Chapter 5: The Path Begins

Got it! I'll tweak the interactions with Tsun

"The weight of a name is not in its sound, but in the echoes it leaves behind."

The morning sun bathed Konoha in golden hues, its warmth stretching over the rooftops and winding streets. The village was alive with energy, but the anticipation in the air was heavier than usual. Today was the official start of the Ninja Academy, a step toward the future for many—one that I had been prepared for long before this moment.

As I walked toward the academy gates, the world around me slowed. The whispers started before I even stepped inside.

"Who is that?"

"He looks kind of like a Hyūga… but different."

"No way, his chakra feels weird. Maybe he's part Senju?"

"Or Uzumaki? He was raised by Mito-sama, right?"

I ignored them. These kinds of misunderstandings were expected. My sheer chakra reserves made the Hyūga mistake me for a Half-Senju, and my ties to Mito confused others into thinking I was Uzumaki. Neither assumption was true, but I had no intention of correcting them. The truth belonged to me and those I trusted.

I stepped into the classroom, my Byakugan registering everything in an instant—the layout, the students, the shifting chakra around me. The scent of ink and polished wood lingered in the air, mingling with the nervous energy of my future classmates.

A white-haired boy waved dramatically from one of the desks.

"Ryūsei! Over here!"

I sighed. Jiraiya. He was always loud, always carefree, and always dramatic. I made my way toward him, taking the seat he saved next to him. Across from us sat Orochimaru, his golden eyes half-lidded, his presence quiet yet sharp.

"Man, I can't believe we're finally here," Jiraiya grinned. "Imagine all the crazy jutsu we're gonna learn!"

I smirked slightly. "If you can stay awake through class, that is."

"Hey! I'll have you know—"

"You're going to sleep through half of it, Jiraiya."

A new voice cut in, and a figure dropped into the seat in front of us with effortless confidence.

Tsunade.

Her golden hair was tied into short twin ponytails, sharp amber eyes scanning the room before settling on me. Unlike the others, she didn't hesitate or second-guess herself.

"Figured you'd be here early, Ryūsei," she said, leaning back slightly.

I shrugged. "Unlike you, I don't need last-minute preparation."

She scoffed. "Bold talk for someone who nearly got flattened during our last sparring match."

"That only happened once."

"And that's all it takes to prove my point," she shot back, smirking.

Jiraiya groaned. "Ugh, do you two ever stop arguing?"

"We're not arguing," we said at the same time.

Orochimaru chuckled, amused by the exchange. "It's more like friendly competition. Though I suppose that's what happens when two people refuse to lose."

Tsunade smirked, but before she could reply, my gaze flickered to the classroom entrance.

A new presence entered.

A Hyūga boy.

Hideo.

The moment he sat down, I felt it. A flicker of chakra.

He activated his Byakugan.

It lasted only a second, but it was enough. His face barely changed, but his breath hitched ever so slightly.

Then, his gaze met mine.

He froze.

I tilted my head slightly. "See something interesting?" My voice was calm, yet teasing.

He hesitated before muttering just loud enough for me to hear, "Your chakra… it's…"

He stopped himself. A moment later, he turned away, his expression carefully neutral.

So, he noticed.

He wouldn't understand what he saw—my chakra was unlike anything in this world. He would try to rationalize it, to fit it within the limits of his knowledge. But there was no place for my existence in the framework of this world.

Orochimaru's smooth voice broke the silence. "Making friends already?" His lips curled in something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Something like that," I replied.

Before we could continue, the door slid open one last time, and a man entered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The room fell silent as he strode to the front of the class. He was younger than the Third Hokage the world would later remember, but his presence was undeniable.

"Welcome," he began, his voice steady. "Today marks the beginning of your journey as shinobi of Konoha. Some of you come from long-standing clans. Others are from civilian families, taking your first steps into a world unknown to you. Regardless of your backgrounds, from this moment on, you are equals in the path of the ninja."

His gaze swept over the room, pausing briefly on a few students. When his eyes met mine, I noted a flicker of recognition—but he moved on without reaction.

"To begin," Hiruzen continued, "we will introduce ourselves. State your name, your likes, dislikes, and your goal as a shinobi."

One by one, the students stood up. Some were excited, others nervous.

Jiraiya was as dramatic as expected. "I'm Jiraiya of the great and future legendary Sannin! I like pretty girls, good food, and strong jutsu! I hate boring lectures, and my dream is to become the strongest shinobi ever—and maybe get a cute girlfriend too!"

Some students laughed, others groaned.

Tsunade's turn. She stood up, arms crossed. "I'm Tsunade. I like gambling, but only when I win. I hate losing. My goal is to surpass my grandfather and prove that I don't need anyone to protect me."

Her confidence was sharp, unshakable.

Then, it was my turn.

I stood slowly, my pale white skin contrasting against the dark classroom. My eyes—high-purity Byakugan with a golden touch, a trait no one else possessed—swept over the room, taking in every expression. My blueish-white hair fell neatly around my shoulders, and I wore a crisp white shirt adorned with a nine-black magatama pattern on the collar, a subtle yet unmistakable mark of something beyond this world.

For a moment, the class was silent.

Then, I spoke.

"I am Ōtsutsuki Ryūsei." My voice was calm, steady. "I like what I like. I hate what I hate." My gaze flickered toward Hideo for half a second before returning forward. "My dream? To become a shinobi strong enough to carve my own path."

No boasting. No unnecessary details. Just the truth.

A weight settled in the room. Even those who didn't understand why felt it—an echo of something beyond the norm.

Hideo's eyes darkened slightly, but he said nothing.

Orochimaru's lips curled in mild amusement.

Tsunade leaned back, watching me with mild intrigue. "Classic Ryūsei."

Jiraiya grinned. "Man, you're always so mysterious!"

I smirked slightly and sat back down.

Hiruzen studied me for a fraction of a second longer than the others before nodding. "Well said."

And with that, the introductions continued.

This was only the beginning.

The echoes of my name were just starting to take shape.

End of Chapter 5