Chapter 4: Resolution

The soft hum of conversation filled the classroom as Itsuki walked in, his footsteps light but steady. The other students, some of whom he recognized from the show, turned to look at the newcomer. Whispers filled the room almost immediately. A latecomer? To them, this was unusual—two years into their Academy training and someone new appeared.

He remained silent, walking toward an empty seat at the back of the classroom. His face was calm, betraying none of the thoughts racing through his mind. He had expected this, but he had no intention of blending in or making small talk. He had lived too long to be rattled by the idle curiosity of children.

Naruto, ever the loud one, leaned over from his seat, his blue eyes wide with excitement. "Hey! Are you new? What's your name?" Naruto's voice boomed across the room, immediately grabbing the attention of everyone else.

Itsuki turned to look at him, eyes calm but sharp. He could already feel the chakra swirling within Naruto, an erratic, fiery presence—so different from the measured flow of Sasuke's controlled energy or the faint, but resilient, presence of Sakura's chakra. His newfound ability to see these patterns had become second nature, even though he still didn't fully understand the extent of his eyes.

"Itsuki Tanaka," he replied, his voice low, but clear.

Naruto, always eager to make friends, grinned broadly and jumped up, running over to Itsuki's desk. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Nice to meet ya!"

Naruto was exactly like he remembered from the show—loud, energetic, and, frankly, a bit of a headache. Itsuki nodded, keeping his responses short. "Nice to meet you."

But as soon as he spoke, the other students began to crowd around him as well. Sasuke, who was sitting a few desks away, cast a cold glance toward Itsuki but said nothing. He seemed uninterested, though Itsuki could tell by the slight tightening in Sasuke's posture that he was curious.

Ino leaned in next, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she appraised him. "You're late. Why are you just now joining the Academy?"

Itsuki remained composed. "I was transferred here late."

It was a simple explanation, one that would prevent further probing. He didn't feel the need to divulge more. He was already drawing enough attention. He could feel their chakra patterns swirling with curiosity—some bright and energetic like Naruto, others more reserved, like Shino or Hinata.

Kiba, always brash, leaned over, his dog Akamaru perched on his head. "So, where are you from? Were you training somewhere else before this?"

Itsuki had prepared himself for questions like these. After two years of observing, he knew these were children eager for any new mystery. "No, I was in an orphanage. I've been training on my own until now."

The word "orphanage" seemed to quell their curiosity for a moment. They didn't ask further—being an orphan was not uncommon in Konoha, but it carried a weight of silence.

Iruka-sensei finally entered the room, his presence immediately shifting the focus away from Itsuki. "Alright, everyone, settle down. We have a lot to cover today."

The students quickly returned to their seats, though Naruto shot him a quick smile before sitting down. Itsuki leaned back in his chair, feeling the intensity of the moment pass. He wasn't here to make friends, not really. He was here to gain strength, to understand this world better than anyone else.

And to figure out what the Infinite Mirror Eyes truly were.

---

The lessons at the Academy were straightforward for Itsuki. He had seen it all before. Basic chakra control exercises, shuriken throwing, elementary ninjutsu theory—things that had once fascinated him as a fan but now seemed almost trivial compared to the power he knew lay dormant within him.

He was a spectator of the anime, now thrust into the heart of its world. But it wasn't all as glamorous as it had once seemed. Konoha's shinobi were more than just characters now—they were people, with hopes, dreams, and pain that went far beyond the neatly packaged arcs of a TV show.

Itsuki observed everything with a quiet detachment. The children around him were still developing their skills, unaware of the dangers that lay ahead. They were still innocent in many ways, but Itsuki wasn't like them. He was far older in mind and spirit, carrying the weight of two lives and the memories of a future none of them could yet foresee.

His Infinite Mirror Eyes remained dormant for most of the day, though he couldn't help but activate them occasionally, just to observe the chakra flows within the room. He didn't know the full extent of what they could do yet, but he was slowly gathering clues. Each time he used them, he could feel a subtle shift in his understanding of chakra, as if the eyes were helping him perceive the world on a deeper level.

But the cost of using them was high. After only a few minutes of activating the eyes, he could feel a drain on his energy—a dull ache forming behind his eyes, forcing him to deactivate them. He still needed more training, more control.

And he needed to be careful. His eyes were a secret, and secrets were dangerous in this world.

---

After Class

As the bell rang to signal the end of the day, Itsuki gathered his things quietly, avoiding the usual post-class chatter. Naruto, ever the social one, was already pestering Sasuke to train with him, while the others formed small groups, heading off to their various after-school activities.

Itsuki preferred solitude. He had much to think about, and the classroom's energy, filled with the laughter and noise of children, felt too distant from the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.

He made his way toward the orphanage in the quieter parts of Konoha, his hands deep in his pockets. The path was familiar by now, though he still hadn't made many connections within the village. Even after two years, he kept most people at arm's length.

He walked with a purpose, though his thoughts were elsewhere. His Infinite Mirror Eyes—they were his greatest asset, but also his greatest burden. He had sensed something within them, a power that went beyond what he could currently grasp. And the more he used them, the more questions he had.

What exactly were these eyes? Why had he been reincarnated with such a strange ability? And what role was he meant to play in this world?

He stopped in his tracks, staring up at the setting sun as it bathed the village in golden light. For the first time since his reincarnation, he felt a faint sense of peace. He had no grand ambition to be a hero like Naruto or a prodigy like Sasuke. He wasn't after power for the sake of power, nor was he drawn to some twisted sense of revenge.

No, his goal was simpler.

"I will survive," Itsuki murmured to himself. "I will understand my place in this world. And I'll make sure that no one controls my fate but me."

With that quiet resolve, he continued walking, his steps steady, his mind clearer than it had been in a long time. He would master his eyes, control his power, and forge his own path in this world.

Whatever that path may be.