Academy.(EDITED)

The day had finally come.

I woke up early, my heart calm yet expectant. After getting ready, I made my way out when Shizune arrived to escort me. We walked side by side through the streets of Konoha until we reached the Academy gates.

"This is it," she said with a smile. "Enjoy yourself today."

I nodded and smiled back. "You too."

She waved goodbye and ran off to her own classroom. I took a deep breath and stepped through the gates. It was the first time I was truly outside the Senju compound as a student of the world.

A crowd of children was already gathered near the Academy's training ground. We were waiting for the arrival of the Hokage, who would be giving us the traditional welcome speech. I scanned the crowd.

As expected, most of the kids hadn't even unlocked their chakra yet. Their signatures were faint—some barely noticeable. But then I felt it: a chakra signature stronger than the rest.

Kakashi Hatake.

I could sense it clearly—his chakra was already at mid-chūnin level. That meant I could compare him to the chūnin instructor standing on the stage. He was likely going to be our homeroom teacher, given his posture and the forehead protector tucked under his vest.

With that reference point, I could now assess others more clearly. Shizune, as I'd already known, was at a high chūnin level. Her medical ninjutsu training under Tsunade was no joke.

And as for me?

My chakra level had already crossed into low jōnin territory.

Training nonstop since I was a toddler, exhausting and restoring my chakra while practicing elemental manipulation, had dramatically increased my reserves. Being a Senju with naturally high vitality only amplified the effect.

I continued scanning the crowd. A few faces stood out—ones I recognized from the main timeline:

Asuma Sarutobi

Kurenai Yūhi

Kakashi Hatake

Obito Uchiha

Rin Nohara

Might Guy

Anko Mitarashi

These were the names that would shape Konoha's future. The rest? Likely background shinobi who'd serve their purpose quietly or fall in some unnamed mission.

Then came the man of the hour—Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

He scanned the crowd with a practiced gaze. His eyes paused for a moment on Kakashi... and then on me. Just a flicker, but I caught it. That calculating look. The look of a man who measured talent in chakra alone.

He didn't understand effort—not truly. If he did, Guy would've already had a place in the limelight.

He began his speech.

Something about the Will of Fire, the importance of unity, and how the village comes before everything else. The usual indoctrination.

But I wasn't buying it. I'd made my decision the moment I reincarnated here.

If anyone stands in my path to becoming the strongest… they will fall. Mercy is earned. And trust? Even more so.

That doesn't mean I'll be ruthless to everyone—I'm no mindless tyrant. But I observe. I analyze. And I decide who's worth a second chance.

The speech finally ended—thankfully—and we were divided into classes. To no one's surprise, all the main characters I'd identified earlier ended up in the same class as me.

That's when it hit me. There was no Ino-Shika-Chō trio this generation. Shikaku and the others had already graduated. Their children—Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji—weren't even born yet.

We were led into the classroom by our instructor—the same chūnin from before. Once everyone settled, he had us stand up and introduce ourselves one by one.

Guy: "Hi! I'm Might Guy! Let the power of youth explode!"

A few students snickered at his enthusiasm, mocking his green jumpsuit and bowl haircut. Fools.

Kakashi: "Kakashi Hatake."

The classroom quieted. Everyone knew about the White Fang's suicide. Even now, the name brought whispers and pity.

Asuma: "Asuma Sarutobi."

There were respectful murmurs. Being the Hokage's son came with a certain weight.

Kurenai

A quiet introduction. No major reaction.

Anko

Just a name for now. No one connected her to Orochimaru yet.

Obito

Some Uchiha pride flashed in the crowd, but no loud reaction.

Rin

Sweet and polite. She earned a few warm smiles.

Then it was my turn.

"Ren Senju."

The room froze for a moment. Eyes widened. Even the instructor tilted his head in disbelief.

Only the students from major clans kept their reactions hidden—but even they were clearly intrigued. As far as the village knew, Tsunade was the last of the Senju clan.

And now, suddenly, Ren Senju stood among them.

A mystery wrapped in silence.

Author's Note:

Ren's Academy life has officially begun! Next chapter, we dive into classroom dynamics, the first lessons, and some sparring. Let me know if you want more character interactions (Obito rivalry? Kakashi curiosity? Guy friendship?) or specific scenes (first ninjutsu lesson, physical test, etc.).