《A Ninja Calamity is a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts》 Ch 1: The Geniuss new mission "Are you sure you''ll be alright on such a mission? As far as we know, this Wizarding World sounds like another hidden nation we know nothing about. It differs from the outside world we often interact with¡­are you even listening to me?" Black eyes glanced up from a bored face. The teenager, who hardly looked older than ten, yawned as the Hokage spoke. Even though the old man was discussing serious matters, the child couldn''t help but feel uninterested. "Come on, gramps! I got this. I''m sure I''ll be fine. This magic stuff can''t be that different from our chakra. And if it is¡­well, I''m a quick learner. I''ll adapt. I''m sure my old man will somehow make me." Tired eyes regarded the boy standing before him. Kakashi Hatake, the Sixth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, had dealt with plenty of unruly shinobi in his time. Yet, he swore he had never encountered anyone as clever¡ªor as infuriating¡ªas the boy before him. Kouchi Uchiha. Or rather, Kouchi, the ninja born from Orochimaru''s twisted experiments¡ªan amalgamation of the strongest ninja clans'' genetics combined with strange, unknown powers the mad scientist had uncovered. No one truly understood Kouchi''s capabilities or limits, but one thing was clear¡ªhe was a ticking time bomb. Under normal circumstances, Kakashi would have selected someone else for this top-secret mission. But the peculiar nature of the job, coupled with the specific requirements outlined in the urgent request for aid, left him no choice but to send Kouchi. It wasn''t that Kouchi was incompetent. Quite the opposite. The boy was a genius, surpassing most Jonin in skill despite his young age¡ªthough only the elite could rival him. The issue was that Kouchi was uncontrollable. The Uchiha name was bestowed upon him only because no one else wanted the responsibility. Those who expressed interest were after his power, not because they intended to care for him. "Fine. I''ll trust you this one time, kid! You better not make a mess of this mission. If you do well, I''ll let you participate in the Ninja Academy''s summer course."This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. That caught Kouchi''s attention. He had heard plenty about that prestigious course and found it intriguing. Few kids were willing to associate with him due to who¡ªand what¡ªhe was. Even Mitsuki, his kind foster brother, kept his distance most of the time. "Keep that promise, old man! I''ll finish this mission in no time. Just watch me." Kouchi snatched the mission file and bolted. "I''m not old; my hair''s just naturally white! I''m only in my forties¡ª" Kakashi began, then stopped himself, exhaling heavily. There was something about that boy that got under everyone''s skin. Maybe it was his sharp tongue or his pretty, androgynous face that confused people. Or perhaps it was because Kouchi was simply impossible. "Well, he''s someone else''s problem now. Good luck to whoever has to deal with that kid," Kakashi muttered before returning to his endless paperwork. ... Bored black eyes scanned the old-fashioned London streets surrounding him. The place looked dull, cloudy, and steeped in muted shades of black and brown. "What a strange place. I can hear sounds from beyond these walls and sense an odd energy separating spaces. But most of these people seem unaware of it. They must be the ''normal'' ones. Best not to attract attention." Kouchi carried only a small money pouch and his identification papers. According to his mission briefing, he could acquire everything he needed for school in the designated shopping area. His destination was Diagon Alley, where he was supposed to meet someone named Hagrid. The briefing, however, failed to explain exactly how to find the mysterious alley. Kouchi decided to follow the distinct energy signatures he sensed¡ªpeople wielding the strange power that seemed to permeate the area. He watched as they approached a brick wall and tapped it with stick-like tools, opening a passage. "Must be some kind of genjutsu," Kouchi mused, noting how the ordinary passersby failed to notice the magical entryway. He considered mimicking the magical signature to gain entry but decided against wasting chakra. His arsenal of Kekkei Genkai techniques made following the crowd easy enough. Within moments, he stepped into a bustling, magical street filled with robed figures and strange shops. An electric energy buzzed in the air, both fascinating and unsettling. Before he could fully take in his surroundings, someone grabbed him from behind and thrust a small black box into his hand. The object radiated the same strange energy that filled the area. Kouchi spun around, meeting the mischievous grins of two identical red-haired teenagers. "Are you new here¡ª" "¡ªBecause if you are¡ª" "¡ªWe''ve got something incredible to show you!" A bad feeling crawled up Kouchi''s spine. Without hesitation, he hurled the mysterious box back at the twins. It exploded in a cloud of red powder, drawing every eye in the street. Kouchi held his head high despite the attention. He wasn''t about to let anyone think they could mess with him. Ch 2: The argument "Fred! George! Are you alright? What happened? What was that explosion? Are you alright?" A female redhead quickly joined their group, followed by a few more redheads. There were three, maybe five¡ªno, even more¡ªpeople who had gathered, all casting concerned looks at the twins. The eldest among them¡ªKouchi assumed he was the father¡ªturned toward him with a polite, yet stern, expression. "You," the man began, his tone somewhat measured, "that was dangerous. You could have seriously hurt someone with that stunt. You should apologize for what happened." Though his words were polite, they lacked any real courtesy. It was a clear case of a parent defending their children without knowing the full story. "I''m not at fault here," Kouchi replied, his face innocent but firm. "They shoved something into my hands, and I simply returned it. I don''t see why I should apologize for something I didn''t do." His calm response made the man''s face shift from frustration to a slightly sickened look. Instead of addressing Kouchi''s question, he shook his head, visibly frustrated, and turned his attention back to his children. Kouchi was about to let the matter slide when he suddenly felt someone charging toward him. Without a second thought, his reflexes kicked in, and he dodged the incoming attack, grabbing the assailant''s arm in one swift motion. "Ouch! Bloody hell! Let me go before I hurt you! You have no idea who you''re messing with," the red-haired boy spat, struggling in Kouchi''s grip. The boy looked slightly older than Kouchi, with greasy hair and a face contorted with anger. Despite his apparent fury, he was relatively weak, especially given the state of the brewing conflict. Kouchi could easily break his arm with little effort. "Ron, are you alright? Let go of my brother, you¡ª!" The second-oldest boy, now standing with a wand (though Kouchi had little care for such things), raised it threateningly. ''I see,'' Kouchi thought, sizing up the situation. ''The real threat is the older guy, not this one. How should I handle him?'' Before he could decide, the older redhead female intervened.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. "Stop! All of you, stop! Will, put your wand down! He''s just a child, and Ron started this fight first. And you," she turned to Kouchi, her voice softer, "could you let go of Ron? I know he charged at you, but he''s my son. I don''t want to see him harmed." Her voice held an honesty and desperation that Kouchi found genuine. With a small sigh, he released the boy''s arm, though he kept his distance. "Fine," Kouchi said, "I''ll let go of your son, but in exchange, I need you to do me a favor." The family hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances, but eventually, they agreed. After a brief discussion, Kouchi found himself walking with the Weasleys, heading toward a shop. "Are you sure this is all you want from us?" Mrs. Weasley asked, sounding slightly strained. "We can pay you for your trouble¡ª" "Mom, we don''t have any money," one of the boys muttered. Kouchi waved them off with a cheery smile. "It''s alright, I''ve got plenty of money, and I''m meeting someone soon who''s going to show me around." The Weasley family bid him farewell, though their faces were filled with uncertainty and discomfort. Kouchi, for his part, didn''t mind. His first encounter with them had been rocky, and his overly sunny personality only seemed to alienate them more. As he walked away, he mused to himself, "Well, I''m not here to make friends. If things get worse, I''ll just wipe their memories with my ninjutsu and be done with it." Kouchi had refrained from using his skills earlier because too many people were watching, but if he had to, he could erase everyone''s memory with a large-scale genjutsu. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a massive hand land on his back with surprising force. Instinctively, Kouchi grabbed the hand, but he was startled to realize the person was enormous. His senses told him that the individual in front of him was inhuman in some way, though Kouchi couldn''t pinpoint exactly how. "Ah, sorry, kid! Didn''t mean to startle ya!" the giant figure said with a booming voice. "Name''s Hagrid, a professor at Hogwarts. You Kouchi Uchiha?" The man''s size was overwhelming, his body stocky and covered in a wild mass of hair. Still, he didn''t seem dangerous¡ªjust large and imposing. Kouchi, ever the one to gauge situations quickly, relaxed his stance and responded cheerfully. "Yup, that''s me! So, you''re my caretaker? Nice to meet you! Are we going shopping now? What are we buying? Can I send something back to be tested? Are there limits on what we can have¡ª" Hagrid patiently listened to Kouchi''s barrage of questions before turning towards a nearby inn, signaling for them to walk. As they made their way to the inn, Kouchi kept his curiosity in check. He didn''t reveal much of his thoughts, maintaining his usual composed expression. In a battle of wits, the one who drops their guard first is the one who loses. And Kouchi wasn''t about to be the first to break. Finally, Hagrid spoke, breaking the silence. "You know, kid, you''re real friendly. So, don''t be too shocked when you meet the person I''m about to introduce you to." Kouchi''s curiosity was piqued. "Who''s that?" "Well," Hagrid smiled, "meet Harry Potter. He''s a special kid. Harry, this is Kouchi, a new first-year transfer student. Hope you two get along." Kouchi looked at the boy sitting across from him. Harry Potter was nothing remarkable to Kouchi¡ªjust another child. His excitement faded. There was no power or presence about him that would make Kouchi pay special attention. Ch 3: A good lie Kouchi studied the buff man with deadpan eyes as he introduced him to the kid in front of him. He could instinctively tell that he was supposed to react to the name ''Harry Potter.'' Kouchi had read the report enough times to understand the importance of this child. However, Harry didn''t feel special, and as far as Kouchi was concerned, that made him uninteresting. "Oh, I see! Hello! My name is Uchiha Kouchi! It''s nice to meet you, Harry! Can I call you that? Or would you prefer Potter? Any name will do. Or something else entirely¡ª" Kouchi rattled off these questions at a rapid pace. His curiosity was genuine, but his primary goal was to gauge Harry''s reactions. Talking quickly and sometimes annoyingly was a perfect way to test someone''s character, to see if they were quick-tempered or adaptable. Harry, however, seemed slow to respond, his awkwardness palpable. He wasn''t what Kouchi had expected. "Woah! Calm down, kid!" Hagrid boomed, rubbing Harry''s back in an attempt to calm him down before glaring at Kouchi. "You''re gonna overwhelm Harry with all your questions." Kouchi pretended not to notice the glare. He could tell it disappointed Hagrid, who likely thought Kouchi was dense for not catching on to the hints that Harry was special. But Kouchi wasn''t about to treat Harry as special until that was actually proven to be the case. "Alright, let''s get you fitted for your school robes first, and then we can sort out the wands. How does that sound?" Hagrid asked merrily, though Harry remained silent, offering no input. Kouchi noticed that Harry seemed to lack a backbone for someone who was supposed to be special, with no clear opinions of his own. He didn''t take the lead here, not wanting to blow his cover. It was best to let the adults handle things and act like a child¡ªno need to raise any suspicions. Hagrid led them to a costume shop that looked like something out of Halloween. It was old-fashioned and cramped, with people of all kinds coming out in various robes. Kouchi made a mental note to always wear comfortable clothes under these robes, as he''d be ditching them the first chance he got. "You two get your robes fitted while I go grab your books. Don''t cause too much trouble, or I won''t be able to bail you out," Hagrid teased, but his attention was mostly focused on Harry.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. It was clear there was a double standard at play, but Kouchi didn''t care. He had no intention of pointing it out. He simply had to keep up the act and pretend to be clueless. The shop was relatively empty, save for a blonde boy sitting on a table. His presence was striking, and Kouchi couldn''t help but notice the clear air of superiority he carried. The boy looked like the type of pampered young master from an old noble family, and Kouchi couldn''t help but feel a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. ''This kid''s going to be a pain, isn''t he? Most kids from well-established houses are full of themselves,'' Kouchi thought to himself as he took a seat next to Harry. The blonde boy and Harry exchanged a few words while Kouchi remained silent, listening intently. Harry seemed more uncomfortable than Kouchi expected, but he didn''t retaliate against the blonde boy. That lack of response must have been discouraging, because the blonde''s attention soon shifted to Kouchi. "Hey, you! You look like you''re from a well-respected family! Are you a pure-blood too? Which family do you belong to? I''m a Malfoy!" the blonde boasted, flaunting his family name as though it were some great achievement. Kouchi found the whole idea amusing. He had no idea what it meant to be "pure-blood" or to come from a prestigious family. In his world, clans and bloodlines were important, but not in the way they seemed to be here. "Are you asking me which family I belong to?" Kouchi asked, grinning mischievously. "I don''t have one! Or rather, I have too many! I think I might even have your family''s blood in me somewhere." Kouchi joked, but Malfoy''s expression shifted, growing serious as he regarded Kouchi with a troubled look. "I know all my cousins, but I''ve never seen you before¡­ Are you related to the Blacks? It would explain your black hair and eyes. Who are your parents? Which branch of the Blacks? Which¡ª" "Woah! Calm down. My folks are kinda dead. They died in a war¡­ I think," Kouchi interrupted with a nonchalant shrug. "I don''t really remember. And my guardian''s too busy to tell me much." That wasn''t exactly a lie. Orochimaru had died a few times during the war and had found a way to return. It was an incredible feat, though Kouchi had little interest in learning more about it. He certainly didn''t want to follow in the mad scientist''s footsteps. Malfoy fell silent after Kouchi''s response, the awkward tension filling the room. No one spoke until it was time for Malfoy to leave. The blonde walked over to a woman¡ªalso blonde¡ªand pointed toward Kouchi. She regarded Kouchi with narrowed eyes before raising her wand. An invisible energy tried to breach Kouchi''s chakra shield, and though he allowed it to pass through, he let it take just a small handful of his hair, a slight tug that signaled to him that Malfoy was trying to uncover the truth behind his earlier words. Kouchi smirked inwardly. Malfoy had fallen for the trap, believing Kouchi''s lie. The blonde would only feel disappointment once he realized Kouchi had been fabricating everything. The energy from the woman didn''t harm him, but it was a futile attempt. Malfoy was determined to unearth the truth, but Kouchi knew he wouldn''t get far. The blonde would never understand how deeply Kouchi''s lies ran. Ch 4: The Wand Surprise "Ugh, are you related to that guy?" Harry asked nervously, his voice faltering slightly. "Not that there''s something wrong with it... but he sounded so full of himself, right?" His eyes darted to Kouchi as if he were afraid of offending him, hesitant to speak his mind. Kouchi grinned, finding Harry''s discomfort amusing. "Ah, I might be related to that kid... probably! I mean, I might be. But who knows? Honestly, I don''t care much. And yeah, you''re right. He was full of himself. He reminded me of the kids back home. Makes me sure it''ll be fun to mess with him." Kouchi''s smile was innocent, but the words didn''t match the sweetness of his expression. He could tell that Harry, unsure of how to respond, quickly stepped back. Not that Kouchi had any interest in bothering him. Harry wasn''t the type to entertain, and right now, he didn''t seem nearly entertaining enough to be worth Kouchi''s attention. Hagrid returned not long after, quickly engaging in a conversation with the muscular man. Kouchi listened half-heartedly, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. He was more intrigued by the surroundings¡ªthis world, its magic, the possibilities. The pet store caught his attention briefly; he could feel the lure of the exotic creatures there. But for now, he had to follow Hagrid, so he did. They soon arrived at another ancient-looking shop, the next stop on their tour. "We''re here to get your wands," Hagrid said, his voice serious now. "A wand is a wizard''s most important tool, so make sure you get one that feels right for you." Kouchi raised an eyebrow. He wanted to say that the shopkeeper looked like the oldest man he''d ever seen, but that would have been a lie. The Shinobi world had far surpassed anything these wizards could comprehend. Old age was more of an inconvenience than a limitation for the powerful. Still, the man in front of him had a strange aura. There was something off about him. Kouchi could feel it. The old man turned sharply as his eyes met Kouchi''s, and the tension in the air seemed to shift. "Mister Ollivander, we''re here to get wands for these new students," Hagrid announced, gesturing toward Harry. "This here is¡ª" "Harry Potter! I see!" Ollivander interrupted with a gasp, clearly impressed. Kouchi let the others handle Harry''s wand selection. He had more important things to observe. His eyes wandered over the shelves of wands, each one seemingly pulsing with its own unique properties, like strange mixtures of chakra and materials. Every wand was clearly tailored to different kinds of magic. The more Kouchi examined the store, the more he was convinced that magic was nothing more than a different form of chakra, controlled and enhanced by external objects. This world''s magic reminded him of hand signs in Shinobi practice¡ªsimilar principles, just a different manifestation.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Once he understood the theory behind it, he could master magic the same way he had mastered chakra control. "Kouchi, it''s your turn!" Harry''s voice broke through his musings, and Kouchi reluctantly turned to face the counter. "Hurry up and choose a wand!" Though Harry seemed to be done with his choice, Kouchi wasn''t particularly excited about this step. Still, he had to maintain his mask of enthusiasm. "Here, take this one," Ollivander said, handing him a wand. "Be gentle with it. Remember, it''s the wand that chooses you, not the other way around." As soon as the wand touched Kouchi''s hand, it exploded in a burst of energy. The force of the explosion rocked the shop, and Kouchi barely had time to step back. He''d sensed immediately that the wand wasn''t suited for him, and sure enough, it had failed spectacularly. Poor Ollivander looked devastated, but there was a spark of excitement in his eyes as well. "You''re quite the formidable opponent, kid," he said with wide eyes. "I can''t quite figure out what kind of wand would suit someone like you. We may need to try every wand in the shop before we find the right one." Ollivander was clearly capable of sensing magical auras and using that to gauge what wand suited each student, a remarkable ability. But Kouchi knew this wouldn''t work on him. He couldn''t feel the magic aura here. It was like trying to sense water without ever having seen it. Kouchi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Can I get a wand with an empty core?" he asked casually. "Something with no inherent magical properties would probably suit me better." With the vast chakra he possessed, Kouchi doubted any wand would be able to handle his output. It would be more practical to get a neutral wand¡ªone that didn''t require excessive energy. "Empty core? Blasphemy!" Ollivander gasped. "How would a wand channel your magic? Think about it, lad!" Kouchi raised a hand in reassurance. "Yeah, I know it sounds strange, but with my... unique constitution, it might work. Can you try?" For a moment, Ollivander seemed to consider the idea, his mind racing, before he brightened. "Hmm¡­ you''re right. With your unique constitution, this might just work. Hold on a moment." The old man hurried off into the back of the shop, his movements surprisingly spry for someone of his age. He returned shortly with a pure white wand. It gleamed under the dim light of the shop, and when Kouchi took it in his hand, a sense of familiarity washed over him. ''Wait¡­ is this made from the remains of the Ten-Tails? How did they get a hold of it?'' Kouchi thought, his mind racing. The implications of this were deeply troubling. He''d need to report this back to the village as soon as possible. But despite the storm of thoughts racing through his mind, Kouchi kept his face neutral. He smiled politely at Ollivander, who was watching him with gleaming eyes. "Here," Ollivander said, his voice eager. "Try this. Give it a wave and see if it suits you." Kouchi didn''t hesitate. He knew that even if the wand didn''t work, he couldn''t leave it behind. It was too dangerous. So he took the wand and gave it a quick, casual wave. "This will work for me," Kouchi said nonchalantly, though his mind was already elsewhere. "But this material¡­" The wandmaker beamed with pride. "This is a very rare material. I bought it from someone at an exorbitant price because I thought it would make a fine wand. But for you, lad, I''ll sell it to you at a regular price." Despite Kouchi''s internal alarm bells ringing, he saw no reason not to accept the wand. The old man was kind, and there was no harm in taking it. He quickly stashed it away, careful not to let anyone else get their hands on it. ''Looks like I''ll have to keep a much closer eye on this world than I originally thought,'' Kouchi mused, the weight of the situation settling in. If they could get their hands on parts of the Ten-Tails, who knew what else they might be dealing with. ''I''ll need to report this back to the Hokage,'' he thought. ''Ugh, he''s going to grill me about this, isn''t he?'' Ch 5: Familiar Preparations "Alright, now that you''ve got your wands, there''s just one last thing for you to get¡ªa familiar. Let''s head to the pet store," Hagrid said with a determined nod, leading the way. Kouchi glanced at the pet store as they approached, noting the variety of animals inside. Animals and Kouchi never seemed to mix well, and he had a feeling this encounter wouldn''t be any different. "They''re important companions for young witches and wizards. A familiar''s loyalty and magical affinity can help you in ways you might not expect," Hagrid continued, his voice warm as he explained the concept to Harry. He cast a glance at Kouchi, but it was unclear whether the older man was paying much attention to him. Kouchi would''ve preferred it if Hagrid didn''t pay attention to him at all. That way, he could explore without feeling pressured or criticized. As they entered the pet store, Kouchi immediately felt the tension in the air. The animals around him began to stir nervously, trying to scurry away from his presence. Kouchi''s aura had always been... overwhelming. His creator had explained it as the ''predator''s aura''¡ªa presence so strong that no animal would dare to challenge him. It made even the smallest creatures instinctively wary. The sudden commotion startled a few of the shop''s patrons, and Kouchi took a few steps back, instinctively silencing his aura. The animals immediately calmed, retreating to their corners. It was clear now that the disturbance had been caused by him. Hagrid blinked in disbelief, his voice tinged with confusion. "In all my years as the caretaker at Hogwarts, I''ve never seen such a sight. What could have spooked these creatures so badly?" Kouchi didn''t answer, merely continuing to scan the shelves for anything that might catch his eye. He pretended not to notice the question, already turning his attention back to the array of creatures. Nearby, Harry had found an owl that seemed to catch his interest. Kouchi couldn''t help but notice Hagrid''s relieved expression as Harry made his choice. But when Hagrid''s eyes shifted back to Kouchi, the older man''s gaze was anything but warm. It was impatient¡ªalmost demanding that Kouchi hurry up. With a quiet sigh, Kouchi decided to wing it. He glanced around, noting the way the animals seemed to keep their distance from him out of fear. However, one small creature was bold enough to approach. It was a tiny bird, no bigger than Kouchi''s hand, though that was still small given his size. The bird looked up at him with intelligent eyes, chirping softly. What caught Kouchi''s attention wasn''t just the bird''s size or bravery¡ªit had a strange energy to it. Its chakra felt different from the other animals, and the curiosity it sparked in Kouchi was enough for him to extend a hand toward it.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. "Be careful, kid! These creatures might look small, but they can bite hard," Hagrid warned, though Kouchi didn''t seem concerned. Ignoring the warning, Kouchi gently reached out and petted the tiny bird. As the creature leaned into his touch, Kouchi''s decision was made. He would take the bird. This tiny, courageous creature didn''t deserve to be locked in a cage like some kind of experiment. It deserved to be free¡ªjust like the sky it longed to soar through. After Hagrid paid for their purchases, he led Kouchi to a small inn where they would be staying. Kouchi was given his own room, though the concept of a young child living alone in the human world was strange to him. In most places, it would be considered illegal¡ªan act of neglect. But in the wizarding world, things were different. It was more like the Shinobi culture Kouchi knew¡ªkids were considered ''independent'' once they began their education at Hogwarts. Harry Potter, despite his fame, didn''t interest Kouchi much. He had no desire to befriend someone so weak. Kouchi''s focus was on something far more important: understanding magic and its connection to chakra. It took him about a week to get a solid grasp on the principles of magic¡ªits similarities and differences with chakra. And in that time, Kouchi made an unexpected breakthrough. He managed to make his phone work. At first, he was surprised to find that electricity didn''t work in the magical world. It was as if magic interfered with technology. But the more he delved into the theory behind magic, the more he realized it wasn''t about magic "blocking" technology¡ªit was about no one having bothered to make electricity work alongside it. So, Kouchi did what any resourceful shinobi would do: he made it work. His phone was up and running, and he immediately sent a message to Kakashi, instructing him to start an internal investigation. The next task was to catch up on the week he''d missed. There was a lot to get through, but Kouchi was determined to make up for lost time. During this period, he hadn''t seen Harry once. He presumed Hagrid had taken Harry home after their shopping trip. But Kouchi didn''t have time to dwell on that. His projects and research kept him busy, and there were days when he felt like he needed more hours in the day to work on everything he wanted. However, using shadow clones for all his tasks wasn''t an option. He didn''t want to cheapen the experience of his projects by having them done by clones. He needed to understand everything himself. By the time it was time to head to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Kouchi had accomplished everything he had set out to do. At the station, he saw Harry again, and though the boy needed help navigating to the platform, Kouchi was more focused on the crowd. He had already observed a few people traveling through the hidden pillar to the platform¡ªa magical barrier he could sense but not see. It seemed like a genjutsu was at work, similar to the one that covered Diagon Alley. Kouchi was about to step in and help Harry when he noticed a familiar redhead family assisting him. Kouchi''s instincts immediately told him to keep his distance. The Weasley family had no reason to be on this side of the station. They were a pure-blooded wizarding family, so their presence here was suspicious, to say the least. Kouchi''s mind raced. They must have an ulterior motive. And judging by how they''re interacting with Harry, it might involve him. He decided to observe rather than intervene. I''ll keep an eye on things but not get involved. This year at Hogwarts is shaping up to be much more interesting than I thought. Ch 6: The Train Ride "So, this is the Hogwarts Express?" Kouchi muttered, eyeing the train with a critical gaze. "What can I expect from a society that refuses to move forward? This train looks ancient." Kouchi''s words were intended as an objective observation, not an insult. However, his blunt remark didn''t go unnoticed by those nearby. The Weasley family, whom he had been trying to avoid, shot him offended looks. "What the hell did you say?" A red-haired older male demanded, his face reddening with anger as he grabbed Kouchi by the collar. "The Hogwarts Express is a tradition! How dare you badmouth¡ªwait, you look familiar! Have we met before?" Kouchi was caught off guard, but before he could respond, the man''s grip loosened as a new voice interrupted. "Percy Weasley, what do you think you''re doing? Control your temper!" Molly Weasley, the matriarch of the family, hurried over. Her expression shifted from stern to concerned as she recognized Kouchi. "I''m so sorry, child! My son¡­ you''re from Diagon Alley, aren''t you? What a coincidence that we meet again!" Kouchi couldn''t help but notice the mixture of delight and worry in Molly''s eyes. Percy, the one who had grabbed him, was now being pulled away by his twin brothers, Fred and George, but he still didn''t look pleased. "Hey! It''s nice to see you all again," Kouchi said, forcing a cheerful tone. Even though he didn''t particularly want to engage with them, Kouchi understood the importance of maintaining good relationships. After all, if he needed something from this family later, it would be easier to manipulate them if they didn''t dislike him outright. Ron, the youngest of the Weasley siblings, was introduced as a first-year student by his parents, though he kept his distance from Kouchi, as did Harry. That suited Kouchi just fine. He wasn''t interested in befriending either of them. "Well, you should get going now," Molly said briskly, glancing at the train. "The train will depart any second now, and you don''t want to be late." She quickly ushered her family aboard the train but kept glancing back at Kouchi with a lingering look of concern, perhaps worried that he might be left without anyone to see him off. Kouchi ignored her, however, and made his way to the train, moving past Harry and Ron. Since there was only one direction to go, he followed them but didn''t plan on sitting with them. Ron shot Kouchi a glare that promised pain and suffering if he dared join their cabin. Kouchi didn''t need any further encouragement. He walked past them and found an empty cabin next to theirs, locking the door behind him with a simple spell.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. The train ride was quiet and uneventful. No one entered his cabin, as Kouchi had taken the precaution of locking the door with magic to test it out. He passed the time by reading some interesting books he''d bought about magic. Most of the books he had taken a liking to were considered dangerous and forbidden, but Kouchi didn''t care. The shopkeeper had been reluctant to sell them to him, so Kouchi had... persuaded him. Well, it''s not like I harmed the seller, Kouchi thought nonchalantly. I just put him into a weak genjutsu so that he would sell me the books. No harm done... probably. Kouchi didn''t feel guilty. But he knew that if Kakashi ever found out about the incident, he''d be in serious trouble. During the ride, there were loud noises coming from the cabin next door. Someone even tried to open his door before giving up. Kouchi was starting to relax when suddenly, his door jiggled. It creaked open before two familiar faces appeared in the doorway. Fred and George Weasley. The twins squeezed into the cabin and flopped down on either side of Kouchi. "So, mate, we heard¡ª" "-that you''re a first year¡ª" "-and you look like a fun person¡ª" "-so we''ve decided to hang out with you." Kouchi immediately recognized their chaotic auras. The twins were difficult to ignore, and their chakras were distinct. Fred''s chakra was erratic, chaotic, and unpredictable, while George''s was much calmer but still carried an underlying mischievousness. "Hey, kid!" Fred started. "-Since we''re so forgiving¡ª" George added with a grin. "-We''ll forgive you for what happened before. But only if¡ª" "-You help us test our new product," Fred finished, shoving a small box into Kouchi''s hands. "Take it and hold it. We want to see how quickly the box reacts to someone." Kouchi took the box, noting the chaotic magic emanating from it. The magic was stronger than before, but Kouchi was no amateur. He squeezed the box tightly, using his chakra to untangle the magic around it, suppressing the energy so it wouldn''t explode. Once the magic settled, Kouchi looked at the twins, waiting for their next move. Fred and George stared at the box in surprise as it remained still in Kouchi''s hands. Fred snatched the box from him. "Give it here! I''ll check it myself." Kouchi took a step back, ready to let go, and as soon as the box left his grip, it exploded right in front of Fred''s face, sending a cloud of red smoke into the air. Cough! "Shit! What happened? This wasn''t supposed to happen to me! George, is my face okay? How much damage did I cause?" Fred panicked, his face turning as red as his hair. George quickly jumped up to help his brother, wiping the remnants of the explosion off Fred''s face. Kouchi couldn''t help but enjoy the spectacle. He leaned back, watching the chaos unfold with a smirk. Even if the twins had an inkling that Kouchi caused the malfunction, they had no way to prove it. Without another word, Fred and George stormed off, leaving Kouchi to his peace. The rest of the ride passed uneventfully. Kouchi took the time to change his clothes when the train neared its destination. He joined the other students, following the crowd off the train. "First years! First years! This side!" Hagrid''s booming voice rang out, cutting through the chatter of older students. Kouchi easily spotted him, making his way toward the giant with the rest of the first years. Ch 7: Disappointment after Disappointment "Four to a boat!" Hagrid''s booming voice echoed across the dock as he gestured for the students to board the small boats. The first-year students scrambled to find a boat, excited to begin their journey to Hogwarts. But as Kouchi observed, there was a subtle divide in the way people interacted. Most of the students didn''t care where they sat, but a small group, notably surrounding Malfoy, seemed to make a concerted effort to distance themselves from everyone else. Kouchi decided to avoid that side entirely, slipping into a more neutral boat toward the back. He didn''t care about mingling, and he certainly didn''t care about the suspicious glances thrown his way by Ron or the curious stare from Malfoy. As soon as Kouchi settled into his seat, he regretted it. One of his boatmates immediately seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation. "Hey, are you a Muggle? I don''t think I''ve seen you before. But you also don''t look surprised by all this magic. Maybe you''re from a mixed family? Wow! That''s pretty rare! Well, not so much these days, but people still tend to keep to themselves. It must be weird to be from a mixed family! Do you know which house you''ll be in? I want to be a Gryffindor! But Ravenclaw would be fine, too!" The boy''s words tumbled out in a rapid-fire stream, too fast for Kouchi to get a word in edgewise. It was clear he didn''t expect an answer, so Kouchi simply stared out at the lake, tuning out the endless chatter. However, his attention was soon drawn to the dark waters below. He could sense a dozen magical signatures stirring beneath the surface, watching curiously. It didn''t take long for Kouchi''s chakra to pulse, and with a flick of his finger, he sent a subtle pulse of energy toward the water. The response was immediate¡ªand disastrous. A massive head erupted from the lake, its jaws snapping dangerously close to Kouchi''s outstretched finger. His reflexes were fast, and he managed to dodge, but the sudden movement caused the boats to rock, sending ripples through the water. The creature, a gigantic serpent-like beast, focused its attention on Kouchi, its dark, glittering eyes narrowing in on him as it sensed the chakra he had released. Maybe I acted too hastily, Kouchi thought, his hand instinctively gripping a kunai hidden in his sleeve. I should''ve been more careful. But this creature''s too close now. His eyes flicked around the boat. Too many students were nearby¡ªhe couldn''t risk using his chakra freely or endanger them. But it seemed like no one was stepping up to handle the situation.Stolen story; please report. Kouchi, you may need to act after all. Just as Kouchi prepared to defend himself, the creature lunged, and in that instant, a powerful blast of light struck the monster, forcing it back. Hagrid''s massive form appeared at the edge of the boat, his crossbow raised, the source of the light. The beast recoiled, stunned by the attack, and with a final angry hiss, it disappeared beneath the water''s surface. But Kouchi felt its gaze linger, almost as if it were still watching him. "Ya kids alright back there? The monster didn''t hurt anyone, did it?" Hagrid''s voice boomed over the students'' murmurs. Everyone quickly shook their heads, but Kouchi couldn''t help but feel a tight knot of unease. He knew he had messed up, but no one seemed to suspect him. Hagrid, for all his strength, didn''t seem to realize that Kouchi''s chakra had drawn the creature to the surface. The boat soon docked, and Kouchi quickly disembarked, trying to blend in with the other students. As they filed up toward the castle, Hagrid spoke quietly to Professor McGonagall, not realizing that Kouchi''s enhanced hearing allowed him to catch every word. "Professor McGonagall, I need to speak with the Headmaster. There was an incident during the first-year ride to the castle. One of the creatures decided to surface and target the kids. It''s a serious concern." McGonagall''s face tightened as she processed the information, her eyes narrowing. Her quick reaction suggested that this was more than just an accident. However, the moment her attention shifted to the students, her face became a mask of indifference, and her posture straightened. "First years, follow me. You will be sorted into your houses now. These houses will be your family for the next seven years." Her voice was firm, commanding. The way she carried herself left an impression on Kouchi. She was a woman of authority, no doubt, and she carried the weight of her responsibilities like a shield. Darn, that''s an old-looking lady. None of the old hags in the Hidden Village would look like that, even at death''s door, Kouchi thought, but he kept these words carefully buried inside his mind. He knew better than to vocalize such thoughts¡ªespecially when it came to someone like McGonagall. She led them into the castle, and as they passed through the grand hall, many of the students gasped in awe. The enchanted ceiling above them seemed to stretch forever, an endless expanse of starry sky. The magical aura was so dense, it almost felt like a genjutsu. Kouchi''s Sharingan flared instinctively, but he quickly suppressed it, not wanting to draw attention to his abilities. He couldn''t help but be a bit disappointed. Hogwarts was much grander than anything he had seen in the Hidden Village, but it was also predictable. Most of the school''s magic felt like basic tricks¡ªnothing new or revolutionary. He had seen more advanced techniques in the hidden villages, and the charm of this place was quickly starting to wear off. As they entered the hall, Kouchi''s eyes wandered across the room, cataloging everything. At the front, the Sorting Hat sat on its pedestal, seemingly alive, waiting to begin its task. "Great, so now we have a hat that also likes to poke around people''s heads," Kouchi muttered under his breath. "What''s next? A talking broomstick?" He crossed his arms, watching as the first few students nervously sat under the hat''s scrutiny. This school, it seemed, was full of strange traditions. But Kouchi wasn''t one for following rules¡ªor for letting anyone tell him who he was supposed to be. Ch 8: Dont disturb him Children continued to be sorted, one after another, as the Sorting Hat called out names with its usual flourish. No one said anything, for there was nothing to say. They trusted the school, trusted the process, even trusted the hat to poke around in their heads and learn their deepest secrets. After all, this was Hogwarts. "Harry Potter." The entire hall tensed. A collective gasp echoed around the room as Harry''s name rang out. Kouchi, too, felt the shift in the air. In his mind, Harry Potter had already become something of a legend¡ªthough whether that legend was more celebrity or criminal, Kouchi wasn''t entirely sure. It took longer for Harry to be sorted than for any other student, but it wasn''t a long delay. Kouchi observed the room; the tension in the air broke when the hat finally cried out, "Gryffindor!" The whole hall seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Harry Potter was one of them now, and that was all that mattered. That moment was the most dramatic of the sorting ceremony, but Kouchi knew his turn was approaching. He was the second-to-last student to be called. His name, like a dark whisper, sent ripples of anticipation through the crowd. "Uchiha Kouchi." The hushed murmurs grew louder as Kouchi made his way to the front. Every pair of eyes followed him as he walked toward the Sorting Hat, all too eager to see which house the mysterious boy would be placed in. Kouchi sat down, his movements deliberate and quiet. The hat was placed on his head with a soft rustling of fabric, and almost instantly, Kouchi felt the intrusive voice inside his mind. "Ah, what do we have here? A blank slate¡­ but a sharp one. Hmm, a vast emptiness¡­ not many secrets, it seems. You have great potential, and a dangerous mind. You could go anywhere¡­ but where does your heart lie?" The Sorting Hat seemed to deliberate for a moment, probing deeper into his thoughts. "Not much loyalty, I see. Not much bravery either. What a strange mix. How about¡­ Hufflepuff?" The Sorting Hat''s decision rang out, and Kouchi stood and walked toward the table, the room settling into a stunned silence. He could hear the whispers beginning, but they were too far away to matter. The decision had been made. Kouchi couldn''t decide if he was disappointed or amused. He had intentionally misled the Sorting Hat, and it had fallen for it. The most dangerous child in the school had been placed in a house known for its gentleness and loyalty. It was almost laughable. Blaise Zabini was the last student sorted, and after that, the ceremony wrapped up quickly. The headmaster stood to address them, laying out the rules of the school, the expectations for the students, and what would be tolerated.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Soon, dinner was served. The tables groaned with foreign dishes, but Kouchi''s iron stomach absorbed it all without a second thought. He deliberately kept his aura muted, avoiding any attention from his housemates. He didn''t need to engage with them right now; he had his own agenda, one that required him to stay as unnoticed as possible. Once the meal was over, their prefect led them to the dormitories. The hallways were impressive, but Kouchi''s eyes were immediately drawn to the moving stairs. His curiosity got the better of him as he observed how they shifted and slid, their motion almost fluid, like wind over water. "Be careful," the prefect warned as a first-year lost his balance, barely caught by the prefect''s outstretched arm. "These stairs can cause injuries if you''re not careful." Despite the warning, Kouchi felt fascinated. Hmm, I wonder what magic was used to make these stairs move... he thought, studying the swirling patterns of magic at play. It felt reminiscent of wind chakra. What else could this magic do? His curiosity couldn''t be held back. Kouchi gently tapped one of the stairs with his hand, infusing it with a subtle amount of Wind chakra. The reaction was instantaneous. The stairs lurched wildly to the side, throwing several students off balance. "What''s going on?!" the prefect shouted, grabbing the railing as the stairs began to spin out of control. "Everyone, hold on tight! I''ll try to cushion the impact!" He drew his wand, casting a spell to slow their fall, but the damage had already been done. Several students had been knocked over, and many were nursing minor injuries. Fortunately, they were still on the first level, so the injuries weren''t severe. Within moments, teachers appeared, running down the hallway to check on the situation. Kouchi watched from the sidelines, still unfazed. He knew it was his doing, but he didn''t feel guilty. Sometimes, sacrifices were necessary to further one''s understanding. Besides, it wasn''t as if anyone had been seriously hurt. "Hurry! We need to bring Mrs. Pomfrey! Do we need to take anyone to St. Mungo''s? Quickly, check everyone!" the prefect barked as he sprang into action. It took about two hours to settle the chaos. Many students were still on edge, and some refused to climb the stairs again. But eventually, the situation was under control. They were led down another corridor, and finally, they arrived at their dorms. Professor Pomona Sprout, the head of Hufflepuff, greeted them with a warm but firm demeanor. "This is your dormitory," she said, gesturing toward a large portrait of a woman surrounded by barrels. "Anyone who wants to enter needs to give the correct password. Don''t forget it." The room inside was cozy, with soft lighting and comfortable beds. Kouchi was quickly led to his shared dorm, where five other first-years were already unpacking their things. Kouchi didn''t immediately start unpacking. His bag contained far too many things that might arouse suspicion. Instead, he closed the curtains around his bed and settled in, waiting for the others to settle before doing anything. His disinterest in socializing made him an object of curiosity. He could feel eyes on him, the subtle pressure of his housemates wondering who he was and what he was about. They must have been confused by his quiet demeanor. Finally, one of them could no longer contain his curiosity and kicked at Kouchi''s bedframe. "Hey, uh, we were wondering if you wanted to join us for a game of exploding¡­ never mind! I guess I shouldn''t disturb you. You¡­ just do your thing." The curtain around Kouchi''s bed slowly closed, shutting out the rest of the world. He glanced down at his hand, now holding a throwing knife, poised as though ready to throw it. Huh? Maybe I should tone down my actions a bit. I''m scaring the other kids. He sighed, slipping the kunai back into his bag. For now, he would stay hidden behind the curtain, waiting until the others fell asleep before he made his next move. Ch 9: First day draft - part 1 The game of Exploding Snap seemed to stretch on for hours. Despite it being their first night at Hogwarts, no one appeared to tire. The cards snapped and exploded with every flick, creating a chaotic energy that filled the room. Kouchi, however, had lost interest. His mind was elsewhere. He had come to scout the school, but there was no way he would be able to do that tonight. It was best to rest, for tomorrow would bring more time to explore Hogwarts and uncover its secrets. When the clock struck 5:00 AM, Kouchi quietly woke up and began his morning routine. Most of the students in his dorm were still asleep, though a few appeared to be barely hanging on. The air in the room was heavy with exhaustion; some of the first years seemed to have stayed up all night. Kouchi mused to himself, observing the half-dead looks on their faces. "The human ability to push through such exhaustion is impressive. Though I wonder how many will collapse before their first class begins." He moved quietly, his presence deliberately diminished as he navigated the room. According to the rules, students were not allowed to leave their dormitories before 6:30 AM, but Kouchi didn''t see any reason to sit around waiting. His curiosity was far too strong. What caught his attention most was the fireplace. It looked unassuming at first, but there was something off about it. There was a faint magical signature there¡ªsomething Kouchi recognized as teleportation magic. It wasn''t fully functional yet, but with time, he could study it. It might even be a way to return home quickly if needed. Most students would find such a thing out of their league, but not Kouchi. With the chakra reserves he possessed, he could handle any technique, no matter how complex. Before he could delve deeper into his observations, a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you interested in the fireplace?" The student who spoke was a boy with a confident air. "It might seem old-fashioned for someone like you, but it''s useful. Professor Sprout once said it works as an emergency Floo network in case we ever need to escape. Not that we''d ever need to¡­ Hogwarts is the safest place in the world." The boy''s confidence in Hogwarts'' security made Kouchi raise an eyebrow. From what he had seen so far, the school''s defenses seemed lacking. "A few ninjas could take this place down in minutes if the Great Shinobi War happened again," Kouchi thought, but he kept his opinion to himself. ''Best not to share that with these kids. I don''t need to get stabbed in my sleep,'' he reasoned as he dragged himself away from the fireplace, feeling a little amused by the student''s na?vet¨¦.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Kouchi found a seat and settled in, watching the others in the dorm. For a house that prided itself on kindness and hospitality, very few people approached him. Most were either intimidated by his silent presence or preferred to stick with their own groups. The real surprise came when the rest of the first years trickled down to join him in the common room. The moment they saw him, they froze, avoiding him as if he were a plague. Some didn''t even look in his direction. When they did, it was with fear in their eyes. ''Wow. I knew they were scared of me last night, but now it''s clear just how much.'' Kouchi could easily understand why. Last night, he had flashed his kunai, which was unsettling enough, but it wasn''t just that. The glowing tattoos that decorated his body were another thing entirely. He had almost forgotten about them. The tattoos were a permanent part of him, remnants of the experiments he had undergone. In the ninja village, no one had cared about his tattoos. But here, outside the village, they had a different meaning. The other students were afraid, and that was fine by Kouchi. He had no interest in forming connections. As he sat there, lost in his thoughts, a prefect passed by. Seeing Kouchi alone, the older student approached with a sympathetic look. "Wow, the first years look spooked by your presence," the prefect remarked. "What did you do last night to make them so nervous? You want me to help you out?" Kouchi met the prefect''s eyes, his tone dry and unyielding. "I don''t need help. I''m fine being alone. Having friends who care only about you brings more trouble than it''s worth." His words were blunt and cold, and he could see how they made the prefect flinch. Even the other students in the room seemed to recoil from the harshness of his voice. "Yeah," the prefect said, recovering. "I can see why you''re not popular with the rest of your yearmates. Man, I can''t believe the Sorting Hat put someone like you in Hufflepuff. You sound like you belong in Ravenclaw or something." The prefect''s comment seemed to be a joke, but Kouchi didn''t care. He didn''t give a damn about which house he was in. Houses meant nothing to him. His mission was all that mattered. "I see. I''ll keep that in mind," Kouchi replied without missing a beat. "By the way, when does the Great Hall open for breakfast?" The prefect smiled, matching Kouchi''s lack of enthusiasm. "Breakfast starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:50. Classes begin at 9:00. You''ll get your schedule during breakfast, so be on time." That was the key information Kouchi needed. It gave him just enough time in the morning to do what he needed before the day''s events began. His first priority was to meet with Headmaster Dumbledore. The man had requested assistance from the Hidden Leaf Village, and Kouchi had to clarify exactly what he was supposed to do. Kouchi was the first to leave the Hufflepuff dorm room. He moved with purpose, heading in the direction outlined in his report. He would have met Dumbledore the night before, but his dormmates had made that impossible. Tonight, however, he was free to pursue his own agenda. The castle was ancient, filled with spells and enchantments at every turn. Kouchi was cautious not to disturb anything¡ªhe had no interest in causing trouble, though the itch to explore and understand the magic around him was hard to ignore. However, he wasn''t the only one with a tendency to cause trouble. He had noticed the Weasley twins earlier, and though they hadn''t spotted him yet, he knew it was only a matter of time. Unfortunately for Kouchi, he let his guard down a little too soon.