A few days had passed since that emotional moment in the shower, and life at the orphanage had settled into a steady rhythm. The three boys—Satoru, Dai, and Tatsuo—spent their days preparing for the upcoming entrance exam to the Academy.
Today, they were studying the basics of chakra. Satoru sat cross-legged on the floor of their room, his eyes glued to the book in front of him.
Across from him, Dai was staring at his own book with a look of complete bewilderment, like a deer caught in headlights. His brows were furrowed, and his mouth was slightly open as he tried to make sense of the diagrams and explanations. It was clear that this kind of studying was not his strong suit.
Tatsuo, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. His book was already closed, and he was looking over at Dai with a patient smile. "Dai, it's really not that hard," Tatsuo said, his voice calm and reassuring. "You just need to understand that chakra is a mix of physical and spiritual energy. You gather it from your body and your spirit, and then you mold it into whatever technique you want to use."
Dai blinked at Tatsuo, still looking lost. "Uh… okay… but how do you know when you've got enough chakra to do a technique?" he asked, scratching his head.Tatsuo's smile widened, and he launched into another explanation, breaking down the concepts with ease. He used simple examples, comparing chakra to things that Dai could easily understand, like physical strength and willpower.
As he spoke, Dai's expression began to shift from confusion to a tentative understanding.Satoru watched this exchange silently, a mix of admiration and concern in his heart. Tatsuo's confidence was backed by his natural talent—he understood things quickly and effortlessly, as if he had been born with the knowledge.
It was impressive, but it also made Satoru feel the pressure to keep up.He glanced back at his own book, his mind racing. 'If I need to survive in this world, I can't just keep up with Tatsuo and Dai,' he thought, Aunty Hana's words echoing in his mind.
Satoru's focus sharpened, He read through the concepts again. Every concept, every technique, every strategy, he would learn it all until it became second nature.
As Tatsuo continued to explain things to Dai, Satoru listened carefully, absorbing the way Tatsuo broke down the information. He knew he could learn from his friend, not just the material but also how to approach learning itself. Tatsuo's ease with the material wasn't just due to talent—it was also due to his approach, his ability to simplify complex ideas.
The night had settled over the village, and the orphanage was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees.
Satoru lay on his bunk, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of the past few days.He had made progress, that much was certain.
But as he reflected back, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction. The progress he had made was… adequate at best, and in this world, he knew that wouldn't be enough.
'I have the mind of a 15-year-old,' he thought, 'which gives me an advantage when it comes to academics. I can understand the theories and concepts better than the others because I've already lived through part of my life. But… this body…'He glanced down at his small, 5-year-old hands, clenching them into fists.
The physical limitations of his young body were frustrating. His stamina was low, his strength was lacking, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't push himself as far as he wanted to in training. It was as if his mind was ready to go further, but his body wasn't able to keep up.
'I need to be smart about this,' he thought, his mind already beginning to formulate a plan. 'If I can't rely on my physical abilities right now, then I'll have to use my mind. I need to focus on what I'm good at—studying, understanding the theories, and planning ahead. I'll put most of my time into that, and just train enough physically to pass the entrance exams.'
It wasn't an ideal plan, but it was the best he could come up with given the circumstances. He knew that if he tried to push his body too hard right now, he might end up hurting himself, which would set him back even further.
Instead, he would play the long game—train his mind now, and train his body more intensely when he was older and stronger.
The morning sun cast a soft glow over the orphanage as the day began. Satoru could be seen standing with a group of older children. He was asking them questions about the entrance exams for the Academy, trying to gather as much information as he could on how to prepare appropriately.they were more than willing to share their experiences, giving him tips on both the physical and academic aspects of the tests.
At the breakfast table, Dai and Tatsuo sat side by side, watching Satoru with interest. Dai's eyes were wide with curiosity as he observed his friend. "Tatsuo," Dai said, his voice filled with wonder, "what do you think Satoru is doing? He's been working so hard lately, even more than usual."Tatsuo glanced at Satoru, then back at Dai, his expression thoughtful. "It's strange, isn't it?" he replied, a hint of concern in his voice. "Ever since that night he passed out with a burning fever, he's been different. Before that, Satoru and I used to play together all the time, like the world didn't matter. But now… now he's changed."
Dai blinked, not fully understanding. "What do you mean he's changed? He's still Satoru, right?"Tatsuo nodded slowly, but there was a hesitation in his eyes. "Yes, he's still Satoru… but it's like he's become more serious, more scared. Before, he would laugh and play with me, but now he's always studying or asking questions. It's like something inside him has shifted."
Dai, being a simpleton with a straightforward view of the world, didn't quite grasp the depth of Tatsuo's concern. He gave his friend a big, reassuring smile. "I don't think you need to worry about it, Tatsuo. Satoru's just become more youthful! Look at how much energy he has now, how determined he is! He's going to become an amazing shinobi, I just know it!"
Tatsuo smiled faintly, appreciating Dai's optimism, even if he wasn't entirely convinced. "Maybe you're right, Dai," he said, though a part of him still wondered what had caused such a sudden change in his friend.As they watched, Satoru finished his conversation with the older kids and began making his way back to the breakfast table.
When Satoru sat down with them, Dai immediately greeted him with his usual enthusiasm. "Satoru! You're working so hard these days! It's awesome! You're going to be a great shinobi, I just know it!"
Satoru smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks, Dai," he said, his voice quiet. "I have to work hard..."
Tatsuo watched his friend closely, noting the tone in his voice. 'Whatever happened that night,' he thought, 'it really changed him. But maybe… maybe it's for the better.
If Satoru becomes stronger, if he achieves his dreams, then maybe this change was a good thing.'The three boys continued their breakfast, each lost in their own thoughts.
Ten months had passed since Satoru made his plan. The entrance exam for the Academy was now just a week away.
Satoru stood near a wooden target, gripping a wooden kunai tightly in his small hand. His aim had improved significantly over the past months, but it still wasn't perfect. he threw the kunai, watching as it hit the target, though not exactly where he intended.
He sighed, lowering his arm, as he retrieved the kunai. 'I've completed the entire syllabus for the entrance exam, and I've even gone ahead and studied some of the topics they'll teach in the first year of the Academy.'
He remembered the countless hours he spent pouring over books, memorizing every detail, understanding every theory. He had become well-versed in chakra theory, the history of the village, and even some basic ninjutsu concepts that most students wouldn't encounter until later in their education.
Satoru decided to take a break from his practice. He walked over to a tree at the edge of the training ground and sat down beneath its shade. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a book—a textbook meant for students in the first grade of the Academy. He flipped it open and began reading, his eyes scanning the pages .As he read, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. While his physical training had been challenging, his academic progress had been remarkable.
He was confident that he could excel in the written portion of the entrance exam, and that would give him an edge over the other candidates.
The sun slowly began to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm glow over the training ground. Satoru continued reading under the tree.
The week had flown by, and the day of the Academy entrance exam had finally arrived. The three boys, Satoru, Dai, and Tatsuo, were making their way toward the Academy, each lost in their own thoughts as they walked through the bustling streets of Konoha.
Dai was full of energy, his voice loud and excited as he talked about his plans for the physical exam. "I'm going to destroy it!" he declared, throwing a few punches in the air as if he was already in the middle of a fight. "No one's going to be able to keep up with my youth!"
Tatsuo grinned, his confidence evident in his posture. "You might have the physical part covered, Dai, but don't forget about the other tests."
Satoru remained quiet, walking slightly behind his friends. He was confident about the test—he had prepared meticulously for it. But some parts still worried him.
'As long as I pass the physical test,' Satoru thought, 'I'll be fine. I just need to focus on what I can do and not let the rest get to me.'Little did the trio know that they were already being watched.
The entrance exams were not just about the tests themselves; they were a way for the village to assess the next generation of shinobi. Hundreds of children had come to Konoha from all over the Land of Fire, each one eager to prove themselves worthy of the title of ninja.
Hidden in the shadows, ANBU operatives observed the children as they made their way to the Academy. Their masked faces were impassive as they assessed the young candidates, looking for signs of true potential.
They were tasked with identifying those who were genuinely motivated and separating them from those who were only there for fun or because of parental pressure.
For some, the dream of becoming a shinobi would end before it even began.As the trio approached the Academy gates, Satoru couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He glanced around, feeling a strange sense of unease. But when he looked at his friends, he saw only excitement on their faces, so he pushed the feeling aside.
The grounds were packed with children, each one filled with anticipation and nerves.