The following morning, Aki arrived at the lakeside as promised. Finding that the First Hokage had not yet arrived, he began his daily routine of chakra control exercises. He stood upside down on a tree trunk, eyes closed, his small hands fluidly cycling through the twelve fundamental ninja hand seals. Before long, the sounds of childish bickering drifted toward him. Opening his eyes, he saw Jiraiya and Tsunade approaching, following behind the First Hokage. As usual, Jiraiya was sprinting toward the lake with Tsunade in hot pursuit, ready to deliver another blow.
Aki performed a mid-air flip and landed steadily on the ground, walking toward Hashirama. "Good morning, Master," he said with a respectful bow.
Jiraiya skidded to a halt and pointed an accusing finger at Aki, shouting to Hashirama, "Old man! This is the guy trying to steal my Tsunade! Beat him up for me, quick!"
"Get lost!" Tsunade barked, sending Jiraiya flying once again. She turned to Aki, her expression softening. "Good morning, Aki. Are you really not coming back to school? My grandfather said he took you as his disciple. Can I play with you from now on? You ignored me at school."
Aki gave a faint, rare smile. "I was just lost in thought, Tsunade. I didn't mean to ignore you. We should study hard now so we can live happily when we grow up."
Hashirama interjected with a grin, "The future requires hard work, but missing out on the joy of childhood is a mistake. My own childhood was devoid of such happiness, and I don't want you three to live the same way." He looked at Aki and added, "No training today. I'm taking you all to the amusement park to have some fun. We'll start the real training tomorrow." Ignoring Aki's potential protests, he grabbed his granddaughter's hand and led the way.
"Ah, I'm exhausted," Aki groaned on his way home that evening, stretching his aching limbs. He hadn't expected the First Hokage to have more energy than a group of children. "He said the real training starts tomorrow, but is he even reliable? If it weren't for Jiraiya, I wouldn't even be sure this was the Naruto world. The First Hokage doesn't seem that impressive so far."
As he entered the Uchiha compound, his mood shifted. To the rest of the village, the district was a symbol of prestige, but to Aki, it felt like a gilded prison. He could sense the invisible eyes of the Anbu everywhere; every movement of the Uchiha was under constant surveillance. He noticed his clansmen looking at him with strange, wary expressions.
I'll apply to drop out of the Academy tomorrow, Aki decided. I'll follow the First and gain enough power to change the Uchiha's fate. In this world, only the strong have a voice. I missed out on family in my last life; in this one, I'll defend it even if it kills me. I want my parents to live happily, and eventually, I'll have my own children for them to spoil.
When he reached home, his mother, Nanako Uchiha, greeted him with a teasing smile. "You're back! I heard you were having quite the time at the park with the First's granddaughter. Only six and already looking for a bride? When are you bringing her home to meet me?" Aki was mortified as she continued to refer to Tsunade as her "future daughter-in-law."
His father, Hikari Uchiha, appeared in the doorway, his face grim. "Come outside. I need to talk to you."
Nanako patted Aki's shoulder. "Your father is just tired from work. If he takes it out on you, tell me and I'll fix him. I'm still waiting for those grandkids, after all." Aki stepped outside, sighing. Parents are the same in every world, aren't they?
Hikari led Aki to a training grove used for kunai practice and stopped before a wooden training post. "The Uchiha have never bowed to the Senju," he said coldly. "In the past, our geniuses always held them back. But since your grandfather, Madara Uchiha, and Hashirama Senju signed that peace treaty, we have become a 'disturbing' element in this village. Even if we stay quiet, they don't trust us."
Hikari turned to Aki, his eyes burning with intensity. "I have endured their slights because of you. You are our future. But now they are moving against you. The Second Hokage summoned me today and told me you were to leave the Academy for 'special training.' It's a trap. I've prepared a secret route. You must escape tonight. Grow strong, and one day, return and make them pay."
Aki blinked, realized the misunderstanding, and quickly interrupted, "Father, you're being too aggressive. The First just took me to a park. He asked to be my Master yesterday and promised to personally teach me the ways of the ninja starting tomorrow. I simply hadn't told you yet. The Second probably thinks the Academy is a waste of my time."
Hikari froze. The shock was evident on his face. I acted like a petty man judging a saint, he realized. "Why didn't you say so earlier! I almost made a catastrophic mistake today! Wait until I get back, I'll deal with you then!" With a Body Flicker Technique, he vanished instantly.
Aki watched the empty space where his father had been. "Today is just a disaster. You were the one who overreacted, yet you're going to punish me? I didn't even know the First was supposed to be that special."
Aki was blissfully unaware that in the shinobi world, Hashirama Senju was revered as the God of Shinobi. He assumed Konoha's strength was a collective effort and completely ignored the fact that the man now teaching him was the strongest being on the planet.
In the Hokage's office, Hikari Uchiha stood with his head bowed before Tobirama Senju. "I apologize, Lord Second. I was disrespectful today and deeply regret my actions. Please, punish me as you see fit."
Tobirama stared at him for a long time, the killing intent in the room so thick that Hikari broke into a cold sweat. Finally, Tobirama spoke coldly, "Originally, by the end of tonight, the Uchiha name would have been erased from history. Do you know why I spared you? My brother forbade it. I truly don't want to see your clan's face anymore, but since he took Aki as a disciple, I must endure it. Don't let this happen again. Leave."
As Hikari hurried out, his heart was ice-cold. He had no idea his confrontation earlier that day had almost triggered the Uchiha Massacre decades ahead of schedule.
Hashirama stepped out from behind a screen once Hikari was gone. "He's a sensible man, Tobirama. He just cares too much about my student. You wouldn't understand because you don't have a son. I can understand doing anything for your child."
"Enough! When I retire, I'll have ten sons! More than you!" Tobirama roared.
"You're over forty, brother. Ten? I don't believe it. By the time you have a grandson, I'll have great-grandkids! Hahaha!" Hashirama laughed, leaping out the window.
"I'M GOING TO HAVE CHILDREN!!!" The roar from the Hokage office sent a shiver down the spines of the guarding shinobi.