CHAPTER 4

c4: Water First

Keisuke Shimizu strode onto the podium, his sharp gaze sweeping across the classroom like a hawk surveying its territory. His presence alone demanded silence. After a pause, he spoke with authority.

"Your opponents today are essentially the peers you'll face in test classes for the next six years. Of course, there may be exceptions due to unique circumstances. I want to highlight that Hatake Kakashi has demonstrated outstanding ability. As expected from the son of Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha. Similarly, Sarutobi Asuma has shown considerable promise he has not brought shame to the name of the Third Hokage."

The flicker of warmth in his eagle-like eyes as they passed over Kakashi and Asuma left Yakumo momentarily stunned.

"This opening speech feels like bootlicking."

But as soon as Shimizu's eyes landed on Yakumo, the warmth vanished, replaced by a frigid severity akin to midwinter. "Several of you have disappointed me. This classroom exam will heavily influence your final grade in the first year."

"Do better next time, or forget about moving on to the second grade."

"Dismissed!"

Keisuke Shimizu exited the classroom with the same cold intensity, leaving behind a slowly lifting pressure. The other students swarmed around Kakashi as he coolly exited. A prodigy in every sense, his stoic demeanor and razor-sharp skills earned admiration and envy alike.

But they would eventually realize Hatake Kakashi is a solitary star. Untouchable. His path was forged in the shadow of the White Fang's legacy and tragedy. The future Jonin Commander's fate was already tightly knotted with Konoha's darkest burdens and the cruel symmetry of a five-five destiny.

"Let's go," Yakumo muttered to his ever-loyal companion, Mori Masako.

Honestly, who doesn't have a fangirl?

On the way home, Yakumo retraced the events of the day. The homeroom teacher's praise wasn't arbitrary he invoked names of towering legacy. First, the White Fang, whose actions in the Second Shinobi War nearly turned the tide single-handedly. Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi the Professor leader of the elite and mentor of the Sannin. Even ninja from other clans were already gravitating toward Kakashi.

Hatake Sakumo's battlefield exploits had been the bane of every enemy nation. His sword said to cut through a thousand enemies became legend. And now, his son surpassed him in raw potential.

But men with such brilliance tread a path with only two endings ascend beyond the reach of mortals, or perish beneath the schemes of lesser men.

Yakumo sighed in relief. That wasn't his fate. He had no such light, no such weight. A weakling like him, unnoticed and untouchable, wouldn't be drawn into the storm.

"You want to train again today?" Mori Masako asked hopefully as they reached his doorstep.

"Next time, definitely."

He stepped inside, pushing the door with practiced calm. Yet his expression shifted subtly sharp, cautious, then settled again, composed.

Someone had been here.

No matter how well the intruder cleaned up, there were clues. He opened a drawer his savings, over two million ryo in pension funds, remained untouched. That meant the break-in wasn't about money.

That morning, he had met Uzumaki Kushina Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Now, by noon, his home had been inspected. How much interest did Konoha's upper brass place in the person who even casually interacted with a living weapon?

Of course, those who controlled the tailed beasts feared them being manipulated. Any proximity to the Jinchūriki raised red flags.

Yakumo looked around and hoped his ploy had worked. Hopefully, the performance and his exaggerated praise of Sarutobi Hiruzen a rainbow of flattery, with a touch of subtext was enough to deflect attention from him.

He casually tossed his academy-issued scroll bag onto the table. With practiced hands, Yakumo began preparing dinner. After thirty minutes, the kitchen was filled with the savory scent of freshly cooked curry chicken simple fare, but hearty for a young genin hopeful.

After eating, Yakumo made his way to the Konoha General Hospital's disused rear courtyard a place he discovered was rarely frequented after hours. There, he opened a well-worn training scroll containing elementary Water Release techniques. Following the notes left by his late father, he formed hand seals Tiger, Snake, Ram channeled chakra through his tenketsu, and attempted to release it via the Water Release: Water Bullet Technique (Suiton: Mizu Dangan no Jutsu).

One after another, the chakra spheres fizzled mid-formation, splattering against his palms. Frustratingly, the water bullets collapsed before launching. It became painfully clear that controlling chakra and shaping elemental release was far more difficult than theoretical lessons suggested.

Two hours passed. His chakra was fully depleted. Yakumo reheated the remaining curry over rice and ate silently, replenishing his physical energy. By lamplight, he drafted a written analysis of his chakra flow, seal transitions, and elemental conversion timing. His notes were clumsy, but improving.

After two hours, he submitted the report via the student learning log a routine required by Academy instructors to track independent study.

A slight increase in mental clarity followed. His intelligence stat had ticked upward. From this came fresh insights into the chakra control behind Water Release techniques. His body, already trained in basic refinement, now began subtly restoring chakra on its own a passive trait observed in higher-ranked shinobi.

Under the quiet moonlight, Yakumo returned to the courtyard. He resumed practicing the Water Bullet Technique. This time, he could condense a compact sphere the size of a fist. Yet, the problem persisted he lacked the propulsion to fire it outward.

"Chakra explosion to create thrust..."

Suddenly, it clicked.

He attempted again but the chakra burst backfired. The water sphere detonated in his hands, soaking him completely.

"Well, as they say, failure is the mother of success."

"Again!"

Seal. Focus. Mold chakra. Form water.

Each time, the ball burst prematurely. After dozens of tries, Yakumo collapsed on the wooden steps by the hospital's rear entrance. His drenched form lay there like a shinobi defeated by an unseen force part slapstick comedy, part tragic ambition.

"Even the relatives of the Six Paths Sage would disown me at this point..."

Half an hour passed. His body reaccumulated a small pool of chakra, the result of persistent refinement.

Seal. Channel. Condense.

Inject chakra. Ignite thrust.

SWOOSH.

The water bullet shot forward like a kunai, hitting the training post squarely. Water splashed in all directions.

Yakumo's eyes lit up—success.

Ding!

"Personal Skill Unlocked."

Active: Water Bullet – Level 1/100

Trait Gained: 'Acceleration'

Startled, Yakumo stared at the newly appeared system panel. Could this unique ability his "golden finger" actually accelerate ninjutsu learning?

Heart racing, he gave it a try.

"Accelerate."

〖Acceleration successful. 100 gold deducted.〗

A flood of data surged through his mind detailed memories of every failed and successful attempt. Techniques, corrections, instincts all compiled.

He could see himself practicing thousands of times, refining the Water Bullet into a seamless cast.

Although the memories were illusions, the neural mapping was real. Even with slow actual casting, his proficiency climbed rapidly.

Water Bullet: Level 10/100

One acceleration had yielded nine levels of mastery.

Holding back his excitement, Yakumo resisted launching another test. Instead, while rinsing off the training residue, he used his remaining gold coins to upgrade his Chakra Refinement skill.

The result: a noticeable surge in his internal chakra reserves.

Failures didn't seem so terrible now. Many civilian-born academy students were still struggling with their first technique. Their stories of repeated effort were not failures they were the norm.

—

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office, the lights still burned brightly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, worked deep into the night. His joints ached years had crept upon him. He flexed his wrist, shaking off the fatigue.

Among the towering stack of mission files was a thin report marked Yakumo Kurama.

The contents were routine: orphaned during the Second Great Ninja War. Grandparents were among the earliest settlers of Konoha. Zero foreign travel. Morning run routes confirmed. Encounter with Uzumaki Kushina classified as accidental her presence was under ANBU watch due to her status as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

The overall evaluation:

Combat ability – minimal

Ninjutsu aptitude – low

Awareness – below average

Yet…

"This child's devotion to the Will of Fire is rare among his generation," Hiruzen murmured. "His writings… they hold reverence for this village. And for me. A good heart, but alas… no flame."

With a wistful sigh, the Hokage sealed the document in a confidential envelope.

He would no longer monitor the boy.

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