Chapter 58 - Ninja School

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In this ninja world where houses are built using jutsu, it still took nearly half a year to complete construction of the Ninja Academy. It wasn't until the end of July that it was finally finished.

The main reason, of course, was Akio's endless demands. One moment he was saying the Academy lacked facilities—it needed music rooms, art rooms, something to help cultivate students' character. The next moment, he was complaining the buildings weren't earthquake-resistant enough—they needed to withstand at least an eight-magnitude quake.

The Earth Release ninjas responsible for construction were practically ready to slap an Earth-style jutsu right across Akio's face just to show him what an eight-magnitude tremor really felt like.

Akio, feeling wrongly accused, was quite aggrieved. He was just being cautious—what if another Pain Attack hit Konoha in the future? One Shinra Tensei and the entire Academy would be rubble...

"Only then will they understand how great I am..."

In any case, despite all the bumps along the way, the Ninja Academy was finally complete.

*"Witnessed and significantly altered a major event in the Naruto timeline: Establishment of Konoha's Ninja Academy. Witness Points earned: 10 (5)."

With the Academy built, Akio went straight to Hashirama.

"Hashirama, the Academy's finished."

"I know, Grandpa. Let's start enrollment. I'll be there for the opening ceremony," Hashirama replied casually.

"Uh… Let Tobirama handle the rest," Akio said sheepishly, then quickly added with a righteous tone, "Grandpa's getting old, and this past half-year has been exhausting."

Hashirama looked completely baffled. "You... got this tired just from building a school building?" Over the past few months, many people had come to him complaining about Akio's excessive demands during construction. He had just let Akio have his fun, but now it seemed Akio was ready to wash his hands of the whole thing?

"Yeah," Akio replied flatly. "I still think Tobirama is better suited to running the school. You know my personality. I'd probably corrupt the next generation of Konoha."

Hashirama nodded in sudden understanding. "Don't worry, Grandpa. You're a great teacher! Just look at your three disciples..."

Akio's face darkened. Must you remind me of that every time?

Tobirama suddenly popped out from who knows where. "Big Brother, I'll handle the Academy."

Akio was nearly moved to tears.

"Hashirama, since Tobirama volunteered, I'm off!" he said and made a swift escape from the Hokage's office.

Hashirama looked helplessly at Tobirama, who only offered a blank, innocent expression.

Walking home, Akio clapped his fists together—finally, the burden was off his shoulders.

"But still, the Academy I worked so hard to build... someone has to keep an eye on it," he thought. "I'll send Izuko and Jitou..."

"No, not Jitou," he quickly reconsidered. Just imagining a bunch of thick-browed kids gave him chills.

Half a month later...

Akio stared helplessly at Jitou. "Didn't I say not to come?"

"Sensei, I can't stay in the clan compound anymore!" Jitou looked anguished.

"What happened?" Akio was puzzled. Seeing Jitou this emotional was rare.

"Our clan leader's gone nuts. He's been teaching me all sorts of weird stuff..." Jitou looked miserable.

Akio froze. Don't tell me my dear nephew wants to make him the next clan leader...

"Well... I guess it's fine if you came..." Akio muttered, silently worrying that if Jitou became head of the Uzumaki Clan, they'd self-destruct before anyone even attacked.

"But!" Akio suddenly asked, "Why didn't Izuko come?"

"She's really popular with the clan kids. She's been busy teaching them ninjutsu lately," Jitou explained.

Akio scratched his head. He didn't fully buy that explanation. Then again, Izuko was sixteen now—probably dealing with some teenage troubles...

Thinking of that, Akio glanced at Jitou again. Simple-minded people have their perks. No worries to speak of.

"Alright then. Tomorrow I'll take you to Tobirama. You can teach taijutsu at the Academy—it'll suit you. But if you ever consider passing on the Eight Gates, be extremely cautious..."

"Yes, Sensei!" Jitou shouted, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Akio's face went stiff—he suddenly realized they were still standing at the village gate.

"Let's go. I'll give you a tour of the Academy I personally oversaw."

September 1st.

The Ninja Academy officially opened.

That day, many familiar faces brought their children to enroll. Among them was Sarutobi Sasuke, father of the future Third Hokage.

"Sasuke—(ugh, it's still awkward to say that)—you brought your all-five-element-prodigy son to enroll? He's still not a genin?" Akio asked with a grin.

Sasuke smiled proudly. "He's already near chunin level. But he's only nine this year and wasn't eligible for previous evaluations. No idea who came up with the age limit."

"That was a dumb suggestion..." Akio muttered.

Sasuke wisely changed the subject. "Hiruzen, go on ahead. I'll chat with Sensei for a bit."

"Okay, Father!" The young future Third Hokage was rather cheeky as a child.

They chatted briefly while watching the kids file into the school building. Soon, the children were sorted into classes, each led by a different teacher. Tobirama walked in front, followed by several teachers who didn't have assigned classes. Among them was Jitou, standing stiff as a board. Akio felt a twinge of worry for the students.

After a short opening ceremony, Akio didn't stick around. The busy period of Academy work was finally over. It was in Tobirama's hands now.

"With this matter concluded, what should I do to earn more Witness Points?" Akio murmured, checking his status screen. "Already up to 180 points?"

"I don't need to use them just yet. Even if I allocate them, I'd need time to get used to my upgraded power... But I really just want to laze around for a few years. What a dilemma."

"Forget it. I'll go mess with Hashirama and Madara for now..."

With that in mind, Akio once again headed to the Hokage's office.

"Hashirama, still busy? Where's Madara?"

"Oh, Grandpa. The Nine-Tails is showing signs of revival. Madara went to capture it."

"Also, we've been locating the other Tailed Beasts one by one. I'm thinking of capturing them to prevent any potential destruction of villages and cities."

Akio's eyes lit up. "Capturing Tailed Beasts? That does sound kind of fun..."

"Any nearby ones? I could help catch one."

"There is," Hashirama nodded. "At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind—Shukaku, the One-Tail. It seems the Wind Country ninjas are trying to capture it as well."

"The Land of Wind, huh?" Akio muttered. He'd lived in the Land of Fire for 68 years without once leaving. He'd always wanted to travel.

His face turned solemn. "Lord Hokage, I formally request an official, expense-covered international trip... and I'll capture the One-Tail while I'm at it!"

Hashirama: "…"

What kind of nonsense is that?

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