For a moment, Hiroshi froze.
Of all the scenarios he'd imagined for his first day, being approached by Itachi Uchiha…
He turned slowly, gaze meeting calm eyes.
"You… know my name?" Hiroshi asked.
"Of course. They said you scored highest on the entrance exam chakra control drills," Itachi replied.
"You were first in combat," Hiroshi replied back. "That's the part people actually care about."
Itachi smiled, but there was a quiet glint in his eyes. "Both have value. I heard you landed a hit on the proctor. That's impressive."
Hiroshi looked away for a moment. The benefits of the Byakugan put him ahead of his peers, but not like the Sharingan eventually would for Itachi.
"I was just lucky," he murmured.
Itachi tilted his head slightly, one eyebrow arching —as if to question the answer—but before he could speak, a voice rang out over the thrum of conversation.
"Everyone, settle down!"
An instructor stood near the front of the assembly, gesturing toward the raised podium. The chatter quickly died down as students shifted in their seats.
Then the doors opened, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped inside.
Draped in his ceremonial robes and hat, the old shinobi's presence commanded respect. He moved with purpose, ascending the podium with deliberate steps. His gaze swept over the assembled children. Dozens of bright, uncertain faces waiting for the first words of their shinobi journey.
For a heartbeat, his eyes paused on Hiroshi.
It was brief, so brief that Hiroshi wasn't sure it even happened.
"Welcome, future shinobi of Konoha."
Hiruzen's voice was calm but carried through the hall with a weight behind it. He looked out over the rows of fresh faces, some wide-eyed with wonder, others already hardened with ambition.
"Today marks the beginning of your journey," Hiruzen began, his voice steady, weathered by time. "The journey each of you now embarks upon—as future protectors of Konohagakure."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the rows of children standing before him, and his expression grew solemn.
"The war has taken from us all—brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers."
A heavy silence settled as he continued. "Their sacrifice gave us the peace we enjoy today. A peace bought with blood. It is a debt we can never truly repay."
He stood straighter now, voice growing firmer.
"This Academy was founded by the Second Hokage himself, to forge each new generation into true shinobi. Warriors who defend not just the village, but the ideals it stands for. Becoming a ninja is not a game. It is not glory or personal gain."
His eyes narrowed, voice calm but sharp.
"It is service. To your comrades. To your village. To something greater than yourself."
He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the silence to breathe before speaking once more.
"Within each of you lies a seed of potential. It will not grow on its own. Through discipline, effort, and hardship, you must cultivate it. Push yourselves beyond what you believe is possible. And in doing so, prove yourselves worthy of inheriting the Will of Fire."
With one final pause, the Third Hokage stepped back from the podium, silence lingered like smoke in the air. He gave a slight bow of his head—a final gesture of respect—then turned and walked off the platform, his robes brushing against the platform floor. For a moment, no one moved.
Then the voice of an instructor called out sharply.
"All students of Class C, follow me!"
Other instructors followed suit, and the students stirred to life as they followed behind their respective teachers.
Hiroshi glanced sideways—Itachi was as calm as ever, hands folded neatly behind his back.
They were led through the halls of the academy building, its walls were lined with murals of past Hokage and heroic scenes from Konoha's history. Eventually, the students were brought into a standard classroom—rows of seats, a chalkboard, and large windows that flooded the space with soft morning light.
Their teacher stood at the front, arms crossed, but a sharp smile on his face.
"Welcome to your first day at Ninja Academy. My name is Takumi Nara, and this will be your homeroom for the remainder of your academy training. I will be teaching you a wide variety of subjects here, including chakra control, ninjutsu theory, hand seal formation, team coordination, and more. You'll also receive the equivalent of a general education—reading, writing, math, the sciences, geography, etcetera."
He paced slowly as he spoke.
"The standard course lasts four years, though some may graduate early based on skill and assessment. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for promotion to Genin, and from there, begin your duties as shinobi of the Hidden Leaf."
A murmur swept through the students—a mixture of excitement and nerves.
"Each of you holds a new responsibility. You are no longer just civilians. From today onward, you walk the path of the ninja. "
He gestured for them to follow once again. "We'll finish the day with a short tour of the library. Line up and follow me."
They were led to a large wing of the academy, its wooden double doors carved with the Leaf symbol. Inside, rows upon rows of scrolls and bound tomes stretched across the room. A librarian in dark robes sat quietly at the front desk, barely glancing up as the students filed in.
"This is the Academy Library," Takumi said. "It contains jutsu scrolls, historical records, tactical manuals, and more. While the library houses techniques up to A-rank, students in their first year are only permitted access to C-rank jutsu and below."
He paused to let that sink in. "With permission and exceptional progress, some of you may gain access to higher ranks—but that is rare. You can check out up to two scrolls at a time, and they must be either returned or renewed every two weeks."
Hiroshi's eyes wandered over the vast shelves, drawn to a sealed section behind a barred gate. He could feel his hunger grow for the knowledge hidden behind those locks.
The instructor stopped once more, letting them absorb the scale of what lay before them. Then he reached into a scroll pouch and began handing out a small, tightly bound scroll to each student, marked with the standard leaf insignia.
"Your first official assignment begins now. This scroll contains the basic Clone Technique—Bunshin no Jutsu. It's a fundamental part of every shinobi's arsenal. Study it carefully and begin practicing at your own pace. We'll be evaluating your progress by the end of the month."
Hiroshi took the scroll when it was handed to him, running his thumb along the inked seal. Basic, sure. But it was his first real jutsu. A piece of the shinobi world in his own hands.
The instructor clapped once. "That's all for today. Classes begin tomorrow. Get some rest."
***
Hiruzen stood alone in the high tower of the Academy's administrative wing, gazing out over the training fields below.
Two boys stood out in his mind—Uchiha Itachi, calm and composed beyond his years, and Hyūga Hiroshi, calculating and watchful.
'Two stars,' Hiruzen mused. 'Each burning bright.'
And yet, there was weight behind that light.
The Uchiha were growing more withdrawn, restless beneath the surface. Whispers from the ANBU had painted a picture of distrust and ambition growing within the clan. Fugaku's silence spoke louder than words.
'And now his son stands at the top of the Academy.'
The results of the entrance exam were clear. Itachi's potential was immense.
'And Hiroshi…'
That quiet analytic gaze. There was a fire underneath it. The heir of the Hyūga clan would no doubt become an elite ninja as well. One of the pillars of the village.
A slow breath escaped him.
The future of Konoha would be shaped by these children.
Hiruzen sighed and turned slightly, joints stiff, breath slow. The warmth of youth had long since faded, and the weight of the Hokage's hat pressed harder each year.
'I am getting too old for this. Minato… if only you had survived.'
He had once dreamed of stepping down, passing the title on to another. He still did, though the candidates troubled him.
Jiraiya, ever-loyal, ever-absent, writing nonsense and chasing the thrill of adventure.
Tsunade, brave and bright, but the war has left her with deep scars. Ones that will not recover easily.
And Orochimaru…
A flicker of regret tightened his chest. Hiruzen closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.
'He has not fallen yet… but he walks too close to the edge. His hunger for forbidden knowledge grows.
He had once called Orochimaru his finest student. Now he could only hope he'd been wrong about where his path would lead.
Cane tapping against the floor softly, he walked down the long hallway, alone.
The Will of Fire still burned—but the flames were not his to carry forever.