Date: April 3rd
Year: 57 of the Hidden Leaf
Location: Ninja Academy, Konohagakure
Age: Akira — 7
Combat Assessment (Updated):
Chakra Control: High
Physical Conditioning: Improving
Tactical Awareness: High
Overall Combat Strength: Academy Top Tier (≈ Sasuke Uchiha)
---
The second day of the Ninja Academy arrived without ceremony.
No banners.
No speeches.
Just children filing into a classroom, carrying dreams far heavier than their small frames could understand.
Akira arrived early.
As usual.
The classroom smelled faintly of chalk and wood polish. Morning light streamed through the windows at a slant, dust motes drifting lazily in the air. Akira took the same seat as yesterday—middle row, near the window. Not because he needed it.
Because he liked watching the village breathe.
He rested his chin lightly on his palm.
Another day begins.
> "Good morning, Akira. Sleep efficiency: 92%. Muscle recovery optimal."
"Morning," he replied mentally.
"Anything I should know?"
> "Today's curriculum includes basic chakra theory, shuriken accuracy drills, and partner-based taijutsu fundamentals. Social interaction probability: moderate."
"…That sounds about right."
Footsteps approached.
Shikamaru collapsed into the seat beside him with a long sigh. "Why do mornings exist?"
Akira glanced sideways. "So afternoons feel better."
Shikamaru paused, then squinted at him. "That was… annoyingly reasonable."
Ino arrived moments later, ponytail swaying as she dropped into her seat on Akira's other side.
"You're early again," she said, peering at him. "Do you live here or something?"
"No," Akira replied calmly. "I just don't like rushing."
She studied him openly now. "You talk like an adult."
Akira shrugged. "I listen a lot."
"…Huh."
From the back of the room came loud laughter—Naruto, already in high spirits. Sakura scolded him sharply, arms crossed. Sasuke sat alone, eyes forward, ignoring everyone.
Hinata entered last.
Her steps hesitated at the door.
Akira noticed immediately.
He raised a hand slightly—not waving, just… present.
Her shoulders relaxed when she saw him. She took a seat two rows ahead, near the window, exactly where she always preferred.
> "Observation confirmed: Hyūga Hinata displays increased emotional stability in your presence."
Akira blinked once.
She's just more comfortable, he replied.
> "Affirmative. Emotional trust index rising slowly."
---
Lesson One — Chakra, Explained
Iruka stood at the front, chalk in hand.
"Chakra is the foundation of everything a ninja does," he began. "Control matters more than power."
Akira listened closely—not because the topic was new, but because phrasing mattered.
He absorbed every word.
> "Cross-referencing with internal chakra flow data… Instructor explanation accurate but simplified."
That's fine, Akira thought. This is a starting line, not the finish.
When Iruka asked a question, Akira didn't raise his hand.
Neither did Sasuke.
Iruka smiled knowingly. "Akira. Would you like to answer?"
A few heads turned.
Akira stood.
"Chakra is the combination of physical energy and spiritual energy," he said evenly. "It's produced continuously but must be shaped consciously. Without control, more chakra only increases waste."
Silence.
Iruka's smile widened. "Excellent."
Sasuke glanced sideways for half a second.
That was all—but Akira noticed.
> "Attention acknowledgment detected: Uchiha Sasuke. Competitive awareness rising."
Akira sat back down.
I didn't mean to compete, he thought.
> "Intent irrelevant. Outcome recorded."
---
Training — Partners and Proximity
The class moved outside.
The training yard buzzed with noise—children laughing, arguing, boasting.
Akira stood quietly, adjusting his stance.
Iruka clapped his hands. "Pair up!"
There was a brief scramble.
Ino turned immediately. "Akira, let's—"
"Kiba!" Naruto shouted. "Let's go!"
Hinata froze, eyes darting uncertainly.
Akira stepped toward her naturally. "Want to pair?"
She nodded quickly. "Y-Yes!"
Their taijutsu practice was… gentle.
Not weak.
Just careful.
Akira adjusted his movements to match her pace. When she stumbled, he steadied her without comment.
"Your footing's fine," he said quietly. "You just hesitate before striking."
Hinata swallowed. "I… I don't like hurting people."
Akira met her eyes, soft but steady. "Then think of it as protecting yourself."
Something shifted in her gaze.
She nodded.
Across the yard, Sakura was watching.
Ino noticed too.
> "Multiple observational gazes detected."
…Already? Akira sighed internally.
---
Lunch — Small Circles
They sat beneath a tree.
Not a group.
Not alone.
Just… nearby.
Shikamaru lay on his back, staring at clouds. "That one looks like a deer."
Naruto argued with Kiba about ramen.
Ino chatted with Sakura animatedly.
Hinata sat beside Akira, carefully opening her lunch.
Akira glanced over. "You made that?"
She nodded shyly. "Y-Yes."
"It smells good."
Her face warmed. "…Thank you."
He opened his own lunch—simple, neatly arranged.
"You cook?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," Akira replied. "I like it."
Her eyes widened slightly. "That's… nice."
> "Emotional resonance increasing. Hyūga Hinata: attachment probability—low but steady."
Akira felt a faint pressure in his chest.
I just want her to be comfortable, he thought.
---
Afternoon — Shuriken Lines
Targets stood at varying distances.
Akira's throws were clean.
Sasuke's were sharp.
Iruka frowned thoughtfully. "You two are setting the bar high."
Sasuke finally spoke. "You practice a lot."
Akira nodded. "It's relaxing."
Sasuke didn't respond—but his grip tightened.
---
Evening — Quiet Training
The sun dipped low.
Akira stood alone again, wooden sword in hand.
He inhaled.
Deep. Controlled.
> "Initiating breathing-chakra synchronization. Hinokami Kagura: foundational phase."
Warmth spread from his lungs outward.
Not burning.
Flowing.
He moved—slowly.
One step.
One swing.
> "Motion resembles First Form framework. Execution incomplete but stable."
I don't need speed yet, Akira thought. Just consistency.
Sweat beaded on his brow.
He smiled faintly.
"I'm getting there."
> "Affirmative. Growth curve: ideal."
---
Night — Reflections
Akira lay on his futon, staring at the ceiling.
Faces drifted through his thoughts.
Hinata's relieved smile.
Shikamaru's lazy voice.
Ino's curious stare.
Sasuke's quiet intensity.
This class…
> "Social network forming organically. No manipulation detected."
"…Good," Akira whispered.
Outside, the village slept.
And in the stillness, something steady began to take root—not ambition, not destiny.
Just connection.
---