Uchiha Akaishi Tour

Chapter 1: The "Illusion" at the Graduation Ceremony

April 15, Konoha Year 36.

Just before the Lunar New Year, Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage of Konoha, was caught up in a coup d'état in Kumogakure while forming an alliance with the village. The old and frail Tobirama was killed while covering the retreat.

Hiruzen Sarutobi succeeded as the Third Hokage and immediately took over as the principal.

Now, as the Third Hokage ascends to the throne, the Konoha Ninja Academy is having its first graduation ceremony, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, naturally, has taken time out of his busy schedule to attend.

……

Twelve-year-old Uchiha Akaishi graduated today.

Looking at the cool blond kid in the front row, Akaishi curled his lip in disdain—it's not wartime, why do you have to graduate early... just to show off your abilities, huh?

Commoners are just commoners! Unlike us Uchiha clan, who understand the importance of a solid foundation...

Just then, Akaishi saw Mikoto, the young lady of the Uchiha clan, arrive, and immediately put on a fawning... upright and enthusiastic smile.

"Miss Mikoto, why did you come in person?" Akaishi said, pulling out two chairs... Although he looked down on the red-haired girl next to Miss Mikoto, Akaishi still pulled out a chair for her as well.

"'Personally' and all that... Isn't today the graduation ceremony? How could I not come?" Mikoto was speechless—the Uchiha in front of her was being too obviously sycophantic, making her uncomfortable.

"Pfft..." Kushina burst out laughing on the spot, then whispered something to Mikoto.

Kushina didn't have much of an impression of Uchiha Akaishi.

After all, the two are not even in the same grade!

Akaishi and Mikoto are twelve years old this year, while Kushina and Minato are only ten years old. The two of them graduated early.

Although he's a bit of a nuisance and bullies Kushina because of her red hair, she eventually beats him up, but that doesn't include Uchiha Akaishi.

Especially after discovering that Mikoto and Kushina had a good relationship, Akaishi would sometimes act like a dog... righteously warning the other boys to "give me some face with the fan I'm wearing."

Of course, the reason why Akaishi fawned over Mikoto and took such good care of her was not because Akaishi liked her or for any physiological reason, but simply because Mikoto's father was the clan elder.

Although they are both from the Uchiha clan, Akashi is just an orphan who is on the margins!

Even though being a member of the Uchiha clan meant a life far beyond that of ordinary orphans, her background was worlds apart from Mikoto's.

While it's true that a ninja's worth isn't solely determined by their birth, but also by their individual talent, if we're talking about talent...

Instead, take a closer look at the palm-leaf fan I'm carrying!

Akaishi was well aware of this...

Akashi's biggest dream was simply to have his clansmen guide him for a couple of years after graduation, and then see if he could get a promotion to Chunin, join the police force, and bully... manage those unruly... villagers.

I'll try to marry a woman from my clan when I'm sixteen or seventeen. If that doesn't work, I'll find a pretty commoner female ninja to carry on the great genes of the Uchiha clan!

After that, like the old demon Senju, live to be sixty before dying in battle, and preferably at the most crucial moment, alongside the strongest teammates, at the hands of the strongest ninja, so that your sacrifice will seem very worthwhile...

I'm trying to please...take care of Misaka, mainly so it will be easier for me to get a referral later!

After all, Mikoto not only has a good family background and outstanding talent, but she is also childhood friends with Fugaku, the son of the clan leader.

At that time...

Even if you can't get help from the clan chief or his wife, it shouldn't be too difficult to mention to the clan's steward, "I'm a classmate of the clan chief's wife," and get a referral spot, right?

After glaring at several boys who tried to sit next to Mikoto, Akaishi himself obediently sat in the row in front of Mikoto.

……

Shortly after, the graduating class teachers arrived, and after their usual address, one teacher continued, "This year... the Hokage has graced the Ninja Academy with his presence to personally attend your graduation ceremony. Now, please welcome the Hokage to give his speech!"

Upon hearing this, Akaishi inwardly scoffed, but outwardly he clapped along.

Akaishi didn't actually have much of an impression of Hiruzen Sarutobi before, except...

Recently, after the Second Hokage died and Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage, there has been more and more discussion about them within the clan, and Akaishi has inevitably been affected as well.

Public opinion within the Uchiha clan has changed a lot over the years…

Before Akaishi was born, especially during the first ten years or so when the First Hokage was still alive, the mainstream opinion in the clan was to criticize Madara Uchiha, the troublesome ancestor, and to strongly support Hashirama and even Tobirama.

However, after the Second Hokage was appointed, some Uchiha members already harbored some resentment.

After Akaishi's birth, the internal discourse within the Uchiha clan was filled with complaints about Tobirama, denunciations of other ninja clans, complaints about the Senju clan, denunciations of the common people, complaints about the Second Hokage, and denunciations of everyone...

Well, in short, there is overall dissatisfaction with Tobirama Senju, but the target of this dissatisfaction will soon be shifted away by a "mysterious force".

Especially after the news of Tobirama Senju's death and Hiruzen Sarutobi's succession spread, Tobirama Senju's reputation within the Uchiha clan had reached the level of "the cunning old devil, Tobirama Senju."

After all, many Uchiha clan members had hoped that Tobirama Senju could live a few more years... mainly to allow Kagami Uchiha to grow a bit more, so that Kagami could become the Third Hokage!

Konoha was jointly established by our Uchiha and Senju clans. Your Senju clan has produced two Hokage, so we can't have none, can we?

Indeed, Tobirama also showed that he highly valued Uchiha Kagami...

Unfortunately, Uchiha Kagami was only in his early twenties when that cunning old man died, and... he actually gave the Hokage position to another ninja clan, but not to us Uchiha?

Therefore, it is conceivable that there was much criticism of the Second and Third Hokage within the Uchiha clan.

Of course, only internally...

These things are forbidden to be discussed in front of outsiders.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi with a stern face approach, Akaishi couldn't help but think of how everyone in the clan said he looked like a gorilla, and he couldn't help but suppress a laugh.

But just then...

[Ding-dong—Congratulations on registering for the immersive short drama experience platform! As a first-time user, the platform will give you one free trial opportunity…]

Akaashi:? ? ?

What is that?

Solution! Solution! Solution!

Akaishi suddenly realized that he seemed to be under an illusion.

Although he immediately tried to break the genjutsu by "disrupting the flow of chakra within his body," it was to no avail.

At the same time, Akaishi discovered that his senses were gradually fading away. Not only was his body unable to move, but his senses were also becoming increasingly blurred, as if time was about to stand still!

[I have already won a free trial of the drama series "After Ten Years of Unrequited Love, Why Did You Cry When I Died"...]

Akaashi:? ? ?

You pursued Liu Ru with unwavering devotion for ten years, only to endure the scorn and disdain of her and her best friend. Even when you were diagnosed with cancer, she believed it was part of your feigned vulnerability and continued to insult you relentlessly.

Akaashi:? ? ?

[The series spans 10 years and lasts for two hours.]

Akaashi:? ? ?