BANG! BANG! BANG!
The loud pounding on the door jarred Mizuki from his sleep.
Mizuki (groaning): "Ugh… What time is it? Who the hell is banging on my door like that?"
He yawned, rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep.
Iruka (from outside): "Come on, Mizuki! We're gonna be late!"
Mizuki (suddenly alert): "Oh crap—not again! I'll be out in five!"
Throwing on his uniform in a rush, Mizuki burst out of the apartment, bolting through the streets. His heart pounded with each step as the Academy bell threatened to ring. Just in the nick of time, he slid into his classroom, collapsing into a seat next to Iruka.
Iruka (panicking): "I thought you were gonna be late!"
Mizuki (breathing hard): "Yeah… I barely made it. Talk about close…"
As he glanced around the room, Mizuki noticed something: most of the elite-looking kids—those who'd probably become future Jonin—weren't in this class. Must be in the advanced class, he thought bitterly. Guess my average entrance test didn't do me any favors.
The chatter in the room quickly died down as a new figure walked in—an unfamiliar face. A Hyuga Chunin. One Mizuki didn't recognize from the original Naruto series.
Hyuga Chunin: "Good morning, class. Today, we begin with an introduction to Genjutsu…"
Almost immediately, Mizuki began zoning out, his mind already racing ahead.
Mizuki (thinking): "I need a plan. If I want to get into the advanced class, I should start training chakra control—tree climbing, water walking… But first, I need to find out my elemental affinity. Chakra paper. I'll buy some after class."
The lesson dragged on. The instructor explained genjutsu theory for what felt like hours until finally, he glanced at the wall clock.
Hyuga Chunin: "Time's up. Meet me in the courtyard in five minutes—we're starting taijutsu training."
With a blur of movement, the teacher vanished from the room.
Iruka (in awe): "He just vanished! Mizuki, do you think we'll be able to do that someday?"
Mizuki: "Yeah. That was the Body Flicker Technique… Pretty basic once you master it."
Mizuki (thinking): "Maybe I should ask him to teach me that—it could be a great starting point."
Out in the training field, the Chunin had them run laps, do pushups, sit-ups, and other basic drills. It was grueling. Only in the last twenty minutes did they begin learning how to throw a proper punch.
By the time lunch rolled around, Mizuki felt like his limbs would fall off.
Still, he approached the instructor as the class ended.
Mizuki: "Excuse me, sensei… Could you teach me the Body Flicker Technique?"
Hyuga Chunin (shaking his head): "The basics are easy to describe, but hard to master without precise chakra control. You won't be learning it here anytime soon. This class won't move to advanced techniques for a few more weeks."
Disappointed but not discouraged, Mizuki made his way to the cafeteria. After grabbing his lunch tray—just a bowl of rice with a few strips of beef—he sat down, lost in thought.
Iruka (sitting beside him): "Man, taijutsu was exhausting, huh?"
Mizuki (chuckling): "Yeah…"
Despite the fatigue, Mizuki realized he hadn't learned much. If this keeps up, I'll fall behind. I need to push myself harder outside of class.
His stomach growled, prompting a short laugh before he dove into his food.
After lunch, it was time for ninjutsu class. Unfortunately, it wasn't much better. The instructor spent the entire session reviewing hand seals. Mizuki, however, took the opportunity to memorize and subtly practice them beneath his desk.
Mizuki (thinking): "My chakra levels feel slightly above average. I'll lay low for now. No need to stand out yet. I'll aim to score higher than civilian kids but stay just below the clan heirs. That way, I'll fly under the radar until I'm ready."
When the final bell rang, Mizuki bolted out the door, eager to start real training.
He found a vendor and bought chakra paper, a short sword, a dozen shuriken, and a few kunai. The price stung, but it was a necessary sacrifice.
Back home, Mizuki locked the door behind him and held the chakra paper in his hands, bracing himself.
As his chakra flowed through it, the left side of the paper crumbled into dust—Earth. The right half ignited in a small flame—Fire.
Mizuki (frowning): "Tch… Earth and Fire? Not exactly ideal. None of the main characters rely on these…"
Still, he reasoned, Earth was excellent for defense. Fire could buy time. Not flashy, but practical.
Sighing, he sat down with a textbook and began drilling hand seals over and over until the sequences embedded themselves into his muscle memory.
Rat – Ox – Tiger – Hare – Dragon – Snake – Horse – Ram – Monkey – Bird – Dog – Boar
Each repetition brought him one step closer to mastery.
Mizuki (determined): "I won't stay in this basic class for long. I'll train harder, smarter. If no one else pushes me forward… I'll do it myself."