Spring breathed through Konoha—new leaves unfurled, cherry blossoms drifted on the breeze, and the air hummed with anticipation. The Ninja Academy courtyard buzzed with fresh faces: children of clans, orphans, and hopefuls from every corner of the village. Parents lingered, offering last words before stepping back.
Shorai slipped through the gates, heart steady but eyes alight. He scanned the crowd—familiar silhouettes emerging like figures from a half-remembered dream.
Then Naruto bounded over, orange jacket flapping.
"Shorai! Morning! I'm so pumped! We're finally real ninja students! Bet I'll learn a jutsu by lunch! Belie—"
Shorai smirked. "You haven't changed. But relax—Mr. Tetsuo said no ninjutsu in first year. You'll be bored out of your mind."
Naruto's grin faltered. "Wait… really? Heh… I forgot." He scratched his head, already distracted.
Shorai's gaze swept the yard. Everyone's here. The future of the shinobi world—starting today.
I wonder how the three-man teams will shake out…
"Everyone, quiet!" A voice cut through the chatter.
The Academy doors swung open. Senior instructors stepped out, scrolls in hand. The eldest—a grizzled chūnin—raised his voice:
"All non-students, please leave. First-years, remain."
Parents and siblings filed out. Moments later, Iruka Umino stepped forward, clipboard in hand. Calm, kind, but commanding.
"We'll call your names. When you hear it, come forward and follow your assigned instructor."
One by one, students were sorted. Soon, Shorai, Naruto, and a quiet, dark-haired boy with the Uchiha crest on his back were grouped under Iruka.
"Same class," Shorai thought, satisfied. Good.
Inside, the classroom stretched wide—high ceilings, rows of long benches with three seats each, filling the space with twenty-something new genin-in-training. At each table: stacks of scrolls, ink, brushes, and textbooks. Sunlight poured through the windows.
"Find your seats!" Iruka called. "No switching—this is where you'll sit for the year."
Shorai moved quickly toward the back, drawn to the window. He claimed a spot in the second row—just as Sasuke slid in beside him, taking the seat by the aisle.
Naruto groaned. "Hey! That's my spot!"
Sasuke didn't glance up.
Shorai kept his voice low. "Doesn't matter where you sit. We're still in the same class, Naruto."
"Tch. Fine!" Naruto plopped into the front row, shooting Sasuke a glare.
Soon, all were seated. Iruka cleared his throat.
"Welcome to the Konoha Ninja Academy. I'll be your instructor for the next six years. No matter your background—clan, civilian, or orphan—you'll start from the same place. Some will move faster. Others will need time. That's okay. Listen. Study. Train. And you will graduate. You can call me Iruka-sensei."
He outlined the rules: class hours, conduct, forbidden actions.
"The Academy provides your tools. Treat them with care. And from this moment—no seat changes. Understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, sensei!" echoed back.
"Now—introductions. One at a time. Come to the front, write your name, say who you are."
Names flew by—Sakura, Choji, Shikamaru, Hinata, Kiba, Shino. Then it was Shorai's turn.
He stood—brown hair slowly turning white catching the light, turquoise eyes scanning the room.
"My name is Shorai," he said, voice clear. "Like the storm that's approaching..." He paused mysteriously. Then, softer: "It's good to meet you all. Let's become shinobi Konoha can be proud of—together." He offered a half-smile, almost a smirk, before returning to his seat.
Iruka raised a brow, then nodded. Sharp kid. Confident, but not arrogant. I'll watch him.
After the last introduction, Iruka announced:
"Today is introductory. Tomorrow—real training begins."
They spent the rest of the day learning the Academy's history and the Will of Fire—lessons steeped in idealism, bordering on propaganda.
Shorai flipped through the top textbook: The Shinobi's Duty: Loyalty, Sacrifice, and the Leaf.
"At least I'm not a blank slate," he mused, frowning. "I see the strings behind the curtain. But even lies can carry truth… if you know where to look."
Sasuke glanced over—just once. He's different. Observant.
Naruto, meanwhile, hung on every word, eyes wide, utterly absorbed.
Amidst Iruka's explanation, Shorai raised his hand.
"Shorai? What is it?"
"I have a question, sensei." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully—this was far deeper than a child should grasp. "We're taught to be loyal, to sacrifice for comrades and the village… to be heroes, like the Fourth. But… what if we're lied to?"
The class fell silent.
"What if… the leader isn't who they seem? A spy, maybe? If I follow orders, stay loyal, and give my life—only to help the enemy, or die for nothing… what then? What if I'm the only one who sees it… but can't prove it?"
Iruka stared, stunned. This wasn't just doubt—it mirrored his own fears during the Nine-Tails attack. His gaze flickered, almost involuntarily, toward Naruto.
"Shorai…" he began, voice soft. "No shinobi is meant to carry that burden alone. If you doubt, if you fear—speak. Find someone you trust. A teacher. A comrade. Loyalty doesn't mean blind obedience. It means protecting the village's heart—even from within."
Shorai studied him. "So… as long as we have friends, we can face deception together? Watch each other's backs?"
Iruka smiled, warmth breaking through. "Yes. One day, you'll graduate. The village will depend on you. That trust—that is the Will of Fire."
The bell rang.
"Take your books home—or leave them in the compartment under your desk. A bag is provided."
Shorai packed his scrolls, slung the bag over his shoulder. He turned to Sasuke.
"Hey. Uchiha Sasuke, right? Nice to meet you." He extended a hand. "You're clearly ahead of the curve. I'm looking forward to seeing how strong you really are. Maybe we'll spar someday."
Sasuke studied him—then a rare flicker of pride crossed his face.
"Hn. If you don't slow me down." He shook Shorai's hand, slow but firm.
"Hey! I'm Naruto! Let's be friends!" Naruto barged in, grinning.
"You're noisy," Sasuke muttered, walking off.
Shorai chuckled. "It's okay, Naruto. You'll win him over. I have a hunch."
They left together, the sun dipping behind the Hokage Monument.
At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto slammed his hands on the counter.
"Two miso ramen—extra chāshū! First day of being real ninja starts with the best meal in Konoha! On me!"
Shorai smiled.
"Some things never change… and I'm glad. This world—I've seen it before. Not in person. In a story. But now it's real. And I'm no longer just watching."