Chapter 5 — Trials of a Young Shinobi
Morning classes ended, but nobody left their seats.
Today was the final trial that decided their future:
The Three Basic Jutsu Test
Clone. Transformation. Substitution.
Every student in the academy—whether clan heir or civilian—sat with stiff shoulders and restless hands.
The instructor stepped into the room holding a clipboard.
His expression was calm, but his voice carried weight.
"Listen carefully. I'll call your names one by one. You'll perform the three jutsu in this room. If you pass all of them, you graduate."
Murmurs spread instantly.
Some students whispered prayers.
Others tightened their fists.
A few clan kids looked bored—confident in their training.
Kazuma sat quietly beside Tenzo, watching every movement around him.
---
The First Attempts
"Arata Saito."
A thin civilian boy stood, legs shaking.
He stepped forward and took a deep breath.
"Begin."
Clone Jutsu.
Two unstable copies flickered into existence. Both blurry, but recognizable.
Transformation Jutsu.
He turned into the instructor—hair crooked, height slightly wrong, but acceptable.
Substitution Jutsu.
The instructor tossed a wooden shuriken at him.
Thock!
A wooden log replaced Arata just in time.
"Pass."
The boy exhaled loudly and stumbled back to his seat.
Some students clapped softly.
Others sighed with relief.
Next came a stream of confident clan heirs.
---
Clan Students Show Their Power
Uchiha… Hyūga… Nara… Aburame… Yamanaka… Inuzuka…
Almost every clan student passed flawlessly.
The Uchiha boy made five clones.
The Hyūga girl transformed so perfectly even the teacher blinked in confusion.
The Inuzuka heir substituted before the shuriken even reached him.
Each success made the pressure heavier for the civilians.
Kazuma observed quietly.
In his past life… nobody had bloodline abilities.
Nobody had perfect chakra from birth.
These children were lucky, even if they didn't realize it.
---
Civilian Failures
Several civilians walked forward with trembling legs.
One boy couldn't form a single clone.
Another girl's transformation collapsed halfway.
One student froze completely and couldn't even lift his hands.
"Fail. You'll repeat next year," the instructor said gently each time.
Kazuma's chest tightened a little.
He knew how this felt—being weak, having nothing.
But this time…
He would rise.
---
Tenzo's Turn
"Tenzo Yuta."
Tenzo stood up confidently.
Kazuma gave him a nod.
He stepped to the front with steady steps—his father's training showing in every movement.
"Begin."
Clone Jutsu
Tenzo formed hand signs.
Poof!
Three clean clones appeared beside him—solid, balanced, and stable.
A few students gasped.
Transformation Jutsu
He transformed into the instructor.
Perfect height.
Perfect posture.
Even the wrinkles on the forehead were copied.
The room whispered in surprise.
Substitution Jutsu
The instructor flicked a wooden shuriken at Tenzo.
It flew in a slow arc, but it still required timing.
Tenzo stepped forward, hands moving quickly—
Poof!
A log appeared where he stood.
He reappeared behind the instructor with perfect timing.
"Full marks," the teacher announced.
Tenzo returned, flashing Kazuma a grin.
Kazuma tapped his shoulder lightly.
"Good job," he whispered.
---
Kazuma's Turn
"Kazuma Yuta."
He rose slowly, breathing out once.
His past-life training wasn't perfect in this body.
His chakra was weaker.
But his control, his experience, and his mental discipline were far beyond his classmates.
He stepped forward—calm and steady.
"Begin."
Clone Jutsu
Kazuma formed the seal.
Poof!
Two solid clones appeared.
Not flashy, but stable—no trembling, no distortion.
"Good," the instructor said.
Transformation Jutsu
Kazuma transformed into the teacher.
His copy wasn't perfect—height off by a few centimeters, hair too neat—but it held shape and chakra well.
The instructor nodded. "Acceptable."
Kazuma reverted.
Substitution Jutsu
The instructor tossed a wooden shuriken—a bit faster this time.
Kazuma inhaled.
The world slowed for a heartbeat.
His mining instincts, his survival training from his previous life… all awakened.
He moved—
Poof!
A log replaced him, clean and sharp.
He reappeared at the side in a crouch, hand still on the floor.
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't flashy.
But it was precise.
"Pass," the instructor said with a calm smile.
Kazuma stood, heart steady.
This body was not yet strong.
But he would make it strong.
---
The End of the Test
Name after name was called.
When the final student finished, the instructor looked over the list.
"If your name wasn't called for failure, then you passed."
A wave of relief rolled across the classroom.
Students exhaled.
Some hugged.
Some even cried.
But a few empty seats remained—those who failed.
Kazuma felt a pang of sympathy.
He knew what failure tasted like.
---
Receiving the Forehead Protector
Two chunin entered, carrying a small box and stacks of ID cards.
The instructor spoke clearly:
"I will call your names. Come receive your forehead protector and ninja registration card."
One by one, students walked to the front.
Clan heirs tied their headbands proudly.
Civilian kids walked with shaking hands.
Finally—
"Tenzo Yuta."
Tenzo walked up and accepted his headband.
He turned and raised it proudly.
Kazuma smirked.
Then—
"Kazuma Yuta."
Kazuma stepped forward.
The chunin placed the headband in his hands.
The metal plate carried the symbol of the Leaf.
A symbol of belonging.
A symbol of strength.
Kazuma tied it around his forehead.
This time…
This life…
He would not die weak.
---
A New Beginning
The instructor stood at the front.
"Congratulations. From today, you are genin of Konohagakure."
The room went silent.
"Remember this well… Genin is just the first step. Your true journey begins now."
Kazuma looked at Tenzo.
Tenzo grinned widely.
Their future as shinobi—
had finally begun.