The training grounds of the Ninja Academy.
All the students of Class 1-A stood in a large circle.
Nara Naoto stood in the center, holding a roster as he gave a motivational speech.
"This test is not only for Orochimaru-sama's selection of an apprentice but also an evaluation by the Academy. I expect everyone to give it their all. Understood?"
"Understood!"
Sasame and the others answered in unison.
"Good. Spirited, as expected."
Nara Naoto flipped open the roster. "When I call your name, step forward for your match. The winner advances to the next round."
Sasame sat cross-legged on the ground.
Frankly speaking, the fights could only be described in four words: a bunch of rookies flailing around.
The graduation standard at the Ninja Academy was mastering the Three Basic Jutsu.
So, just how weak were first-years?
Sasame had already learned five jutsu.
Aside from the Three Basic Jutsu, he also knew Shunshin no Jutsu and Suiton: Mizurappa.
He could practically point at them and say: "Uchiha Itachi, stand up first—the rest of you are trash."
After watching for a while, Sasame noticed a pattern.
The winners were almost exclusively clan kids.
It couldn't be helped—civilian students were at a natural disadvantage, lacking early exposure to advanced ninja knowledge.
Take Haruno Sakura, for example.
In the early story, her performance was… mediocre. Call for Sasuke when bored, scream for Naruto when in trouble—basically dead weight.
And yet, she was already one of the top civilian students, practically a genius among them.
The others? Even worse.
"Sasame vs. Kuzuryū Kenji!"
Nara Naoto glanced at the roster and called out.
Hearing his name, Sasame stood up and leisurely walked into the ring.
"Go, Sasame!"
A group of girls cheered for him.
"Tch! Think you're special just 'cause you're pretty?!"
Kuzuryū Kenji gritted his teeth, glaring. "I'll beat you for sure!"
"Do you play shōgi?" Sasame asked.
"Huh?!" Kenji froze.
Seriously?!
I'm trash-talking here, and you're asking if I play shōgi?!
Where's the respect?!
"Do you play shōgi?" Sasame repeated. "I have a friend who's also a Kuzuryū. Pretty good at shōgi—they call him the Dragon King."
"No!" Kenji snapped. "Sucking up won't help you now!"
Fine.
Sasame didn't bother wasting more words.
Shunshin no Jutsu!
Chakra surged around his legs—in an instant, he appeared right in front of Kenji and kicked.
The boy couldn't even react before he was sent flying, landing flat on his face.
"Winner: Sasame."
Seeing that Kenji couldn't get up, Nara Naoto immediately announced the result.
Nearby, Uchiha Itachi gave a slight nod.
Decent Shunshin.
But nowhere near Shisui-nii's level.
"Uchiha Itachi vs. Uchiyama Neko!"
Sasame sat back down and watched Itachi.
…Three seconds.
That's all it took.
Itachi stepped forward, then stepped back.
All that remained on the field was an unconscious Uchiyama Neko.
His movements were so fast most of the students couldn't even follow them.
Sasame estimated that Itachi was already close to chūnin level.
Match after match passed.
Eventually, only two remained in Class 1-A.
Sasame and Uchiha Itachi.
Nara Naoto wasn't surprised.
One was Tsunade's apprentice, the other the son of Uchiha Fugaku.
Both were prodigies blessed with exceptional talent.
While other kids their age were still playing in the dirt, these two were already mastering ninjutsu.
"The two of you will face off. The winner will represent our class in the next round. The top ten will have a chance to become Orochimaru-sama's apprentice, so do your best."
After a few words of encouragement, Nara Naoto stepped back, leaving the stage to them.
On the raised platform overlooking the field:
"Orochimaru-sama, the one on the left is Uchiha Itachi."
Vice-Principal Nara Yoshiyuki spoke respectfully. "He has achieved perfect scores in both theoretical and practical courses—undoubtedly the top of his class."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
Sasame had claimed that Itachi could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, but Orochimaru wasn't entirely convinced.
Still, whether it was true or not, he needed to see for himself.
Which means I must take him as my apprentice.
"And the other one?" Orochimaru asked casually.
"Sasame. Tsunade-sama's apprentice."
Orochimaru's interest flickered slightly. "Does he possess a Kekkei Genkai?"
"No. His water-style talent is decent, though."
Nara Yoshiyuki's answer instantly extinguished Orochimaru's curiosity.
No Kekkei Genkai? Worthless to me.
And since he's Tsunade's, no point interfering.
As they spoke, the match below began.
Uchiha Itachi stood still, flicking out six shuriken in a single motion.
Sasame immediately retaliated.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal colliding filled the air.
But then—
Itachi's hands twitched.
The six shuriken, which should have lost momentum and fallen, suddenly curved midair, raining down like a storm.
Sasame's eyes narrowed.
Only now did he notice the nearly invisible wires wrapped around Itachi's fingers.
Kubikiribō no Jutsu—Wire-Guided Shuriken Technique!
A skill even most chūnin couldn't master.
Shunshin no Jutsu!
Sasame's body blurred as he accelerated, trying to evade.
But Itachi had predicted this.
The shuriken shifted trajectories midair, homing in like guided missiles.
Suiton: Mizurappa!
Sasame reappeared, hands already in seals.
Chakra gathered in his throat—
Whoosh!
A surge of water erupted from his mouth.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
At the Ninja Academy, anyone who could use elemental ninjutsu was instantly the coolest kid around.
But Itachi didn't even flinch.
He released the wires controlling the shuriken and formed seals just as fast.
Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!
A massive fireball roared toward the water.
Normally, water should overpower fire.
But Itachi's chakra reserves far surpassed Sasame's—
Hiss!
The flames vaporized the water, reversing the elemental advantage.
"I forfeit."
Sasame used Shunshin again, appearing at the edge of the ring.
Losing to Itachi at this stage was expected.
Not like I can use Wood Release here anyway.
"Sasame performed admirably."
Nara Naoto smiled. "Let's congratulate Uchiha Itachi, who will advance to the next round!"
By the time Class 1-A had its winner, so did the others.
Since Orochimaru was selecting an apprentice, all grades (1st to 6th year) participated.
Normally, lower years stood no chance against upperclassmen.
But Uchiha Itachi was an exception.
He bulldozed through every match, reaching the finals effortlessly.
By evening, the top ten had been chosen.
They stood on the platform, eyes burning with excitement as they stared at Orochimaru.
All except Itachi, who remained calm.
Uchiha Shisui hadn't told him about Orochimaru's ambush, so Itachi still held some respect for the Sannin.
Becoming his apprentice might not be bad. I can deepen my understanding of the Will of Fire.
As the Third Hokage's student, Orochimaru should embody those ideals, right?
Orochimaru's gaze swept over the ten candidates.
Then, with a lazy flick of his fingers, he pointed at two.
"You two. Come with me."
At the same moment, a notification flashed in Sasame's mind.
[Due to your actions, Uchiha Itachi's fate has changed. You have gained 18 Fate Points.]
[Due to your actions, Mitarashi Anko's fate has changed. You have gained 49 Fate Points.]