Date: April 1st
Year: 57 of the Hidden Leaf
Location: Konohagakure
Age: Akira — 7
Combat Assessment (Initial):
Chakra Control: High (Academy Level+)
Physical Ability: Above Average
Tactical Sense: High
Overall Combat Strength: Equal to Uchiha Sasuke (Unpolished)
---
Morning came softly to Konoha.
Not with urgency, not with ceremony—but with the steady rhythm of a village that had survived too many wars to ever truly rush again.
Akira woke before the sun.
He always did.
The small apartment was quiet, the kind of quiet that only existed when no one else's breathing shared the space. The floor was cool beneath his feet as he stood, dark hair messy from sleep, eyes clear and alert in a way no seven-year-old's should have been.
He stretched his arms above his head, bones popping lightly.
"Today's the academy," he murmured.
No excitement.
No dread.
Just a statement.
---
Great Sage — Activation Confirmed
A calm, genderless voice echoed gently inside his mind.
> "Good morning, Akira. Heart rate stable. Emotional fluctuation minimal."
Akira paused mid-stretch.
"…Morning, Great Sage."
He didn't panic anymore. Didn't question it. The voice had been with him since he could remember—always quiet, always precise, always there.
> "Today marks the first day of formal shinobi education. Would you like a summary of projected social interactions?"
Akira snorted softly.
"No. I'll just… watch like always."
> "Acknowledged. Observation suits your psychological profile."
He moved to the small kitchen.
Cooking soothed him.
The rice cooker clicked on. Eggs cracked cleanly, shells discarded neatly. Simple breakfast—but done with care. He hummed under his breath while stirring, unaware that the sound was slightly off-key, slightly childish.
When he ate, he sat by the window.
Konoha was waking.
Ninjas on rooftops. Shopkeepers lifting shutters. Somewhere distant, a child laughed.
Akira's fingers tightened faintly around his chopsticks.
This village…
> "Emotional attachment detected. High affinity: "Home.""
"…Yeah," he whispered. "It is."
---
Academy Morning
The Ninja Academy stood tall, older than most of the children about to enter it.
Akira adjusted the strap of his bag as he walked through the gates.
Eyes watched him.
Some curious. Some dismissive.
An orphan, after all.
But Akira didn't shrink.
He walked calmly, gaze level, steps light.
Hinata Hyūga stood near the entrance, fingers fidgeting nervously as her pale eyes darted around.
Akira stopped beside her.
"Morning, Hinata."
She flinched—then relaxed when she saw him.
"G-Good morning, Akira-kun…"
Her voice was soft. Always had been.
He smiled gently. Not wide. Just enough.
"You'll be fine. Just sit near the window like you like."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…You remembered."
He tilted his head.
"You always choose it."
Hinata's cheeks warmed.
Unnoticed by both of them, a few students glanced over.
---
Classroom — First Impressions
Iruka Umino stood at the front, smiling warmly.
"Alright, everyone! Take your seats!"
Akira slid into a middle row. Strategic. Good visibility. Easy exits.
To his left—Shikamaru Nara, already slouching.
To his right—Ino Yamanaka, chatting animatedly.
She leaned closer, eyes bright. "Hey, you're Akira, right? Hinata talks about you sometimes."
Akira blinked.
"…She does?"
Ino grinned. "Yeah. Says you're nice."
He shrugged lightly. "She's nice too."
Ino stared.
"…Huh."
Something clicked.
Behind them, Sasuke Uchiha sat stiffly, eyes forward. Naruto Uzumaki was loud somewhere near the back.
> "Multiple high-potential individuals detected. Uchiha Sasuke: high chakra density. Uzumaki Naruto: abnormally vast chakra reserves."
I know, Akira replied mentally.
Just… let things happen.
> "Understood. Passive growth strategy confirmed."
---
Assessment — The Top Emerges
Kunai throwing.
Basic taijutsu.
Chakra control.
Akira didn't show off.
He didn't need to.
Every throw landed clean.
Every movement precise.
Not flashy—efficient.
Iruka's eyes lingered.
"…Excellent form."
Sasuke noticed.
So did Sakura.
Ino leaned forward, intrigued.
Hinata watched with quiet pride.
> "Combat efficiency: equal to Sasuke Uchiha. Probability of future growth—exceptional."
---
After Class
The sun dipped slightly as students poured out.
Shikamaru yawned beside Akira. "You're kinda troublesome, you know that?"
Akira glanced at him. "…How?"
"Making things look easy."
A faint smile touched Akira's lips.
"That's just practice."
Shikamaru studied him for a second—then shrugged. "Wanna walk home?"
"Sure."
Nearby, Naruto argued loudly with Kiba. Sakura scolded Naruto. Ino laughed. Hinata lingered, hoping Akira would notice.
He did.
"Hinata," he called softly.
She startled again. "Y-Yes?"
"Same route?"
Her nod was immediate.
---
Night — The First Step
Akira stood alone in a quiet clearing.
Moonlight filtered through leaves.
He inhaled slowly.
Deep.
Controlled.
> "Initiating analysis: breathing technique integration."
Let's try it, Akira thought.
Hinokami Kagura.
His body warmed.
Chakra flowed—not forced, but guided.
> "Chakra circulation synchronized with respiratory rhythm. Foundation established."
He exhaled.
A single step.
A single motion.
Not a technique yet.
Just the beginning.
Akira opened his eyes, heart steady.
"I'll protect this place," he whispered.
"Quietly."
> "Acknowledged. Path recorded."
The wind stirred.
And somewhere in Konoha, fate tilted—just slightly.
---