"Master Fugaku is here. Is there any instruction?" Mizuki asked politely, walking up with a courteous smile.
"Yes. Please escort my sons to their classroom," Uchiha Fugaku said calmly, nodding toward Sasuke and Tatsun.
"Understood. These are Lord Fugaku's children? They must be gifted." Mizuki looked at Sasuke and Tatsun with a practiced smile. "Come with me. I'll take you to your classroom." He wore a gentle expression—one that gave off the impression of warmth and patience.
But only Tatsun, who retained memories from his previous life and had watched the anime, knew the truth: Mizuki was no kind man. He was manipulative and two-faced—eventually betraying the Hidden Leaf to pursue his own interests.
"Go with him. He'll guide you to class," Fugaku said, placing a hand briefly on Sasuke's shoulder.
"Yes, Father," Tatsun and Sasuke said in unison, bowing politely before following Mizuki.
"You're a little late. The other students are already in class," Mizuki commented as he led the way.
"Oh." Tatsun replied nonchalantly, while Sasuke remained quiet, his expression distant and aloof.
Mizuki gave a hollow chuckle, clearly thrown off by their lack of response. A flicker of irritation flashed across his eyes, though he quickly masked it. He said nothing more as they walked.
Eventually, they stopped outside a classroom.
"Here we are. Wait here while I get your instructor."
Mizuki entered the room, approaching the teacher at the front. "Iruka-sensei, may I speak with you?"
The man at the podium—Umino Iruka, a respected academy instructor known for his compassion and fairness—turned.
"Oh, Mizuki. One moment." He turned to the class. "Everyone, continue reading the next section quietly." He stepped outside with Mizuki.
"What's going on?" Iruka asked.
"New students. I brought them to your class."
Iruka glanced over Mizuki's shoulder and saw the two Uchiha boys. "Ah, understood. Thanks."
Mizuki nodded and left, while Iruka approached them. "Welcome. I'm Umino Iruka—your homeroom instructor."
"Nice to meet you, Iruka-sensei," Tatsun greeted him politely. Sasuke gave a silent nod.
Tatsun had always admired Iruka in his past life. Though Iruka wasn't powerful like Kakashi or the legendary Sannin, his warmth and belief in Naruto had made a lasting impression. It was Iruka's acceptance that helped Naruto stay on the right path.
Suddenly, laughter erupted from the classroom.
Iruka sighed. "Excuse me." He stepped inside and saw Naruto Uzumaki at the blackboard, drawing what looked like a crude version of the Third Hokage wearing a monkey costume.
"Naruto! Get back to your seat!" Iruka yelled.
Naruto groaned and dragged himself back to his seat. "Tch… So boring."
Iruka straightened and faced the class. "Everyone, quiet down. We have two new students joining us today."
The class buzzed with curiosity.
"Come in, you two."
Tatsun and Sasuke stepped in. Tatsun bowed slightly, introducing himself. "I'm Uchiha Tatsun. Pleased to meet you." Sasuke followed with a cool, "Uchiha Sasuke."
Gasps and whispers swept the classroom.
"They're from the Uchiha clan…"
"I heard everyone in that clan is a genius…"
"Wow, so cool!"
Most of the girls swooned, especially at Sasuke's stoic demeanor and handsome features.
Iruka clapped his hands. "Alright, settle down. Sasuke, take the seat next to Haruno Sakura. Tatsun, sit by Tianjo Kaori."
Sakura immediately blushed and squealed, thrilled to sit beside Sasuke. Naruto scowled. "Tch. Why does that stuck-up get to sit next to Sakura?"
He earned a fist to the face from Sakura. "Shut it, Naruto!"
As Tatsun made his way to the back row, he was greeted by a polite voice. "Hi, I'm Tianjo Kaori. Nice to meet you."
Tatsun glanced at her—long brown hair, delicate features, and a friendly smile. She wasn't a character he remembered from the anime. 'An OC? Interesting…' he thought.
Just then, another voice cut in.
"Hey! Don't talk to Kaori! She's gonna be my wife one day!" A kid with messy black hair and a huge attitude shouted from the other side of Kaori.
Tatsun turned and saw a new character—clearly not one from the canon twelve—but before he could respond, he scanned the rest of the class.
There they were: the future Konoha 12.
Inuzuka Kiba sat with Akamaru perched on his head, already eyeing Sasuke with hostility.
Naruto was muttering beside Sakura, earning more scolding.
Sakura and Ino were glaring daggers at each other over Sasuke's attention.
Shikamaru lounged lazily with a hand propping up his head, already mumbling, "What a drag."
Next to him, Choji munched on chips, totally uninterested in the drama.
Shino sat silently at his desk, glasses hiding his thoughts.
And Hinata—sweet, bashful Hinata—was peeking shyly at Naruto, fiddling nervously with her fingers.
"So… this is the beginning," Tatsun thought, smirking. "The future rookies of Konoha. Nine of the twelve are here already."
"All right, settle down!" Iruka clapped his hands. "Let's continue with the lesson."