Haruno stood quietly in the shadows, watching Yui Yuigahama.
After a moment, she let out a faint sigh and shook her head inwardly.
So she's the same as the others.
Fear. Hesitation. Running away when it matters.
In Haruno's mind, Yui had already been stamped with a single word—failure.
She turned, ready to leave.
But then—
From the corner of the room came a sudden scream, raw and desperate.
"Don't come any closer!"
At the same time, in the real world, Yumiko Miura heard Yui murmuring in her sleep, her voice trembling.
"Yui!"
Yumiko hurried to her bedside, trying to wake her.
Haruno, and Yumiko in reality, turned almost simultaneously—
Just in time to see Yui slowly raise her right hand.
"I said… don't come any closer!"
Her shout exploded through the air like thunder.
BOOM—!
A violent surge of compressed air burst from her palm.
The corridor was instantly engulfed. Beds, debris, shattered equipment—everything was swept away as though hit by a direct artillery strike.
Haruno stared, stunned, as the zombies were blown off their feet and slammed into the ground.
"This is…?"
"Wah—!!"
Yumiko Miura was caught in it too, thrown backward by the shockwave.
"Unlocking a gene lock under these conditions…"
Haruno smiled faintly.
"Yui… you really are something special."
Just as Yumiko was about to crash hard into the wall—
A figure appeared in a flash.
Yami Tsukishiro reached out and caught her effortlessly, steady hands stopping her mid-air.
The cracked wall behind them shimmered—and in an instant, returned to normal, as if nothing had ever been damaged.
"…Wake up."
Yui's eyes snapped open.
She sat straight up.
The first thing she saw was Yumiko being held in Yami Tsukishiro's arms.
Her mind went completely blank.
"Eh…? Yumiko… Tsukishiro-kun… what are you two doing behind my back?"
The words spilled out before she could stop herself.
Only then did Yumiko snap back to her senses.
Realizing just how close they were, her face flushed and she hurriedly pulled away.
"Y-Yui! It's not what you think! Just now—"
She hesitated, suddenly at a loss for words.
Yami Tsukishiro stepped in calmly.
"Congratulations, Yui Yuigahama. You've passed the dream assessment."
"You are now an official member of the Potential Academy."
Then he continued matter-of-factly,
"During the dream, your gene lock activated under intense stimulation. Your ability nearly went out of control and almost caused Yumiko serious harm. I happened to arrive in time."
Yui, who had looked confused just moments ago, suddenly lit up.
She jumped off the bed and rushed over.
"Yumiko! I didn't hurt you, right?!"
"I-I'm fine," Yumiko replied awkwardly, a hint of guilt in her eyes.
Truth be told… part of her had almost wished Yui would stay asleep a little longer.
"…By the way, Tsukishiro-san," Yumiko asked suddenly,
"what exactly is a gene lock?"
"You've both passed the assessment," Yami replied,
"so you'll learn about it properly in class soon."
"For now—just think of a gene lock as latent superhuman potential."
"When pushed by specific stimuli, that potential awakens."
He gestured lightly toward Yui—and the destruction still scattered through the corridor.
"Like Yui's awakening."
"An air-flow manipulation gene lock."
He continued clearly and simply.
[Gene Lock]: Airflow Manipulation
[Rank]: C-Class
Abilities:
— Air Cannon: Compresses air into a high-pressure projectile
— Airflow Barrier: Uses controlled air currents to form a defensive shield
"…Superpowers?"
Yui pointed at herself, eyes wide.
"I awakened superpowers?"
Yumiko looked at her with open envy.
"You definitely did. You scared me half to death just now."
Yami Tsukishiro smiled faintly as he turned to leave.
"One more thing—before you fully control it, don't test your ability in the dorms."
"Training begins tomorrow. Follow the schedule and get some rest."
At the doorway, he paused and added quietly,
"I didn't expect to meet again this soon… I wonder what you're thinking right now."
The words hit like lightning.
Both girls froze.
Yui blushed instantly, convinced the comment was meant for her.
But Yumiko knew better.
That was for me.
Not long ago, she had finally mustered the courage to confess.
And thinking she'd never see him again…
she'd deleted every unidentified contact without hesitation.
Yet now—
This reunion was painfully awkward.
…
After a long while, the assessment finally came to an end.
Although the candidates had been given nearly half a day to adapt, not a single one of them had mustered the courage to confront the zombies head-on.
"This is my record and analysis."
Mizuki set the tablet down calmly.
"Five of the people I supervised… all failed."
The conclusions from the three examiners were identical.
Aside from Yor Briar, Ryūji Momo, Yumiko Miura, and Yui Yuigahama, who had passed the initial assessment, no one else met the standard.
Yami Tsukishiro had already arranged for the remaining candidates to be escorted home safely.
"…Are my expectations really that high?"
After listening to the report, he frowned slightly, deep in thought.
The test he designed wasn't particularly harsh.
Yet the outcome was overwhelmingly one-sided.
"I don't believe the issue lies with you, Principal."
Haruno spoke up calmly, offering a different perspective.
"The Potential Academy doesn't exist to increase numbers. Its purpose is to cultivate elite talents—people worthy of standing within your personal force."
"If they couldn't pass even this level of trial, keeping them would only be a waste of resources."
Shinomiya Kaguya nodded in agreement.
"I think Haruno-san is right. Those without resolve will eventually betray trust when it matters most."
Hearing this, Yami Tsukishiro couldn't help but smile.
"Haha… you both see things very clearly."
"In fact, that's exactly what I was thinking when I designed this assessment."
He paused, then added,
"This test wasn't just for them."
"It was also a trial for you."
"…Us?"
Kaguya and Haruno exchanged glances, confusion evident on both their faces.
Yami Tsukishiro stood and walked between them, resting a hand gently on each of their shoulders.
"That's right. An assessment of your ability and judgment."
"Your execution was precise, and your insight was sharp. As my aides, you've exceeded expectations."
"From today onward, Shinomiya Kaguya will serve as my office secretary."
"And Haruno will be responsible for monitoring external developments."
"What do you think?"
Both of them were visibly delighted at the recognition.
Haruno replied without hesitation,
"I'll give it everything I have."
Kaguya straightened her posture slightly.
"Please entrust this responsibility to me."
Yami Tsukishiro smiled faintly—yet he hadn't finished speaking.
"There is one more special evaluation…"
"And you've passed that as well."
He turned to Haruno first.
"From today forward, Yukinoshita Haruno, you are appointed as Captain of the Second Future Team."
Then his gaze shifted.
"Shinomiya Kaguya, you will serve as Captain of the Third Future Team."
"As for team members—selection is left entirely to your discretion."
"—!!"
The Future People.
Joining them was the decisive step toward entering Yami Tsukishiro's direct power structure.
For students of the Potential Academy, it was nothing less than the ultimate aspiration.
And now—not only were they officially accepted, but they had been entrusted with captaincy.
A double victory.
Shinomiya Kaguya drew in a quiet breath, her eyes shining with resolve.
"Yes. My lord. I'll choose carefully."
"…My lord?"
Yami Tsukishiro raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Being called 'Principal' feels a bit odd for someone from the future."
"When addressing me as a Future Person—call me My Lord."
"Yes, my lord."
Kaguya responded immediately.
Haruno hesitated for a brief moment before speaking.
"My lord… I'd like to propose something."
"I believe Yukino should serve as the captain of the second team. I will act as her vice-captain instead. Would that be acceptable?"
"Oh?"
Yami Tsukishiro looked genuinely surprised.
"You have that much faith in her?"
Haruno nodded firmly, without the slightest doubt.
"I do. I believe Yukino can handle the role."
"…Very well."
Yami Tsukishiro smiled faintly.
"If even my secretary, whom I trust, says so, then the position will remain open for her."
"However, she must prove herself—through strength, intellect, or both."
Mizuki's position was already unquestionable and required no reassignment.
And so—
The second round of assessments officially concluded.
...
The following day.
Haruno and the others gave the newcomers a full tour of the Potential Academy.
Its sheer scale left them dumbfounded.
The vast Star Dome overhead shimmered like a different universe entirely, countless lights in the night sky radiating mysterious energy.
Faculty and students alike displayed abilities of countless varieties—as if a thousand flowers were blooming at once.
The academy's overwhelming presence left the four speechless.
Yami Tsukishiro once again emphasized the academy's true purpose—and the significance of the Future People.
At the same time, he offered them a final choice.
"If you cannot accept being trained as my future subordinates…"
"I'll personally seal your memories of the academy and the Future People."
"Then I'll send you back."
"So that's what this place is really about…"
Ryūji Momo showed no surprise—if anything, she found it reasonable.
After all, such generosity would never come without purpose.
The power contained within the Star Dome alone was enough to drive the entire world into madness.
Opening a gene lock required overwhelming stimulus.
Death was the simplest—and cruelest—method.
But with the Star Dome, that process could be controlled.
The implications were terrifying.
If word spread, countless people would gladly throw themselves into danger just to awaken superpowers.
Yumiko, Yui, and Ryūji Momo accepted the conditions without hesitation.
Only Yor remained silent, indecision plain on her face.
Yami Tsukishiro studied her briefly, then spoke plainly.
"Miss Yor… you're an assassin, aren't you?"
From their very first meeting, Yor had denied any such identity.
Mizuki calmly adjusted her glasses.
"Yor Briar."
"Member of the organization Garden."
"Codename—Thorn Princess."
When they first met, Mizuki had immediately sensed Yor's killing intent.
She'd quietly had Walnut verify her identity.
Yor's expression darkened slightly, and she nodded.
"…I'm sorry. It's true."
"I'm an assassin—the Thorn Princess."
"An assassin?!"
Everyone except Ryūji Momo and Mizuki reacted in shock.
Yami Tsukishiro, however, remained unfazed.
"Leaving organizations aside… what do you truly want?"
Yor clenched her fists, conflicted.
"I… I want to stay. But my organization—"
"There's no need to worry," Yami interrupted gently.
"As long as you join us, no organization can bind you anymore."
Yor stared at him, stunned.
"You… trust me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
He smiled calmly.
"Sincerity and deception are obvious to me."
"And what I see in you—is honesty."
He clenched his fist.
The air crackled sharply around it.
"In the end, strength commands truth."
Yor met his gaze.
Those eyes burned like a golden sun—unavoidable, overwhelming.
For the first time, she felt completely seen.
She looked away shyly.
"…Thank you."
"Please allow me to join. I'll do my best to become a worthy Future Person."
Yami Tsukishiro clapped his hands.
"Excellent."
"Then from today on—Yor Briar will serve as Captain of the Fourth Future Team."
"Ryūji Momo will be your vice-captain."
"You may select suitable members from among the students."
"Eh—?!"
Yor froze.
She had prepared herself just to earn a place.
Instead, she'd been handed leadership.
Yami Tsukishiro placed a steady hand on both their shoulders.
"Don't overthink it."
"I trust your sincerity… your strength… and your judgment."
"Now head to the training grounds."
"Today's classes begin."
From that day onward, the academy gained four vibrant new students.
Meanwhile, the eleven who were sent home stirred massive reactions within their families.
News spread quickly.
The Potential Academy's entrance examination became common knowledge.
Notices were issued.
Preparations were made.
The world outside began to stir.
Yet within the academy—
Time flowed peacefully, unmoved by chaos.
PS: Unfortunately for all of you…
Bad news.
(Just kidding… mostly.)
I started another Naruto story.
Title: Naruto: Breaking The Limiter
The MC is Yujiro.
He breaks his limiter, gains increasingly illegal abilities, and eventually turns the Naruto world into his personal gym.
Anyway, give it a try and feel it yourself.
Tagged below 👇