Soon Kimura-sensei entered the classroom. Placing her book on the desk, she spoke softly but clearly. "Alright class, continuing on, we are doing a simple revision. Most of you would know this information in almost its entirety. My revision will be just a bit more in-depth."
"First up is basic chakra theory." Her eyes glanced around the classroom, seeing that she had everyone's attention.
"You all have unlocked your chakra and have trained it to a sufficient degree, and even possess the ability to use it to a minor degree to enhance your physical fitness. Saying all that is easy. However, you all know the deeper workings required to achieve just that."
Kuro leaned back slightly in his seat, as he observed the instructor. His expression remained neutral, but internally, he was already evaluating her.
Let's see what kind of education system the Second Hokage has implemented.
Looking around, she selected a young boy with short dark hair and lazy eyes. With the appropriate hairstyle, he could pass for a young Nara, she thought.
"Yasu, Chakra what is it?" she asked directly.
The boy tensed up a bit, as if he wasn't expecting such a simple question to be asked. However, he seemed to relax after a few seconds before answering.
"Chakra is the energy mixture that is formed by the combined ratio of physical and spiritual energies. This specific ratio is different from person to person. To truly utilize this energy, one must find their unique ratio and unlock it."
"Good," she simply said, her eyes quickly scanning the room. "Correct."
She then continued, "When we say 'unlocking chakra' , it's simply finding that ratio often time is 50/50 and mixing the energies one may need. With assistance, one can finely tune their energies to mold chakra. With the help of someone knowledgeable and the person's awareness of what these energies are, they can begin the first step of many to become a ninja."
The teacher paused, allowing the information to sink in before moving on to her next question.
Around the classroom, other students from prominent clans were similarly engaged in their own assessments. Near the back, Kurogane Satsuki sat with perfect posture, her dark eyes tracking the teacher's every movement. Her family had high expectations, and she intended to measure whether this instructor could meet them.
Two rows over, a young Uchiha boy with sharp, analytical dark eyes watched intently. His clan's standards for excellence were exacting, and he was measuring every word the teacher spoke.
"Now then, Hideaki?" She turned to a stocky boy with a serious expression and close-cropped hair. "What are the consequences of attempting to use chakra beyond one's current capacity?"
Hideaki cleared his throat. "Chakra exhaustion, sensei. When a person runs out of chakra, it severely weakens their physical taijutsu and jutsu abilities, slows them down, and risks unconsciousness or worse if they push too hard."
"Correct," the teacher said, her expression growing more serious. "But let me elaborate on the stages of chakra exhaustion, as this is critical information that could save your lives."
She held up one finger. "Minor exhaustion: The ninja finds it harder to move chakra around their body. Jutsu require more time to be performed, and the person feels sluggish, though not noticeably so to others."
A second finger went up. "Normal exhaustion: Motor skills are affected. Speed, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination are noticeably impaired. Performing jutsu becomes significantly harder."
A third finger rose, and her voice became grave. "Severe exhaustion: This is where it becomes life-threatening. The body literally begins to cannibalize itself to replenish the lost chakra your cells start consuming themselves in a desperate attempt to generate energy. This means your life force itself is being consumed. Naturally, this is extremely excruciating and, without adequate medical intervention, will result in death."
The classroom had gone completely silent, the weight of her words settling over every student.
Kuro's eyes narrowed slightly.
His mind flashed back to memories, those from his previous life's knowledge of the anime. The future Academy under the Third Hokage had glossed over so much. Six years in the Academy, and what had they really learned? Basic throwing techniques? The Clone Jutsu? It had seemed more like indoctrination than education, preparing children to be sacrificial pawns rather than skilled shinobi.
Just enough training to make children useful, he thought with barely concealed disdain, but not enough to make them question. Not enough to make them truly powerful. Then again it was obviously benefited the one's in power.
He thought of the Senju clan the First Hokage's own people, who in the future timeline would be scattered and depleted. Aparretly sent to die on the front lines of wars, their numbers dwindling with each conflict until they were barely a shadow of their former glory or than those apparently merged in to the village.
And the Uchiha, who he knew from his memories would face something far worse systematically isolated, suspected, and eventually massacred by one of their own under the machinations of Danzo and the Third's willful blindness.
Even now, Kuro observed, noting the way some of the Uchiha students sat slightly apart from the others , the mental separation both resulting of there pride and arrogance subtle machinations, the seeds are being planted. The Second's policies...
He knew from the anime that the Second Hokage, despite founding the Academy and many of Konoha's institutions, had harbored deep suspicions of the Uchiha and certain persons action confirm it more. The formation of the Military Police Force, which seemed like an honor, was actually a way to isolate them from true power keeping them busy with internal village matters while excluding them from the highest levels of decision-making.
And decades from now, that isolation will fester into resentment, and that resentment will be used as justification for their annihilation, Kuro thought darkly. All while the leadership wrings their hands and claims there was no other choice.
But this... this lesson was different from what he'd expected.
"This is why we emphasize control and gradual training," the teacher continued. "Building your chakra reserves is like building muscle it takes time and consistent practice. But more importantly, knowing your limits and recognizing the signs of exhaustion can mean the difference between life and death in the field."
She walked to the blackboard and began writing key terms. "Let's review the three fundamental aspects of chakra: generation, manipulation, and application."
Her chalk tapped against the board as she underlined each word.
"Generation," she began, writing the word prominently. "Chakra generation is the process of creating the energy itself. It requires two components."
She drew two circles on the board, labeling them clearly.
"Physical Energy this energy is collected from the trillions of cells in your body and can be increased through physical training and exercise. Spiritual Energy, also called mental energy, is derived from the mind's consciousness and can be increased through studying, meditation, and experience."
The teacher drew an arrow connecting the two circles. "Shinobi combine these two energies in a specific ratio within their body to form a mass of chakra. The total potential capacity for these two energies is referred to as your 'stamina.'"
Shin leaned over to whisper to Kuro. "This is way more detailed than I expected for a first-week review."
Kuro gave a slight nod but said nothing, his attention fixed on the board.
She moved to the next section. "Manipulation or as it's more commonly known, chakra control. This is the ability to mold and direct the generated chakra precisely. It's crucial for using techniques efficiently and preventing energy waste."
Her chalk scratched against the board as she wrote three subcategories.
"Molding involves forming the combined physical and spiritual energies into the required amount and type of chakra for a specific technique. Shape Transformation deals with controlling the form, movement, and potency of the chakra determining the size, range, and purpose of a technique. For example, shaping chakra into a sphere for advanced techniques."
A few students leaned forward with interest.
"Nature Transformation involves changing the physical properties of chakra into one of the five basic elements Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water or into Yin and Yang release. We'll cover this in much greater depth in future lessons."
The teacher gestured to the training yard visible through the window. "General training methods for improving chakra control include the Leaf Concentration exercise, Tree Climbing, and Water Walking. Some of you will begin these exercises soon."
In two hours, Kuro thought with something approaching disbelief, she's covering what the future Academy took six years to barely touch on. This is actual shinobi training.
Satsuki, a few seats away, was clearly thinking along similar lines. She exchanged a glance with another clan heir, a young Senju girl with distinctive auburn hair Senju Ayame. Both wore expressions of grudging approval.
So the current Academy isn't completely broken, Kuro mused. The Second, for all his paranoia about the Uchiha, at least understands that proper education creates competent shinobi.
The teacher turned back to the board, writing the final term. "Application this refers to using the manipulated chakra to perform a specific ability or jutsu."
"Ninjutsu and Genjutsu are the most common applications. Ninjutsu includes elemental attacks and various techniques, while Genjutsu creates illusions. Both rely entirely on molding and manipulating chakra to produce supernatural effects."
The teacher pointed to her own arm. "Physical Enhancement chakra can be focused into specific body parts, like your hands or feet, to augment physical prowess, providing superhuman strength, speed, or durability. This is the foundation of effective taijutsu."
"And finally, Medical Ninjutsu. This advanced application requires highly precise chakra control to heal injuries or perform complex medical procedures. It's one of the most difficult disciplines to master, but also one of the most valuable."
The teacher turned back to face the class. "These basics may seem simple, but they form the foundation of everything you'll learn as shinobi. Master these principles, and more advanced techniques will come naturally. Neglect them, and you'll struggle no matter how much raw talent you possess."
Kuro found himself genuinely engaged. This is comprehensive. Structured. They're actually preparing these children to be competent shinobi, not just warm bodies for the meat grinder.
It was a stark contrast to what he remembered from the anime. The future Academy under Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage would be a pale shadow of this. Whether through complacency, political calculation, or genuine belief that a weaker populace was easier to guide, the standards would slip dramatically.
That's how you create a cycle of weakness, Kuro thought coldly. Each generation slightly less capable than the last, until the village can barely defend itself without relying on a handful of elite shinobi. And when those elite fall...
He knew the history. The Nine-Tails attack. The Uchiha Massacre. The invasion during the Chunin Exams. Orochimaru. Akatsuki. Pain's assault. Each crisis revealing just how fragile Konoha had become beneath its veneer of strength.
But it doesn't have to be that way, Kuro realized. Not if things change. Not if the right people survive, and the right policies are maintained.
The question was whether he could influence that outcome, or if the currents of history were too strong to divert.
The teacher's eyes swept across the room once more, settling on another student a lean boy with wire-frame glasses and attentive brown eyes.
"Tanaka Ryo," she called out. "What is chakra molding?"
Ryo adjusted his glasses before responding clearly. "Chakra molding is a form of chakra control. This aspect of chakra control involves two stages: using chakra with minimal waste, and two, molding chakra in the precise amount that is needed given the situation."
"Correct," the teacher acknowledged with a nod. "Chakra molding is essential. It's not enough to simply move or generate chakra you must shape it efficiently and use exactly what's required. No more, no less. This is what separates skilled shinobi from mediocre ones."
She paused, letting the weight of that statement settle over the class.
"Now, before we move on to practical exercises, does anyone have questions about chakra theory?"
A few hands tentatively rose. The teacher pointed to a girl with twin braids.
"Sensei, when you say our stamina determines our chakra capacity, does that mean some people will always have more chakra than others, no matter how much they train?"
"An excellent question," the teacher replied. "Yes and no. Your baseline capacity is determined by your physical constitution and your spiritual energy some of which is inherited, some of which is developed. However, both can be dramatically increased through proper training. A person born with average capacity who trains diligently can surpass someone born with high capacity who neglects their development. However, this is not to give you false hope, as the crux of the matter is that both must train and improve."
She gestured to the class. "Many of you come from prominent clans with naturally high chakra reserves or special abilities. The Senju are known for their vitality and stamina. The Uchiha possess the Sharingan and natural affinity for Fire Release. But natural talent only takes you so far. The difference between a mediocre shinobi and a legendary one is discipline, training, and the wisdom to never stop learning."
Well, the Reddit members would argue that if a bloodline is strong enough, legendary status is almost guaranteed, Kuro thought wryly.
His father, out of the many jonin in the village just how strong was his old man? That remained to be seen, but he could infer quite a bit.
Kuro noticed the way she deliberately mentioned both the Senju and Uchiha neither favored, neither diminished. A careful political balance, though he wondered how long that balance could last.
In the future, that balance shatters completely, he thought grimly. The Senju scatter and fade. The Uchiha are confined, isolated, and eventually eliminated. And the village suffers for it.
Another hand rose this time from the young Uchiha boy. "Sensei, you mentioned Yin and Yang release. Will we be learning about those in this course?"
"We'll cover the basics," the teacher said, "but Yin and Yang release are advanced topics that typically require several years of study to truly grasp. For now, focus on mastering the five basic natures. Once you've achieved competency there, the path to Yin and Yang will become clearer."
She glanced at the clock on the wall. "We have about ten minutes left in this session. After a short break, we'll head to the training field for hands-on practicals. Today's exercise will focus on basic chakra control and physical conditioning. You were tested previously, and this is just a continued assessment to see how you can further improve. Hence, I want to see where each of you currently stands."
A ripple of anticipation ran through the classroom. Practical training meant they'd finally get to do something instead of just sitting and listening.
"Use this time to review your notes, ask any final questions, or prepare yourselves mentally," the teacher instructed. "When we reconvene, I expect everyone to be ready to demonstrate what they've learned."
As she stepped away from the board, the classroom erupted into hushed conversations. Students began comparing notes, discussing the lesson, and speculating about what the practical exercises would entail.
Shin turned to Kuro with an excited grin. "Finally, some action! I'm curious to see how everyone stacks up."
Kuro nodded thoughtfully. "He could see that even though the lesson was informative, many wished to jump around."
More than informative, he thought. It'll show me the baseline this generation is working from. And whether the decline I know from the anime is inevitable, or if there's still time to prevent it.
Satsuki leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms. "Two hours of theory followed by practical application. They're not wasting any time."
"That's a good thing," a voice chimed in from nearby. It was Senju Ayame, her expression serious. "The faster we learn, the stronger we become. And the village needs strong shinobi."
There was weight to her words that suggested she understood the stakes more than most children her age. Kuro wondered briefly what she'd been told, what expectations had been placed on her shoulders as a Senju.
In the future, there won't be any Senju left, Kuro thought darkly. They'll die in the wars, scattered across battlefields, their bloodline diluted until the name itself becomes little more than a historical footnote. All while the leadership that should have protected them sends them to their deaths.
Kuro remained silent, but inwardly, he was recalibrating his expectations.
This isn't the Academy I remember from the anime, he acknowledged. This is something with actual standards, actual curriculum. The question is what happens to erode it. Complacency? Political interference? A shift in priorities after the Second's death?
He felt something he hadn't expected to feel: cautious concern, mixed with determination.
If I can see the path that leads to weakness, maybe I can help divert it, he considered. But that requires surviving long enough to gain influence. And understanding the political landscape well enough to navigate it.
But that concern he could do nothing about it now. While it may be good intentions, that good could only go so far. The world of shinobi was brutal, unforgiving, and full of forces that would seek to destroy anything that threatened their power.
The Second's policies toward the Uchiha in the not-too-distant future will create a cycle of resentment, Kuro observed, watching the Uchiha students. That resentment will fester. And decades from now, it will be used as justification for genocide. Even Kagami's loyalty one of the few Uchiha trusted by the Second won't be enough to save his clan in the end.
The teacher's voice cut through the chatter. "Five more minutes, then we head to the training grounds."
Kuro pulled out his notebook, reviewing the diagrams and notes he'd taken. Around him, others did the same, the atmosphere shifting from relaxed discussion to focused preparation.
Whatever came next on the training field, it would reveal much about the current state of Konoha's Academy system and perhaps offer clues about how to prevent its future degradation.
One step at a time, Kuro reminded himself.
He glanced around at his classmates future comrades, future casualties, future variables in an equation he was only beginning to understand.
The future I remember doesn't have to be inevitable, he thought. But preventing it will require more than just personal strength. It'll require changing the very systems that led to Konoha's decline.