Chapter 5 – Shadows Behind the Dusk
Dusk descended upon Konoha. The sun slowly sinking behind the mountains painted the village in golden orange. The cheerful voices of children returning from training mixed with the aroma of home-cooked meals from the houses. That warmth felt so real—something Akihiro could no longer find in his original world.
Akihiro walked slowly across a small bridge. The evening breeze brushed against his face, making him drift into thought.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Back then… I spent evenings like this with her. We joked about small things… about the future that we never had the chance to live. But here… I must keep moving forward. Fate has given me a second chance. Don't waste it, Akihiro."
Suddenly, noises erupted from the distance. Several Academy kids ran around carrying scrolls. Akihiro stopped in his tracks.
Kid 1: "Hurry! They said the Hokage just announced the list of genin candidates who will take the preliminary exam!"
Kid 2: "Seriously?! Wow, the time has finally come!"
Akihiro frowned. He knew that in the original storyline, this moment was crucial—the starting point that would lead the main character and the others onto a path filled with battles.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"The genin exam, huh… So that time has already come. If I get involved, it means I'll sink even deeper into the flow of this world."
That night, Akihiro sat on the roof of his small rented house, provided by the Academy. The moonlight softly illuminated the village. In his hand, he held a small scroll—the official invitation from the Academy for the preliminary exam.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Should I take part? If I refuse, maybe I could live peacefully here… just as an ordinary villager. But… wouldn't that be the same as betraying my own resolve?"
He clenched the scroll tightly.
A soft voice was heard.
"Kazuki-kun…"
Akihiro turned. Hinata was standing below, looking up at him while holding a cloth bundle.
Akihiro gave a faint smile, then lightly jumped down from the roof.
Kazuki: "Hinata? At this hour of the night… what brings you here?"
Hinata lowered her gaze, her face red. Then she extended the bundle.
Hinata: "I… I made this for you. Just simple onigiri… I thought, you might often forget to eat after training."
Akihiro accepted the bundle, warmth spreading in his chest.
Kazuki: "Thank you, Hinata. You really are… someone who always pays attention to others."
Hinata lowered her head further, her fingers fidgeting.
Hinata (softly): "I-I just… wanted to see Kazuki-kun not being alone…"
Akihiro fell silent for a moment. Those words struck deep—because indeed, loneliness had always been his companion.
He gently patted Hinata's head.
Kazuki: "I'm lucky to have a friend like you."
Hinata could barely withstand the pounding of her heart, her face turning even redder.
But suddenly, the warm atmosphere was disturbed. From behind the trees, Akihiro felt a sharp gaze. He quickly turned his head, but the figure had already disappeared.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"That… wasn't an ordinary gaze. Someone is watching my movements. Who?"
Hinata looked confused.
Hinata: "Kazuki-kun?"
Akihiro gave a faint smile, trying to cover his alertness.
Kazuki: "Oh… it's nothing. Come on, let's eat the onigiri together."
Yet inside, he knew—his peace in Konoha would not last long.
The next day, the Academy gathered the students. Iruka stood in front, holding the list of team names that would soon be formed after the exam.
The academy participants were brimming with excitement and shouted noisily, Sakura kept paying attention to Sasuke, the rival of the anime's main character, and Ino refused to lose to her rival. The classroom was filled with commotion.
Akihiro just sat at his desk, watching them with a faint smile.
Kazuki (in his heart):
"Maybe this is… the beginning of my long journey in this world. Fate is already waiting, but this time… I won't walk with empty hands."
Outside the window, dark clouds slowly gathered, as if to signal—a great shadow was approaching.
TO BE CONTINUED…