The next day was clear and bright. White clouds drifted across the sky, casting cool shadows over the ground. Kyosuke arrived early at the entrance of the Ninja Academy.
Many parents had brought their children. There were members of shinobi clans and children from civilian families. Of course, there were also a few solitary figures like Kyosuke, standing alone.
"Kyosuke! Over here!"
Might Guy stood beside his father, waving energetically. His booming voice drew surprised and scrutinizing looks from those nearby.
Guy really was thick-skinned. Shouting in a crowd like that without the slightest embarrassment.
Of course, Kyosuke had lived two lifetimes—and in this one, he was just a child. He wasn't embarrassed either. Smiling calmly under everyone's gaze, he walked over.
"Thank you, Uncle. Guy treated me to barbecue yesterday. Now that we're classmates, we'll definitely get along well."
Over the past two years, Kyosuke had received plenty of kindness from Guy's parents. He was sincerely grateful.
Might Duy looked at Kyosuke—handsome, steady, and polite—and couldn't help but beam.
"Kyosuke, Guy can be a bit reckless. You're pretty much his only friend. Please look after him."
"What?! Why would I need Kyosuke to look after me? I'm the one who looks after him!" Guy protested.
"Haha, don't worry, Uncle. Guy's a great friend. We'll help each other."
Ever since their chance encounter during training, Kyosuke had liked Guy's personality. Guy was straightforward and sincere—it made being around him easy.
As more people gathered, the Academy gates finally opened, and the opening ceremony began.
Inside the campus, the children stood in neat rows. The Third Hokage appeared with a kindly expression, delivering a speech about the Will of Fire and Konoha's future, passionately encouraging the new students.
Kyosuke glanced around. Many children looked excited, eyes shining, fists clenched—as if they had already resolved to dedicate their lives to Konoha.
After the Hokage finished speaking, the teachers began recording information, assigning classes, explaining school rules, and distributing textbooks.
By the time everything was settled, the entire morning had passed. Formal lessons would begin in the afternoon.
When class started, Kyosuke saw many familiar faces.
Hatake Kakashi.
Rin Nohara.
Asuma Sarutobi.
Kurenai Yūhi.
Uchiha Obito.
Genma Shiranui.
Ibiki Morino.
Ebisu.
Shizune.
Some he recognized instantly. Others only clicked after hearing their names.
At this point, Obito was just a loud, troublemaking kid—nothing like the future mastermind he would become.
Kakashi, on the other hand, already gave off the air of a cool prodigy. His face mask and striking white hair drew plenty of attention from the girls—and no small amount of jealousy from the boys.
Asuma looked mature for his age—one could already imagine him growing into a bearded man.
Kurenai carried an air beyond her years. Rin's voice was gentle. Genma had a blade of grass in his mouth. Ibiki looked tall and intimidating. Ebisu wore sunglasses and spoke in an oddly comical tone. Shizune quietly flipped through her textbook.
These were people who would survive the Third Shinobi World War.
They were worth watching.
On the first day, the teacher focused on explaining the principles of chakra—how it was formed from physical and spiritual energy—how to refine it, and the potential dangers of improper use.
Following instructions, the students began attempting chakra refinement.
For those from shinobi families, this was no challenge. Many had already begun training before enrolling and quickly succeeded.
Even Guy, thanks to his father's guidance, had already learned chakra refinement.
The civilian students, however, had received no prior shinobi education. Many encountered problems and failed repeatedly, growing frustrated or anxious.
The instructor, Takahara Naoyasu—a patient, middle-aged chūnin—walked among them, correcting mistakes one by one.
"Don't rush chakra refinement. Most people need several days to succeed. Today's goal is to understand the correct method. There's no need to force results."
Guy sat to Kyosuke's left. After successfully refining chakra, he began loudly cheering him on.
"Come on, Kyosuke! You've worked so hard—you can do it! Kyosuke, go!!"
Kyosuke sighed inwardly.
Guy's voice not only drew stares and whispers from classmates—it was genuinely distracting.
Sure enough, Takahara intervened.
"Quiet down. Don't disturb the other students."
In truth, chakra refinement posed no difficulty for Kyosuke. He could succeed at any moment. The real question was—when should he succeed?
From what he knew, Guy had spent most of the day before managing it. If Guy's talent was average, how long had it taken a genius like Kakashi?
Half a day? Two hours? One hour?
Surely not just a few minutes?
If he wanted to catch the attention of important figures, he needed a sufficiently dazzling performance.
Ten minutes would do.
So while Guy stared intensely—clenched fists trembling as if refining chakra on Kyosuke's behalf—Kyosuke himself sat calmly, eyes closed, quietly waiting for time to pass.
Takahara scanned the classroom and noticed Kyosuke's composure. Calm. Unhurried.
He gave him silent praise.
Strong mental stability and pressure resistance were essential qualities in a shinobi.
Tick. Tick.
The classroom clock advanced steadily.
When ten minutes had passed, Kyosuke finally began truly refining chakra.
For others, chakra was elusive and difficult to gather.
For Kyosuke, it flowed like rivers into the sea.
It gathered effortlessly, guided smoothly through his body—as if chakra had always existed there, waiting to be drawn forth.
"I did it! Guy, I did it!"
Opening his eyes with a look of delight, Kyosuke threw an arm around Guy's shoulders and cheered.
The excitement wasn't entirely an act.
He had long been capable of training ninjutsu but had forced himself to wait. Now that he could practice openly, his joy was genuine.
Guy stared, stunned.
"What? It's only been less than ten minutes—you succeeded already?! Kyosuke, you're a genius!"
Kyosuke's success drew attention throughout the classroom.
The civilian students, encouraged by the thought that if he could do it, so could they, redoubled their efforts.
They didn't fully grasp what it meant.
But the children from shinobi clans understood clearly.
Refining chakra in ten minutes meant Kyosuke possessed abundant chakra reserves and high sensitivity to chakra. He could guide it with ease.
Once he began learning ninjutsu, he would master techniques faster than others—and likely consume less chakra when using them.
"…Damn it. I'm the Hokage's son, and I lost to some civilian brat?"
Asuma's expression darkened. Under his father's direct guidance, it had taken him half a day to refine chakra.
The pride of being the Hokage's son now felt like humiliation.
Kakashi glanced at Kyosuke once—then quietly returned to his own practice.
Obito pretended not to care, boasting loudly about his own abilities to those nearby.
Either way—
Many of the students remembered that slightly handsome boy with short hair.