The early morning in the Hidden Leaf Village began with a familiar silence, broken only by the occasional birdsong. On the Nara clan's training grounds, surrounded by tall trees, stood two figures: a young boy with a serious gaze and an elderly man with a stern expression.
Kuro focused intently, controlling his shadow as it slowly crawled toward its target, mirroring his every movement.
"Controlling shadows is not an easy technique. It constantly tests your chakra control," Enzo said, observing the training. "You must feel your shadow, understand it, as if it were an extension of your own body. Imagine your opponent is a puppet, connected to you by invisible threads of chakra."
Kuro nodded without losing concentration. His shadow approached the old man and began wrapping around him, movement by movement.
But suddenly, his focus slipped, and the technique collapsed. The boy exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from his forehead, trying not to show his disappointment.
"Good, but not enough," his grandfather judged, crossing his arms. "Try again. This time, be more precise."
Kuro closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He concentrated — felt the cool morning air, the warmth of sunlight, and the faint vibration of his own shadow.
This time everything went perfectly — the old man was completely immobilized.
"Not bad," Enzo smiled, though he instantly broke the restraint with a surge of chakra. "But this is only the beginning. You still have much to improve."
Kuro only nodded briefly, though his thoughts were elsewhere.
Two weeks since entering the Academy… and everything is still surprisingly calm. Honestly, I expected more from a school for killers. The lectures are boring, but useful for understanding the system.
Today is finally the first real test — physical training.
Let's see how good these future shinobi really are.
When the training ended, Kuro thanked his grandfather and headed toward the Academy. On the way, he noticed a familiar figure ahead — Minato, basking in the warm sunlight.
"Hey, Namikaze!" Kuro called, catching up.
"Good morning, Nara-kun," Minato replied with his warm, polite smile. "How was your morning?"
"As usual. Training, breakfast," Kuro shrugged. "What about you?"
"Pretty calm. It seems we haven't talked much in the Academy, have we?" Minato replied.
"True. But after your introduction, I thought you were interesting."
"Really? I thought I said pretty ordinary things."
"Maybe for an adult. But not for a six-year-old kid. I'd be less surprised if you announced your dream of becoming Hokage than your goal of being reliable support for your comrades."
"Heheh," Minato laughed shyly, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, it's not like I don't want to be Hokage. I just… like the idea of making the world better. Being part of something greater, helping people, protecting them from danger. Isn't that our mission as Leaf shinobi?"
He looked at Kuro — his gaze sharp and determined enough to be unsettling.
"That sounds… inspiring," Kuro said with a hint of sarcasm, then added, "Though I can't say I share your zeal. In the shinobi world, things are simpler: become strong, follow orders, and maybe you won't die young."
Minato frowned slightly, though his voice stayed calm.
"Maybe you're right. But I'll still try. Don't you have a goal you're striving for?"
Kuro's eyes lit up the same way Minato's did. He grinned widely.
"Of course I do. I want to climb to the top and become the strongest."
They both stopped in the middle of the street, staring at each other as if trying to read something deeper.
But their moment was interrupted by a familiar figure running toward them.
"Nawaki?" Kuro noticed.
"Hey, guys!" Nawaki called, skidding to a stop. "Didn't you hear? We have physical training today! I can't wait! Bet I beat you both!"
Kuro only snorted at the Senju boy's enthusiasm, which even Minato couldn't resist catching.
"Well? Shall we hurry?" Nawaki suggested, nodding toward the Academy.
Exchanging glances, they quickened their pace toward the back training yard.
Their instructor, Sarutobi Kajiro, stood before the class holding a list of names. His stern look silenced everyone instantly.
"Today we test your physical abilities," he announced, nodding toward the obstacle course. "Show your speed, agility, and endurance. Do your best."
Students whispered anxiously as they examined the intimidating course — barriers, ropes, tall wooden walls, and training dummies.
Kuro calmly watched the first participants, noting their mistakes. Some were too nervous and tripped; others pushed themselves too fast and skipped obstacles.
When his turn came, he inhaled deeply, exhaled, and began running.
Kuro focused on every movement, clearing his mind as he pushed, channeling chakra through his body.
He moved flawlessly — like a perfectly tuned machine. The obstacles were cleared effortlessly, and his result stunned everyone, far surpassing the rest.
After all, it wasn't without Sukuna's power. Just yesterday Kuro unlocked three percent of the character, and even if the boost was minor — his physical stats definitely improved.
"Excellent work, Kuro," Kajiro noted, writing something down.
Nawaki rushed over next, sweating but beaming.
"Whoa, you're really strong!" he exclaimed, slapping Kuro on the shoulder. "But next time, I'm totally beating you! I'm the future Hokage, after all! Hehe!"
Kuro smirked.
"I'll be waiting."
He noticed Mikoto watching from the shade of a tree. She didn't speak — her serious expression said enough.
"Oh wow, look at that. Since when are the village's biggest slackers suddenly so fast?"
A voice called from behind.
"Didn't cheat, did you?"
Kuro turned to see Tsume Inuzuka. Her cocky smile and challenging tone made her intentions obvious.
"Are you always that sure of yourself?" Kuro replied calmly. "Or is that just how your clan works — bark first, think later?"
Her face tightened, and she stepped closer.
"Say that again, and you'll be writhing on the ground begging for mercy."
Before things escalated, Kajiro intervened.
"Enough! If you want to settle this, do it after class," he snapped. "For now — formation."
Tsume shot Kuro a threatening glare but fell silent.
Kuro allowed himself a slight smirk, feeling a strong desire bubbling inside.
Would be fun to crush an Inuzuka's ego.
A few hours later, the day at the Academy came to an end. Kuro gathered his things and headed toward his training clearing in the forest. As he approached, he noticed someone following him. Soon, a familiar figure stepped out ahead of him.
Tsume Inuzuka stood with her arms crossed, a challenging smile on her face.
"I told you we'd talk again," she said. "It's time to find out which one of us is stronger."
Kuro narrowed his eyes, a predatory smirk spreading across his lips.
"You sure you're ready?" he asked quietly, watching her with interest.
"We'll see, Nara," Tsume replied, forming hand signs.
Her chakra flared, and her body began to shift.
"Four Legs Technique."
The transformation was quick — her fangs lengthened, her nails turned into sharp claws, her pupils narrowed into something feral. She dropped into a beast-like stance, her movements becoming fast and erratic.
Without hesitation, she lunged at Kuro with impressive speed, her claws slicing through the air — almost grazing his face.
Every swipe came closer and closer, yet something was off…
The boy facing her wasn't frightened at all.
On the contrary — he dodged each attack with ease.
His movements were precise and fluid, as if he were dancing around his opponent.
And on his lips played a mocking smile.
"Is that all you've got?" he said as he slipped past another strike.
Tsume growled, pouring even more fury into her attacks.
But Kuro remained unshaken, almost toying with her.
Every movement she made was predictable — every strike far too slow for him.
"You're starting to annoy me, Nara!" she shouted, leaping at him with full force.
But he dodged effortlessly, causing her to slam into the ground with a heavy thud.
"If you really want to win, you'll have to work much harder," he said coldly, forming a seal and activating his shadow.
Dark lines slid across the ground toward Tsume.
Feeling the danger, she instinctively jumped aside — but the shadow wasn't the real threat.
The smirking boy was already behind her.
"That's it," he said, voice thrilled as he looked down at his opponent. "You've lost."
Tsume tried to turn around — but Kuro's swing struck her square in the face.
The blow sent her flying several meters, her body tumbling across the dirt.
When she finally stopped, she tried to get up immediately — but the hit was too strong.
Kuro approached, looking down at her.
His eyes gleamed with a dangerous spark.
"Remember this lesson, Inuzuka," he said, crouching beside her. "Next time, think twice before challenging me."
Breathing heavily, Tsume raised her head.
She shot him a glare filled with anger — but also, faintly, with respect.
"We'll see, Nara… who's really stronger," she muttered and, struggling to stand, turned away and left.
Kuro watched her go, feeling the adrenaline slowly fading from his body.
He was alone again — just him and his thoughts, ready to continue training in his clearing.