Finally, it was the day of the academy entrance exam. Satoshi stood in front of the mirror, taking a moment to appreciate how far he had come. Amidst all the chaos of planning and rigorous training, he realized he had never given much thought to his appearance. Today was different. He took a good look at himself: wearing a black jacket over a fitted black t-shirt, grey jeans, and vibrant green wristbands, he felt a sense of pride. His black hair framed his face, accentuating his striking blue eyes. Although he acknowledged that he wasn't quite at his physical peak yet, he could sense that if he continued to train diligently, he might soon become quite dashing.
As he finished preparing, Satoshi reflected on the progress he had made over the past month. His chakra control had improved significantly; remembering how he struggled to control even a flicker of chakra on his first day, he felt a swell of accomplishment. Now, he could successfully maintain the leaf concentration exercise for a full fifteen minutes. This was no small feat for a five-year-old who had just begun his journey into the world of ninjas. Additionally, his chakra reserves had increased by around 15% over the last few months. While they were still average in comparison to his peers, the growth itself was impressive enough to catch his mother's attention.
In terms of his taijutsu and physical conditioning, the transformation had been nothing short of remarkable. In the beginning, he struggled to complete an hour of physical exercise, which consisted of ten laps around the training ground—approximately one kilometer—along with 100 push-ups, 100 pull-ups, and 100 kicks and punches. To someone from his previous life, that would have seemed like an insurmountable challenge. However, in the world of ninjas, this was merely a warm-up routine. Now, he could double the amount of exercises within the same timeframe, pushing himself further and further with each passing day.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Satoshi felt his resolve strengthen. He had already made a firm decision: he would change the future. Though he wasn't quite sure how he would accomplish this monumental task, he was determined to make things better—not just for himself, but also for his family and friends. Growing up as a fan of Naruto, Satoshi had always admired the young ninja's spirit and resilience. This time, he wanted Naruto to experience a better childhood for himself.
He contemplated Naruto's circumstances; the young boy was just born, and it would take at least four years before he could wander the streets alone. That would be the moment Danzo would begin spreading rumors, turning people against him. Knowing that Naruto would start at the academy at the age of six, Satoshi realized he had a minimum of four years and a maximum of six years to make contact with him. In that time, he needed to gain some influence and make allies if he wanted to ensure his own safety while showing Naruto the affection he so desperately needed.
Thinking about all of this stirred a mix of emotions within him. He felt anger toward Danzo for orchestrating so much suffering, as well as frustration with the Third Hokage for allowing it to happen—especially to the child of Minato Namikaze. Satoshi couldn't shake the bitterness of the injustices he felt had been perpetrated against Naruto.
"Well, now that I'm here, I will change things for the better—for both me and Naruto, and for the entire world." With determination coursing through him, he mentally vowed to do whatever it took to ensure a brighter future for everyone involved.
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. "Satoshi, are you not ready yet? You'll be late! Hurry up!" It was his mother, and her voice brought him back to reality.
He smiled, realizing he might have been getting a bit too ahead of himself. Shaking off the lingering thoughts, he took a deep breath, straightened his jacket, and stepped out of his room. With his parents by his side, they made their way to the academy. As they walked, he felt a sense of anticipation and nervousness bubbling within him, excited about the opportunities that lay ahead. This was just the beginning of his journey, and he was ready to embrace whatever challenges awaited him.
As they reached the academy, Satoshi felt a surge of energy. He looked around, observing the other children who were just as eager and nervous as he was. This was it—the start of his new life as a ninja, a chance to prove himself and change the future for the better. With determination etched on his face, he stepped through the doors, ready to face the challenges that awaited him.
At the academy, Satoshi's parents waited nervously in the hall, their eyes scanning the sea of students bustling around them. The students were divided into five groups of fifty, each led to different classrooms for the written exam. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, a mix of excitement and anxiety palpable in the air.
As Satoshi entered the classroom with his group, he felt a rush of emotions. He was finally here, at the start of his journey as a ninja, and he was determined to make a good impression. The classroom was filled with the sounds of whispers and rustling paper as students settled into their seats, glancing at each other with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
When the exam papers were handed out, Satoshi took a deep breath and glanced over the questions. To his relief, he found the exam very easy, although it was still quite advanced for a child of his age. He recognized that the starting age for the academy was just six, and the expectations were higher than he had anticipated.
In comparison to the curriculum from his previous world, Satoshi couldn't help but chuckle internally. It was like teaching a second-grade syllabus to kindergarteners, he had an edge with his past memories and knowledge, which made it easier to grasp the material presented to him.
As he worked through the exam. He found himself glancing around the room occasionally, observing his classmates' expressions. Some looked tense, furrowing their brows in concentration, while others seemed to struggle, their pencils barely moving across the paper. Satoshi felt a pang of empathy for them; he remembered what it was like to face challenges and uncertainties, especially in a world that was entirely new to him.
The questions ranged from basic ninjutsu theory to more complex scenarios involving chakra control and teamwork strategies. Satoshi was impressed by the depth of knowledge required even at this level. He answered each question methodically, his hand moving swiftly across the paper, confident in his abilities.