After the shocking reveal, Hinata slowly sat down. The classroom felt different now.
Heavier.
My mind started racing.
Is Hinata mute because of something that changed in this timeline?
What happened during the Kumo kidnapping incident?
Did it go differently here?
Is Neji's father alive… or dead?
Too many questions.
I glanced at Hinata again. She had lowered her head, her hands resting quietly on her desk. She did not look angry. She did not look scared.
She just looked… calm.
Before I could think of asking anything, Ikuta-sensei clapped his hands.
"Alright, everyone. Stand up. We will begin a tour of the Academy."
The moment passed.
The class stood up and followed him outside.
Since it was the first day, the tour was detailed.
We were shown the different classrooms for each year. Some rooms were larger. Some were specialized for advanced training.
Then we visited the Academy library. Smaller than the main village library, but still well organized.
After that, we were taken to the training grounds.
This part caught my interest.
There was a running track for endurance training.
An obstacle course with walls, ropes, and climbing nets.
A throwing range for shuriken and kunai practice.
A balance training area filled with wooden poles at different heights.
There were also open sparring areas.
This was not just a classroom.
It was a system designed to slowly shape children into shinobi.
As we walked, I observed the other students.
Some were excited.
Some looked nervous.
Some were already competing with each other silently.
After the tour ended, we returned to our classroom. Ikuta-sensei stood at the front again.
"This year," he began, "you will learn the basics."
He listed them one by one.
Introduction to chakra.
History of ninja.
Shinobi rules and ethics.
Basic weapon familiarization.
Stealth and awareness training.
Basic physical conditioning.
And alongside that, normal subjects like Mathematics, Biology, Language, and Geography.
Nothing advanced.
After explaining the curriculum, he looked around the room.
"That is all for today. Class dismissed."
The students quickly gathered their things.
Some rushed out.
Some stayed behind to talk.
I walked back home after class.
Now that I was officially an Academy student, it was time to change my training plan. If I wanted to stay ahead of the clan heirs, I needed structure.
After reaching my apartment, I sat down on the floor.
"Alright," I muttered. "Let's see what I can do right now."
First, chakra control. Thanks to three years of daily leaf exercises, my chakra control was decent.
Not amazing.
But usable.
The next logical step would be tree climbing.
That would test control properly. If I could walk up trees without falling, that would mean real progress.
Second, chakra reserves.
No issue there.
I have plenty. More than most kids my age.
Either way, I am not lacking in raw energy.
Third, Weapon Construct.
I have ignored it for three years. That needs to change. I should start small.
Senbon.
Kunai.
Small knives.
Short range.
Low chakra usage.
Control first. Power later.
Fourth, Taijutsu.
My daily workouts have kept my body strong.
Running.
Push-ups.
Pull-ups.
Squats.
Core training.
But now that I am in the Academy, I should slowly increase my difficulty. After this year, maybe I can start adding light weights.
Or even simple training seals, if I learn how.
As for Taijutsu style…
The Academy teaches its own basic style. I should learn that first.
Understand the fundamentals. Then modify it later if needed.
Fifth, Genjutsu.
Honestly? I do not think I have talent in it right now with my control and reserves.
Better to leave it for the future. No point spreading myself too thin.
Sixth, Meditation.
This is important.
If I meditate deeply enough, maybe I can enter my inner world. Maybe I can meet Kurama.
If I could get him on my side, that could change everything.
Yes.
Meditation should be added.
Seventh, Sensing.
Very important. My range is about one kilometer right now.
I want more.
But I do not know the exact method to increase it. All I know is that constant usage improves it.
So I will keep it active as much as possible.
Especially when I leave the village. It could save my life.
Now…
Schedule.
The Academy runs from Monday to Friday.
8 am to 3 pm.
Saturday and Sunday are free.
So, Morning. Wake up at 5 am.
Two hours of physical training.
Running.
Strength exercises.
Flexibility.
Then Academy from 8 to 3.
After 3 pm…
I have time until 10 pm.
Seven hours.
Remove one hour for eating, cleaning, and small tasks.
That leaves six hours.
Six hours to divide between:
Weapon throwing
Weapon Construct
Sensing practice
Taijutsu drills
Meditation
I leaned back against the wall.
"This feels like too much," I muttered.
Too many things.
Too little time.
If I try to do everything daily, I will burn out.
I need balance. Maybe rotate focus days. Maybe assign specific days to specific skills. Slow progress is better than breaking my body.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
This is not a sprint.
It is six years.
I need consistency.
Not madness.
Still…
A small smile formed on my face.
This is exciting.
—
I woke up at 5 am.
I did my morning workout, running, push-ups, squats, and stretching. After that, I washed up and ate breakfast.
Simple fuel.
Then I headed toward the Ninja Academy.
I arrived at 7:30 am.
Half an hour early.
A few students were already there, talking in small groups.
I walked straight toward Class 1-A.
Today, I was determined. Last row. Window seat.
Mine.
But when I entered the classroom,
There she was.
Hinata Hyūga.
Sitting in the last row window seat.
Calm.
Like she owned it.
I sighed quietly.
"Good morning, Hinata," I said as I walked over.
She looked at me for a few seconds.
Then she made small hand gestures.
Careful.
Slow.
"Oh," I said, tilting my head. "Is that sign language for good morning?"
She nodded.
"Cool," I replied with a small smile.
She looked surprised for a second.
Then she turned her head back toward the window.
We sat in silence.
It was not uncomfortable.
Just… quiet.
One by one, other students began entering the classroom.
Kiba came in loud as usual.
Shikamaru looked half asleep.
Chōji was already eating something.
Then Sakura and Ino burst into the room. They were racing.
Both aiming for the seat beside Sasuke.
Ino moved faster.
She slid into the seat first. Sakura froze for a second.
Then she glared at Ino.
Sasuke looked annoyed but said nothing.
A few minutes later, Ikuta-sensei entered the classroom.
"Take your seats," he said firmly.
He did a roll call.
When he finished, he looked at us.
"First period is physical training," he announced. "Everyone, head to the back training ground."
Students stood up. I glanced at Hinata. She stood quietly.
Physical training on the first day.
Good.
Let's see how everyone performs.