ALL NOVEL Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Year 33, Konoha.
Ninja School, Fifth Grade Class.
As the teacher at the front of the classroom called out, "School is over," the once quiet classroom erupted into lively chatter.
Uchiha Chiba, preparing to head home, had just started to gather his things when a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Chiba, I want to challenge you."
Recognizing the familiar voice, Chiba didn't need to look to know who it was. Only Senju Nawaki would challenge him — the top student of the grade.
Before Chiba could respond, a lazy voice interrupted from behind.
"Nawaki, you're really persistent. I think this is your 100th challenge to Chiba. Do you want to make it 100 consecutive defeats?"
Chiba turned to see Nara Shikaku, who was lazily holding his chin, looking as though he'd just woken up.
"Nonsense," Nawaki snapped, his frustration growing. "I've always let Chiba win before, but this time I'm going all out."
Nawaki, as the grandson of the legendary 'God of Shinobi' Senju Hashirama, wasn't an ordinary opponent. Yet, despite his bloodline, Uchiha Chiba — who hadn't even unlocked his Sharingan yet — continued to beat him in every duel. Nawaki, determined to become Hokage one day, found his repeated losses to Chiba to be a personal frustration.
Every time school ended, Nawaki would train hard, determined to win the next fight. Though he couldn't explain why he was so obsessed with defeating Chiba, he just wanted one win. Just one.
But as the saying goes, ideals and reality are two parallel lines that never intersect.
Each challenge ended in failure for Nawaki.
The rivalry between the Uchiha and Senju clans was legendary, stretching back thousands of years to their founders, Indra and Asura, and later the famous figures, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama. Their younger brothers, Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama, only deepened the conflict.
As Chiba mused on these old grudges, he remembered something more personal — he was a Transmigrator. Unlike most time travelers who were favored by a god, Chiba's journey was unique. In his past life, he was a chef who died in a gas explosion. His soul then traveled to the Naruto world as a baby.
Chiba had no regrets. As an orphan in his previous life, he now had a chance to experience having a family. Unfortunately, his father died in a mission before he was born, leaving his mother to raise him alone. Chiba also never knew his paternal grandparents, as his father had been an orphan. However, his maternal relatives were still alive, though his grandmother had passed.
Interestingly, his cousin was Uchiha Mikoto, the mother of Itachi and sasuke of the original story.
As Chiba's thoughts wandered, another voice broke through his musings.
A fat boy, Akimichi Choza, sitting next to Nara Shikaku, munching on chips, spoke up innocently, "But Nawaki, you've said that before."
The comment hit Nawaki hard, and he scowled.
Yamanaka Inoichi, who had been quietly observing, added with a smirk, "Okay, Choza, enough. We know the truth; no need to rub it in."
Nawaki, who had been confident just moments before, was now thoroughly embarrassed. His friends, the trio of Ino, Shika, and Cho, might look innocent, but their words were like daggers.
Nawaki forced a smile and tried to shift his focus back to Chiba.
"Chiba, you—"
Before he could finish, he was interrupted again.
From the doorway, two girls appeared, arms linked. One of them, with fiery red hair, cut him off.
"Nawaki, why haven't you gone home yet?"
It was Uzumaki Kushina.
Nawaki blinked, a bit surprised. "Kushina, haven't you gone home?"
Kushina looked at Chiba, then back at Nawaki. "I'm here to ask you to go home with me. And you have to call me 'sister.'"
Nawaki shook his head stubbornly. "No, I haven't fought Chiba yet. How can I leave now?"
Kushina smirked. "Really? Fine. Then go explain to Sister Tsunade why you're not coming home with me."
That was the final straw. Nawaki's confidence crumbled as he thought of his older sister Tsunade, the one person he feared most. She had a way of putting him in his place.
Uchiha Chiba, who had been watching the exchange, added fuel to the fire. "Come on, Nawaki, don't be a coward. As a man, you can't just bow to a woman. Learn to say 'no,' understand?"
Nawaki's hesitation showed, but the thought of Tsunade's wrath sent a chill down his spine.
"Forget it, I'll let you off today. Kushina's still waiting for me. We'll fight another time."
With that, Nawaki turned to leave the classroom.
Kushina, satisfied, nodded and turned to the other girl beside her. "Mikoto, I'll head home now. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," Mikoto replied softly.
…
Once only Uchiha Mikoto remained in the doorway, Chiba stood up and glanced at Shikaku and the others. "Let's go. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," they replied in unison.
Chiba then walked over to Mikoto. "Let's go, Sister Mikoto."
…
Outside the school, Mikoto asked, "Did Nawaki challenge you again?"
"Yes, but I don't have time to play today. I have something important to do," Chiba replied casually.
Mikoto tilted her head, curious. "Important things? Can you tell me about it?"
Chiba shrugged. "Nope."
Mikoto, not satisfied, pressed on, "But I'm your sister! Why won't you tell me?"
"You're only one month older than me."
"One month older still makes me your sister," Mikoto teased, reaching out to ruffle his hair.
Chiba, quick on his feet, dodged her hand. "Not telling you."
After a moment of silence, Mikoto's mood shifted. "You've been distant today."
Chiba, realizing his cousin was upset, tried to change the subject. "Don't be upset. By the way, I haven't seen my uncle and aunt for a while. Do you know when they'll be back?"
Mikoto's expression darkened slightly. "Probably at the end of the year, like always."
Chiba felt a pang of sympathy for Mikoto. His uncle and aunt, while loving, weren't always around due to their work in the capital. It was hard for Mikoto, but Chiba wasn't sure how to comfort her.