As Ryu stepped into the Academy's examination hall, his parents' words of encouragement, "Do your best, my baby," echoed in his heart. The first room was plain, sectioned off into several stations. When his name was called, a female Chunin with a clipboard and a tired expression motioned him forward.
"Ryu Haruno," she said, her tone professional. "Have you unlocked your chakra?"
Ryu simply nodded.
"Show me," she instructed, a hint of impatience in her voice.
He raised his small hands, palms up. Focusing his will, he pushed a surge of raw energy outward. A visible dome of pure blue chakra, humming with power, pulsed from his palms for a brief moment before dissipating. The examiner's bored expression vanished, replaced by a flicker of genuine surprise. A civilian child with control this clean was unusual. She ticked a box on her sheet. "Impressive. Proceed through that door for the next stage."
The second room was overseen by a stern-looking man with a scar over his left eye. "You know the drill," the instructor said gruffly. "Chakra affinity. If you know it, prove it."
"I have two," Ryu stated calmly.
The instructor's eyebrow shot up. "Two? A civilian-born? Don't waste my time, kid."
Ignoring the skepticism, Ryu held out his right hand. He molded his lightning chakra, pulling on the memory of static and sparks. A small, crackling ball of pure electricity materialized in his palm, buzzing angrily. The instructor's jaw tightened. Before he could comment, Ryu held out his left hand. This time, he channeled his wind affinity, gathering the air and forcing it into a powerful, focused blast. "Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
A concussive wave of wind shot from his hand, slamming into the opposite wall with a deafening CRACK. A web of fractures spread across the plaster. Now the instructor was completely stunned, his skepticism replaced by sheer disbelief. He stared from the crack in the wall to the small, pink-haired boy who stood before him, looking completely unfazed. "Go," he said, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Proceed to the final evaluation."
The final room opened into a massive training ground, bathed in sunlight. Spectator stands circled the arena, and Ryu's eyes immediately scanned the crowd. He saw his parents, their faces a mixture of pride and nail-biting anxiety. And then he saw the Hokage's box. Minato was there, his expression calm and observant. Beside him, Kushina was practically vibrating with energy, her arm linked with Mikoto's. Fugaku stood behind them like a stone statue, his gaze fixed on the field. And seated a few rows away, a shadowy figure half-hidden by the pillars, was Danzo Shimura. A cold knot formed in Ryu's stomach at the sight of him.
He found Hana and Itachi near the entrance to the field. "Two affinities? You cracked the wall?!" Hana exclaimed, having heard the commotion. "Awesome!"
"Your control was flawless," Itachi added, his dark eyes showing a rare gleam of respect.
"The final round is a spar," the proctor announced. "First match: Itachi Uchiha versus Ryu Haruno!"
A murmur went through the crowd. The Uchiha prodigy against the surprising pink-haired boy. In the stands, Kushina and Mikoto erupted. "Go, Itachi-kun! You can do it!" they cheered. Kizashi and Mebuki responded in kind, their voices filled with parental pride. "You've got this, Ryu! Show them what you're made of!"
In the center of the field, the two boys faced each other. They bowed, then formed the Seal of Confrontation. The moment their hands parted, the battle began.
Itachi didn't hesitate. His hands flew through seals, his cheeks puffing out. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" A massive sphere of roaring flame erupted from his lips, scorching the air as it hurtled towards Ryu.
To the stunned gasps of the crowd, Ryu vanished. One moment he was there, the next, he was gone, the fireball slamming into the empty ground behind him. He reappeared in a blur behind Itachi, his hands and feet glowing with a faint, green aura of wind chakra. He threw a punch, enhanced by the Body Flicker's momentum and the cutting nature of the wind.
Itachi, whose normal eyes couldn't track the movement, had no time to react. The punch connected squarely with his abdomen. The Uchiha prodigy was sent flying, tumbling across the dirt field with a pained grunt.
Ryu didn't let up. He flickered again, appearing above the downed Itachi in an instant. This time, a violent crackle of blue lightning enveloped his leg as he brought it down in a devastating axe kick aimed at Itachi's head.
Time seemed to slow. As the lightning-wreathed foot descended, Itachi's eyes snapped open. The black pupils bled into a shocking, vibrant crimson, a single tomoe spinning in each eye. The Sharingan had awakened. With a burst of newfound clarity, he twisted his body, the kick grazing his shoulder instead of his skull.
He rolled away, creating distance, and launched another Fireball Jutsu. This time, the flames consumed Ryu's form, but it burst into a puff of smoke, leaving a charred log in its place. A perfect Substitution.
Ryu reappeared behind Itachi once more. This time, the thin coating of lightning on his leg exploded into a full, buzzing cloak of his Lightning Armour. This was a true killing blow.
But it never landed. A shadow fell over the field, and a powerful hand clamped down on Ryu's descending leg, while another caught Itachi's wrist as he prepared to counter. Fugaku Uchiha stood between them, his face an unreadable mask, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning silently.
The match was over.
After forming the Seal of Reconciliation, Ryu turned to the referee. "I forfeit," he said, his voice loud enough for those nearby to hear. "I put all my remaining chakra into that last attack. I would have missed. Itachi wins."
Itachi stared at him, his new Sharingan still active, his mind reeling. "Why?" he asked, his voice low. "You were faster."
Ryu gave him a wry smile. "You would have dodged and hit me with a counter. I took a gamble and lost." It was a complete lie. He knew with absolute certainty that even with the newly awakened Sharingan, Itachi couldn't have perceived his full speed. But the alternative—revealing the extent of his power and attracting the attention of men like Danzo—was unthinkable.
In the stands, Minato leaned forward, intrigued. "That boy… to fight Itachi to a standstill. Remarkable."
Fugaku's stoic expression didn't change, but his mind was racing. He had felt the raw, untamed power in Ryu's technique. If he hadn't intervened, his son would have been gravely injured. And this boy… was he truly lying about his chakra reserves? Fugaku couldn't be sure. For now, keeping his son's awakened dojutsu a secret was the highest priority.
That evening, Ryu stood before the results board, stunned. Beside his name, it read: Class A. The match had been declared a draw. He was given his student ID and told that classes would begin the next day.
He met his parents outside, their faces glowing with pride. Kizashi swept him up into a bone-crushing hug. "A draw! Against the Uchiha heir! I knew you were a genius!" he boomed. "This calls for a celebration! Akimichi barbecue is on me!"
As they walked towards the restaurant, the delicious smell of grilled meat already in the air, Ryu felt a profound sense of peace. He had successfully navigated the test, showcased just enough talent to be placed where he needed to be, and kept his greatest secrets hidden. It was a victory far more important than the one on the field.