Naruto: Ultimate Couchbound System

Konoha.

The morning sun rose gently over the Hidden Leaf Village, its golden rays spilling over the rooftops like a warm embrace.

The air carried the crisp scent of dew-kissed grass, mingled with the faint aroma of blooming cherry blossoms that lined the pathways.

Ninja Academy.

Today was the start of another year at the academy, as parents with smiles and expectations on their faces brought their children to the academy, the children also showing excited faces for the upcoming good times.

Though there were two kids who didn't show the slightest bit of excitement, their frustrated and annoyed faces made it seem like they were criminals being escorted to prison.

Itsuki's eyes were red, as though he had not slept for years. Due to the fan crest on the back of his attire, a few people almost mistook his eyes for the famous Sharingan.

He stood next to his sister Harumi, who, unlike him, looked at the academy building before her with starry eyes. The passion to become a qualified shinobi and live up to her surname was overflowing from her.

Takumi was present as well, having escorted the two to the academy on their first day.

"I won't talk about how you wasted all your time at home doing nothing," Takumi said, his tone sharp but measured, his gaze on Itsuki heavy with unspoken judgment. "But remember this—here, every eye will be on you. Unlike your sister, I won't weigh you down with the expectations of being the best at everything. However, don't you dare be the last."

He paused, letting the words hang in the air before continuing. "You bear the name Uchiha, a name that shines like a polished blade. If you cannot polish it further, then at least don't rust it with failure."

Saying that, Takumi turned his gaze towards Harumi, and a faint smile bloomed on his face. "Do your best, but don't tire yourself out."

"Leave it to me, Father!" assured Harumi with a heavy nod of her head, pumping a fist in the air.

"Good," nodded Takumi, and the next moment, he disappeared from the spot.

Sigh…

Itsuki sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as he watched his father leave in a blur of motion. "Got a long life full of such lectures ahead, better get used to them quickly," he muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck.

At this moment, Harumi turned to him, her hands on her hips and her expression brimming with determination. "You know, if you keep slacking off like this, you'll never be able to catch up to me. You should train for real, brother."

In response, Itsuki just stretched his hand to ruffle her hair nonchalantly. Harumi, her face puffing up, swatted his hand away and shouted, "You're impossible!"

Ignoring his frustrated sister, Itsuki, with a heavy heart, walked into the academy courtyard, his sleepy eyes scanning the crowd of kids, many of whom were bubbling with excitement.

"Huh?"

Though one kid suddenly got his attention—a kid leaning lazily against a tree at the edge of the yard. He had dark hair, and his half-lidded eyes radiated pure boredom.

Itsuki seemed to sense a kindred spirit from the kid, unable to stop himself from making his way over to him.

"Let me guess," he said as he stopped a few feet away from the kid, his voice gaining his attention. "You're not thrilled to be here either."

The kid was stunned for a moment, not expecting such words from a stranger suddenly. But this stranger's words seemed to evoke the hidden frustration in him.

"Yeah, no kidding. My mom practically dragged me out of bed this morning. Said something about 'potential' and how I needed to stop wasting it." He gave a lazy shrug. "Truly a drag."

Itsuki chuckled lightly at his words. "Sounds about right. What's your name?"

"Nara Shikaro," the boy replied, shifting his weight to lean more comfortably against the tree. "And you?"

"Uchiha Itsuki."

Shikaro's eyes flicked to the fan crest on Itsuki's back, his brow raising ever so slightly in surprise. "Uchiha?" he said inwardly. "He seems different from the Uchiha mentioned by Father."

But the surprise was only momentary, as Shikaro was too lazy to think further about this strange Uchiha. Anyway, he already preferred him to any other person in the academy.

Ding Ding!

At this moment, the academy bell rang sharply, cutting through the morning like an unwelcome alarm clock.

"Well, time to start suffering," Shikaro said, dragging his feet as he headed toward the entrance with Itsuki.

Itsuki grinned, his voice dry as he added, "Don't worry. If it gets too unbearable, we can always take turns watching over the other sleep."

Shikaro let out a chuckle. "Then you've got my back, Uchiha."

With that, the two entered the academy and headed toward the class, their shared frustration for the academy already forging an unlikely bond.