Behind the Ninja Academy, in the grove at the base of the mountain, the setting sun gradually disappeared over the horizon.
Asuma stood there like a statue, his expression blank, muttering to himself. "Impossible… there's no way…"
Nearby, shimizu moved his fingertips, producing a faint thread of chakra. "Asuma, is this what chakra feels like?"
Asuma snapped out of his daze and turned to look at shimizu, his expression complicated. "You… learned how to refine chakra already? That fast?"
Most students took anywhere from half a month to a full month to refine chakra for the first time. Talented individuals could do it in as little as three days—that's what he'd been told by a specialized instructor.
He had assumed shimizu would take at least half a month to get the basics down. For someone Asuma considered a "worthy rival," even refining chakra in five days would have been reasonable.
But this? Less than ten minutes since Asuma started teaching him?
Asuma stared at shimizu like he was some kind of monster. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "H-how did you succeed on your first try?"
shimizu shook his head slightly. "This isn't my first time refining chakra."
Asuma frowned in confusion. "What? But I thought no one ever taught you how to refine chakra?"
shimizu smiled. "Maybe you didn't realize, but I've spent a lot of time at the hospital, helping out as a nurse's assistant. Even though I couldn't use chakra myself, I saw the nurses refining theirs many times."
He continued, "And today, yagami Sensei explained the theoretical foundations of chakra control, didn't he?"
"...Did he?" Asuma muttered absentmindedly.
He hadn't exactly been paying attention in class. Not because he slacked off, but because he had already learned all that theory long ago. As far as he was concerned, memorizing hand seals and increasing his speed were far more important than sitting through lectures.
shimizu wasn't surprised by Asuma's response. Theory was always undervalued at the Academy. Teachers focused more on practical combat skills and adaptability.
In fact, during written tests, the Academy didn't just tolerate cheating—it outright encouraged it, as long as students weren't too obvious about it.
"Of course he did," shimizu said with a calm smile. "I just paid attention, connected it with what I already knew, and filled in the gaps in my understanding. I had already grasped the rough concept of chakra refinement before, but my method was flawed. Thanks to your guidance, I was able to refine it properly this time."
"...Oh, that's all?" Asuma finally accepted the explanation.
What he didn't realize was that shimizu's ability to analyze and refine chakra just by observing others and listening to a lecture was far more terrifying than simply being able to use it.
Regaining his enthusiasm, Asuma grinned. "As expected of my destined rival! But don't forget, chakra is just the foundation. Real ninja skills come from mastering jutsu! Some ninja take years to learn even the most basic Clone Jutsu—but for true geniuses like us, breaking the limits is what we do best!"
shimizu nodded. "That's true. This world is far from fair."
Seeing shimizu agree with him, Asuma was delighted. For the first time, he started to feel like he had a true friend. "C'mon! I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!"
"You're treating me? I should be the one thanking you. Without your help, I'd still be stuck."
"But… doesn't the village only give you a small allowance?" Asuma hesitated. He knew shimizu's financial situation wasn't great.
"Don't worry about it. I earn money working at the hospital." shimizu smiled warmly, like a miniature sun. "At the very least, I can afford to buy a meal for a friend."
"Friend…? We're friends?" Asuma muttered to himself. His nose felt a little stuffy, but he quickly shook off the feeling. Changing the subject, he said, "Right! Earlier, that chakra string technique you used was kinda freaky! How did you do that?"
"That? It's mainly about body coordination and chakra control. If you want to learn it, I'd recommend starting with—" shimizu paused, then added casually, "practicing suturing wounds. You can find leftover animal carcasses at the butcher's market."
Hearing him say such terrifying things with a completely straight face, Asuma let out an awkward laugh. "...Haha. Y-yeah. I think I'll pass on that. Not planning to become a puppeteer or a medic-nin."
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's Office
"Today was Asuma's first day at the Academy, wasn't it?" The Third Hokage rubbed his forehead, letting out a tired sigh. "And yet, he's already causing trouble…"
"Actually, Lord Hokage," the ninja beside him said respectfully, "you might be mistaken about Young Master Asuma."
"Hm?" The Third raised an eyebrow. He knew his attendant, Takeuchi Oogawa, was smooth-tongued, but he wouldn't dare deceive him about something like this.
"What happened?"
"According to the reports I gathered, Young Master Asuma made quite an impression at school today. He was one of only two students who wanted to run for Class Representative, and although he lost the election, he ended up making friends with his opponent by the end of it."
Takeuchi hesitated before continuing, "He even stayed late after school… to help his new friend refine chakra."
"...Wait." The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed. "Asuma lost?"
His son was undeniably talented, and with the status of being the Hokage's child, he had assumed Asuma would win by default.
But then he heard the rest of the report.
"Friends? Helping others?" The Third Hokage's eye twitched slightly. "Are you sure we're talking about Asuma?"
Takeuchi coughed awkwardly, pulling out a document and handing it over. "The details are all here."
As he skimmed the report, the Third Hokage's expression changed several times. He had expected Asuma to be "impressive," but this…
Yes. This was definitely impressive.
Impressively reckless.
But soon, his attention shifted to another name mentioned in the report.
"A civilian ninja orphaned in the war?" The Third Hokage murmured. "Yet he still carries such a positive and bright spirit. A rare quality indeed."
Then, his eyes landed on a specific sentence.
"Not just anyone can become Hokage. Only those who earn the approval of everyone can stand at the top!"
His expression shifted instantly. Those words…
"This belief…" The Third Hokage's expression grew serious. He couldn't believe such words had come from a five-year-old child.
"I see the Will of Fire burning in him." The old Hokage's voice softened. "Because of children like him, everything we fight for has meaning. The will of those who sacrificed their lives in war will continue on."
After a moment of thought, the Third added, "Remind me when the war memorial ceremony is being held in half a month."
Takeuchi blinked in surprise. "Lord Hokage, are you planning to attend personally…?"
The Third Hokage smiled. "Don't overthink it. I'm just… keeping an eye on my son's progress as a grandfather."
Takeuchi suddenly understood. Ah. He's not acting as Hokage right now—he's just a grandfather making sure his grandson doesn't get out of control.