4. Awakening

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The students were soon divided into classes, and Kira found himself in the same class as the main characters. Iruka Umino, their instructor, introduced himself and asked each student to do the same, sharing their dreams, likes, and dislikes.

When it was Kira's turn, he stood up confidently. "My name is Kira Kozuki. I dislike people who are loud and also those that disturb my peace. I like moments of peace and when people leave me alone. My dream is to become the strongest ninja to ever exist."

The class murmured, impressed by his bold declaration. Iruka nodded approvingly, moving on to the next student. Kira sat down, feeling a sense of satisfaction. This was the beginning of a new chapter in his life, and he was determined to make the most of it.

Kira's days at the academy were filled with lessons and training. He excelled in kenjutsu, his mastery of the Kozuki no Kagerō evident to all. The Water Breathing Technique remained his secret weapon, a technique he practiced in the forest whenever he had the chance.

During Taijutsu practice, Kira's skills, honed by Kuzue's training, stood out. His classmates were impressed by his agility and strength, and even Iruka noted his progress.

Kira also made a habit of checking his status in the system, tracking his growth and abilities. Each day, he pushed himself to improve, knowing that his low chakra levels were a significant hurdle. He was determined to awaken the powers of The Noblesse and elevate his abilities to new heights.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling training session, Kira sat under a tree, catching his breath. Naruto, the worst student in their class, approached him.

"Kira, your sword skills are impressive," Naruto said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Where did you learn them?!"

Kira looked up, meeting Naruto's carefree gaze. "My grandfather taught me. It's a technique passed down through my clan."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "And what about your Taijutsu? You're pretty good at that too."

Kira smiled. "I had help from my cousin. She's a genin and taught me the basics."

Naruto seemed impressed, but said nothing more and left, this was unlike him at all but Kira decided not to dwell on it. He simply nodded and walked away, leaving Kira to his thoughts.

As the weeks passed, Kira continued to train diligently, both at the academy and in secret. He honed his skills, refining the Water Breathing Technique and making sure not to slack off with the Kozuki no Kagerō. His progress was steady, but he knew there was still much to learn.

One evening, as he practiced in the forest, Itachi Uchiha appeared once again. Kira's heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"You've improved," Itachi observed, his eyes scanning Kira's form. "But you still have much to learn."

Kira nodded, feeling a mix of respect and determination. "I'll keep training, Itachi-san."

Itachi's gaze softened slightly. "Remember, true strength comes from understanding both your techniques and yourself. Continue to seek knowledge and never stop pushing your limits."

Kira bowed deeply. "Thank you, Itachi-san. I won't forget your words."

As the months went by, Kira's skills continued to grow. He became more confident in his abilities, his movements more fluid and precise. His secret training sessions in the forest remained a crucial part of his regimen, allowing him to experiment and refine his techniques without distraction.

One day, his mother approached him with a serious expression. "Kira, the academy exams are coming up. Are you ready?"

Suddenly, Kira's head was pounding, and his body felt like it was on fire. He had been feeling off for days, but this morning, he couldn't even muster the strength to get out of bed. His mother, Ayame, noticed his pale complexion and feverish skin and immediately called for a doctor. Within hours, it was confirmed that Kira was too sick to attend the academy exams.

The news of his illness spread quickly through the Kozuki clan, causing a stir as he was the next clan head. When the doctor revealed that Kira's condition was due to the awakening of a kekkei genkai, it sent shockwaves throughout the clan. Despite being a smaller and less influential family compared to the Uchiha and Hyuga, the Kozuki clan had a strong sense of pride, and this revelation brought both hope and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the larger clans, like the Uchiha and Hyuga, paid little attention. They saw the Kozuki clan as inconsequential, and the idea of a powerful kekkei genkai emerging from such a small family seemed unlikely to them.

Kira's condition worsened, and he was soon admitted to the hospital. He lay unconscious in a hospital bed, his body weak and fragile. In his unconscious state, he found himself in a dark, empty space. It was eerily silent, with no sense of time or place.

Suddenly, a system notice appeared before him, glowing softly in the darkness:

[System Notice: Your new body is now ready to fuse with the power of the Noblesse.]

Kira felt a surge of energy within him as the words registered. He could feel his body changing, adapting to the new power that was being awakened within him. The fusion process was intense, but he embraced it, knowing that this was the key to unlocking his true potential.

After a week of being in a coma, Kira finally woke up. His body felt different, stronger yet more fragile at the same time. The doctors quickly informed his family and Nara Shikaku, who was overseeing the clan's well-being.

In the hospital room, Kira's mother and grandfather stood by his side, concern etched on their faces. Shikaku approached Kira with a gentle yet inquisitive expression.

"Kira, can you tell us about your kekkei genkai?" Shikaku asked, his tone careful and respectful.

Kira glanced at his mother, seeking her approval. Ayame nodded, giving him the reassurance he needed. The other medical nin had left the room, leaving them in private.

Kira took a deep breath and held out his hand. Concentrating, he focused on the power he had felt awakening within him. A small sphere of blood began to form in front of his palm, swirling and pulsating with energy. The sight was mesmerizing and unsettling at the same time.

Shikaku's eyes widened in shock. "Blood Release kekkei genkai… I've never heard of such a thing before."

Kira maintained the sphere for a few moments before feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He coughed violently, blood splattering onto the bed. In his mind, he cursed the gods. "What the fuck, when I said I wanted to be reborn as Rai from Noblesse, I didn't say I wanted his sickness as well!"

Mumbling curses under his breath, Kira felt his strength waning and fainted. Shikaku quickly reassured Torami and Ayame that Kira would be fine, but his kekkei genkai would cause him sickness if overused, similar to the Kaguya Clan of the Hidden Mist.

...

The next day, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his office, reading the report from Shikaku about Kira's newly awakened kekkei genkai. The Hokage's expression was one of disappointment. According to Shikaku, the kekkei genkai had great potential, but its side effects could prove fatal if not managed properly.

Danzō Shimura, having received the secret information as well, shared the Hokage's disappointment. In his mind, a powerful yet flawed kekkei genkai was of no use to his ambitions. For now, Kira had dodged a bullet.

After a week, Kira was discharged from the hospital. He spent the next month recuperating at home, his body slowly adjusting to the new power within him. The awakening had left him weakened, but he was determined to regain his strength and master his kekkei genkai.

Six weeks later, Kira returned to the academy. As he walked through the gates, he could feel the eyes of his peers on him. Whispers followed him, rumors about his illness and the mysterious kekkei genkai that had caused it.

Iruka greeted him warmly. "Welcome back, Kira. I'm glad to see you've recovered."

Kira nodded, offering a small smile. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."

Despite the welcome, some students mocked him. "What's the use of a kekkei genkai if it's going to kill you?" one boy sneered.

Kira ignored the taunts, his expression calm and detached. He turned his gaze towards the window, mimicking the aloof demeanor of Rai from Noblesse. He knew that his true strength lay in mastering his powers and proving himself through his actions, not words.

Kira resumed his training with renewed determination. He worked tirelessly to balance his kenjutsu, taijutsu, and the newly awakened Blood Release kekkei genkai. Each day, he pushed himself harder, striving to understand the limits of his new abilities.

His secret training sessions in the forest became more intense. He experimented with different ways to manipulate his blood, discovering that it could be used both offensively and defensively. The power was formidable, but every time he pushed too far, the sickness would return, forcing him to stop and recover.

One afternoon, Kuzue found him in the forest, practicing alone. She watched in awe as he formed a blood sphere in his hand and launched it at a tree, the impact leaving a deep gash in the bark.

"Kira, your kekkei genkai is incredible," she said, stepping forward. "But you need to be careful. I can see how much it's taking out of you."

Kira nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I know, Kuzue-nee. But I have to keep pushing. I need to master it."

Kuzue placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression serious. "Remember, Kira, true strength lies not just in your abilities, but in knowing when and how to use them. Don't let your power consume you."

Kira took her words to heart, resolving to train smarter, not just harder. He balanced his intense sessions with periods of rest and meditation, learning to manage the strain his kekkei genkai placed on his body.

As the academy exams approached, Kira felt more prepared than ever. Despite the challenges he had faced, his resolve had only strengthened. On the day of the exams, he stood alongside his peers, ready to prove himself.

The exams tested their knowledge, physical abilities, and ninja skills. Kira excelled in the kenjutsu and taijutsu portions, his rigorous training paying off. When it came time for the chakra control and ninjutsu section, he was cautious, knowing his limits.

For the final part of the exam, each student was required to demonstrate their unique abilities. When it was Kira's turn, he stepped forward confidently. His peers watched with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, wondering what the boy with the mysterious kekkei genkai would do.

Kira took a deep breath and focused his chakra. He held out his hand, forming a small sphere of blood. The sphere hovered above his palm, pulsating with energy. He maintained it for a few moments, showcasing his control before letting it dissipate.

The instructors exchanged glances, impressed by the display. Despite the limitations of his kekkei genkai, Kira had shown remarkable control and skill.

After the exams, Iruka approached Kira, a proud smile on his face. "You did well, Kira. I'm proud of you."

Kira nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei. I'll keep working hard."

Kira's journey was far from over. He knew that mastering his kekkei genkai would take time and patience. The sickness that accompanied its use was a constant reminder of his limitations, but he refused to let it define him.

One evening, as Kira meditated in the forest, he felt a familiar presence. Itachi Uchiha emerged from the shadows, his expression thoughtful.

"You've come a long way, Kira," Itachi said. "But you still have much to learn."

Kira opened his eyes, meeting Itachi's gaze. "I know, Itachi-san. I'll keep training."

Itachi nodded. "Remember, true strength comes from within. Don't let your power control you. Learn to control it."

Kira took those words to heart. He continued to train diligently, balancing his physical training with meditation and chakra control exercises. He worked on refining his kenjutsu and taijutsu, integrating his kekkei genkai into his combat style. What was wrong with Itachi? He would come and say a few words and disappear.

Despite his progress, Kira faced numerous challenges. Some of his classmates continued to mock him, doubting the usefulness of his kekkei genkai. But Kira remained focused, using their doubts as motivation to push himself harder.