At twelve years old, Akira finally reached the graduation season of the Ninja Academy.
On that day, the Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned a group of Konoha's core jōnin to gather in the Hokage's office.
Officially, the meeting was to evaluate the quality of this year's graduates.
In reality, it was simply so the future instructors could get a look at the students they were about to take under their wings.
---
Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was tense.
Akira sat calmly between Hinata and Ino.
The scene had been exactly the same for four straight years.
12-year-old girls had already begun to grow into adolescence, their youthful charm just starting to bloom.
At this age, boys and girls usually began to keep a certain distance from each other.
Yet these two girls still stuck to Akira like glue, completely unconcerned about appearances.
Ino watched as one classmate after another was called into the next room for the exam, her palms beginning to sweat.
"I wonder if Iruka-sensei will go easy on us this time… I'm so nervous."
Akira remained perfectly relaxed.
"What are you panicking for? With the level of our class, aside from a few hopeless cases, most people could pass with their eyes closed."
After saying that, he glanced at the restless boy sitting nearby, sweating nervously.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Then he added mercilessly:
"Of course… Naruto's probably doomed."
In truth, the graduation test was ridiculously simple.
The examiner would randomly select one jutsu from the Three Basic Ninja Jutsu.
For someone like Akira—already at Kage-level strength—it was laughably easy.
Even at the mediocre level he pretended to have at school, passing would still be effortless.
Hinata nodded gently.
"Akira-kun is right. This kind of question really isn't difficult."
But when her gaze drifted toward Naruto, worry appeared in her eyes.
"Still… Naruto-kun looks really anxious. I'm afraid things might not go well for him."
Hinata genuinely worried about him.
After all, Naruto had once protected her when they were children.
Though she no longer had the childish crush she once felt for him, that sense of gratitude remained.
Basic human decency.
Ino clicked her tongue and pulled the conversation back.
"I'm not worried about the test at all. I'm worried about the team assignments!"
"Do you think the three of us can end up in the same squad? Or at least let me and Akira be in the same team!"
Akira remained completely unmoved.
The previous day, Kakashi Hatake had already hinted that a powerful instructor had been arranged for him.
Meanwhile, Hinata and Ino—both daughters of major clans—already had their future teachers practically decided.
They would most likely be assigned to Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi.
The probability of Akira ending up on the same team as them?
Basically zero.
Hinata looked up at Akira's calm expression, a trace of anxiety appearing on her face.
"Akira-kun… do you think we really have a chance of being assigned together?"
Seeing the hopeful look in her pale Byakugan eyes, Akira smiled faintly—and ruthlessly shattered her expectation.
"Not very likely."
"Why not?" Ino protested immediately. "I think there's a good chance!"
Akira didn't explain the political reasons behind it. Instead, he casually made something up.
"Think about it. You're third in the class, Hinata's been second for years, and me?"
"Perpetual fifteenth place."
"How could that kind of lineup end up in the same squad? If anything, the two of you are more likely to be paired together."
Ino frowned.
"What? Team assignments aren't based on rankings!"
"If that were the case, then the class would—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing something, swallowing the rest of her words.
Hinata, meanwhile, understood perfectly well.
The chances of her and Ino ending up in the same squad as Akira were practically nonexistent.
Because behind the scenes, this involved the political balance between the Hyuga clan and the Yamanaka clan.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office—
In front of the crystal ball used for surveillance, the Third Hokage and several jōnin were watching the students closely.
No one paid attention to the quiet boy sitting in the corner of the classroom.
Their eyes were all focused on one person—
Sasuke Uchiha.
Aside from the Hokage occasionally glancing at Naruto, everyone else's attention was fixed on the last survivor of the Uchiha clan.
Only Kakashi was staring intently at the edge of the screen where Akira sat.
Under his mask, the corner of his mouth curved upward slightly.
"That brat… after slacking off for so many years, he's finally graduating."
For a moment, Kakashi felt a strange sense of fatherly pride.
Once the exams were over and the Hokage finalized the team assignments, everything would be settled.
---
Soon enough, Naruto was called into the exam room.
After a long time, he came out with his head hanging low.
One glance at his face was enough to know—
He had failed.
Next, Iruka called in Ino and Hinata.
This time the test was the Clone Jutsu.
Unfortunately, that was Naruto's biggest weakness.
To be precise, aside from his ridiculous Sexy Jutsu, he hadn't truly mastered a single proper ninjutsu.
Among the three basic techniques, only the Transformation Jutsu was barely acceptable.
The rest were complete disasters.
So his failure was entirely expected.
Watching Naruto's miserable expression, Kakashi sighed quietly.
"If Minato-sensei could see his son like this… I wonder if he'd be furious enough to climb out of his grave."
"Although, knowing his personality… he'd probably just smile and encourage him."
With the sunny temperament of the Minato Namikaze, disappointment seemed unlikely.
He would probably give Naruto an inspirational speech instead.
Around the room, the other jōnin murmured softly, most of them expressing regret.
Only Kakashi knew the truth.
Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son.
Compared to his father's incredible genius, this performance was honestly a bit embarrassing.
Even as a jinchūriki, Naruto wasn't as naturally suited as his mother.
Kushina had possessed the pure blood of the Uzumaki clan.
Naruto, however, was only half Uzumaki.
But deep inside him still lay something extraordinary—
The reincarnated chakra of Asura Otsutsuki.
It wasn't a bloodline ability, but rather a spiritual inheritance.
An extremely powerful cheat—one that hadn't awakened yet.
---
Soon after, Ino and Hinata both passed with perfect scores thanks to textbook-perfect performances.
The Third Hokage stroked his beard approvingly.
"As expected of the daughters of the Yamanaka and Hyuga clans. Their fundamentals are excellent."
In reality, both girls already possessed the combat ability of true genin.
Even the Hokage felt pleasantly surprised.
Their performance was already approaching that of the genius Sasuke.
Of course, checking the academic rankings made it clear why.
Hinata and Ino consistently held second and third place.
As for first place—
That seat always belonged to Sasuke.
After receiving the forehead protector that symbolized their status as ninja, Ino excitedly ran over to Akira and waved hers proudly.
"Look, Akira! I got my headband!"
"Do you think it looks cooler if I wear it on my head, or more stylish if I tie it around my arm?"
Akira chuckled.
"With your looks, it'll look good anywhere. But if you ask me, tying it around your arm has more personality."
Originally, Ino had been planning to wear it as a belt, which made Akira speechless.
Ino nodded seriously.
"Alright, I'll listen to you. Wherever you say, that's where I'll wear it."
Meanwhile, Hinata neatly hung hers around her neck.
Seeing that made Akira laugh helplessly.
Still, he didn't comment.
As long as the girls liked it, who cared?
---
Back in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage frowned deeply while watching Akira chatting happily with the two girls from prestigious clans.
"Who is that boy?"
"Why are the daughters of the Hyuga and Yamanaka clans so close to him?"
It wasn't simple curiosity.
The Hokage found it strange.
Akira had no clan background and only mediocre grades.
Why would two proud girls from major clans treat him so differently?
Something about it felt off.
The other jōnin looked at one another, none of them recognizing him.
At that moment, Kakashi spoke lazily.
"His name is Akira Hane."
"He's an interesting kid."
The moment those words left his mouth, the room erupted in shock.
Everyone stared at Kakashi.
The famously aloof ninja actually knew a mediocre student from the academy?
Even more confusing.
The Third Hokage widened his eyes.
"Oh? Kakashi—you know him?"
Kakashi nodded casually.
"More or less."
"He's got a good temperament."
"His grades may be average, but he's calm and steady."
The Hokage stared suspiciously at Kakashi, then turned his gaze back to the crystal ball where Akira stood surrounded by two girls.
"Well… his personality certainly seems likable."
Yet the feeling of inconsistency in his heart only grew stronger.
Could a good personality alone really catch Kakashi's attention?
Clearly—
There had to be some unknown connection between Kakashi and that boy.
Ever since Kakashi Hatake experienced the series of tragedies that took his father and friends, he had become like a block of ice that would never melt.
During his time in the Anbu, he had been nothing more than an emotionless mission machine.
The Third Hokage had tried several times to assign him genin squads to lead.
Kakashi rejected every single one of them for various reasons.
That alone proved one thing—
Kakashi was absolutely not the kind of person who warmed up to someone just because they had a pleasant personality.
Standing nearby on guard duty, Yūgao glanced at Akira through the crystal ball.
Beneath her mask, the corner of her mouth curved upward slightly.
"So the brat finally graduated."
"I can't wait to see him shine in the ninja world."
"Who knows—maybe one day he'll even surpass the legend of the Fourth Hokage."
Just as the Hokage's curiosity about Akira grew stronger, Iruka called out his name.
The Third Hokage immediately focused his attention.
He stared intently at Akira entering the exam room.
"Let's see just what kind of talent could impress Kakashi."
At present, within Konohagakure, aside from the Hokage himself and Danzo, Kakashi was unquestionably among the strongest shinobi.
Privately, the Third Hokage had even considered something.
If Tsunade and Jiraiya continued refusing to return to the village, then the position of Fifth Hokage would most likely fall to Kakashi.
That was why the Hokage took Kakashi's opinions very seriously.
Assigning him to lead a new team this time was also a way to help him build prestige.
Inside the exam room, Akira immediately sensed something.
A faint feeling of being watched.
His sensory abilities were far beyond what they had once been.
So he made a quick decision.
Hide his strength.
He deliberately performed nothing extraordinary.
Like the most ordinary graduate, he calmly completed the Three Basic Jutsu test.
The observing jōnin were extremely disappointed.
"That's it?"
"This kid is completely average."
Compared to Sasuke, he was worlds apart.
Even Ino and Hinata had performed far better.
What kind of trick had this kid used to make Kakashi pay attention to him?
Was it really just his personality?
Even the Third Hokage was confused.
No matter how he looked, Akira didn't display even the slightest hint of brilliance.
After a moment of thought, the Hokage simply lost interest.
There was nothing worth watching here.
Akira walked out of the exam room holding his new Konoha forehead protector.
The moment he appeared, Hinata and Ino rushed toward him like magnets.
Ino immediately snatched the headband from his hands and skillfully tied it around his arm.
"Hehe! Now we're wearing matching styles like a couple!"
Her intention couldn't have been clearer.
She insisted on matching Akira.
Hinata looked at the headband hanging around her own neck.
After biting her lip for a moment, she silently removed it—
and tied it around her arm the same way.
Ino immediately teased her.
"Hey Hinata, I think it looked more elegant on your neck."
Hinata lowered her head, blushing, staring at her toes without saying a word.
Her actions had already made her stance clear.
Akira shook his head with a laugh.
"Alright, you two can stop acting like you're competing with each other."
"The exam's over. I'm heading out."
After the test, students were basically free.
Akira had no interest in wasting time at school.
There would still be a speech from the Hokage later, but he had zero intention of sitting through that.
Hinata and Ino exchanged a glance.
"Wait for us!"
They followed him immediately.
Akira sighed when the two girls flanked him like little tails.
"Why are you two following me?"
"Shouldn't you go home and tell your families the good news?"
Hinata stayed quiet, cheeks red.
Ino answered loudly instead.
"Today is the day we officially became ninja!"
"So Hinata and I decided we're celebrating."
"Destination—Yakiniku Q!"
"Akira, I'm treating! Let's go eat barbecue!"
Without waiting for his response, she grabbed his arm and started dragging him away.
The intimate gesture made Hinata visibly envious.
Although Hinata had grown more confident over the years, something this bold in public was still beyond her.
Akira didn't resist at all.
"If someone else is paying, I'm obviously in."
"Just don't blame me if I eat you bankrupt."
Ino stuck out her tongue.
"I knew it. Akira, you're stingy as hell!"
Before Akira could respond, Hinata softly defended him.
"Akira-kun isn't stingy… Ino, don't label him like that."
The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked, soon arriving at a barbecue restaurant.
In Konoha, eating barbecue was a luxury.
Even for someone like Ino, it meant burning through more than a month's allowance.
As the daughter of the Yamanaka clan, she still winced slightly while looking at the bill.
The price was outrageous.
Her entire monthly allowance would probably barely cover it.
Just as the three of them were happily devouring grilled meat, the curtain at the entrance was lifted.
Four figures walked in.
The man leading them—wearing a bright green jumpsuit—instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Might Guy immediately spotted someone he knew.
His signature booming voice rang out across the restaurant.
"Yo! Akira!"
"Such youthful coincidence! You're here too, burning your youth with barbecue!"
As he spoke, Guy led the three students behind him straight toward Akira's table.
In truth, Akira had sensed their chakra the moment they entered.
He calmly swallowed the meat in his mouth and looked up with a polite smile.
"Guy-sensei. What a coincidence."
"Did you bring your team here to improve their diet too?"
Guy sat down beside him without any hesitation, loudly calling for his students to find seats.
This was Akira's first proper meeting with Team Guy:
Rock Lee
Tenten
Neji Hyuga
The moment Hinata saw the pale-eyed boy, she looked like a startled rabbit.
She softly greeted him.
"Neji… brother…"
Neji's expression changed the instant he saw her.
His brows tightened slightly, and his gaze turned colder.
His feelings toward Hinata were complicated.
When they were children, he had genuinely cherished this soft-spoken cousin.
But everything changed after witnessing his father sacrifice himself for the main family.
From that moment on, the seed of resentment had taken root in his heart.
Now, when facing Hinata, some faint instinctive concern still remained—
but his expression was as cold as stone.
He simply nodded in response to her timid greeting.
Then his sharp gaze shifted toward Akira.
His tone carried a trace of scrutiny.
"So you're Akira?"
Though they had never met before, he had heard the name countless times.
Guy mentioned it constantly.
Guy never explained exactly why Akira was impressive—
but the admiration in his tone was obvious.
Akira noticed the hostility in Neji's voice, but he didn't care.
He simply smiled calmly.
"That's right."
At that moment, Guy had already enthusiastically ordered extra dishes.
Then he suddenly remembered to introduce everyone.
He flashed a huge thumbs-up and a sparkling grin.
"Akira! Look closely!"
"These are the three adorable disciples I've trained with burning youth!"
"This is Rock Lee—he has perfectly inherited my taijutsu philosophy! A passionate young man born for taijutsu!"
"This is Tenten—she may look cute, but her mastery of ninja tools is absolutely dazzling!"
"And this is Neji—the undeniable genius of this generation! A prodigy of the Hyuga clan with the Byakugan!"
After introducing his students, Guy looked extremely proud.
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