The classroom was still buzzing with noise, resembling more of a vegetable market than a place of learning. Kids were chasing each other around, tossing erasers and paper shuriken, their chatter echoing off the walls.
Seeing Uchiha Tatsumi strike up a conversation with Namikaze Minato, Mikoto Uchiha politely stepped aside to give them space, all while pretending to listen intently from the sidelines.
So considerate, Mikoto.
"This is a good opportunity—you should give it your all, Minato." Compared to Minato's excitement, Uchiha Tatsumi remained calm and collected. His tone of encouragement was lukewarm, almost perfunctory.
After all, he had no time to be distracted. Aside from physical conditioning, he still had a lot of fundamental ninjutsu to master, not to mention genjutsu and advanced shuriken techniques.
Tatsumi had created a detailed training schedule for himself, packed from start to finish. He couldn't spare time for what he saw as some shallow, glorified introduction class.
Even if the instructors were the Legendary Sannin, they weren't going to hand out S-rank techniques to a bunch of academy kids.
And besides, Tatsumi had his own methods and access to training resources—courtesy of the system. He wasn't exactly desperate for handouts.
"Rope Tree. Ask Rope Tree—he probably knows all about this stuff."
As if on cue, the spiky-haired Nawaki (Rope Tree), sitting in front, perked up at the sound of his name and turned around with a cheeky grin.
"I've got exclusive info. Want to hear it?" He waggled his eyebrows. "But you'll have to show me that kunai-throwing technique from last time."
"…Seriously?"
After a brief and suspicious exchange, Tatsumi reluctantly agreed to the terms.
"Fine."
Grinning, Nawaki finally spilled the beans. "I overheard my sister—yeah, Tsunade—say that the Sannin are coming today to personally train a few students. But only the top three will be chosen."
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru…?
Tatsumi's mind began to race. A competition, huh?
He had already drained most of his class for ninja points. Even Minato and Nawaki had been… thoroughly "sparred with" on multiple occasions.
He had earned the nickname "The Fighting Demon" for a reason.
But lately, the system had stopped awarding points for repetitive victories. He was almost considering picking fights with the senior students.
A new challenge means new opponents… which means…
More points.
This was the perfect opportunity.
And it wasn't even going to be difficult. If they were selecting the top three, he'd definitely be one of them.
Tatsumi couldn't help but smile at the thought.
"Sounds great, right, Minato?" he said, narrowing his eyes mischievously.
Minato, who had been a bit downcast over Tatsumi's earlier indifference, perked up when he saw him getting excited.
"Let's do our best, Tatsumi! But… aren't you getting a bit too excited?"
"No, no. It's just… I get to meet Tsunade-sama! I'm thrilled!"
Nawaki: "…?"
Wait a second. That came out wrong. I didn't mean anything weird…
But the look in Nawaki's eyes turned suspicious.
"Chen!" Nawaki suddenly stood up.
"What's up, Rope Tree?"
Tatsumi turned to face him.
Nawaki approached with a smile that was… unsettlingly friendly.
"Good luck." He reached out to shake Tatsumi's hand.
Tatsumi smiled back and reached out.
Crack!
"OW! What the hell, Chen?! I just wanted to shake hands! Why'd you twist my wrist?!"
"Nonsense. Of course I had to twist it. That's what rivals do, right?"
"It hurts, you bastard!!"
Nawaki yelped like a kicked dog, accidentally dropping his kunai with a loud clang.
Minato: "..."
Tatsumi: "..."
Mikoto, who had been watching silently from the side, shifted from soft admiration to frosty silence.
"Tatsumi… What did you just say earlier? I didn't quite catch it. Care to repeat?"
"..."
"..."
Minato and Nawaki made a swift retreat, scuttling back to their seats and leaving Tatsumi standing there alone with an innocent look.
It took over twenty minutes of pacifying to finally coax Mikoto out of her grumpy silence.
Mikoto was kind, well-mannered, and virtuous…
…But apparently also slightly unhinged.
When did she start showing signs of blackening?
Why did I have to go and poke the sweet girl? What a fool I am…
Debts must be repaid—on your knees, no less.
"Everyone, class is starting. Back to your seats."
A loud, booming voice cut through the chatter. It was their homeroom teacher—Mr. Nishimura, known affectionately (and fearfully) as "Blackface-sensei" due to his perpetually stern expression.
Once the students settled down, he cleared his throat.
"Today's outdoor lesson will be a bit different. As some of you may already know, the Third Hokage has called back his personal students from their missions for a special event. The Sannin will be joining us today for training."
A wave of excitement surged through the room.
"Now, get your ninja gear and line up for the training grounds!"
"YES!"
The students grabbed their supply pouches and training tools in a hurry.
"Slow down! No pushing!" Nishimura's voice echoed down the corridor as students flooded into the hallway.
Since the entire Academy would be participating, the corridors were packed with excited children.
Tatsumi, Mikoto, Minato, and Nawaki walked together in line.
"Listen up," Blackface-sensei shouted as they moved. "You are the future elite of Konoha. Conduct