Naruto: Power through Bonds

The next morning, the students gathered at the academy, and the final exams began promptly.

Life at the Ninja Academy wasn't easy. Even for first-year students, the schedule was packed. Every day included two physical training sessions, weekly ninja tool-throwing drills, and basic chakra refinement. On top of that, there were four hours of cultural studies—enough to make even the most diligent student feel the pressure.

The cultural curriculum itself was a strange mix: physics, chemistry, toxins, and the histories and geographies of various nations all jumbled together. For someone accustomed to a regular elementary school curriculum in another life, this would've been a trial by fire.

Shimura Denji let out a sigh as he looked at the numbers and symbols on the test in front of him. Then he began working through the questions.

Question: A ninja is stationed 30 meters southeast. The wind speed is 10 meters per second blowing north to south. Draw a trajectory and describe the force needed to throw a projectile accurately.

Answer: Tie an explosive tag to the projectile and throw it. If it doesn't go off, I lose.

Question: An assassination target is guarded by three ninjas (as shown in the diagram). Plan a route to successfully eliminate the target and escape.

Answer: Use the Flying Thunder God Technique to eliminate the guards, then eliminate the target, and return the same way.

Question: List three contributions the Third Hokage made to Konoha.

Answer: 1. Prohibited opening casinos in the village. 2. None. 3. None.

Question: Write an essay expressing your feelings for the village.

Answer: "My Grandpa is an elder of Konohagakure and Hokage's assistant."

…

Within an hour, Denji completed the entire exam. He didn't hand in his paper early, choosing instead to wait until the allotted time ran out before submitting it along with his classmates. Afterward, just as he was about to leave with Izumi to find some lunch, their instructor, Kazama Shuichi, stopped him.

"Denji-kun," Kazama Shuichi said warmly. "This afternoon we'll have the shuriken-throwing test, and the Third Hokage himself will be watching. I'd like you to show your true skills this time, not just your financial… resources."

"In other words, do not use explosive tags today, please," Shuichi added with a nervous smile.

Ever since Denji had started showing off his explosive-tag-laden shuriken, every class session had become a spectacle of targets being obliterated in showers of debris. Shuichi had no authority to stop him, but today's circumstances were different. If Denji pulled that stunt again in front of the Hokage, it would reflect poorly on him as the instructor.

"I won't use the explosive tags," Denji said cheerfully, "as long as you agree to one small request."

…

In the afternoon, the first-year students gathered at the training field. They hadn't been waiting long when Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing his Hokage robes and hat, arrived with his guards. The students burst into excited chatter, many crowding around to get a closer look.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly at the children, waving off his guards. If not for his distinctive robes and hat, he could have been mistaken for a friendly grandfather from the neighborhood.

Denji stayed back, observing the man known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu." Although he'd heard much about Hiruzen from his grandfather, this was the first time he'd seen the Third Hokage in person. Hiruzen was younger than Denji expected, still years away from the start of the series' events. His face had far fewer wrinkles, and he looked like a man not yet burdened by age.

As if sensing his gaze, Hiruzen glanced up from a conversation with a young, chubby student and locked eyes with Denji. After a moment of recognition, the Hokage walked toward him, the crowd of students parting as he approached.

"You're Denji, aren't you?" Hiruzen said with a smile.

"Yes," Denji replied. "Nice to meet you, old monkey."

There was a collective gasp from the surrounding students. Kazama Shuichi froze, his thoughts racing: 'That's it. My career as a teacher is over.'

"Old monkey?" Hiruzen didn't get angry as expected. Instead, he frowned slightly and gave Denji a light thump on the head. "That must be something Danzo taught you. Don't pick up bad habits from him."

Denji felt his confidence falter. The fact that Hiruzen immediately blamed Danzo for his remark left him speechless. If the Third Hokage was determined to attribute every misstep to his grandfather's influence, then earning a proper bond reward would be next to impossible.

Seeing Denji's sullen expression, Hiruzen tousled his hair. "I'll be keeping an eye on your performance today. If you disappoint me, I'll be sure to let your grandfather know."

With that, Hiruzen laughed lightly and continued on to greet the other students. Denji watched him go, feeling somewhat deflated.

When the shuriken-throwing test began, one student after another took turns. When it was Uchiha Itachi's turn, Hiruzen's casual demeanor shifted to one of keen interest. Itachi threw five shuriken simultaneously, all of which struck their targets dead center.

"As expected of the Uchiha," Hiruzen murmured, stroking his beard. "Impressive control even without the Sharingan."

What surprised everyone, including Hiruzen, was that Denji stepped forward and performed the exact same technique—five shuriken, five bullseyes.

"Is that… Uchiha's throwing style?" Itachi said quietly, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his usually calm face. As the clan leader's son, he wasn't aware that Denji had been training under Shisui, who was strictly prohibited by Danzo from revealing their lessons. For now, it remained a mystery to him.

Hiruzen whispered something to a nearby guard, his face neutral once more.

The throwing portion of the test concluded, and Shuichi announced the next segment: taijutsu matches.

"Those whose names I call will come forward and perform the seal of confrontation. After I give the signal, you'll fight. At the end, you must perform the seal of reconciliation, just as we've practiced in class."

Kazama Shuichi read the first pair of names. The two boys stepped into the center of the field and began their match. It was clumsy and awkward, their movements a far cry from a real battle. After a few hits, one boy gave up, clutching his stomach as tears welled up in his eyes.

Shuichi sighed and checked his list. When he read out the next pair of names, his voice held a note of resignation.

"Second group: Shimura Denji, Uchiha Itachi."

A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd.