Chapter 16

The brutal intensity of the first day, designed perhaps by Chiyo Tamura to shock the naive aspirations out of her new charges, mercifully eased into a more structured, if still demanding, routine.

The rhythm of the Academy settled upon Ryuu.

Early mornings involving basic physical conditioning under the crisp autumn sky, theoretical lessons in stuffy classrooms covering Konoha's history and rudimentary shinobi ethics, practical afternoon sessions focusing on the absolute fundamentals.

Physical conditioning remained rigorous.

Endless laps around the training yard, push-ups until his small arms screamed, flexibility drills that felt designed to tear muscles rather than stretch them. Ryuu, driven by the gnawing fear of inadequacy, pushed himself relentlessly, his wiry frame slowly gaining endurance, though he remained visibly less robust than boys like Daichi Akimichi or even the determined civilian, Yori Tanaka. 

Kasumi supplemented this at home with her own drills focusing on balance, silent movement, and breath control, ensuring his foundation was solid, if unconventional.

Of course his training was more uncomfortable due to the cover of clothes covering his tiny frame, shielding him from the deadly sun.

Taijutsu spars were a particular source of frustration. Ryuu possessed decent speed for his age, honed by Kasumi's evasion drills, and his analytical mind could often predict an opponent's initial movement. 

However, knowing what someone might do and knowing how to effectively counter it with a five-year-old's limited reach and strength were entirely different matters. He lacked practical fighting experience, the ingrained instincts forged in real combat or even rough childhood play.

His spars often involved dodging frantically, using his speed to create distance, and looking for openings for a quick, precise (but ultimately weak) jab or trip. Against stronger, more aggressive opponents like Daichi or even the scrappy orphan Kaito, he usually ended up overwhelmed by sheer force or relentless attack. 

Against technically proficient opponents like Asami Hyuga, her basic Gentle Fist stances easily deflected his clumsy attempts at offense, her precise movements highlighting his own lack of formal training.

He fared better against less physically imposing or less focused opponents, sometimes winning through clever footwork, luring them off balance, or exploiting predictable patterns. 

But Tamura-sensei's sharp eyes missed nothing.

"Yuki!" she barked one afternoon after a spar where Ryuu had cleverly tripped an opponent but failed to follow up effectively. "Speed without impact is useless! Evasion without counter is just delaying the inevitable! You anticipate well, but you hesitate at the crucial moment. A shinobi cannot afford hesitation! Strike decisively or get out of the way entirely!"

He accepted the critique silently, mentally cataloging it. 

Hesitation. 

Fear of commitment in the attack. 

Fear of taking damage. Logical, given his past life and current vulnerability, but liabilities here. He needed to overcome that mental block, to translate analysis into effective physical action, even with his current limitations.

Classroom lessons were where Ryuu truly excelled, albeit quietly. Konoha history, as taught, was a fascinating exercise in propaganda – tales of heroic Hokage, the righteous Will of Fire, sanitized accounts of past wars that glossed over morally ambiguous actions or conveniently omitted certain details (like the nuances of the conflict with Uzushio). 

Ryuu absorbed it all, comparing it to his fragmented future knowledge, noting the discrepancies, understanding the narrative the village presented to its future soldiers.

Lessons on shinobi rules, village structure, basic mission protocols, and rudimentary politics were more useful, providing concrete data about the system he needed to navigate.

Mathematics, surprisingly complex for an elementary curriculum, involved trajectory calculations for projectiles, basic logistics, and code-breaking principles – practical skills disguised as academics. 

Ryuu, with his adult grasp of logic and numbers, found these relatively easy, often finishing assignments quickly and using the spare time to covertly practice minute chakra control under his desk.

He also devoured any texts available in the small Academy library – basic sealing theory, introductions to elemental natures (though practical application wasn't taught yet), scrolls on famous shinobi battles (again, heavily biased versions). Information was power, and he hoarded every scrap.

Socially, Ryuu remained an enigma. His albinism and quiet nature set him apart. While overt hostility was rare (likely discouraged by instructors and the general post-Kyuubi focus on village unity), a subtle undercurrent of curiosity and 'otherness' always surrounded him. 

Most students stuck to their clan groups or formed cliques based on shared interests or personalities.

Ryuu navigated this landscape cautiously. He maintained a polite, quiet neutrality. He occasionally partnered with Sora Ishikawa, during tracking exercises, their shared focus on observation creating a functional, if silent, synergy. He sometimes exchanged brief, practical information with Yori Tanaka about assignments, respecting the civilian boy's straightforward diligence. 

Daichi Akimichi still occasionally offered him snacks with booming friendliness, which Ryuu accepted politely but didn't reciprocate socially, leaving Daichi slightly confused but generally well-meaning.

His most consistent, albeit still cautious, interaction was with Kenjiro Uchiha. The messy-haired Uchiha seemed deliberately detached from the main clan contingent in their class, often choosing to sit near Ryuu or observe the same training exercises. Their conversations remained brief, observational, almost like two analysts comparing notes without revealing their full methodology.

"Nara-san is do diligent in class, but he doesn't want to train at all," Kenjiro might comment dryly, nodding towards Ren who was indeed dozing peacefully during shuriken practice.

"He conserves energy effectively," Ryuu would reply neutrally.

"Hm. Wonder if he conserves it too effectively," Kenjiro mused, flicking a shuriken with pinpoint accuracy towards the target. "Waste of potential, maybe." He'd glance at Ryuu. "Unlike some others who seem to have potential they're deliberately not wasting... or maybe just hiding."

Ryuu ignored the subtle probe, focusing on his own throw, deliberately making it competent but not exceptional. "Focus is important," he'd state simply.

Kenjiro would just offer that small smirk and return to his practice. 

He never pushed too hard, never asked direct questions about Ryuu's past or abilities, but the undercurrent of intelligent curiosity was always there. Ryuu found him intriguing – an Uchiha seemingly capable of independent thought, questioning the status quo. He was a valuable potential source of information, perhaps even a future ally, but the Uchiha name itself screamed danger. Ryuu maintained his guard.

As the months wore on, Ryuu's routine solidified. Academy from morning till mid-afternoon, followed by intense private training with Kasumi – chakra control, sensory drills, survival techniques, basic Kenjutsu practice with the stick, and now, the painstaking attempts at forming tiny ice senbon. He then spent evenings reviewing Academy materials, practicing calligraphy (necessary for seals and reports), and mentally strategizing, trying to reconcile his future knowledge with the unfolding reality.

He started occasionally joining small, informal after-Academy gatherings, always with Kasumi's explicit permission and strict instructions. 

Usually, it involved quieter activities – perhaps reviewing notes with Sora Ishikawa near the library, or watching Daichi Akimichi and Yori Tanaka engage in friendly strength competitions in a park. He avoided the rowdier groups or clan-centric gatherings. He needed to appear somewhat integrated, not completely isolated, but forming deep bonds felt like a dangerous liability.

One late afternoon, Kenjiro approached him as he was packing his things to leave the training grounds.

"Hey, Yuki," Kenjiro said, hooking his thumbs into his pockets casually. "Heading home?"

Ryuu nodded.

"Mind if I walk with you for a bit? My route goes past that newer sector where you live," Kenjiro offered. It wasn't phrased quite like a question.

Ryuu hesitated for only a second. Refusing would be more suspicious than accepting. "Alright, Uchiha-san."

"Just Kenjiro is fine," he replied, falling into step beside Ryuu as they left the Academy grounds. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, a rare occurrence for Ryuu with anyone other than Kasumi. Kenjiro didn't pry, didn't ask personal questions, simply observed the bustling streets as evening settled over Konoha.

"You're getting better at the Taijutsu drills," Kenjiro commented eventually, glancing sideways. "Faster evasions."

"Still lacking effective counters," Ryuu replied honestly. It was an obvious weakness.

"True," Kenjiro agreed easily. "Different styles clash differently. Hyuga precision beats brute force sometimes. Akimichi weight beats speed if they connect. Uchiha style..." he smirked faintly, "...focuses on ending it before it becomes a wrestling match. Intercepting Fist, they call it. Predict, counter, finish."

Ryuu filed that away. Practical insight into Uchiha doctrine, offered freely. Interesting.

As they neared the sector where Ryuu lived, Kenjiro slowed his pace. "Actually," he said, rubbing the back of his neck slightly awkwardly, "I was heading to my cousin's place nearby first. Forgot I needed to drop something off. You... uh... wanna come along for a minute? It's right there." He gestured towards a slightly larger, well-maintained house typical of mid-ranking shinobi families, though lacking the overt grandeur of the main Uchiha compound further into the district.

Ryuu paused, instantly wary. An invitation into an Uchiha household? Why? Was this a test? An attempt to gather more information? His instinct screamed caution.

But refusing might also seem suspicious, overly defensive. Kenjiro seemed genuine, if slightly awkward. A brief visit couldn't hurt, could it? And it might offer valuable insight.

"Okay," Ryuu agreed slowly. "But I cannot stay long. Kaa-san expects me."

Kenjiro nodded, seemingly relieved. "Sure, just a minute."

He led Ryuu towards the house. As they approached the gate, two figures emerged, seemingly engaged in a quiet but intense conversation. Ryuu froze mid-step, his breath catching.

One was instantly recognizable, even younger than Ryuu remembered seeing him in Academy records – Itachi Uchiha. Perhaps seven years old, but already carrying an aura of profound seriousness and prodigious talent. His dark eyes were focused, intelligent beyond his years.

The other figure was older, maybe ten or eleven, with the same dark Uchiha hair, but softer features than Itachi's, and eyes that held a surprising warmth and gentleness despite the clear Uchiha confidence. 

He wore a standard Konoha shinobi outfit with the Uchiha crest. Ryuu's mind flashed through known Uchiha figures. This had to be Shisui Uchiha. Shisui of the Body Flicker, known for his incredible speed and powerful Genjutsu, Itachi's closest friend and mentor.

"Kenjiro?" Shisui broke off his conversation with Itachi, turning towards them with a friendly smile. "Heading home?"

"Ah, Shisui-nii, Itachi-san," Kenjiro greeted them respectfully, though with less formality than some Uchiha might show towards these two prodigies. "Just dropping something off. This is Yuki Ryuu, from my class at the Academy."

Shisui's warm gaze fell upon Ryuu. Ryuu felt an instinctive urge to shrink back, acutely aware of his own unusual appearance under the scrutiny of such renowned Uchiha. 

Shisui's eyes widened almost imperceptibly for a fraction of a second as he took in the white hair and startling red eyes, but his friendly smile didn't waver. "Yuki? It's rare to meet your clan in Konoha. Welcome," Shisui said genuinely. His chakra felt warm, bright, startlingly powerful but without any malice.

Itachi remained silent, his dark, unnervingly perceptive eyes examining Ryuu with quiet intensity. Ryuu felt like a specimen under a microscope. He knew Itachi's prodigious intellect, the sheer depth of his chakra potential even at this young age. It was unsettling.

"Thank you, Uchiha-san," Ryuu murmured politely, bowing his head slightly, avoiding direct eye contact with either prodigy.

"Just Shisui is fine," Shisui chuckled lightly. He glanced back at Kenjiro. "Your cousin?"

Kenjiro nodded. "Shisui-nii lives nearby." So they were cousins. That explained Kenjiro's slightly more relaxed attitude, his direct connection was to the famously kind Shisui, not necessarily the stricter main family lines.

"Well, don't let us keep you," Shisui said easily. He gave Itachi a nudge. "Come on, Itachi, let's continue our debate about optimal kunai trajectories later."

Itachi gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, his gaze lingering on Ryuu for another moment before he turned and walked away with Shisui, resuming their quiet conversation.

Kenjiro watched them go, then turned back to Ryuu with a shrug. "Prodigies," he muttered, though there was a clear undercurrent of respect in his tone. "Anyway, come on."

He led Ryuu quickly inside the house which seemed comfortable but not overly luxurious, spoke briefly with someone Ryuu didn't see, presumably dropped off whatever item he needed to, and emerged moments later.

"Alright, done," Kenjiro said as they walked back towards the main path. "Thanks for waiting."

"It was no trouble," Ryuu replied automatically, his mind still processing the encounter. 

"Shisui-san seems... nice," Ryuu commented cautiously as they walked.

Kenjiro snorted softly. "He is. Too nice sometimes, maybe. Thinks the best of everyone. Itachi... Itachi's different. Scary smart. Doesn't miss anything." He glanced at Ryuu again. "You felt it too, right? That look he gave you?"

Ryuu simply nodded. There was no point denying Itachi's unnerving perceptiveness.

"Yeah," Kenjiro sighed. "Comes with the territory, I guess." He stopped near the turn-off for Ryuu's sector. "Well, this is me. See you at the Academy, Yuki."

"See you, Kenjiro-san," Ryuu replied, using his given name now as invited.

He watched Kenjiro walk away, then turned towards his own apartment, his mind buzzing. The encounter had been brief, unexpected, but incredibly informative.

He reached his apartment, Kasumi letting him in with a questioning look he ignored.