The days passed slowly for Oliver as he continued his training at the academy. Though he was one of the top students, the idea of staying another year at the academy seemed almost unbearable. He had already learned everything he could from the teachings there, and now, his goal was clear: graduation. He wanted to join the ranks of the elite and step into the real world of missions, danger, and teamwork.
It wasn't just the Hokage and the ANBU keeping an eye on him. The villagers were starting to warm up to Oliver as well. His quiet demeanor, combined with his impressive skill set, had earned him some respect. And over the past year, he had made a new set of friends—friends who had become part of his daily life.
Sakura, Sasuke, and Ino
The friendship had started out slowly. Initially, Oliver had kept his distance from the other academy students. His past experiences had made him cautious, always wary of others and their intentions. But that changed when he was paired with Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Ino Yamanaka during a series of group exercises.
It was a typical day in the academy's training yard. The sun was high, and the air buzzed with the sound of students practicing jutsu and sparring. Oliver stood in front of his three new teammates, adjusting the grip on his longbow.
Sakura was the first to speak up, her voice polite but curious. "You're really good with that bow, Oliver. Are you sure you're not planning to be a ninja specializing in archery?"
Oliver chuckled. "I've thought about it, but I think there's more to being a ninja than just using weapons. I'm focused on growing as an all-around fighter."
Sasuke, standing off to the side with his usual aloof demeanor, nodded in agreement, though his eyes remained cold and calculating. "I'm sure the Hokage would be more than happy to assign you a role. You've got the skills."
Ino, ever enthusiastic, grinned at Oliver, her hands on her hips. "I think you're pretty cool, Oliver! I know a lot of people were skeptical about you at first, but you've earned their respect. And I've heard you've made some impressive progress with your jutsu. Maybe we can all work together more often."
Oliver felt a warmth spread through him at her words. It wasn't often that people genuinely reached out to him, especially with the history he carried. But Ino's openness was something he could appreciate, and it made the bond between them feel real.
Over the following weeks, the four of them trained together. Oliver became close friends with Sakura, Sasuke, and Ino, sharing stories and learning from each other. They weren't just classmates anymore; they were starting to form a bond, a bond that would be crucial in the future.
Kiba and the Konoha 9
Soon, their small group began to expand. Oliver found himself included in a broader circle of friends: Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Kiba's partner, Akamaru.
The group's dynamics were interesting to observe. Kiba was as boisterous as ever, always cracking jokes and challenging Oliver to spar. Though his fighting style was wild and impulsive, Kiba's confidence was contagious, and Oliver found himself respecting the other boy's enthusiasm for battle.
Hinata, though shy, had a quiet strength about her. The way she carried herself and spoke with kindness gave Oliver a new sense of respect for her. As they trained, Oliver realized just how powerful her Byakugan was, and he admired her calm demeanor in the face of challenges.
Shikamaru, Choji, and even Neji Hyuga, who often trained with them, became part of the evolving group as well. The group jokingly started calling themselves the Konoha 9, an unofficial name that symbolized their shared experiences and growing camaraderie.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. There were moments when Oliver felt like an outsider, still struggling to fit into the culture of the village. He wasn't quite like the others, and there were still moments when he missed the familiarity of his old life.
The Will of Fire
As the academy progressed, the teachers continued to emphasize the Will of Fire, a philosophy that symbolized Konoha's core values of loyalty, love for one's comrades, and the duty to protect the village. It was something ingrained in every ninja—something they were taught from day one.
Oliver respected the Will of Fire on the surface. He understood the importance of protecting the village and its people, and he had seen firsthand the dedication that the Hokage and other shinobi had toward their duties. But he knew the truth. He knew the Will of Fire wasn't just a noble ideal—it was a tool for manipulation, designed to keep the villagers in line and force loyalty through guilt and fear.
Having watched the anime of this world in his previous life, Oliver was aware of the political games, the hidden motives behind the Will of Fire. He had seen how it had been used to justify questionable decisions and sacrifices. He had witnessed how many of the villagers, including the Hokage, used the Will of Fire to control others, to make them believe that their loyalty to the village was worth their lives, that their deaths could somehow protect the future.
He didn't disregard the idea entirely—Oliver still respected the principles of protecting loved ones and standing up for what was right. But he wasn't naïve. He knew that the Will of Fire could be twisted, turned into a tool for those in power to maintain control. The village wasn't perfect. The world wasn't perfect.
Oliver had learned that in his previous life, and he carried that knowledge with him now, applying it to the world he found himself in.
Shino and the Truth of Friendship
There was one student in the academy who, despite his quiet nature, always intrigued Oliver—Shino Aburame. The boy was an enigma, rarely speaking and preferring the company of his insects over others. Yet, despite his aloofness, Shino was one of the most competent students in the class. His mastery over the Kikaichū—the bugs that lived in his body—was unlike anything Oliver had ever seen.
Oliver respected Shino in his own way. He could see past the cold exterior, recognizing that the boy had been raised with a different sense of loyalty and duty. Shino's bond with his insects, though odd to some, was a form of respect for life in its own way. While Oliver's relationship with his new friends—his teammates—was one of mutual growth and understanding, he could sense that Shino's bond was more about control. His quietness didn't mean weakness. If anything, it was a form of strength.
One day, during a sparring session, Oliver and Shino found themselves paired up. Shino's insect jutsu was a constant challenge, his bugs crawling through the air and around Oliver's body in a nearly invisible swarm. But Oliver wasn't thrown off. He had trained against enemies who used trickery, and he had developed the ability to maintain his calm even when overwhelmed by distractions.
As the match ended in a draw, Shino looked at him, his eyes impassive but somehow acknowledging. There was no need for words. It was the beginning of a quiet respect between the two. They didn't need to be friends in the traditional sense, but they understood each other's strengths and limitations. That was enough.