Chapitre 12: The Return to the Academy
The sun had barely risen on the horizon when Sasuke got out of bed. His body no longer showed the signs of the exhausting training from the past days, but his mind remained active, always calculating the next move. He headed to the kitchen, where he prepared his own meal with precise and mechanical movements. The aroma of rice and grilled fish filled the room, but Sasuke barely registered the smell. After eating in silence, he went to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and then put on his usual uniform. As he looked at the Uchiha crest emblazoned on his back, he felt a mix of familiarity and distance. To Sasuke, the crest was now a mark of what he had become.
Leaving the house, Sasuke noticed that the whispers and stares from the villagers had diminished considerably. In the first few days after the tragedy of his clan, he had been the center of attention: looks of pity, fear, and, in some cases, disdain followed him wherever he went. Now, though there were still the occasional fingers pointed in his direction, the ANBU seemed to have contained the rumors efficiently. "They know how to control the narrative," Sasuke thought, appreciating the silence that now surrounded him.
Walking through the streets, he ignored the suspicious glances. His mind was focused on something more important: returning to the academy. For others, it was just the surviving Uchiha going back to his routine, but for Sasuke, much had changed since the last time he had set foot there.
Upon arriving at the academy, the discomfort among the students was evident. Some quickly averted their eyes, while others exchanged furtive whispers. "They know what the adults say... but they have no idea what really happened," Sasuke thought, his expression impassive. He preferred it this way. The fear and distance of others served his interests better.
Sasuke entered the classroom, and the murmurs began to die down as his presence was noticed. He scanned the room, observing his classmates closely.
In the back, leaning against the wall and surrounded by a quiet aura, stood Shino Aburame. His hood concealed much of his face, but Sasuke could feel the intensity of his observation. Calm, strategic... dangerous if underestimated.
Near Shino was Kiba Inuzuka, with his small dog, Akamaru, perched on his head. Kiba always seemed ready for a fight, and Akamaru growled softly at the scent of Sasuke. An uncontrolled temper, just like his owner.
Further ahead was Choji Akimichi, holding a bag of snacks and eating distractedly. His eyes had a peculiar gentleness, but Sasuke knew that, in battle, members of the Akimichi clan could be devastating. Underestimating him would be a fatal mistake.
Shikamaru Nara, with his spiky hair resembling Kakashi's style, was reclined in his chair, arms crossed behind his head, as if he had no interest in anything around him. Intelligent, but lazy... which made him dangerous in unexpected moments.
In the far corner, almost hidden by the shadows, was Hinata Hyuuga. Her white eyes, characteristic of her clan, discreetly followed Sasuke. There was a softness in her gaze, a hesitation that seemed to hide latent power. A mystery worth paying attention to.
Finally, his eyes landed on the blond boy sitting with a defiant smile on his face: Naruto Uzumaki. The "Child of Prophecy," the jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails, and, ironically, the most ridiculed boy in the village. Sasuke — or rather, Igor — was well-acquainted with that vibrant and uncontrollable energy. In his previous life, Igor admired Naruto for his joy in the face of rejection and his unwavering determination. Now, Sasuke saw Naruto differently. While he still considered him immature and impulsive, something about him stirred an involuntary respect. "One day he will become a great ninja," Sasuke reflected, "but for now, he's just an imprudent brat."
Naruto, of course, immediately noticed Sasuke's presence and wasted no time trying to get his attention.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, raising his fist confidently. "Today, I'm gonna beat you, teme!"
Sasuke kept his expression neutral, not responding right away. He walked to his seat without giving Naruto the satisfaction of an immediate reaction. Sitting down, he cast a quick, cold glance at the blond boy.
"You never learn, dobe." His voice was low, laced with the calculated disdain he knew was enough to irritate Naruto.
As expected, Naruto clenched his fists, clearly frustrated, but the sparkle in his eyes remained. The boy's competitiveness and unshakable hope were almost comical to Sasuke. "Still the same imprudent brat," he thought.
As the room began to fill and the students' whispers grew louder, Sasuke remained impassive. Every interaction, every word spoken or left unsaid, was part of a larger game he was playing. His classmates had no idea that the Uchiha boy before them had changed irreversibly, and to Sasuke, that was an advantage.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone