The classroom was silent. The children sat at their desks while Iruka spun a piece of chalk between his fingers at the front of the board.
"Today I will talk to you about something very important," he said. "The most fundamental thing a ninja must have: Chakra."
Satoru tilted his head. Chakra? What's that?
Iruka continued:
"Chakra exists in all of our bodies. It is formed from the combination of our physical energy and mental energy. If you learn to control chakra properly, you can perform techniques like ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu."
Naruto shouted without raising his hand:
"I'm going to be Hokage anyway, so there's no need to bother with all these details, dattebayo!"
The class burst into laughter. Sakura turned and yelled:
"Stop being stupid, Naruto! You don't even understand chakra properly."
Then she turned her head toward Sasuke and smiled.
"I'm sure Sasuke-kun will be the best in this lesson."
Naruto's face turned bright red.
"What?! Why is it always him, dattebayo?!"
Sakura instantly brought her fist down on his head.
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Naruto clutched his head, bending down. "It hurts, Sakura-chan…"
Sasuke said nothing. He simply turned his eyes to Iruka, listening quietly.
Iruka pressed the chalk to the board and drew a diagram of chakra.
"If you use too much chakra, you will be exhausted. If you use too little, your techniques will fail. The key is balance. This is why we spend years learning chakra control."
The corner of Satoru's lips curved.
This… is very similar to cursed energy. But what I feel is different. What they use is cleaner, softer energy. Mine is dark, sharp, destructive.
He murmured under his breath.
"If I can combine the two…"
Iruka glanced at him.
"Satoru, did you say something?"
Satoru quickly smiled and shrugged.
"No, sensei, I just found the lesson very interesting."
Some of the children giggled. But in the depths of his Six Eyes, Satoru felt as if he could see the flow of chakra. As if a bluish glow was circulating within everyone in the class.
Naruto's energy was chaotic and overflowing, scattering uncontrollably.
Sakura's was more orderly, flowing like a line.
Sasuke's was silent but dense… like a spark buried deep inside.
Satoru licked his lips.
Seeing… it's so easy. If I learn this, I'll master it faster than all of them.
When the lesson ended, the children spread out into the yard. Satoru stayed quiet, eyes fixed on the stones beneath his feet as he walked home.
When he opened the door, Akira greeted him.
"Welcome back, Satoru! How was your day?"
Satoru grinned as he removed his shoes.
"It went pretty well. We learned something called chakra. Eh, I guess I'll be the best at it again."
Akira laughed.
"You're boasting as always."
Satoru walked inside with a serious expression.
Not boasting… it's the truth. But the real matter is this: This power must belong to me.
Midnight. The moonlight filled the window. Satoru sat upright in bed, pressing his palms together. When he closed his eyes, the voice came immediately.
"Chakra… ahahah… such a pitiful energy. Their power is born from balance. But true power comes from hatred and fear. Which means—from me."
Satoru shook his head.
"Shut up! Chakra works in their world. If I learn it, I can speak their language. But I won't forget you either."
"That's why you're so entertaining, Satoru." Sukuna's voice chuckled darkly.
"You want to mix the two energies? Do it… but you will pay the price. Because your heart will belong to me."
Sweat trickled down Satoru's forehead. He clenched his palms.
"My heart doesn't belong to you. I am Gojo Satoru. I will always stand at the top."
But at that moment, a red light flickered in the corner of the room. Four eyes flashed briefly.
Satoru froze in place. When he blinked, the light was gone.
He looked out the window. The village was silent, everyone asleep. But inside him was a storm.
"Chakra… or cursed energy? Or both?"
From the depths, Sukuna's voice whispered one last time:
"You don't need to choose, Satoru. Because very soon… the choice will be taken from you."
Satoru narrowed his eyes. But there was no answer.
And the night moved on, leaving a new shadow in his heart.