsunade. His pale lavender eyes gleamed with challenge as he turned to face the Senju girl, who had been eyeing him with an amused yet skeptical expression.
"You're pretty bold for a Hyuga," Tsunade finally said, crossing her arms. "Your clan only knows how to poke people with chakra. You really think you can surpass my grandfather?"
Her words were laced with both mockery and disbelief, as if the very idea of a Hyuga standing at the top was laughable.
Indra, however, was unfazed.
"Oh? And what does your clan know how to do?" he countered, tilting his head slightly. "Aside from riding on the First Hokage's reputation?"
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
"What did you say?" she growled, leaning toward him.
Indra grinned. "I'm saying that just because your grandfather was strong, doesn't mean you're automatically strong. And let's not forget—your clan hasn't produced anyone close to his level since him."
Tsunade clenched her fists, her face flushing slightly. Indra knew exactly how to push her buttons.
"Oh, please," she scoffed, glaring at him. "At least we know more than one style of fighting. The Hyuga only have taijutsu. You don't even use ninjutsu. How do you plan to become the strongest when you can't even breathe fire or summon a mud wall?"
Indra's smirk widened. "Then I'll be the first Hyuga to master ninjutsu."
Tsunade blinked.
For a moment, she looked as if she couldn't tell whether he was serious or just being arrogant. Then she burst into laughter.
"You? A Hyuga? Using ninjutsu?" she said between laughs. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all day!"
Asahi, who had been quietly listening, sighed and rubbed her temples. "Tsunade, don't encourage him."
But Indra didn't back down.
"I'm serious," he said, voice firm. "It's not that the Hyuga can't use ninjutsu. We just don't focus on it. But tell me—if one person masters a single elemental style to the absolute limit, wouldn't that make them a monster in their own right?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"
Indra leaned forward, his expression turning more intense.
"There have been shinobi in history who refined a single element to an extreme and became legends because of it."
His thoughts raced. The First Hokage was a prime example. His Wood Release wasn't powerful because of the technique itself—it was because he was the one wielding it. Even with the same abilities, no one else had reached his level.
Then there was Tobirama Senju, who took Water Release to such an advanced stage that he could create massive water techniques without needing an external water source. He refined one element to its peak, making him one of the most feared shinobi of his time.
And finally, the Third Raikage. His Lightning Release turned his body into an indestructible weapon. His mastery allowed him to battle the Eight-Tails alone for three days straight.
"If I take a single element and push it to the absolute limit… I can create my own path to strength."
Tsunade snorted. "So, what? You're going to pick an element and try to become the best at it?"
Indra shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe I'll master multiple elements. Either way, I won't just rely on taijutsu. I'll be the first Hyuga to truly master ninjutsu. And when I do, I'll surpass your grandfather."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Wanna bet?"
Indra extended his hand. "Deal?"
Tsunade shook it without hesitation. "Deal."
Asahi sighed. "You two are ridiculous."
Indra chuckled. Oh, you have no idea.
This was just the beginning.
But deep down, Indra knew—this was exactly what he wanted.
Tsunade wouldn't forget this bet. And as long as she had someone to challenge her, someone who constantly pushed her forward…
She would never allow herself to fall behind.
And that was exactly what he needed.
Indra wasn't just talking.
He was dead serious.
And one day, Tsunade might just have to keep her promise.
As the debate between him and Tsunade settled into a friendly rivalry, Indra leaned back in his seat, watching his classmates introduce themselves one by one.
He wasn't just here to make idle conversation. This was the start of something bigger.
If he wanted to reach the top, he needed strong allies.
And the first person on that list?
Tsunade Senju.
She has the potential to become one of the greatest shinobi of this era.
Indra knew exactly who she would become—one of the legendary Sannin, the future Fifth Hokage, and one of the strongest medical ninja in history.
But at the same time, he also knew about her flaws.
She had wasted decades of her life due to her trauma. If not for her blood phobia, if not for her time away from active combat, she could have been a kage-level powerhouse much earlier.
Without those setbacks, she could have surpassed Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
And that was exactly what Indra planned to prevent.
If she had mastered Sage Mode, she could have reached near-Hokage-level even without her grandfather's monstrous vitality.
Indra knew he couldn't let her waste her potential.
She would be a valuable ally and friend.
Tsunade had two things that made her invaluable to him:
Monstrous physical strength – If properly trained, she could rival the strongest taijutsu users in history.
Medical expertise – Her ability to heal and prolong life was something Indra would absolutely need.
I need her on my side. Not just as a friend, but as a true ally. Someone I can trust on the battlefield.
But to do that, he had to push her to be better.
That meant challenging her, giving her a rival she could never ignore.
And then, there was Asahi.
Asahi had been training with him for a year. She was already growing strong, but she needed something more.
She needs a specialization.
She should become a medical ninja.
Indra didn't want just any medical ninjutsu—he wanted to unlock the secrets of the Yin Seal, the Curse Seal of Heaven, and body-enhancing regeneration techniques.
The Creation Rebirth technique was powerful, but its drawbacks were too great.
What if I could remove the damage caused by excessive cellular regeneration?
What if I could refine the Body Revival Technique, making muscles grow stronger through controlled destruction and regeneration?
What if I could master the Chimera Technique—the ability to merge multiple bloodlines and chakra affinities?
These techniques could change the shinobi world. But they required expert medical knowledge.
I don't have the time to master medical ninjutsu myself. But if Tsunade and Asahi do…
He glanced at the two girls sitting beside him.
Tsunade was an obvious genius, though she didn't know it yet.
Asahi had raw talent—and if trained properly, she could become an exceptional medical-nin.
He would need to guide Tsunade and Asahi, push them in the right direction, and in the process, make himself stronger as well.
For now, though, he simply smirked at Tsunade.
"I hope you remember our bet," he said. "Because I don't plan on losing."
Tsunade snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Keep dreaming, Hyuga."
Asahi sighed, looking between the two of them. "I can already tell this is going to be exhausting."
Indra chuckled. Oh, you have no idea.
This was just the beginning.