In the quiet backyard of Kazuro's home, Shin knelt with labored breaths, his hands still faintly glowing from the chakra he had poured into his latest attempt. A small, solid barrier shimmered before him, holding its shape with surprising resilience.
Kazuro observed silently, then gave a slow nod of approval. "Good. You've done well. It's sturdy and focused."
Shin, too exhausted to speak, simply nodded in return, wiping sweat from his brow.
They sat together on the wooden porch, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. For a while, neither spoke, letting the silence settle between them. Then, curiosity sparked in Shin's tired eyes.
"Grandpa… is it possible to form a barrier on just one part of the body? Like around your chest… or head?"
Kazuro chuckled, clearly amused by his grandson's sharp thinking.
"That's quite the question," he said with a smirk. "Yes, it's possible. Not easy, but with refined chakra control and intent, you can shape a barrier to any part of your body."
He raised his hand calmly, then focused. Chakra pulsed through his fingers with precision, and within seconds, a translucent dome flickered into existence—perfectly shaped around his head, shimmering faintly in the light.
"This," Kazuro explained, "is a localized barrier. It's smaller, so it costs less chakra. But the trick is in maintaining harmony between yin and yang even in a compressed form."
Shin watched intently, eyes wide despite his fatigue.
Kazuro continued, "Use yin to give the barrier shape and intent. Yang gives it life and durability. Imagine you're sculpting with your will—but the material is chakra itself. You don't need a huge defense to be effective. Sometimes, a well-placed shield is all it takes to survive a killing blow."
Shin absorbed every word, his tired mind already running with possibilities.
He bowed to his grandfather and left quietly, determination burning in his eyes. He spent the rest of the day training hard—testing barrier placements, refining fire jutsu, and pushing his chakra to the edge.
As night fell, he collapsed under the stars, drained but satisfied. Morning came quickly. The sun rose over the village, and with it, the start of something new—his first day at the Academy.
---
Shin and Akio stepped into Class 1A at exactly 7:30 a.m., expecting to be among the first to arrive. To their surprise, nearly twenty students were already present, some sitting quietly, others chatting in small groups. The room was spacious and well-lit, with large windows letting in the golden morning light. Rows of neatly arranged desks filled the space, and the polished floors echoed faint footsteps as they walked in.
Shin's eyes scanned the room until he spotted someone familiar—Minato, the blonde boy he had met during the clan gathering. He was seated near the window in the third row, reviewing a small scroll.
Shin nudged Akio slightly and walked over. "Good morning, Minato," he said politely, offering a small nod. "Would it be alright if Akio and I sat beside you?"
Minato looked up, blinking for a moment before smiling warmly. "Oh, good morning! Yes, of course. Please, go ahead."
Akio gave a quick bow of thanks and took the seat to Minato's left, while Shin settled to his right.
"It's nice to see a familiar face here," Minato said, his tone polite but friendly. "Were you both up early to prepare?"
Shin nodded. "Yes. I didn't want to be late on the first day."
"Same here," Akio added. "It's exciting, isn't it?"
Minato smiled. "It is. I've been looking forward to this for weeks."
The three sat together, the early nerves easing just a little with their quiet conversation. Though it was their first real interaction, there was already a sense of mutual respect forming between them.
---
As Shin sat at his desk beside Akio and Minato, the classroom buzzed with quiet anticipation. At exactly 8:00 a.m., the ticking clock above the board chimed with a subtle click, and the sliding door opened. A tall, sharp-eyed man in a dark jonin vest stepped into the room. His relaxed demeanor and familiar presence drew immediate attention.
"Good morning, class," the man said calmly. "I am Nara Boku, and I will be your homeroom instructor for the year. Some of you might recognize me from the entrance examination."
Shin straightened in his seat as murmurs rippled through the room. So he's our sensei, he thought. He seemed laid-back during the test, but there's no mistaking his aura—sharp and observant.
While Boku continued his introduction, Shin's eyes wandered across the now-filled classroom. There were exactly thirty-five students. He quietly analyzed the makeup of his peers: two Uchiha, himself and Akio; two from the Hyuga clan; three each from the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans. He also noted one student from the Senju and another from the Kurama clan, rare bloodlines both. Two each from the Inuzuka and Aburame clans, as well as the Shimura and Sarutobi clans, added to the impressive mix. Then, two more from the Kato and Hatake clans. The remaining eight, including Minato, appeared to be from civilian backgrounds—but Shin had already sensed talent in at least a few of them.
Observing all the clan children—many of them among the top ten performers from the entrance exam—a realization dawned on Shin.
This isn't just any class… this is an elite gathering, he thought, his fingers subtly tightening around the edge of his desk. Looks like the real competition begins now.
---
After a few more words, Nara Boku clapped his hands once. "Alright, before we dive into the schedule, I'd like each of you to stand and briefly introduce yourselves—name, clan if any, and what you hope to achieve at the academy."
One by one, students stood and spoke. Some were confident, others shy. Shin introduced himself clearly, "Uchiha Shin. I aim to become a shinobi worthy of leading my clan one day." Akio followed, calm and measured. Minato's introduction was humble—until he announced that he wanted to become the Hokage.
Once everyone had finished, Boku nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Now listen carefully. In your first year, we'll cover foundational techniques in genjutsu theory, taijutsu, chakra theory, and basic hand signs. Alongside this, you'll also study academic subjects like mathematics, physics, biology, and history. A strong shinobi must balance both mind and body."
The room fell into thoughtful silence, some students groaning quietly at the mention of academics.
Then Boku added with a faint smile, "Also, as students of Class 1A, you'll be granted access to Sections D and E of the academy library."
At that, Shin's eyes lit up. Sections D and E? Those were known to hold basic scrolls and historical texts—not usually open to first-years. He felt a spark of excitement in his chest.
This academy… might be better than I thought.
---
After finishing the introductions and outlining the year's curriculum, Nara Boku guided the class on a tour around the academy grounds. He showed them the expansive training fields, multiple dojos for different disciplines, the vast library divided into access tiers, modern science labs, and a lively cafeteria. The students followed in awe, some whispering in excitement, others mentally mapping out where they'd spend their time.
By the time the tour ended, the sun was high and the first day was officially dismissed.
As Shin and Akio stepped outside, enjoying the rare sense of free time, they pondered what to do next. That's when Minato approached them, hands in his pockets and a polite smile on his face.
"Since we're done early, would you both like to grab something to eat? There's a great sushi place nearby. After that, we could check out Sections D and E in the library."
Shin nodded. "Sounds good. I've been curious about what kind of scrolls are stored there."
Akio agreed with a small grin. "I won't say no to sushi."
They made their way to the restaurant—a cozy spot nestled on a quiet street near the academy. As they ate, the three shared stories—Minato spoke about training alone as a civilian, Shin talked about his time with his grandfather, and Akio, while brief, mentioned his goal of mastering both genjutsu and kenjutsu.
For the first time, a sense of camaraderie began to settle between them. The day had started with curiosity and nerves, but it was ending with the beginnings of friendship.