“Happy birthday, Miketsuki-chan~!”

  “Happy birthday, Miketsuki!”

  In the end, Miketsuki celebrated his birthday at the Hatake household. Rin’s suggestion for a group sleepover had been shot down by both Miketsuki and Mrs. Hatake without hesitation.

  After enjoying a warm family dinner at their pce, Miketsuki returned home carrying two presents.

  Ever since he got reverse ambushed by Uchiha Homura at his front door, Miketsuki had started to realize just how comfortable life had become in this world.

  He’d been reincarnated, sure—but he had never once stepped outside Konoha Vilge. He had no idea what life was like for people in other nations, other ninja vilges.

  But judging from what he remembered of the original plot, it was clear that most civilians in the smaller countries lived lives where survival couldn’t even be taken for granted.

  Even just to protect the peaceful days he had now, Miketsuki had every reason to grow stronger.

  Seated on the living room couch, Miketsuki unwrapped the gifts from Mrs. Hatake and Rin. Mrs. Hatake had given him a standard-issue ninja vest, while Rin gifted him a ninja tool pouch—both extremely practical, and very much in line with the current trend of gift-giving in the ninja world.

  Thinking of that, Miketsuki got up and headed to Kenjin’s room, where he pulled out a birthday gift box he’d discovered while sorting through his brother’s belongings.

  “Thank you… for your gift. I’ve received it.”

  He whispered softly, untying the ribbon and opening the box to reveal a short bde—an exquisite weapon prepared by both Uchiha Homura and Shimizu Kenjin.

  He had decided to name it Mistcutter.

  One day, he would personally wield this bde to shatter Kirigakure’s spine—to cut down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

  …

  Year 39 of the Konoha Calendar.

  This year, Shimizu Miketsuki turned six—and today was the first day of the Konoha Ninja Academy.

  Over the past year, Miketsuki hadn’t gone overboard with training, even after Kenjin’s death. As someone with memories of his past life—especially a former youth from the information-overloaded 21st century—he knew perfectly well how to train smart.

  Dragging a five-year-old’s body around the vilge for ps every day? Yeah, that wasn’t happening.

  Even if he could take it, Rin definitely couldn’t.

  That’s right—after Rin found out he’d already learned chakra refinement, she suddenly got a reality check. Feeling like she’d been scking too much, she begged Miketsuki to include her in his training schedule.

  So, even just to keep adorable little Rin-chan from turning into a muscle-bound loli, Miketsuki had to make sure their training stayed reasonable.

  “Miketsuki, Miketsuki! This is great—we’re in the same css!”

  Rin beamed brightly, her hands clenched in front of her chest.

  “Yeah, Css One, huh.”

  He replied absentmindedly, eyes scanning the room.

  Lots of familiar faces here. Kakashi, Benisoku Reido… That messy bck hair over there—probably Kurenai Yuhi. And next to her… Asuma?

  Wait a second. Kurenai’s that tiny and Asuma’s already making moves? Seriously?

  “Miketsuki, what are you staring at?”

  Rin noticed he’d stopped gncing around and was now just staring straight ahead. She followed his gaze—and her smile stiffened a little.

  “Ah, sorry, sorry. I was just thinking about something.”

  Miketsuki quickly csped his hands together in apology.

  “But anyway, there’s a lot more people than I expected. I thought, with the war and all, most parents wouldn’t want their kids becoming ninjas.”

  Na?ve.

  Miketsuki had just made a rookie mistake—forgetting a basic truth of this world. In the shinobi nations, ninjas had completely repced samurai as the mainstream profession.

  Sure, it was dangerous—but the pay from missions was no joke. Even a lowly Genin could make enough to support a standard household.

  Besides, who didn’t want power in a chaotic world?

  With the Third Hokage constantly promoting the heroic feats of civilian ninjas on the battlefield, it was no surprise Konoha parents were lining up to send their kids to the Academy.

  Rin, overhearing Miketsuki’s confusion, chimed in cheerfully.

  “Well, when I told Mom I wanted to attend the Academy, she said yes right away.”

  “I see… Guess I was overthinking it. Anyway, let’s find our seats.”

  “Roger! But don’t worry, Miketsuki, it’s hard to guess what adults are thinking anyway.”

  Rin really was a sweetheart.

  …

  Elsewhere in the vilge—

  A boy with a pair of oversized goggles was helping an elderly dy, who was struggling with a giant backpack.

  “Thank you, Obito. But finding the pce I need might take a while… Are you really sure it’s okay?”

  “It’s no problem, Grandma! It’d be tough for you to walk around alone, right?”

  That’s right—this helpful, kind-hearted young man was none other than Uchiha Obito. Today was his first day at the Academy… but whether he’d forgotten, or just prioritized helping a granny over being on time, was anyone’s guess.

  In any case—he was definitely going to be te.

  …

  Back at the Academy—

  Miketsuki and Rin had found their seats. Since they’d registered for enrollment together, their seats were naturally side by side.

  “Can’t believe we ended up in the same css! Miketsuki, Rin—hey, have you seen that idiot Obito anywhere?”

  Kakashi walked over and greeted them, gncing around.

  Before they even started school, Miketsuki, Rin, Kakashi, and Obito had already bonded through a series of random events.

  “Obito’s not here yet? It’s almost time for css to start… If he doesn’t come soon, it’ll make a bad first impression,” Rin said worriedly.

  Miketsuki put on an exaggerated show of scanning the room, though in reality, he mentally swept the entire vilge with a pulse of chakra perception.

  Found him.

  “I bet Obito’s off helping some old dy find her way—or chasing cats and dogs again. Might as well prepare for him showing up a whole day te,” Miketsuki said casually to Kakashi.

  “That’s worst-case scenario, Miketsuki!” Rin muttered with an exasperated sigh.

  “Forget it. I’ll talk to the teacher and get Obito’s enrollment materials for him,” Kakashi offered.

  Ding~! The school bell rang.

  The trio hurried back to their seats just as a middle-aged ninja in a standard fk vest walked in.

  “Good morning. My name is Morino Daisuke. I’ll be your homeroom instructor. My teaching style is strict—so brace yourselves.”

  He delivered his opening line with a perfectly straight face.

  “Miketsuki, Daisuke-sensei looks super strict… Obito’s doomed,” Rin whispered nervously.

  “It’s fine,” Miketsuki replied without batting an eye. “If Kakashi’s the one expining things, even the strictest teacher would let it slide.”

  After all, Kakashi’s reputation as a genius had already spread before he even enrolled. Plus, his dad was that Hatake Sakumo.

  ‘Like father, like son’ was a well-worn saying—even in the ninja world.

  “Alright, we’ll start with introductions. You, the pineapple-head on the left—start us off.”

  Morino Daisuke pointed at a spiky-haired boy in the corner.

  “What a drag… What am I even supposed to say, sensei?” the boy muttered zily.

  “Just your name, likes and dislikes, and your dream. That’s enough.”

  “Such a pain… I’m Nara Shikajin. I like lying around at home. I hate troublesome stuff. My dream is to marry a woman who’s not ugly, not pretty, and live a peaceful life.”

  “Good. Very spirited. Next.”

  Morino Daisuke clearly didn’t mind the ckluster intro—his goal was just to get the kids to remember each other.

  “I’m Anko Mitarashi. I love sticky rice dumplings. I hate food that isn’t sweet. My dream is to become a kunoichi like Lady Tsunade!”

  “I’m Asuma Sarutobi…”

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