Chapter 12: Unseen Threats

Inside the academy, the young children sat in anticipation as Iruka Umino, a Chuunin Instructor, prepared to address the class. The weight of his words carried a sense of importance for the kids.

"Good morning, everyone," Iruka began, his voice filled with a mix of warmth and authority. "Today marks the beginning of your journey to becoming great ninja, protectors of this village. But before we dive into the practical lessons, let's start with self-introductions."

"I'll start first!" Naruto exclaimed, a determined glint in his eyes as he stood up. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and one day, I'm gonna become the Hokage! Believe it!" His passionate declaration echoed through the classroom, igniting a mix of annoyance and amusement among his classmates.

Shikamaru, sitting lazily in his chair, couldn't help but mutter, "What a drag." His nonchalant response elicited a few chuckles from those who understood his laid-back nature.

Next, it was Sasuke's turn. With a calm demeanor and an air of mystery, he stood up and introduced himself with a cool, collected voice. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha," he stated simply, his dark eyes piercing through the room. His presence commanded attention, leaving a sense of intrigue among his peers and screams from girls who had a crush on him.

One by one, the students stood up, nervously sharing their names, aspirations, and a little about themselves. Their outfits and appearances reflected the vibrant world of the Naruto anime. Some wore traditional Konoha ninja attire, while others displayed their unique styles.

As the introductions progressed, it was Kazuki Uzumaki's turn to speak. He stood up with a calm and mellow presence, his eyes shining with determination. "Hello, everyone," Kazuki began, his voice gentle yet filled with confidence. "My name is Kazuki Uzumaki, and I'm looking forward to learning and growing together with all of you."

Next is Sai, with his striking pale complexion and ink-black hair, offered a genuine smile as he introduced himself. "Greetings, everyone. I'm Sai and I have a talent for creating art, and I hope to incorporate it into my ninja skills."

Karin, her long red hair flowing like a fiery cascade, stood up next. She looked at Kazuki, and the rest of the class with a shy yet determined expression. "Hi, I'm Karin Uzumaki," she said, her voice slightly shaky. "Like Kazuki and Naruto, I'm also from the Uzumaki clan. I hope to prove myself and become a strong kunoichi."

Their self-introductions concluded, Iruka proceeded with the orientation, explaining the curriculum and the challenges they would face throughout the academic year. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. The students listened attentively, realizing that this journey would test their abilities and shape their destinies.

Leaving the academy building, the students gathered outside, basking in the sunlight. Iruka's voice echoed across the courtyard. "Now, let's move on to the practical part. I want everyone to demonstrate their ninja techniques."

A collective gasp filled the air as excitement and nervousness mingled among the young ninjas. However, four students—Sai, Sasuke, Kazuki, and Shikamaru—remained unperturbed, knowing what was about to unfold.

Iruka pointed towards Sasuke and declared, "Uchiha Sasuke, please demonstrate the Clone Technique."

As Sasuke calmly walked forward, a wave of admiration swept through the girls, their eyes transformed into hearts as they blushed. Naruto couldn't help but shout, "What a show-off! You always act cool, and it annoys me!"

With a sly smile, another Sasuke appeared under a nearby tree, responding, "That's always been my intention." Naruto's annoyance erupted into a frustrated scream, and he exclaimed, "Clone Technique is very easy to do and I can do that too. I'll show you!"

Naruto swiftly formed the hand seals, and a puff of smoke revealed a perfect replica of himself. Kazuki sighed and remarked, "Aren't you showing off too, Naruto?"

The clone of Naruto lunged at the other Sasuke leaning under a tree, initiating a playful battle. However, Sasuke retaliated, and the clone of Naruto vanished into thin air. The real Naruto showed up and threw a punch only to hit a clone and stumbled face-first into a tree, much to the amusement of their classmates.

Iruka, with a chuckle, refocused his attention. "Now that Sasuke and Naruto have demonstrated their Clone Technique, it's time for the others. Kazuki, you're next."

As Kazuki stepped forward, another Kazuki's voice resonated behind Iruka, surprising everyone. "Okay, Sensei," the second Kazuki replied with a warm smile, instantly capturing the attention of the class.

Eyes widened as the students exchanged bewildered glances, taken aback by the presence of another remarkably talented individual among their ranks. The realization sparked a collective sense of awe and inspiration, igniting a fire of determination within each student. Motivated by the display of skill, they now believed in their own potential and eagerly prepared to showcase their own abilities. Hope filled the air as they eagerly anticipated their turn, yearning to prove that they too could do a Clone Technique.

Months ago, in a hidden location, a group of mysterious figures convened in a Genjutsu Transmission. The place was adorned with floating cubes, and at the center sat a man on a throne-like chair. The inner members of the mysterious organization called "Kara"—Victor, Boro, and Amado had gathered before Jigen, their appearances concealed by hooded robes.

Jigen's ghastly voice resonated through the room. "One of our orphanages has been compromised," he said, displaying a lack of interest in the matter. Victor, gripping his walking stick, interjected, "I apologize for the actions of our outer Kara member. He acted on his own, despite my instructions to only observe Konoha. His death led to an ANBU raid on the orphanage."

Amado, exhaling a cloud of smoke from his cigarette, added, "The loss of this orphanage has dealt a significant blow to our funding." He paused for a moment, his thoughts lingering on Danzo and Orochimaru as precious clients who had contributed to their operations. "Nevertheless," he continued, his voice tinged with caution, "we must maintain a low-profile for the time being."

Boro, with a sly smile while crossing his hands, chimed in, "Indeed. We have yet to find a suitable vessel. Losing the orphanage has cost us not only resources but also a potential candidate."

Jigen's eyes narrowed with displeasure. "The purpose of this meeting is to also inform you all that Konoha has become aware of our organization. The loss of the orphanage has further delayed our plans. Never let such a situation occur again. We cannot afford to lose more kids who can become a potential vessel," he warned, his voice carrying an ominous tone.

With a nod, Boro concluded the meeting. "Victor, it is your responsibility to rectify this situation. Ensure that our outer members are equipped with Fuinjutsu to prevent any compromising information from being revealed." Victor nodded and everyone started to disappear slowly from the Genjutsu Transmission world.