Chapter 013: Sasuke & Naruto's Iconic Scene - Minato, Your Son is Bold! (Please Support!)
Because she couldn't join a ninja squad, Kuro-Hinata had no choice but to return home early.
She had sneaked out today - her father had ordered her to be present by 9 PM.
But Kitahara Kaede shook his head. Hiashi undoubtedly knew everything.
He probably also knew that if he didn't let Kuro-Hinata leave, she would never agree to training.
She was still too naive after all.
...
Ninja Academy.
Kaede's batch was the 145th generation of students. Founded by the Second Hokage, the academy had since supplied the village with... a massive number of corpses.
During the Second's era, the First Great Ninja War began.
Thus, while the academy was originally established to nurture talent, it quickly became an assembly line for cannon fodder.
Countless genin were sent to the battlefield.
And what were genin?
Those who would die instantly if they stepped on an explosive tag.
Of the over 16,000 ninja remains in Konoha's back mountain, half were children who fought in the Ninja Wars.
The First Hokage's vision for Konoha was to end wars, allowing children to grow up normally without going to battlefields, while ninja from all villages helped each other - achieving lasting peace.
Yet reality... completely overturned and twisted that ideal.
Compounded by the Third's incompetence in utilizing the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, Konoha had been in decline.
Of the current 13,000 villagers, fewer than 3,000 were ninja.
But this situation would soon end.
Because the Golden Generation had arrived.
Nine of the future Konoha 12 were already gathered:
Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura.
Shikamaru, Choji, Ino.
Hinata, Kiba, Shino.
(Hinata wasn't present.)
"..."
Honestly, looking at it this way, Sakura was impressive.
Among the other nine, every single one came from a clan, ultimately mastering their clan's techniques or kekkei genkai.
She had nothing.
Yet her academic skills and chakra control were innate talents.
After all, a true idiot couldn't master the Byakugo no Jutsu (which even Shizune failed to learn) or solve the brutally difficult written exam during the Chunin Exams.
Of course, that was the original story.
In reality, Kaede knew Sakura's academic abilities were solid - sometimes even borrowing the same advanced materials as Hinata in the library.
"Damn it..."
"Stupid Ino..."
Sakura was arguing with Ino.
They'd been close as kids but grew to resent each other.
"Look, I bumped into someone because of you..."
"Ino-pig!" Sakura snapped.
"Forehead-girl!" Ino retorted.
Sakura didn't continue the argument, instead turning to Kaede, whom she'd collided with.
"Um..."
"Kitahara-kun, sorry."
"Ah..."
"Really, really sorry."
"I just found out we'll be split into three-person teams, so I panicked," Sakura explained.
"..."
You're the same Sakura from the original story - the one who "wins, she becomes Hokage's wife; loses, she marries Sakura." Can't you show a little more confidence?
"You'll be assigned to a good team," Kaede said.
"R-really?" Sakura perked up.
Still a top student fresh out of the academy, she'd mastered the Three Basic Techniques and aced theory exams. Unscathed by real ninja life, she believed she was actually quite capable.
So even in a three-person team, her teammates shouldn't be bad.
"Yes," Kaede confirmed.
Sakura's thought process differed from his, but with Sasuke and Naruto as teammates, it was a solid lineup.
Speaking of Naruto...
Before Iruka arrived, Naruto's appearance shocked everyone.
Because-
"Naruto, didn't you fail?"
"And... is that really you?"
"This can't be you!"
"Since when are you this cool?!"
"Heh!"
"Of course it's me - the real deal!"
With his Uzumaki clan's chakra system restored, Naruto shut them down effortlessly.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Ten consecutive clones!
Naruto had created ten Iruka replicas - combining Clone and Transformation Techniques.
The graduation exam only required one Iruka clone, but...
Naruto just whipped out ten.
TEN.
"Whoa-"
"Naruto, what did you eat?!"
"This is insane-"
Shikamaru nearly stood up.
"Tch." Sasuke glared, displeased.
Cold and aloof, Sasuke attracted girls with his looks but couldn't care less.
His heart held only one thing: vengeance for his clan's massacre.
No interest in women.
He aimed to restore the Uchiha through sheer strength - a naive goal, unaware of alternative methods.
Yet he'd always sensed something familiar in Naruto.
The aura of an orphan.
He'd also seen Naruto training relentlessly... but with no talent.
To Sasuke, a dead-last like Naruto should just quit being a ninja.
Talent was innate.
But Naruto's display just shattered that image.
Sasuke... felt envy.
His own progress had stalled.
How can I get stronger if I don't improve?
Then-
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
Naruto leaped onto Sasuke's desk, squatting like a duck and staring straight into his face.
"..." Sasuke.
He was used to being stared at - by girls. But Naruto's gaze...
While he found girls annoying, Naruto's intense focus irritated him more.
"Kitahara-kun said I should get along with you."
"Being with you helps me improve," Naruto said. "But you're so damn stuck-up..."
"..." Sasuke.
Sasuke immediately shot a look at Kaede.
"..." Kitahara Kaede.
He had said that, but he hadn't expected Naruto to blurt it out now.
Just then, the student in front - amused by Naruto's words - turned around, elbowing him accidentally.
Naruto, already unbalanced in his duck-squat, lurched forward.
Sasuke's eyes widened.
Their faces were now zero distance apart.
[Beep!]
The system chimed.
[Daily (^_-) Descendants Chat Group activated]
[3-hour livestream starting now!]
[@Kakashi, @Hashirama, @Tobirama, @Minato]
[Descendants Chat Group (^_-)]
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Finally! I've been waiting!
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: The Pure Land's just a drafty single-room shack!
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Worst. Retirement. Ever.
[Tobirama]: ...I'm here too.
[Minato]: @Kakashi, any updates from the Third?
Minato pressed - he hadn't forgotten how his son was treated. Unacceptable.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: @Minato, wait...
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: This livestream looks... off.
[Minato]: ?
Before Minato could react, the stream showed the academy scene - Naruto kissing Sasuke.
[Kakashi]: ...
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Gotta say, Minato, your kid's bold!
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: I know Uchiha are pretty, but this is... uh...
[Minato]: What the-
Chapter 014: Team 7 - Who's the Real Heroine Here? Sasuke?! (Please Support!)
The air seemed to freeze.
Everyone might be surprised by how Naruto suddenly looked more handsome without his whisker marks, or how astonishing it was that his Shadow Clone Jutsu worked and even produced ten Iruka-senseis.
But...
None of that compared to the shock now.
Sasuke was from the Uchiha clan, known as the handsome Uchiha, and was very popular.
The boys simply thought Sasuke was strong. He was the top student in the class, always ranking first no matter what subject or practical skill.
As for the girls...
Sasuke was a good-looking guy, so of course they paid attention to him. But Sasuke was cold and unapproachable, always brushing them off with a "so annoying."
So, even though the girls were constantly rejected, they were still curious—who would eventually tame this aloof Sasuke?
And then...
They witnessed Sasuke and Naruto sharing their first kiss.
To be exact, Naruto and Sasuke kissed.
"Ah..."
Even the person who had turned and pushed Naruto was dumbfounded.
"Naruto... what are you doing!"
"Sasuke's first kiss was with Naruto!"
The classroom instantly descended into chaos.
"Ahhh... I need to rinse my mouth!"
Naruto and Sasuke also reacted intensely.
"..." Kitahara Kaede.
This was truly something. During his days as Sasuke and Naruto's classmate, Kitahara Kaede had always been curious whether these two would still form a bond like in the original story.
And now...
Looks like nothing had changed at all?
...
Amid the commotion, their class's supervising chunin, Iruka-sensei, arrived.
"Everyone quiet down…"
"What the... Naruto, what did you do this time!"
"I let it slide when you defaced the Fourth Hokage's stone face… but this?"
"Hm..."
Iruka was also shocked. Naruto had come to him last night to make up a test and showed his natural talent. He was genuinely happy for Naruto, thinking he was finally growing.
But...
Now this scene... he was still a teacher after all.
What hadn't he seen before?
What hadn't he experienced?
Okay, fine.
This scene really was a first.
[Descendant Chat Group (^_-)]
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: This is amazing. Minato, your son is quite energetic.
[Namikaze Minato]: Uh… yeah…
Minato's spirit scratched his head.
He was also very shocked to see Naruto kissing Sasuke.
But he was a rational man.
[Namikaze Minato]: But this was just an accident.
[Namikaze Minato]: Also...
Minato was thinking about what Iruka said earlier—about Naruto vandalizing his stone face. Was that... an indirect expression of his discontent with the village?
And... could it be that Naruto already knew he was his son?
[Namikaze Minato]: @Kakashi, are you there?
[Kakashi]: … Yeah.
[Kakashi]: … I got an explanation.
[Kakashi]: But whether or not it's acceptable, I'm not sure.
Kakashi's tone didn't sound promising.
Which meant that even Kakashi wasn't convinced by the explanation the Third Hokage gave?
[Kakashi]: Here's what happened. Last night I went to see the Third Hokage and asked about Naruto.
[Kakashi]: He said this: "When the Nine-Tails attacked the village, the losses were severe. Most of the chunin and jounin—including the Fourth—were lost."
[Kakashi]: "This was a huge blow to the village. There were two pressing threats. One, the village was left vulnerable, so to deter other ninja villages, they had to make it known that the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki existed."
[Kakashi]: "Two, he didn't tell people Naruto was the Fourth's child because there were many enemies from Minato's past. Revealing Naruto's identity could make him a target for revenge."
[Kakashi]: "The Third Hokage said he would tell Naruto the truth when the time was right."
[Namikaze Minato]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: That's it!?
The one who responded this time was Senju Tobirama.
[Senju Tobirama]: That's the explanation Hiruzen gave?
[Kakashi]: Yes.
[Namikaze Minato]: …
Tobirama was speechless.
[Senju Tobirama]: Minato, what do you think?
[Namikaze Minato]: I don't know right now.
Meaning, Minato thought the Third's reasoning had some logic to it… but he couldn't accept it.
Of course he couldn't accept it.
Minato had fulfilled his duties as Hokage completely. But after his death, his child wasn't properly cared for.
Instead, Naruto was treated like a tool.
Even his most basic living needs weren't met.
As Hokage, Minato fulfilled his duty. But as a father, he couldn't accept this.
[Senju Tobirama]: If there's an opportunity, I'll have Hiruzen explain this to you himself.
[Namikaze Minato]: … Let's put it on hold for now.
He said this because he could see that Naruto's current state was relatively positive.
With the Uzumaki clan's chakra system restored, Naruto was motivated and aiming for his dream. Minato wanted to support him.
[Senju Tobirama]: Then I'll note this for now. Also, @Kakashi.
Tobirama's tone subtly changed.
Hashirama noticed it immediately.
But he said nothing.
Tobirama's spirit continued.
[Senju Tobirama]: Let me ask directly, Kakashi, is Konoha in a really bad state right now?
[Kakashi]: …
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: …
[Kakashi]: We're currently in a time of peace after the Third Great Ninja War.
[Kakashi]: But the number of active, registered shinobi in Konoha… is less than three thousand.
That was the polished version.
In truth, it meant Konoha was… in terrible shape.
[Senju Tobirama]: …
Tobirama went silent.
[Senju Tobirama]: @Kakashi, I have a favor to ask.
[Kakashi]: Go ahead.
[Senju Tobirama]: Today is the day jounin are assigned to new graduates, right? You've been assigned Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto.
[Senju Tobirama]: But for the third member, I want you to choose Kitahara Kaede.
[Kakashi]: About that...
Kakashi was cut off.
Because over on Iruka's side, he had already begun reading the final group assignments.
"From today onward, you are officially graduates of the ninja academy. You are now real ninjas."
"You have your own registration numbers."
"You are part of Konoha."
"However, what you've learned in school is only theoretical knowledge. You now need real-world practice, guided by your new teachers."
"Each team will consist of three students, led by one jounin who will teach you how to become truly qualified ninjas."
"Even though the ninja world is at peace now, don't forget that your future is to become proud, worthy shinobi!"
Iruka said.
"Now, I'll read the team assignments."
"Team 10: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino. Instructor: Jounin Sarutobi Asuma."
"Team 9: Ayakouji Seirou, Oreki Houtarou, Yukinoshita Yukino. Instructor: Jounin Shiranui Genma."
"Team 8: Haruno Sakura, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino. Instructor: Jounin Yuuhi Kurenai."
"Eh…"
Hearing that assignment, Kitahara Kaede let out a sound.
"What is it? Do you have a problem, Kitahara?"
Iruka looked over, also finding it strange.
"…" Kitahara Kaede sat back down.
Because Haruno Sakura—traditionally the fixed female lead of Team 7—had been assigned to Team 8. Could it be because Hinata wasn't present, so Sakura was placed there instead?
But if that's the case, and each team still follows the two-boy-one-girl structure, then who's the female lead sandwiched between Sasuke and Naruto this time?
Iruka's expression changed slightly, but he continued reading.
"Team 7: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Kitahara Kaede. Instructor: Jounin Hatake Kakashi."
"…"
[Senju Tobirama]: Looks like I didn't need to interfere after all.
[Kakashi]: Yeah, because I already chose Naruto, Sasuke, and Kitahara Kaede from the beginning.
Chapter 015: The "Who's Got It Worse" Competition of Team 7! (Seeking support)
The time was 10:20 in the morning.
Kitahara Kaede, Sasuke, and Naruto were waiting in the classroom for Team 7's jonin instructor, Kakashi, to arrive.
The door opened, and Kakashi stepped inside. Sasuke, Naruto, and Kitahara Kaede looked at him.
Kakashi was a tall, slightly thin man with silver-white hair.
His visible left eye looked sharp, but he gave off a lazy vibe.
Most of his face was hidden behind a mask, and his Konoha headband was worn slanted to cover his other eye.
He gave off a mysterious aura.
But...
"Ah, why's he covering his face? Did he get injured? Is it disfigured or something?" Naruto said.
"Not necessarily. That face is probably handsome," said Kitahara Kaede.
"Probably the most handsome among the young male ninja in the village."
"What?!"
Naruto was shocked.
Having just shed his label as the 'ugly guy,' Naruto now cared a lot about appearances.
However...
"Sasuke Uchiha isn't here yet?" Kakashi asked.
Kakashi never cared whether he looked good or not.
He hadn't even looked at his own face in ages. He even bathed while wearing his mask.
"Oh…"
Naruto said with disinterest, "That guy's still brushing his teeth."
"%..." Kakashi.
Well… For the handsome Uchiha, even as a kid, having his first kiss stolen really was a lot to handle.
If it were him, and his first kiss was stolen by Gai…
Just thinking about it made Kakashi feel like collapsing.
Too horrifying.
"I'm here—"
Just as he said that, Sasuke finally returned.
He wore a cold, withdrawn expression.
"Ahem…"
"Well then, I'm Hatake Kakashi, Konoha's elite jonin, specializing in taijutsu."
"But my chakra reserves aren't very high."
"I can only use Chidori about four times a day."
"As your instructor, you can call me Kakashi-sensei. Or just Kakashi."
"Also…"
"Don't judge me based on looks. I've completed 33 S-rank missions, 233 A-rank, and 344 B-rank missions."
"Only talk back to me once you've reached my level," Kakashi added.
This task list, showing off his true strength, shut Sasuke right up just as he was about to question him.
As a top student from the Uchiha clan, Sasuke knew what that meant.
Iruka had explained the mission rank system in class.
S-rank missions often involved participating in the Shinobi World Wars.
To have completed so many missions meant Kakashi was undeniably powerful.
Kitahara Kaede's expression… also changed slightly.
It looked a bit like… distaste. And a hint of regret.
[Big Dummy Hashirama]: What's that expression, Kitahara-kun?
[Big Dummy Hashirama]: Is it because Kakashi's done too many missions?
[Tobirama]: Or because he hasn't done enough?
Nope.
Neither.
In that moment, Kitahara Kaede did feel a bit of regret.
Because…
He had imagined a slower-paced, more relaxed life.
But… Kakashi was clearly a full-on workaholic.
Normal C- or B-rank missions take about a week.
A-rank takes 2–3 weeks.
S-rank takes 1–3 months.
And Kakashi had done so many missions…
That meant for almost 20 years of his 28-year life, he had been doing missions non-stop…
Which means…
This teacher is way too hardcore.
Kaede didn't object to being in a team with Sasuke and Naruto.
But…
If it meant turning into someone as hardcore as Kakashi, then that was far from relaxing.
...
Kakashi continued:
"Originally, I was going to give you another test."
"But I've changed that."
"It's now more about getting to know you."
"Give a self-introduction."
"It'll help me understand you better for future training," Kakashi said.
He was being smart about it.
Normally, even after being assigned to his team, if a student didn't pass the bell test, Kakashi would eliminate them.
Those students would be sent back to Iruka and have to repeat the academy.
Fail three years in a row, and you lose the chance to become a ninja.
But that process didn't apply anymore.
Because…
Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son.
Kakashi had once protected Naruto's pregnant mother, so his true mission now was to protect Naruto.
There's no way they'd just let Naruto go.
As for Sasuke…
He was the clanmate of Obito.
The Third Hokage had ordered that someone help resolve Sasuke's hatred.
So they couldn't give up on him either.
As for Kitahara Kaede…
They even made a chat group around him.
And from how he instantly suppressed the Nine-Tails and gave Naruto back his freedom… he was clearly a powerhouse.
Maybe not a suck-up, but definitely someone very safe to keep close.
Like…
If Naruto lost control of the Nine-Tails, he definitely couldn't handle it.
But Kitahara Kaede could.
So…
Even if Tobirama hadn't requested it, Kakashi would've picked him too.
So wasn't it obvious?
No need for a test!
All three of them were exempt!
...
"..." Kitahara Kaede.
Although he didn't like how high-effort this sounded, he still followed the rules.
"Kitahara Kaede. War orphan. Currently living with a rabbit. Goal: hoping my rabbit will treat me more gently."
"..." Naruto. "? Is that how you're supposed to introduce yourself? Then I'll go!"
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Orphan. My goal is… to become Hokage! Stronger than any previous Hokage!"
"..." Sasuke.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke. …Orphan. My goal is to become strong. Stronger and stronger. Then find Uchiha Itachi… and get revenge!"
"..." Kakashi.
Kakashi suddenly felt like cursing.
Because…
What kind of team was this?
He himself… was also an orphan.
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After this release, I will upload 3 chapters every day, And if you find any translation errors or anything, you can report them to me in this comment.