Chapter 35 – An Early Echo

Year 6 of Konoha's Founding

Kenichi Sato's Age: 10

One Week After the First Successful Test of the Sensory Wave Technique – Mid May

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That day, Kenichi hadn't planned to use the "Sensory Wave" technique.

But a faint current crawled up the back of his neck—a sensation he couldn't explain in words.

He was in the middle of a group training run at the academy, the sun gently piercing the mist between the green trees. The air was warm, carrying a subtle scent.

As he ran, he took a deep breath… focused… and quietly released a thin thread of water chakra into the ground.

Then he felt it—a sudden shift.

A faint vibration on the far left side of the path.

Before his teammate could turn his head, a small wooden ball shot out from the bushes toward him.

Kenichi jumped instantly, pushing the boy to the side. The ball struck his back instead and bounced away.

The boy, Shin, slowly got up and looked at him in shock.

> "How… how did you know?! You saved me!"

Kenichi smiled.

> "I didn't know. I just… felt it."

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Later, in the instructors' room:

Even among the jounin, the atmosphere was thick with a mix of surprise and admiration. It was rare—even unheard of—for a sensory ability to awaken at this age. It seemed like this was the first real sign of one.

> "He reacted before the trap was revealed. Kenichi Sato felt the danger and acted immediately," one of them said, reviewing his notes.

> "If this is true sensory ability, then it's a huge gain for the academy… for the war effort, even," another added with a smile.

> "But no one officially trained him in sensory techniques this year," a third instructor said skeptically.

> "Maybe pressure alone awakened it," the senior instructor nodded. "There's no official record of training."

Instructor Rin then said quietly:

> "Whether it's a gift or not, this child is… different. We can't ignore it. His heart hides capabilities."

> "We won't control him," the head instructor nodded, "but we will guide him. And observe."

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That evening, Dai was waiting for him outside the house.

> "They said you saved your classmate during training!" he said excitedly.

> "I wasn't even planning to use the technique… it just kicked in like my shoe worked on its own," Kenichi replied as he took off his sandals.

Dai sat down and motioned for Kenichi to join him on the ground.

> "Some techniques… they become part of you. They start working before you think—like how your hand moves to protect your sister without hesitation."

> "That's not just ninjutsu anymore. That's a heart learning to train itself."

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That night, Kenichi sat down to review what had happened and wrote in his notebook:

> "I'm not sure I can call this the second stage yet…

Did the technique activate on its own?

Or am I just noticing things before I consciously think about them?

Either way… I need to learn how to stop it if it triggers without my intent.

It's too early to be giving it names."

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The following week, he was summoned for an individual test in a sealed chamber.

The room was dim, lit only by a faint overhead light. In the center were five statues.

From above, a voice said:

> "Your task: Determine which statue will move first. One will activate at random."

Kenichi closed his eyes.

He didn't push the chakra out—he let it spread like vapor.

Seconds passed… and then—an almost imperceptible pulse to the right.

He opened his eyes and pointed immediately.

The right statue tilted ever so slightly… then reset.

The light went out.

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No one asked. No one thanked him.

But something had changed after that test.

The shadow began to be noticed—even in the light.

And before he took a single step… the echo of it could be heard.

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Let me know if you'd like a compiled version with previous chapters or any adjustments in style.