After finishing the 200 laps, Uchiha Tatsumi crossed the finish line far ahead of the rest.
Despite the intensity of the run, Tatsumi still had some energy left. His breathing was steady, his form still sharp.
Senju Nawaki bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air. "Looks like you weren't even going all out," he panted.
Tatsumi glanced at Nawaki, his gaze softening. As the grandson of the First Hokage, Nawaki carried the weight of immense expectations. Everyone had their eyes on him. Every step he took was scrutinized.
Unlike his sister Tsunade, who could afford some leniency due to her status and gender, Nawaki was expected to carry the legacy of the Senju name.
And yet, he would die at twelve on a battlefield, blown apart by a trap while chasing his dream of becoming Hokage.
Poor kid, Tatsumi thought, brushing dust off his Uchiha windbreaker with unnecessary flourish.
"The wind's about to shift," he muttered dramatically, striking a pose.
He conveniently forgot that, according to history, his own future wasn't exactly sunshine and roses either.
Nawaki looked at him strangely. Why was this guy staring at him like that? The intense look made him shiver.
What the hell… is he into me?
He shook his head, trying to dispel the thought.
---
Nawaki's performance was impressive. Apart from Tatsumi, no one could keep up with him. Though he didn't inherit his grandfather's god-like chakra reserves, he still stood far above the average Academy entrant.
Let's be honest—Hashirama Senju wasn't normal. He was the ninja equivalent of a cheat code.
Tatsumi realized that this was probably the first time he'd spoken so openly with a child from another clan. Had Nawaki lived longer, maybe his achievements would've been extraordinary.
"What's your name?" Nawaki asked, catching his breath and eyeing the Uchiha crest on Tatsumi's back.
Tatsumi smiled. He already knew, of course, but decided to play along.
"Uchiha Tatsumi. And you?"
"Senju Nawaki," he replied.
Tatsumi placed a firm hand on Nawaki's shoulder, channeling every ounce of senior-like charisma he could muster.
"You've got potential, Nawaki. I understand your drive to surpass me. Don't rush it—take your time. I'll be waiting for you," he said in the tone of an enlightened sage.
Nawaki stared at him, stunned. What... did I just get recruited into a cult?
Tatsumi casually walked away, feeling proud of his delivery. Acting skill: maxed. Oscar-worthy.
He wanted to break the mold of the typical arrogant Uchiha. Maybe the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was probably watching with his crystal ball or trusty telescope—would see him in a different light.
First impressions matter.
---
A moment later, a system prompt appeared in his mind:
"Congratulations, host, for achieving your first major milestone in the ninja world: First Place in the Academy Entrance Test! Reward: 2000 Ninja Points."
Current balance: 2890 Ninja Points.
Tatsumi's face remained calm, but inside, he was ecstatic.
So achievements = big gains. That's the trick. The entrance test was just the beginning. There'll be theoretical exams, jutsu tests, sparring—each one a chance to farm points.
He was already looking forward to the next event.
---
Most students passed the entrance test. Only a few failed to complete the laps. After all, even civilians with no training wouldn't come to the exam if they weren't confident.
Among the new students, one boy stood out to Tatsumi: a quiet, blond-haired kid with a calm expression.
Minato Namikaze, he thought.
Future Fourth Hokage. The man who'd refine the Flying Thunder God Technique and become the fastest shinobi in history. His actions in the Third Great Ninja War would turn the tide for Konoha, earning him the name Konoha no Kiiroi Senkō—the Yellow Flash.
Tatsumi made a mental note. He wanted to befriend Minato, but it wasn't time yet. Right now, Minato was just an ordinary kid—a civilian with average physical ability who hadn't even awakened his chakra.
But once he caught the eye of Jiraiya, everything would change.
---
After the exam ended, Mikoto approached, slightly winded but composed. She had clearly paced herself wisely and didn't burn out.
"You were amazing, Chen," she said seriously. "You're already that fast."
Tatsumi struck a cool pose, flipping his windbreaker as if it were a cape. "It's nothing. A man shouldn't be proud of small victories."
With their admission notices in hand, Tatsumi and Mikoto walked back to the Uchiha compound.
---
But peace is a rare commodity in the Uchiha clan. Especially when you're popular.
Three boys blocked their path—other Uchiha kids wearing the same windbreakers.
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
The trio glared at him. To be fair, they weren't ugly—Uchiha genes rarely failed—but the expressions on their faces definitely ruined their looks.
Uchiha Ryo. Uchiha Kenta. Uchiha Toyotomi.
They were all around his age and would likely be his classmates.
"You were showing off during the test," Ryo said, trying to sound casual but obviously annoyed.
"Was I?" Tatsumi replied lazily. "I was just warming up."
The tension was thick. These guys weren't just classmates. They were the standard starter-pack antagonists. And now... they had appeared.
Ah, finally, Tatsumi thought, my first real villain encounter.