The Kumogakure Academy classroom was louder than Raizen expected.
Children filled the room with nervous excitement, whispered conversations, and the occasional boast about how strong someone already believed themselves to be.
Raizen sat quietly near the middle row.
Observing.
Breaking patterns down.
Inside his mind, Astra spoke calmly.
"Multiple subjects displaying early dominance behavior."
Raizen glanced across the room.
Two boys were arguing over who could run faster.
Another student was practicing hand seals under the desk.
A girl near the window stared at a kunai like it was a sacred artifact.
Raizen leaned back slightly.
The future generation of Kumogakure shinobi.
Some would rise.
Some would fall.
Most would struggle just to survive.
The classroom door slid open.
Their instructor entered.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with weathered features that spoke of years spent on the battlefield.
The room didn't quiet—it dropped.
"My name is Instructor Tetsuya."
Raizen immediately recognized the name.
This was the tactical instructor who would later oversee elite students.
For now, he was simply their teacher.
Tetsuya looked across the room slowly.
"You are the next generation of Kumogakure."
His voice was calm but firm.
"And some of you will become powerful shinobi."
A pause.
"Others will not."
A few students shifted nervously.
Tetsuya folded his arms.
"But everyone in this room will learn one thing."
"How not to die."
The Structure of the Academy
Over the next few weeks, Raizen began learning how the academy truly worked.
Unlike civilian schools, the Kumogakure Academy was designed to slowly transform children into shinobi.
Their days followed a rigid structure designed to break bad habits early.
Morning Block — Foundations
Subjects included:
• Chakra theory
• Shinobi history
• Geography of the Five Great Nations
• Code systems and mission structure
Students learned about the political balance between hidden villages.
They studied the role of leaders like the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, currently held by the aging but legendary Hiruzen Sarutobi.
They also studied Kumogakure's leadership under the powerful Raikage, A.
Even at six years old, academy students were expected to understand the realities of the shinobi world.
Midday Block — Physical Development
Training included:
• obstacle courses
• running drills
• balance exercises
• reaction training
The mountains surrounding Kumogakure demanded strong bodies.
Weak shinobi didn't last long in the field.
Raizen excelled in balance and coordination.
Years of training in the Mizunari estate courtyard had prepared him well.
But he deliberately avoided standing out too much.
Observation came first.
Dominance could come later.
Afternoon Block — Shinobi Skills
Students practiced:
• shuriken throwing
• kunai handling
• basic hand seals
• chakra control exercises
The first time Raizen picked up a throwing weapon in class, he immediately understood why most beginners struggled.
The motion required subtle timing.
Grip.
Angle.
Release.
He adjusted mid-motion.
His first throw struck the outer ring of the target.
Not perfect.
But controlled.
Across the training yard, Akari noticed.
She grinned.
Meeting Daigo
It happened during lunch break.
Raizen sat beneath a small tree near the training field when someone dropped down beside him.
Hard—like he meant it.
"Hey."
Raizen looked up.
A boy with messy dark hair stared at him with curious eyes.
"You're the one who helped my sister."
Raizen tilted his head slightly.
"Akari?"
"Yeah."
The boy grinned.
"I'm Daigo."
Raizen studied him carefully.
The twins were similar.
But their personalities were very different.
Akari was sharp and observant.
Daigo radiated energy.
"You're Raizen, right?" Daigo continued.
Raizen nodded.
Daigo leaned forward excitedly.
"You're pretty good at throwing weapons."
"Thanks."
"You wanna spar later?"
Raizen blinked.
Direct.
Very direct.
"I suppose that's inevitable."
Daigo laughed.
"You talk like an old man."
First Sparring Match
The academy sparring ring was simply a circular dirt arena surrounded by wooden posts.
Instructor Tetsuya stood nearby observing.
"First rule," he said calmly.
"No killing."
A few students laughed nervously.
Daigo stepped into the ring across from Raizen.
"You ready?"
Raizen rolled his shoulders slightly.
"Sure."
The match began.
Daigo rushed forward immediately.
Fast.
Reckless.
Raizen sidestepped smoothly.
Years of balance drills let him shift his weight without wasting motion.
Daigo swung again.
Raizen redirected the motion with a simple deflection.
Then stepped behind him.
Tapped his shoulder.
"Point."
The match ended.
Daigo stared at him.
"…You're annoying."
Raizen shrugged.
"You committed too early."
Daigo grinned.
"Next time I'll win."
Raizen smiled faintly.
"I look forward to it."
From the sidelines, Akari watched carefully.
Inside his mind Astra recorded the interaction.
"Both show strong growth potential."
Raizen sighed.
"You're analyzing children."
"Correct."
The Life of the Academy
Weeks passed.
Raizen slowly became part of academy life.
The school itself had traditions that made the environment feel almost like a small world within the village.
Academy Traditions
Every season the academy held special events.
• Storm Run Festival — obstacle races across the mountain training paths.
• Weapons Accuracy Week — throwing competitions between classes.
• Strategy Games — battlefield simulations played like giant tactical board games.
Students lived for these events.
They brought excitement to the otherwise harsh training.
Mission Simulations
One of the most popular activities were mock missions.
Teams were assigned simple objectives:
• capture a flag
• escort a "merchant"
• defend a location
Even young students learned the basics of teamwork.
Raizen noticed something interesting during these exercises.
Most children rushed toward the objective.
Few stopped to read the environment.
Raizen always did.
And he usually won because of it.
Rumors of Great Shinobi
One afternoon the class studied recent events in the ninja world.
Instructor Tetsuya wrote a name on the board.
Minato Namikaze.
Even Raizen recognized it.
The legendary Yellow Flash of the Hidden Leaf.
The man who had ended entire battles before they even began.
Minato Namikaze
Students whispered excitedly.
"Is he really that fast?"
"They say enemies run away just hearing his name."
Tetsuya crossed his arms.
"Power like that is rare."
"But the shinobi world never stops producing monsters."
Raizen looked out the classroom window.
Storm clouds gathered above Kumogakure's mountains.
Somewhere out there…
Other prodigies were being born.
Seeds of the Seven Stars
Months passed.
Students began naturally separating by talent.
Some were clearly stronger.
Some smarter.
Some simply more determined.
Raizen noticed five students across the academy who seemed… different.
Natural leaders.
Strong instincts.
Quiet confidence.
He didn't care yet.
But together with Akari and Daigo…
They would become known in the future as the Seven Stars generation.
The students who would reshape Kumogakure's future.
The Quiet Observer
One evening after academy classes ended, Raizen stood on a high training platform overlooking the village.
Lights flickered across Kumogakure as evening settled.
Shinobi moved across rooftops like shadows.
Inside his mind Astra spoke.
"Host development progressing faster than projected."
Raizen folded his arms.
"I'm just beginning to understand."
Lightning flashed across the storm clouds.
Far below…
The academy students laughed and argued on their way home.
None of them realized yet that history was quietly forming among them.
And somewhere within it… a storm was beginning to take shape.