'I wonder who'll I see at the academy'
I thought to myself, currently making my way towards the direction of the ninja academy. After testing the shadow clone jutsu, I decided to take a shower and switched my clothes
Just a plain black t-shirt with matching shorts and sandals. And as I was walking around the village, it felt surreal. Really being in this magical world instead of just being a spectator to it all
Seeing the different houses and buildings this place is known for, the civilians, the atmosphere. It's amazing to say the least
Soon, I arrived at the front of the academy. No surprise, there was quite a line. Parents with their child in hand excited to enroll their kid. Some look like civilians, and others you can tell from a glance that they're from one of the clans in the village
I didn't see anyone notable, maybe they already finished enrolling, which was a bummer. But no complaining, just get in the academy for now and worry about those kinds of things later
Though as I awaited for my turn, some of the parents noticed me all alone. A child with no one by his side, a poor soul with nothing but himself to live on with
"Oh my, why is that child all alone?... Where are his parents?"
"Don't you get it, I think his parents are gone"
"That's something no child should have to endure at all"
"Mommy! Daddy! Why is he all alone?"
"Shh, quiet honey. Don't say stuff like that outloud, and don't point at him either"
Quiet murmurs echoed throughout the line, noticing the pity in their eyes towards me. I paid it no mind, since my parents would want me to be strong
What's their to feel sad for? They did a fantastic job guiding their son as best as they can, even of the dire situation that the village was going through. I'll honor their sacrifices, by moving forward and improving my life
Soon, my turn came around as I met the sights of Iruka at the entrance. Iruka seeing me all alone made him quite surprised. Even though he heard the gossips earlier, it's still quite a surprise for him
"Hey there, I'm Iruka Imuno, I'm an instructor here at the academy"
Iruka said to me with a friendly and welcoming smile. I nodded at him
"Kazekai Tensho, nice to meet you sir"
I introduced myself to him, as I bowed
Iruka seeing this was a bit flustered
'Huh, such a well mannered kid'
Iruka thought, surprised seeing me show respect compared to my age
'It's just basic human decency, it's not that surprising... Oh wait, maybe a kid without parents and living alone are kind of surprising actually'
"Go inside, and enter the first room. The process will be quick, as we will assess your background, check your sensitivity to chakra, and test your overall physical ability"
"Once you're done with all of that, we will announce your designated class in a later date"
Iruka said, as I just nodded
'How the academy tests the applicants is kept vague in the series, so if this is actually what they do, then it's quite decently structured'
I thought, entering the academy, still maintaining a steady composure. It didn't take long for me to find the room, as I entered, finding a person in a table with stacks of papers to the side
Analyzing the guy, he's a chunin with enough chakra to qualify for one
"Hey, come sit down little man"
'Little man?... There's only one little man in here'
I then looked down at my crotch.
===
"Hmm... So, to summarize it briefly. You're here to apply, your parents are dead, and you're 5?"
The guy said, looking at me with questionable eyes
"Yes, I hope there's no problem in me still having the opportunity to apply just because I'm alone"
"Oh no no, of course we give everyone a chance to apply despite their certain circumstances"
I nodded, I would've been worried if it wasn't the case
"Then am I all good, sir?"
"Yep, head to the next room. You'll get your sensitivity to chakra examined there. Good luck young man"
'First little man, now young man?'
After I was done with the assessment, I moved on to the next room. In it, was another chunin
"Come here, let's get this done"
Wasted no time, which I respected a bit
"First, I have to ask. Can you already feel your chakra?"
I nodded
"Oh wow, really? Well then this should be done in no time. How about you try and push some chakra out of your hands, so that I can determine your aptitude with chakra"
The chunin instructor said, as my eye activated immediately. I gently started to materialized chakra through my core, all the way to my already stretched arms and through my hands
Not a second later, a bright, big, densely packed energy came out of my palms. A slight shockwave filled the room
The instructor stood their, mouth agape to what he just witness
"T-that... That level of chakra from a young kid?"
He muttered, surprised to how someone so young can release chakra that even chunin, and maybe most jonins couldn't compare to
'I see. I was worried that I might accidentally release a huge amount of chakra, but with my eye, my control is practically perfect'
I thought, bringing back my arms, and looking at the still surprised instructor
"Will that be all, sir?"
I said to him with my composed state as usual
"O-oh *Cough* Uh, yes. That would be all, move on to the next room for your physical test"
I nodded, and left the room
'That kid... I'm betting on my momma that he'll be a legend someday'.
===
"Aha! There you are!"
Not even a second I entered the room, the instructor already greeted me
"Oh sorry for the abrupt greeting. I sensed your chakra earlier so I'm a little worked up if ya know what I mean"
The instructor said, scratching his head a bit
"It's no problem, what does this test contain?"
I immediately went straight to the point
"It's pretty basic, just simple physical tests to assess each kids physical levels. Basic exercises, and even giving a chance to throw some shuriken or kunai"
The instructor said, as I nodded
'I mean, not bad of a test for them. But, I'd rather not go through all of that. Let's make this more interesting'
"If you don't mind sir, I have a suggestion"
"Oh? Spill it then"
"How about you, me. Fight. Right here, right now"
I said, as the dude looked at me. Then laughed
"Pfft! Well damn. That's quite a joke kid, nice one I give you that..."
Then he looked at me, and noticed the serious expression I had
"Wait… you're not joking?"
The instructor's laughter died almost instantly. His smile froze, and the way he looked at me shifted, slightly narrowing eyes, posture shifting just a bit. He was starting to take me seriously, at least
I simply stared back
"Nope. Not joking"
He let out a long breath, scratching the back of his head
"Kid, come on… most applicants can barely do a couple push-ups, and you're asking me to fight you? For your entrance test?"
"Yes"
"…Seriously?"
I nodded again, keeping my expression absolutely unchanged
He blinked once, twice, then sighed with a weird mix of annoyance and curiosity
"Damn… you're either stupid or confident. Fine then. A spar it is"
He stepped back a few meters, taking a stance. Not sloppy, not amazing, but definitely someone with real combat experience. Definitely a chunin. His body relaxed, but his eyes didn't leave me even for a second
"Alright kid, name's Sato. Don't complain if I knock you out"
"Don't worry"
I said calmly
"You won't"
Sato clicked his tongue
"Cocky brat"
The moment he said that–
My vision shifted
Everything around me slowed
Not drastically… but enough for things to feel "loose"
My pupils subtly fractured into spinning rings, though from the outside, it only looked like a slight shimmer
The Decision Eye reacted
'I see… so even a spar triggers it. Like an auto battle mode from a game'
Every possible movement Sato could make appeared in my mind. Not as visions, but as instinctive pathways
My body moved before my conscious brain did
Sato opened his mouth
"Alright, start wh–"
He didn't finish, because I was already gone
Or rather, I was already in front of him
"Wha–?!"
His shock didn't even register fast enough
He tried to punch, but I saw it before he even decided to do it
A simple tap to his wrist redirected the attack
My other hand brushed his elbow, destabilizing his balance
A gentle shift of my foot made his center of gravity collapse
He stumbled forward, eyes wide
"What the–"
Before he could recover, another movement presented itself
Not an attack
Not a finish
Just the best next step toward the outcome I wanted
I slid behind him as smooth as water, placing two fingers lightly at the back of his neck
"If I press, you'll drop unconscious"
I said quietly
"So… don't move"
His entire body froze. Not because of fear alone, but because his instincts screamed that I wasn't bluffing
"I-… I yield"
I pulled my hand back. Sato staggered away, rubbing his neck with a shaky breath
"What… was that…?"
He stared at me like he was seeing a ghost
"Kid… Tensho, right?"
"Yes"
"You're… definitely not normal"
He let out a dry laugh
"Damn. I didn't even see half of what you did…"
He then exhaled deeply, almost defeated.
"You pass. Obviously. Hell, you might pass every exam we have without even trying"
He gave me one last look, still overwhelmed.
"And just for the record… remind me never to fight you again"
I looked at the instructor and just smirked a bit
"I'll try"
I said
"Is there no more tests? Am I done for today?"
"Yep, you've done the necessary test for us to conduct a profile. We'll announce your class some other time"
I nodded
"Then I'll be on my way now"
I then turned around and left the room, making a clear impression to each of the assigned chunin ninjas in each tests
Though when I left the room, I was about to go back to the entrance, but I saw another one just further down in the hallway. It's the exit
'Well, that concludes my application. I sure hope my actions today will not come and bite me in the ass some day'
I thought, as I left the academy. Heading straight back home to continue training for now
But then
[Ding! User has applied for the academy. Reward will be granted.]
Meanwhile...
===
"Okay so next..."
"Excuse me"
Suddenly, two figures instantly appeared beside Iruka. Both individuals look a lot like each other, as one was much taller and older than the other, even though they're both still young
"Can we apply now? I'm sorry if we left abruptly earlier, it was important"
The taller person from the two said in a forgiving tone
"Oh no, it's quite alright. And you're right on time, someone finished just a moment ago"
Iruka said with a friendly smile
"Alright, you heard him. Let's go inside, Sasuke"
"Okay big brother!"
The young Sasuke said in his surprisingly high pitched voice with a smile, as Itachi held his tiny hand. Both Uchiha's entering the academy, with everyone behind them murmuring and praising them. Especially the young genius, Itachi Uchiha.