Chapter 63 – The Path Apart
The morning sun peeked through the wooden shutters of Kakashi's house. Two boys were tangled up in blankets, one sprawled lazily across the bed, the other already awake, eyes bright with quiet focus.
Akira stretched, slipping out first. His movements were deliberate, precise — but not stiff. He had grown used to mornings like this, sharing small pieces of daily life with Kakashi as if they were brothers.
In the kitchen, the sound of sizzling filled the air. The smell of rice and grilled fish soon drifted through the house.
"Mm…" Kakashi yawned, dragging himself into the room, his hair even messier than usual. "You're way too energetic for a graduation morning."
Akira glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "If you're late, you'll look bad in front of Rin."
Kakashi froze mid-step, his ears twitching slightly red. "Tch—don't say weird things this early."
Akira chuckled. "You're easy to tease."
They ate together, quietly at first, then trading light jokes. By the time they were heading out the door, both wore the faint smiles of children hiding excitement under practiced calm.
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At the Academy
The classroom buzzed with voices. Everyone was on edge. Today was the day teams would be assigned — the first step from Academy life into shinobi reality.
"Alright, settle down," the instructor called, stepping to the front with a scroll in hand. One by one, he began reading team names.
Excitement broke out with each call — students clapping shoulders, groaning, or cheering depending on the matchups.
Finally—
"Team 7: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin. Your jōnin instructor will be Minato Namikaze."
Gasps rippled through the room. Minato Namikaze — the Yellow Flash?
Rin beamed, clapping her hands together. "We're with Minato-sensei? That's amazing!"
Obito puffed out his chest, grinning. "Heh, of course! With me on the team, it makes sense we'd get someone that great!"
Kakashi only muttered, "...Figures." Still, his sharp eyes flicked briefly toward Akira, who sat quietly at his desk, arms folded.
Then Obito noticed. "Wait a second." He leaned forward, pointing. "Oi, teacher! Why isn't Akira on any team? Did you forget him or something?"
The room quieted.
The instructor cleared his throat, carefully choosing his words. "Akira's case is… special. His placement has already been decided."
"Special?" Obito frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Akira met Obito's curious eyes but didn't answer. Instead, he just gave a small smile, one that somehow said: Don't worry about it.
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The Jōnin Arrive
One by one, the door slid open and new instructors appeared, calling their squads. Each trio left with varying levels of excitement or dread.
Then came the sound of a familiar calm voice. "Team 7," Minato said gently from the doorway. His golden hair caught the sunlight, his presence steady and reassuring.
Rin rushed to gather her things, Obito stumbled over his chair in his eagerness, and Kakashi rose with his usual quiet cool.
As they left, Rin gave Akira a small wave. Obito glanced back, still dissatisfied, muttering, "Special case, huh…" before Minato herded them away. Kakashi paused just long enough to lock eyes with Akira — no words, just the silent promise of someone who understood more than he let on.
And then they were gone.
The classroom emptied. Akira remained. Alone.
---
The Commotion
SLAM! The door burst open with a bang that rattled the windows.
"HO HO HO! MAKE WAY!" a booming voice declared.
Gasps, whispers, and outright squeals of disbelief filled the hallway outside.
"Is that—?"
"No way—one of the Legendary Sannin?!"
"The Toad Sage himself—Jiraiya-sama?!"
The man himself strolled in, tall and broad-shouldered, his mane of white hair flowing behind him. He struck a ridiculous pose, arms crossed, chin tilted proudly.
"You're late," Akira said flatly, not moving from his seat.
The tension in the air popped like a bubble. Jiraiya blinked, then grinned sheepishly. "Oi oi, kid, you're supposed to be impressed."
"I've seen this entrance too many times to be impressed."
The few students lingering in the hall gawked — how could this boy speak so casually to that man?
Jiraiya jabbed a thumb at his chest. "Well, formalities aside — you're mine, brat. Starting today, you're under the legendary Jiraiya full-time!"
Akira tilted his head. "Haven't I been under you since I was four?"
The corner of Jiraiya's mouth twitched. "…You could at least pretend this is a big moment."
But both knew the truth: Jiraiya had already been his master for years. Minato and Kushina had filled the gaps during his absences, but this was the official step — the end of Academy, the beginning of a shinobi's life.
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At the Academy Gates
As they stepped out, Minato appeared with his own team. The two legendary men crossed paths, trading a brief glance.
"Looks like we're both busy," Minato said with his easy smile.
Jiraiya snorted. "Try not to let that lot run you ragged."
Rin and Obito whispered excitedly, starstruck by the sight of the Sannin. Kakashi's gaze slid to Akira again, thoughtful.
Akira only adjusted the strap of his pack, following Jiraiya into the sunlight. He didn't need to explain anything — not to Obito's questions, not to Rin's curiosity, not even to Kakashi's silent look.
While the others were stepping into their new roles, Akira was simply continuing down the path he had already been walking for years.
A path apart.
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✨ End of Chapter 63 ✨
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