First Day of Classes

Konohagakure.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Academy courtyard as the newly admitted students made their way to their classrooms. The excitement from the entrance ceremony still buzzed in the air, but gradually, a sense of focus began to take over as the reality of training to become a ninja settled in.

Takumi and Minato walked side by side, weaving through the throngs of students engaged in animated conversations about the Hokage's inspiring speech. Minato's bright blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, wide open and brimming with energy, while Takumi maintained his usual calm demeanor, his thoughts preoccupied with the day ahead and what it might bring.

"I wonder what kind of teacher we'll have," Minato mused aloud, glancing curiously at the tall doors leading into the Academy, his anticipation palpable.

Takumi didn't respond immediately, his mind busy calculating how the first few weeks might unfold. "It doesn't matter who teaches us," he finally said, his tone steady and serious. "What truly matters is how much we learn from them and how we apply that knowledge."

Minato smiled, shaking his head slightly at his friend's seriousness. "You're strangely so focused, Takumi. But you're right. We have to give it everything we've got from the start."

They entered their classroom and found their assigned seats. As Takumi glanced around the room, he realized that many of the students hailed from Konoha's most prominent clans. In the back row, he spotted a boy from the Nara clan, slouched comfortably in his chair, exuding a relaxed demeanor as if nothing could faze him. Next to him sat an Akimichi, slightly larger than the others, radiating warmth and strength with every smile.

A few seats over, he noticed an Aburame, quiet and reserved, his sunglasses hiding a layer of mystery that intrigued Takumi. Closer to the front sat an Inuzuka, a tiny ninken sitting obediently at his side, the bond between them evident in their shared demeanor.

Then, his eyes found a Hyūga seated proudly near the middle, his pale eyes scanning the room with the precision only the Byakugan could offer. The air of calm confidence surrounding the boy was unmistakable, the stoic composure typical of the Hyūga clan. Even without using his Byakugan, the way he observed everything around him revealed a sharp mind and heightened awareness.

Finally, Takumi's gaze caught sight of someone else near the edge of the classroom. Sitting with calm yet alert posture was a boy from the Uchiha clan. His dark hair and sharp, intense eyes emanated an unmistakable aura of confidence and composure. The Uchiha were renowned for their Sharingan, a dojutsu of legendary power, and although this boy had yet to awaken it, the weight of his formidable lineage was undeniable.

The classroom was charged with a blend of excitement and nervousness, a palpable tension that filled the space.

Just then, the door slid open, and in walked a tall figure clad in a flak jacket, the standard attire of a Konoha chunin. Their teacher had arrived. His commanding presence immediately silenced the room, and he scanned the students briefly, his sharp eyes settling on various individuals, including Takumi and Minato.

"My name is Tsubasa Sato," he announced, his voice deep and steady, resonating with authority. "I will be your teacher from today onward. Over the next few months, you'll learn the basics of being a ninja, but make no mistake—this is not a playground. We train to protect our village, and that requires discipline, teamwork, and perseverance."

Tsubasa-sensei's gaze fell on Minato, who sat up straighter in his chair, brimming with enthusiasm, and then drifted to Takumi, who returned the gaze calmly, his expression unchanging. "We have a lot of promising students this year," the teacher continued, his tone firm yet encouraging. "But I expect more than just promises—I expect results."

He began to explain the fundamentals of the Academy's curriculum: the history of ninjas, the significance of hand signs, chakra control, and the importance of building physical endurance. As Tsubasa-sensei spoke, Takumi's mind wandered slightly—not from disinterest, but because much of what was being said felt obvious to him. His father had already begun teaching him many of these principles. He understood that the real test would come during the practical exercises. Most of the students from prominent clans also didn't seem to pay much attention, as they were likely already familiar with these basics.

"Now," Tsubasa-sensei said, his voice cutting through Takumi's train of thought, "let's see how much you already know."

He walked over to the blackboard and drew two kanji characters. "What is the meaning of these characters?" he asked, turning to face the class with a keen gaze.

Several hands shot up eagerly, including Minato's. The teacher called on him first.

"It's 'Nin' for ninja and 'Chakra,' the core of our training," Minato responded confidently, a wide grin on his face.

Tsubasa-sensei nodded approvingly. "Correct. Chakra is what enables us to use ninjutsu, and understanding how to control it will be the foundation of your training as future ninjas."

After a few more rounds of questions, Tsubasa-sensei directed the class outside to the Academy's training grounds. The area was expansive, with wooden training posts lined up for target practice and a clear field designated for sparring and running drills.

"Alright," Tsubasa-sensei said, crossing his arms, "let's start with something simple. I want to see how you handle shuriken and kunai." He gestured toward a table where several weapons lay neatly arranged. "Pair up and take turns throwing."

Naturally, Takumi and Minato grouped together. While Minato picked up a kunai with the eager energy of someone wanting to impress, Takumi carefully weighed the weapon in his hand, feeling the balance of the metal.

Minato was the first to throw. His kunai struck the target but landed slightly off-center. "Not bad," he muttered to himself, though he couldn't hide a tinge of disappointment.

Takumi stepped forward, his face showing no emotion as he pulled his arm back and released the kunai with precision. It struck directly in the center of the target, the blade vibrating slightly upon impact.

"Nice shot, Takumi!" Minato exclaimed, admiration lacing his voice.

Takumi merely nodded, shifting his focus to the Uchiha boy. The Uchiha clan was known for their Shurikenjutsu, a skill enhanced by the Sharingan.

Tsubasa-sensei gestured for the Uchiha boy to step forward. "Let's see your shuriken technique," he said, his tone carrying both expectation and curiosity. The other students looked on, intrigued by the boy's composed demeanor. They had heard about the Uchiha's exceptional talent in shurikenjutsu, but few had witnessed it firsthand.

Without a word, the boy retrieved several shuriken from his pouch, his movements smooth and deliberate. He glanced at the targets, analyzing the distance, wind, and angle with a precision that only came with innate talent and rigorous training. Then, in a swift, fluid motion, he launched the first shuriken. The metal star whizzed through the air, striking the target dead-center with a satisfying thud.

But he wasn't done. In one seamless move, the Uchiha boy followed up by throwing two more shuriken. They spun through the air with astonishing speed, and as they approached the target, he made a subtle flick of his wrist. The shuriken curved mid-flight, veering off course—only to ricochet off the wooden posts beside the targets and strike their marks with unerring accuracy.

Tsubasa-sensei nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Excellent control," he said. "As a ninja, speed, stealth, and strategy matter just as much. Keep refining your skills."

As the day progressed, the students cycled through more basic training exercises, including chakra control drills and physical endurance training. By the end of the session, many were left exhausted.

As they walked home from the Academy, Minato was brimming with excitement. Takumi glanced at him, his expression that of someone carefully planning his own path. He understood that if he wanted to live a carefree life, he had to cultivate enough strength to back it up.