Hatake Tatsuya in Naruto

In front of the Ninja Academy, a massive crowd of family members and spectators had already gathered to watch the students pass their genin test.

"Isn't this a bit exaggerated? When I graduated, there weren't so many people," Tatsuya remarked, expressing his desire to leave upon seeing the crowd. Tatsuya graduated with the Sannin yet the crowd couldn't be compared.

"This year's graduating class is rumored to be quite exceptional. Aside from the son of Lord Hokage, there are also children from the Uchiha family and several kids from other ninja clans," Sakumo explained, his gaze wandering. Suddenly, he recognized two familiar figures ahead and greeted them enthusiastically, "Duy and Shinku!"

Upon hearing Sakumo's call, the two individuals near the school gate turned their heads to look.

Might Duy was clad in Green, and Yuri Shinku donned crimson shinobi gear with a green jonin vest.

"Oh, Sakumo! You're here too! The young ones are showcasing their Fire of Youth!"

Might Guy, Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey was a mirror image of his father Might Duy Eternal Genin. And how Rock Lee was a Mirror image of Might Guy it's an absolute mystery.

Though Tatsuya was still a Genin too just like Might Duy. Shinko Yuhi greeted him with a somewhat displeased expression. He couldn't help but look at his daughter who looked at Tatsuya with star eyed expression.

Tatsuya retorted in his mind, "You're overthinking it?"

The parents, whose attention was focused on the gathering before the school, didn't wait for long before witnessing the teaching building's doors gradually swing open.

One by one, young ninjas emerged, the gleaming forehead protectors on their foreheads catching their parents' eyes.

The first to step out was a certain Kakashi.

"As expected of your son, Sakumo," Shinko complimented.

Beside Kakashi was a nine-year-old girl with unruly hair with crimson eyes dressed in red.

"Kurenai is quite impressive too," Sakumo added, his gaze shifting to Kakashi later. A forehead protector was affixed to his masked face and forehead.

Tatsuya also glanced within the group.

All those donning forehead protectors were familiar faces: Kakashi,  Yuhi, Rin Nohara, Surotobi Asuma... Uchiha Obito and Might Guy, the only Taijutsu academy student, had actually made it.

"Guy! Well done! You've truly embraced your youth!"

"Dad!"

Two bushy-browed individuals clad in green attire embraced each other enthusiastically, momentarily transporting everyone onlookers from the school to a sunset-lit coastline.

The atmosphere was heartwarming...

"At the rate he is training that kid will become your rival in the future, Kakashi," Sakumo mused, walking over to his son's side and smiling at the embracing father and son.

"Hey~" Kakashi mumbled behind his mask, appearing somewhat dissatisfied.

Guy and Obito had both struggled academically. But even then Kakashi as the top student who had graduated with perfect scores across all subjects, held no disdain for them whatsoever.

Tatsuya noted that his gaze was fixed directly on his petite Kurenai, seemingly imploring for acknowledgment.

Tatsuya reached out, placing a hand on each of their heads—Rin and Kurenai—and gave them a playful ruffling, "There you go. Pat-pat"

"Hehe~" Kurenai blushed, smiling.

And Tatsuya naturally felt the intense stare of Shinku, who seemed ready to pounce on him nearby.

Numerous candidates had also failed to graduate, yet Tatsuya scarcely registered them. Nameless figures with unremarkable faces hardly warranted the author's depiction.

"Oh, oh, oh!!!"

At that moment, an eruption of exclamations burst forth from the crowd, with many displaying expressions that could only be described as "astonished."

A boy of about five years, his hair black and curly, strode forth. Adorning his forehead was the emblem of Konohagakure—  Konoha's shinobi headband— as he emerged from the school building.

Uchiha Shisui!

Since White Fang had not met his demise, Kakashi had been denied the record for the fastest simultaneous enrollment and graduation, a feat he had achieved in the original timeline.

Unexpectedly, someone else had accomplished it.

"The Uchiha clan?"

"Rumor has it that he's a descendant of Uchiha Kagami?"

"Kagami!? Could he be the Uchiha rumored to have served as Second Hokage's guard, along with the four elders?"

"After all these years, could the Uchiha clan finally have a genius?"

Uchiha Shisui, who had enrolled just months prior and graduated at a tender five years of age, left many seasoned Jōnin in the audience flabbergasted.

This feat outpaced even Tatsuya and the Sannin, who had entered at five and graduated at six more than two decades ago!

Shrouded in even greater mystery was Shisui's lineage. Uchiha and the present Konoha leadership were known not to have harmonious dealings. This was common knowledge.

"This Uchiha appears far more dependable than you," remarked Kakashi, seizing every opportunity to provoke his rival Obito with a sidelong glance.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Idiot!"

Obito's feelings were wounded by the jibe. He seized Kakashi's collar, and the two once again exchanged retorts.

Both were members of the Uchiha clan but one was a prodigy, the other a dead last.

The chasm between them was staggering, wasn't it?

Tatsuya's gaze lingered on Shisui briefly before losing interest. In his view, this newcomer and his foolish friend Itachi amounted to little more than children.

Tatsuya harbored no inclination to engage, for they were strangers and no kin of his.

But Tatsuya's indifference failed to deter Shisui, who took the initiative to draw near.

"It's been quite some time, Tatsuya-san. I've heard that Kakashi-Senpai intends to apply for an early graduation, and I thought I'd apply alongside him."

Shisui spoke with a casual smile.

"Your path is destined to be arduous."

Tatsuya's harsh countenance cast a shadow over Shisui, sending shivers down his spine.

An ominous premonition loomed...

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