CH - 15 Opening Speech

Will it ever end?

Madara Uchiha stood in the depths of the cave, surrounded by his loyal White Zetsu followers. He gazed up at the ceiling, frustration etched across his face. They had thought the construction work above them had finally concluded a few days ago, and they could finally enjoy a peaceful slumber. But to their dismay, a ninja academy had been established right above their hideout.

The noise was incessant, especially in the early hours of the morning. It was as if the academy was intentionally disrupting their sleep. Madara couldn't fathom why a mere ninja academy would commence classes so early. Even that wretched Tobirama Senju's academy didn't subject its students to such an early start.

"What are they up to?" Madara grumbled, his eyes narrowing with annoyance. He took hold of the information gathered by the White Zetsu, scanning through the timetable for the Grass Village Academy students. The classes started in the morning and extended throughout the afternoon, consisting of a total of four morning classes and three in the afternoon.To his surprise, the curriculum encompassed various subjects, even those unrelated to ninjutsu.

Madara scoffed as he observed the subjects they were studying—morals, ethics, and various unrelated topics. He crumpled the paper into a tight ball and tossed it aside, dismissing their curriculum as inconsequential. "Ninjas should focus on mastering skills pertinent to their craft," he muttered disdainfully. "This Grass Village seems to have lost its way."

Nevertheless, as he noticed that the morning reading session lasted for a mere half-hour, Madara's irritation subsided slightly. Perhaps they would finish their activities soon, and the noise would cease. All he needed was a little more patience.

"I shall return to my slumber," Madara declared to the White Zetsu standing before him. His voice carried a tone of command and authority. "Continue with the plan I had originally set. Monitor the ninja world, gather intelligence, and protect my eyes. Find the opportune moment to awaken my eyes."

Awakening the Uchiha clan's eyes required intense emotional upheaval. Even with his Rinnegan, a power bestowed upon him by the Sage of Six Paths, the profound emotions were necessary to activate its true potential.

One of the White Zetsu, the second-in-command of the hideout, scratched his head inquisitively and asked, "But, Lord Madara, that young boy has already become a disciple of the Grass Village leader. Should we eliminate him?"

Madara's eyes flickered with annoyance upon hearing the mention of the Grass Village leader. The changes occurring in the village were connected to that individual, but Madara saw no significance in the leader of a small country and a small village like the Grass Village.

In his heart, there was only one person who mattered—Hashirama Senju, the foolish idealist who dared to oppose him. As he stood in the darkness of the cave, Madara's mind drifted to the past. The battles he had fought, the sacrifices he had made, all in the pursuit of a world free from conflict. Yet, here he was, trapped in a cycle of unrest, unable to find solace even in slumber.

After a moment of contemplation, Madara responded, "If he doesn't hinder our plans, there is no need to concern ourselves with him. Keep a close watch over my eyes and establish a connection with that young boy. When the time is right, let him taste suffering. Make him realize the flaws of this world." Madara's voice grew softer, and he closed his eyes slowly. "Now, I must rest."

But before he could complete his sentence, a sizzling sound permeated the air, followed by a piercing cry that reverberated through the cave. Startled, Madara's eyes shot open, caught off guard by the sudden disruption. However, before he could react or regain his composure, a resonant voice echoed from above.

"To our esteemed teacher and beloved classmates! Today marks the official inauguration of the Grass Village Ninja Academy, and we are honored to be part of the first cohort, consisting of principals, teachers, and students..."

The voice, infused with emotion and authority, pierced through the ground, causing the entire cave to tremble. Momentarily stunned, Madara soon regained his demeanor as the Shinobi Asura, his countenance impassive as he listened intently to the emotionally charged speech.

Emotion and sound intertwined, enveloping him within their grasp. It felt like an eternity.

Eventually, without uttering a word, Madara turned his head, wearing a subtle smile as he gazed at the White Zetsu beside him. With calm resolve, he declared, "Let this individual become a tether for that youngling."

Madara believed that the Leader of Grass would serve as an excellent emotional catalyst for the young brat. He understood that the stronger the bond between them, the more intense the emotions would be when that bond is severed. Madara saw this as a great opportunity for the brat to awaken his dormant Rinnegan eyes.

Meanwhile, the question remains.

Would he ever find the peaceful slumber he yearned for?

Could he not simply rest undisturbed?

...…

"After enduring the harsh winter of annihilation, the Land of Grass has once again risen from the ashes!" declared the speaker with conviction. "Believe that spring will come, and the winter will pass. Together, we will embrace a beautiful life!"

Amidst this pivotal and challenging moment, the speaker emphasized the importance of resilience and perseverance. "Let us not forget the spirit of the Land of Grass! Tenacity, hard work, and the refusal to give up are our guiding principles!"

"Let us forge a new path together, becoming outstanding successors of the Land of Grass. Let us progress, strengthen our beliefs, build a beautiful home, and contribute to the development of our nation!"

The room swelled with enthusiasm as the speech reached its climax. The children, inspired by the motivational words, raised their fists in the air, pledging to study together for the advancement of the Land of Grass. Applause erupted, and the children's faces flushed with excitement.

Observing the positive impact of his words, the speaker, Akihiko, wore a satisfied smile as he handed the microphone to a teacher acting as the temporary host. Unbeknownst to him, his speech had captured the attention of Uchiha Madara, who saw in him a potential connection to Nagato. Akihiko, pleased with the energetic response from the children, nodded in contentment. "This is the future of the Land of Grass!"

Akihiko took a moment to reflect on the significance of the occasion. The inauguration of the Grass Village Ninja Academy marked a new chapter in the history of the Land of Grass, a testament to their resilience and determination. As the applause subsided, he thought of the challenges they had overcome and the obstacles that still lay ahead.

Being familiar with the plot, Akihiko understood the importance of ideological education. He recognized the impact it could have on shaping young minds and building a strong foundation for the future. It was a responsibility he took seriously, knowing that the values instilled in these students would influence the path they would walk as shinobi.

With the academy's affairs concluded, Akihiko left the premises, feeling a sense of weariness from his busy schedule. He headed towards the Uzumaki clan's residence, realizing that he had neglected to arrange for the retrieval of the clan's treasures. Additionally, the approaching new year demanded his attention. He had to establish factories, restore production, and propose the establishment and enhancement of a healthcare system in the upcoming council meeting, which had yet to commence.

Being a newly established land, there were countless matters requiring his attention. And then there was the matter of the scattered Uzumaki clan members. After the fall of the Land of Whirlpools, various groups led by Uzumaki ninja had guided ordinary people in their escape. Kana and Fuso belonged to different escape teams. Thus, numerous Uzumaki clan members still existed in the ninja world.

Akihiko's purpose was to gather the remaining Uzumaki clan members and, before the approaching New Year, visit the Land of Whirlpools to retrieve the clan's precious treasures. Additionally, he intended to establish a meeting place for the Uzumaki clan within the Land of Grass.

Looking at the excited Elder Yoshinori, whose eyes were red with emotion, Akihiko smiled and proposed, "So, let's make a movie"

"???" Confusion flickered across the faces of those present, as they tried to grasp the unexpected suggestion.