"No…"
Uchiha Tatsumi jolted awake, disoriented.
For a second, he couldn't remember where he was. Then he glanced down in a panic—only to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Whew…"
Thankfully, he was still in his pajamas and not in women's clothing.
"Damn system… Why did I have that dream?"
He flopped back onto his futon, determined to steal a few more minutes of sleep. He loved dozing off again after waking up.
But then—
"Shit!"
He bolted upright.
He'd forgotten to set his alarm!
A glance at the clock: 8:20 AM.
Registration for the Ninja Academy was starting—he was already late!
Throwing on his Uchiha-crest windbreaker, he rushed through a quick wash. After splashing water on his face and fixing his hair in the mirror (because, obviously, a shinobi could bleed out but must never mess up his hairstyle), he grabbed the half-eaten piece of bread from yesterday and dashed out the door.
"I'm off!" he shouted toward the photo on the table—his only audience.
---
In the courtyard, the clear voice of a five-year-old echoed.
The early sunlight poured over the village, and the air carried the scent of blooming flowers. It was peaceful, almost idyllic.
Despite last night's intense training, Tatsumi didn't feel exhausted at all. In fact, his body felt lighter and stronger. Even he was surprised.
"Is this the power of the point system?" he mused.
---
At this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, held power over Konoha. Revered as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," he had mastered over a thousand jutsu. In his prime—around thirty years old—he was considered the strongest shinobi in the village and respected across all five great nations.
Whether or not the title "strongest Hokage" was exaggerated was another matter. After all, even Hanzo of the Salamander was called a "demigod."
Marketing hype?
Maybe. But even so, under Hiruzen's leadership, the Third Great Ninja War had been delayed, and peace had lasted nearly a decade.
Few could've predicted how short that peace would be.
---
But that was still years away.
Right now, Uchiha Tatsumi had one goal:
Points.
Points are art.
Damn you, stupid system.
---
Konoha's streets bustled with life. Shopkeepers opened their stalls, and civilians strolled through, enjoying the morning calm.
Tatsumi weaved through the crowds toward the academy, his heart pounding.
By the time he arrived, the courtyard was full of children and parents.
"Crap…" he muttered, seeing the registration booth already half-packed.
Was he too late? Would he miss his chance to become a ninja?
Just then, a soft voice called out, "Tatsumi."
He turned to see a familiar face—delicate features, long black hair, obsidian eyes. She wore a matching Uchiha windbreaker.
"Mikoto," Tatsumi said, blinking. "Good morning."
"You're late!" she pouted, hands on her hips.
"Well…" Tatsumi scratched his head. "I got lost looking for the meaning of life."
"Huh?" Mikoto blinked, confused.
Right. That line probably only works on someone like Tsunade.
"Anyway," she continued, handing him a piece of paper. "I saw you were running late, so I filled out your registration for you."
"You're a lifesaver!" Tatsumi grinned.
Mikoto smiled faintly. Unlike many in the Uchiha clan—who were often proud and aloof—Mikoto was gentle and considerate. The clan took care of its orphans, but Tatsumi had always felt somewhat... excluded. Mikoto, however, never treated him differently.
She stood up for him when others didn't.
Hard to believe someone so kind would someday have kids like Itachi and Sasuke.
Definitely Fugaku's genes, Tatsumi thought. Yeah, I should find a way to eliminate Uchiha Fugaku.
Why?
For world peace, of course. Why else?
---
Mikoto offered a small rice ball wrapped in cloth.
"I made this this morning… I'm not sure how it tastes."
She looked a little shy.
But Tatsumi took it with a smile. "If Mikoto made it, I know it'll be delicious."
She blinked, momentarily stunned, then blushed lightly and nodded.
He took a bite—and his eyes widened.
"It's really good!"
I could cry… I haven't eaten anything decent since I came to this world.
Moved, Tatsumi fished out his "breakfast"—half a piece of stale bread.
"Here… want some of mine too?"
Mikoto giggled. "I've already eaten."
"Oh… right."
They walked toward the academy together. The entry selection was about to begin.
And with it, Uchiha Tatsumi's journey to becoming the strongest ninja—and possibly, its most reluctant crossdresser.