The day of the results ceremony had finally arrived.
The atmosphere in the academy courtyard was electric, not so different from what I remembered of my old world.
I was lazily sprawled atop a wall, watching the scene unfold.
In a way, it was nostalgic seeing these children like this reminded me of my old classmates. This was only the first exam of the year; the next one would be held in three months. And if the timeline followed the original pace, Itachi would leave the academy by then.
Speaking of him... I had completely lost track of him. Not that I was worried.
He'd get a perfect score.
Suddenly, silence fell across the courtyard. Snapping back to the present, I spotted a familiar figure standing before the attentive students, delivering his traditional indoctrination speech.
The Third Hokage himself had come, flanked by instructors. When Itachi's name was called first, I wasn't surprised in the slightest.
He stepped forward calmly, eyes following him with admiration… or envy.
Even at the end of the ceremony, I kept watching as Itachi approached the Hokage. I saw them talk, then I watched as the old man gently placed a grandfatherly hand atop his head.
The image reflected in my slitted pupil. The world around me began to melt and shift, though I didn't notice at first.
Only the three of us remained me, Itachi, and the Hokage.
I really hoped that smile was genuine… I truly hoped so. If not... well, it would be just one more to add to the list.
If someone had looked into my eyes at that moment, they would have seen the reflection of the Hokage, a burning silhouette, slowly crumbling into ash.
I became suddenly aware of the distortion around me. I blinked, and the world snapped back to what it should be.
I watched the two of them talking in silence. Curling up atop the wall, I tried to recall the vision I'd just had, but it was no use.
A bit disturbed, I eventually leapt down from the wall and started heading back toward the Uchiha compound. Itachi could return on his own.
I was a little hungry, and I was sure Mikoto would give me something if I complained a little.
The thought made me flick my tail. I was becoming shameless.
Unbeknownst to me, the Hokage who had subtly tensed, prepared for a sudden attack glanced toward my former perch.
---------------------------------------P.O.V Hiruzen------------------------------------------
Even amidst the smiles of children and the soft spring light, an old unease crept into my bones.
The kind of foreboding only those who've fought long and hard enough eventually come to understand… even when it's faint.
I had come here to congratulate the best student of the current class.
From the reports I'd received, this one was a prodigy. I had a feeling he wouldn't stay at the academy for long.
And then, there was his identity. I wanted to understand his nature his view of the village.
I wasn't disappointed. He had clearly inherited the Will of Fire… or would soon enough. His questions made that clear.
Still, he viewed the world through a lens far too mature for a child his age. I only hoped he'd stay on the right path.
I withdrew my hand from his head and stepped back with a smile still on my face. I was sure Fugaku wouldn't let him stray.
At that moment, I felt something strange in the air. I glanced toward the ANBU still hidden in the shadows, but they showed no reaction. They hadn't sensed anything?
I turned toward what I instinctively felt was the source just in time to see a feline tail disappear from sight.
Looking back at Itachi, I noticed he was watching in the same direction.
He had sensed it too… something the ANBU missed?
Intrigued, I asked:
— Is something wrong, Itachi?
He looked at me and replied calmly:
— No, Lord Hokage. I just thought Hinoko was still there.
— Hinoko? I asked, puzzled.
— Yes. She's a little cat I adopted. She's caused quite a bit of trouble at the academy.
That jogged my memory there had been a mention of a pet in the reports. According to the instructors, this feline was far more capable than the average Inuzuka dog without actual combat experience. A little odd.
— Ah, I see. So she's like a Ninken you've trained? I heard she tends to act on her own. You should discipline her properly if you don't want that behavior backfiring on a mission.
— I suppose you could say that, he answered. Hinoko is naturally strong… but she's also very intelligent. I don't think she can be trained like a regular cat. She's more like a child easy to manipulate with the right approach.
The one saying this was a child himself. And yet, he clearly didn't consider himself one anymore.
Still, I noticed something shift slightly in his tone when he spoke of her. Subtle, but there.
— So, you two get along well?
— Yes. She usually becomes docile when I scold her… though I try not to do that too often. If I do, she sulks, and it gets difficult to interact with her.
I see. He gets along better with his cat than with his peers?
Perhaps I'm reading too much into it… but:
— Then I'd like to meet her someday this cat with genin-level capabilities.
— I'll introduce you to Hinoko once I catch her. I think she's already gone back to the compound. Should I go get her?
— No need. I still have duties to attend to. You might want to set up a signal to call her — that could be useful in missions.
— Thank you for the advice, Lord Hokage. And for taking the time to answer my questions.
I nodded with a gentle smile.
— It was no trouble. A pleasure, young Itachi. Truly a pleasure.
As I walked away, my brow furrowed.
Could a mere cat really have caused that sensation?