AN/ This chapter is unedited. By that I mean I did not check spellings. Please be sure to leave paragraph comments if you find any. thanks!
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Jin found the academy boring.
He didn't learn any new jutsu, and only found pleasure in secluding himself inside the library, consuming all the knowledge that it had to offer.
He learned about many things. The history of ninja, the geography of the world... All of the things Kishimoto wasn't able to expand upon, he learned. It added so much depth to the world he thought he knew already.
At first, Fugaku and Hideki found him strange, but it ended up rubbing off on them. Slowly, they began using their free time in the academy library, studying with Jin.
Before they knew it, they were already reading books meant for graduating academy students. The teachers that saw them refused to believe they were just five.
The Uchiha trio's classmates had all started to view them as geniuses. While the boys envied them, the girls all fell for them, competing for their attention.
Kids don't know how to restrain themselves, and can sometimes say hurtful things. Because they envied those three so much, the other boys started spreading rumors about them and their clan.
Even so, the girls paid no mind to those rumors, solely focused on their good-looks and intelligence. This angered the boys even further, leaving them unable to do anything.
Jin didn't care about all this drama and preferred being alone or with his cousins. They, on the other hand, really enjoyed the attention from the girls. Fugaku just talked to them in order to feel superior, while Hideki did so because he liked being the center of attention.
Ever since he was born, Jin and Fugaku had taken most of the spotlight. Knowing that there was a group of girls that liked him more than they liked his cousins made Hideki feel better, increasing his confidence.
During theory classes, Jin made sure to listen carefully. He had a notepad where he wrote down everything he learned, for good measure.
Jin learned that Konoha was currently undergoing a war recovery period along with the other ninja villages.
True balance was achieved through the consecutive deaths of Konoha's three strongest members; Hashirama, Madara, and Tobirama. Not to mention the even distribution of the tailed beasts.
(AN: For those who will say that the academy wouldn't tell these things to kids, think again. These were warmongering times when true peace was but a remote idea. Things like the tailed beasts were considered common knowledge in the ninja villages.)
Konohagakure's relationship with Kumogakure was hanging on by a thread. The second Hokage had been killed by ninja from their village, and although they had lost the Raikage in the same manner, Konoha still held them accountable.
From his previous life, Jin remembered that Tobirama was killed by the Kinkaku force. They somehow also managed to take out the second Raikage, betraying their own village.
Jin was happy about the situation, which likely meant he would get to face Kumogakure ninja in the future. Because of this, he did not make an effort to tell the truth.
They wouldn't believe him anyway.
Apart from theory, Jin had also advanced a lot as a ninja. Goro had taught him and the others how to walk on trees and water, which he did on his first try. He now knew how Sakura must've felt on top of that tree...
Bored with what was being taught to him in terms of Ninjutsu, Jin started experimenting with his memories. After much thinking and theorizing, he finally managed to re-create the Shadow-clone technique.
With this one, he was very careful. Although it wasn't forbidden, it's nature led it to be classified as a 'Use at your own risk' type of technique.
Right now, he could only make one clone of himself in a day. It would consume half of his chakra and not give it back, making it a liability more than an asset. He still hadn't found much use for it other than speeding up training and studying a little.
One day, he was caught using a clone by his cousins, who seriously questioned him. Even with all of his warnings, they still wanted him to teach them the technique, so he did.
From that point on, he basically became an enslaved teacher for his cousins.
It took them months, but they finally managed to learn it, freeing Jin of his shackles. With newfound freedom, he ventured the library and perused through even more books.
Jin was reading a book about Kunai Physics, when he was suddenly interrupted by an excited Hideki. Fugaku wasn't far behind too.
"Jin! today is the day of the annual, first-year's ninjutsu competition! We're meant to participate, and the winner gets to meet Sandaime..."
Hearing the news, Jin fell into deep thought. Because of Sarutobi, his father had been killed. Not to mention that he would eventually trigger the extinction of his clan.
If he met him now, he wasn't sure if he could restrain himself. He knew he would end up saying things with his heart, not his head. Because of this, he decided to not partake in the competition.
"I won't be participating, thank you."
"Look Jin, I know you don't want to, but it's obligatory."
Fugaku looked at Jin with a face full of understanding. Their clan, especially Jin, did not really like the third. Even so, the rules were the rules.
"Who said we have to be there?"
Hearing Jin's words, a light sparked in Hideki and Fugaku's heads. They both replied in unison.
"You don't mean..."
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After the lessons ended, the competition took place on the academy's training field, where a small wooden platform had been built. All of the students that enrolled that year were there to participate, and some of the older kids also came to watch the show, along with some teachers.
In one corner, Hiruzen sat on a chair, right next to Danzo. While the former looked interested, the latter made it clear he had other places to be at. Smiling, Hiruzen spoke to his old comrade.
"Danzo. Why did someone as busy as you come to his small competition?"
"Hiruzen... You know the answer, yet you still ask. I came to check out that Uchiha."
"Hahaha! Why so serious? Let's have fun and enjoy the show... As you said, there could be some hidden gems this year."
With this the competition took place. No one did anything worthwhile, boring Danzo. Hiruzen just smiled, smoking on his pipe as he watched the students use basic ninjutsu.
Finally, an Uchiha rose to the stage, exciting Danzo. Realizing that it wasn't who he was looking for, he didn't pay much attention.
Mikoto nervously walked onto the stage, looking at Fugaku for comfort. The latter smiled, making her relax a little.
Readying herself, she started performing hand-seals.
"Those hand-seals... Could it be?"
Hearing Hiruzen, Danzo paid closer attention.
Suddenly, Mikoto opened her mouth and a small flame came out. It was nowhere near a real fireball but still got top place in the competition so far. Everyone started cheering, making her feel great.
"That's pretty good for her age. We should keep a close eye on her, she could become a strong Kunoichi."
Hiruzen smiled warmly. Although she betrayed his expectations, it was understandable, given her age.
"Hmph."
From then on, Hiruzen watched the competition with less and less excitement. It felt like the best part had already passed.
Just as he was giving up, another Uchiha was called on stage. This time, it was Hideki.
"That's Kagami's kid..."
"..."
Even though Kagami was an exception, Danzo refused to believe that an Uchiha other than him could be any good for the village.
Hiruzen, on the other hand, couldn't help but get a little sentimental. He was really hoping that the kid would impress him.
And impress him he did. Hideki performed the same hand-seals as Mikoto and breathed out a complete fireball. It doubled him in size and burned the wooden target to ashes.
Although it was a C-rank technique, Hideki's didn't pack much power. It was still very impressive.
This surprised both men, looking at their dead teammate's son in a new light.
"That's very good."
"Indeed..."
Why hadn't he heard of this kid before? Danzo was almost biting his nails at this point. It seemed like the Uchiha really were a plague. He'd have to do something.
After Hideki, Fugaku followed up by producing an even greater fireball, making the two's eyeballs almost pop out of their sockets.
"That's at least genin-level power! Is that Goro's son?"
(AN: For those who are wondering. The fireball is a C-rank technique, meaning it's made for Chuunin. Even Kakashi says that at the beginning of the series. This DOES NOT mean that Jin, Hideki, and Fugaku are Chuunin level. They just learned the technique, but don't have enough chakra to use it to its full potential. Thir theory is perfect though.)
Now they were talking. This kid was a monster, and could very well surpass the current head of the Uchiha clan.
"They're a threat..."
Danzo's face started darkening, and Hiruzen noticed. Clearing his throat, he made Danzo go back to his usual, serious self.
"Next up, Jin Uchiha!"
Hearing this, Both Hiruzen and Danzo focused.
"It's him!"
it was the kid they had come to see.