Akashi meticulously considered the best approach to his classmate, Oyashiro. Despite their shared proximity in the classroom, a palpable distance existed between them. Their interactions were limited to the bare necessities of academic exercises. This social barrier was largely of Akashi's own making; he had, by and large, remained an island unto himself amidst the sea of his peers.
After a period of careful deliberation, Akashi concluded that gathering some preliminary intelligence would be prudent before directly engaging Oyashiro.
"Kuroko-sensei," Akashi began, his tone casual yet carrying a deliberate intent, "would you mind if I inquired about one of my classmates?" He reasoned that his Anbu instructor, with his inherent information-gathering skills, would be the most reliable source.
Kuroko raised a questioning eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his gaze. "Hmm, that's… unexpected. An interest in a fellow student, are we?" From his observations, Akashi had shown little inclination towards socializing, earning himself a reputation for being somewhat aloof.
"Yes, Sensei," Akashi affirmed, maintaining a composed demeanor. "I understand that in my future as a shinobi, collaboration with diverse individuals will be essential.
Therefore, I believe now is an opportune time to begin fostering interpersonal skills." This rationale held a significant degree of truth. Akashi's primary reason for his social detachment stemmed from his perception of his classmates as children, a perspective colored by his past life.
"That's a commendable shift in mindset, Akashi," Kuroko acknowledged, a hint of approval in his voice. "Even within the Anbu, teamwork with unfamiliar individuals is not uncommon. Well then, who is this classmate who has piqued your interest?"
"Oyashiro Chinoike. He consistently ranks second in our class." Every time Akashi uttered or heard the name, a nagging sense of familiarity, a faint echo of recognition, resonated within him.
"Ah, yes, Oyashiro," Kuroko mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I believe I've heard of him. He's the grandson of one of the Chinoike clan elders. From what I gather, he possesses considerable skill for his age and demonstrates impressive control over his Dojutsu. The only potentially negative report I've encountered is that he has a rather… carefree disposition, shall we say. But why this sudden, specific interest in him?"
Carefree, is it?
Akashi mused. That didn't necessarily equate to laziness. A carefree nature could also imply a degree of adaptability and a lack of rigid adherence to convention, potentially beneficial traits. "Well, a couple of reasons, actually. Firstly, he is the highest-achieving student in our class after myself. Secondly, I've observed his aptitude for both Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, areas in which I wish to gain more practical experience. Lastly, he seems… slightly more mature than the majority of our classmates."
"Genjutsu?" Kuroko's brow furrowed slightly. "Why would that particular discipline interest you, Akashi? You should be aware that Genjutsu is generally considered quite ineffective against those with strong sensory perception, such as full-blooded Uzumaki. We don't exactly possess a natural talent for it."
Kuroko's assessment was accurate. The unique sensory capabilities of the Kagura Eye allowed Uzumaki clan members to perceive subtle shifts in chakra flow, making them highly resistant to conventional Genjutsu. The introduction of foreign chakra into their chakra pathways would be immediately apparent, breaking the illusion.
However, Akashi's interest in Genjutsu was not aimed at mastering it as a primary combat art. He merely sought a foundational understanding, enough to potentially utilize the unique properties of his future Dojutsu when it finally awakened.
As the thought of his dormant eye surfaced, Akashi couldn't suppress a flicker of anticipation and a restless stirring within. Based on Kami's cryptic pronouncements, the eye would be adapted to the Naruto world's chakra system. This implied that the principles of chakra manipulation would be intrinsically linked to its function. There might even be unforeseen modifications to its abilities based on this new reality.
"I simply wish to grasp the fundamentals of Genjutsu, Sensei," Akashi explained. "As the old saying goes, 'A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.'" He had always found a certain pragmatic wisdom in that Earth proverb.
Kuroko's expression softened slightly, a thoughtful look replacing his initial skepticism. He seemed to ponder Akashi's words, then, to Akashi's surprise, he reached into his pouch and scribbled something down on a small notepad. "Where did you hear that particular saying, Akashi?"
"Not entirely sure, Sensei," Akashi replied smoothly. "I believe I came across it in a book somewhere." He couldn't exactly attribute his knowledge to a past life's cultural lexicon.
- The Next Day – A Tentative Alliance -
The following day, Kuroko attended class as usual, but made a point of intercepting Oyashiro outside the classroom after the final bell. Akashi had requested this arrangement, reasoning that a public solicitation for a training partnership might attract unwanted attention and turn into a clamorous free-for-all.
Akashi watched from a discreet distance as Kuroko spoke briefly with Oyashiro, a neutral expression on the Chinoike boy's face. Once Kuroko had departed, leaving Oyashiro standing alone near the academy gates, Akashi decided it was time to make his move. Alright, looks like he's away from the crowd. Time to seize the opportunity.
"Excuse me, Oyashiro."
Oyashiro turned, a momentary flicker of confusion crossing his features. In class, he interacted amiably enough with his peers, but his conversations tended to be brief. His primary social focus seemed to revolve around a particular Chinoike girl with a gentle demeanor.
Looking back, his confusion morphed into surprise. The voice that had called his name belonged to Akashi Uzumaki, the quietest boy in their class, even more reserved than himself. What could he possibly want? Oyashiro wondered.
"Hey, Akashi," Oyashiro replied, a hint of polite curiosity in his voice. "Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah, actually," Akashi began, maintaining eye contact. "I was wondering if you would be interested in practicing Ninjutsu and Genjutsu with me? I realize this might seem sudden, considering we hardly speak in class."
Oyashiro hesitated, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty evident in his crimson eyes. Then, a fleeting memory surfaced: a recent conversation with his grandfather. The elder Chinoike had explicitly instructed him to treat Akashi with respect and consideration whenever their paths crossed. The reason behind this directive remained unclear, but Oyashiro had noted a certain… reverence in the way some of his clan members spoke of the quiet Uzumaki heir. Still, he couldn't shake his confusion. From his limited observations, Akashi had no shortage of classmates eager to partner with him, particularly a contingent of enthusiastic Uzumaki girls and Chinoike girls.
"Why me, Akashi?" Oyashiro asked, a genuine curiosity in his tone. "From what I've seen, quite a few girls have expressed a desire to train with you."
Ah yes, Akashi was acutely aware of his small, albeit persistent, fan club. However, his personal preferences leaned towards a more mature aesthetic, a lingering influence from his past life. He had done his best to politely discourage their advances without causing undue disappointment, mindful of his future role as their clan leader.
"I chose you, Oyashiro, because of your evident maturity and talent," Akashi explained, his voice direct and sincere. "Furthermore, I am seeking a training partner who can genuinely challenge me and push me to improve."
Oyashiro considered Akashi's proposition more seriously. He had to admit, his own training had plateaued somewhat recently. Perhaps collaborating with the enigmatic Uzumaki prodigy could provide the necessary impetus for growth.
"Alright, Akashi," Oyashiro said, a small smile forming on his lips. "You've got yourself a deal. So, what should we do first?"
"Let's head to the library," Akashi replied, a spark of anticipation in his eyes. "We can start by researching some fundamental Ninjutsu and Genjutsu techniques." A pact, forged in a quiet proposition outside the academy gates, was about to be sealed within the hallowed halls of Uzushiogakure's burgeoning library. The unlikely alliance between the Uzumaki heir and the Chinoike prodigy had begun.
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End of 19th chapter