Thanks to Jie's presence, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha brought little Sasuke along, turning the Academy drop-off into a full family outing for both Jie and Itachi.
Along the way, Jie saw civilians and ninjas everywhere, all escorting their children to the school gates. However, he didn't spot many familiar faces among the bustling crowd.
It made sense when he thought about it. Konoha's new generation—the Konoha 12—were all around Sasuke's age, still nursing in their mothers' arms. As for the prominent clan members who were several years older than him, they had long since graduated from the Academy. It was perfectly normal not to run into them here.
"Jie!"
Waiting near the school gates, Izumi Uchiha waved at him with a face full of excitement. But when she noticed Fugaku and Mikoto walking right behind him, she let out a quiet yelp, her small face flushing bright red.
'Oh no, this is bad! Jie's parents just saw me acting so improper,' she panicked internally. 'Jie is the young clan head, and I'm just a normal Uchiha. Will the Clan Head disapprove of us being together? Wait, Izumi, what are you thinking?! You're only six years old, it's way too early to be worrying about this!'
In a flash, a thousand thoughts raced through Izumi's mind, turning her face as red as a steamed crab.
"Jie, is this your little girlfriend? She's quite cute... Mom really likes her," Mikoto teased with a warm smile. Seeing Izumi's flustered reaction, Mikoto immediately knew that this sweet little girl had set her sights on her son.
"Mother, I'm only six. Isn't it a bit too early to be talking about this?" Jie sighed helplessly. Although people in the ninja world matured quickly, considering lifelong commitments at six years old was a bit much.
"She really is a good kid. If you have any intentions, neither your mother nor I will object," Fugaku chimed in, a rare smile crossing his stern face.
"Alright, alright!" Jie agreed half-heartedly, his face a picture of pure exasperation. How had he never realized that his parents had this teasing side to them?
Amidst the playful banter, the family arrived at the entrance of the Ninja Academy. Snapping out of her wild, spiraling thoughts, Izumi jumped in fright when she realized the Clan Head and his wife were standing right in front of her.
"Good morning, Clan Head! Good morning, Madam!" Izumi shouted hurriedly, dropping into a deep bow.
"You're such a cute little girl. What's your name?" Mikoto asked warmly, gently helping Izumi stand up straight.
"My name is Izumi, Izumi Uchiha," she answered in a small, timid voice.
"It looks like you and Jie are good friends. Make sure to come over and play when you have time." Mikoto patted Izumi's head affectionately.
"Huh?! Can I really?" Izumi's eyes widened.
"Of course you can!"
She was such a well-behaved little girl; the more Mikoto looked at her, the more she liked her.
Not long after, a bell chimed from within the Ninja Academy. It was time to register. Mikoto reluctantly pulled her hand back.
"Be sure to remember to come visit," Mikoto reminded her.
"I will, Aunt Mikoto!" Izumi said cheerfully.
"Alright Itachi, Jie, you two should head in as well." Fugaku's expression softened as he patted his sons on the shoulders. Neither Itachi nor Jie gave him any cause for concern.
The registration process was extremely simple. Jie and Itachi just went to the instructor, Tatsuya Yamashiro, to fill out a basic form. Following that, both brothers were assigned to Class 1-A. Led by their new teacher, the two boys arrived at their classroom, concluding the morning's procedures.
[Ding! The Host has successfully enrolled in the Ninja Academy. Settlement complete. Reward received: The Three Basic Jutsu, Kunai Throwing Technique!]
'You get rewards just for going to school?' Jie thought, slightly surprised. However, whether it was the Three Basic Jutsu or kunai throwing, these were the absolute fundamentals. Aside from making his upcoming days at the Academy even more boring, this reward had zero impact on his actual strength.
Gradually, the Class 1-A room filled up with students. Jie glanced around. Besides Itachi and a girl holding a small puppy who looked vaguely familiar, he didn't recognize a single person in the room.
It was Hana Inuzuka! The older sister of Kiba Inuzuka.
'Not a single familiar plot character. How boring,' Jie sighed, resting his chin on his desk. Izumi had been assigned to a different class, and Itachi was a complete introvert, leaving Jie with absolutely no one to talk to.
'As expected, graduating early really is the best option,' he decided silently.
Once everyone was present, Tatsuya Yamashiro walked into the classroom carrying a large stack of registration forms. He looked around the room and was just about to introduce himself to his future students when a boy suddenly stood up from his desk.
"You are Jie Uchiha, correct?" Tatsuya recognized him instantly. After all, Jie was the son of the Uchiha Clan Head; his status was impossible to ignore.
"Do you have a question, student?" Tatsuya asked with a friendly, welcoming expression.
"Sensei, I want to apply for early graduation!" Jie declared decisively.