"Youth really is a wonderful thing!"
Watching three figures darting away into the distance, Ninomiya Ryusei—just off duty—smiled with quiet admiration.
"We're not that old ourselves," a voice teased beside him.
Ryusei turned his head and saw his colleague, and chuckled. "Compared to them, Nome, we definitely count as old."
Hands stuffed in his pockets, Nome shrugged. "Those are kids. And besides, I'm not old at all—I'm only twenty-two!"
He tilted his head. "By the way, I heard your class has produced a genius?"
Ryusei raised an eyebrow. "You mean Souta Kiryuu?"
Nome nodded. "Should be. Can't be one of the clan-born, right?"
After all, geniuses from ninja clans were nothing unusual. Take Kakashi for example—he was already famous before ever setting foot in the Academy. Being the son of the White Fang of Konoha came with that weight. Not to mention during the entrance exam, his performance had been exceptional enough to earn praise directly from the Third Hokage.
Ryusei smiled. "Yes, Souta truly is remarkable. Everything he learns, he masters almost immediately. I believe this child will become an outstanding shinobi in the future. Someone like…"
He paused, then said with conviction:
"...Lord Jiraiya."
Nome's eyes widened in shock. "Lord Jiraiya? Isn't that going too far?"
Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin. One of Konoha's strongest under the Third Hokage, and even a prime candidate for the title of Fourth Hokage.
But Ryusei didn't explain further. He only smiled. "Let's wait and see."
Had Souta Kiryuu heard Ryusei's evaluation, he would've been quietly pleased. It meant his "genius persona" plan was beginning to succeed.
At this moment, however, Souta was flying between rooftops with effortless leaps, darting across buildings.
Behind him, Kakashi and Might Guy were hot on his heels.
From the Academy to the village gates, countless houses and pedestrians filled the way. The race tested far more than speed or stamina—it demanded reflexes, awareness, and even route planning.
And Souta had never said anything about whether attacking during the race was off-limits.
Just like when Pain destroyed Konoha, Kakashi and Guy had once raced during the reconstruction, using every pot, pan, and bucket at hand to interfere with one another.
So when Souta spotted a soda can lying on a rooftop, he didn't hesitate.
He spun, lashed out with a flying kick, and the can rocketed straight back at Kakashi.
Startled mid-chase, Kakashi barely dodged, the can whistling past his ear.
That slight delay was all it took for Guy to catch up.
Ahead, Souta opened the gap further, veering away from the dense rooftops.
Kakashi and Guy immediately gave chase.
They broke through a wooded patch until a wide river came into view.
Souta skimmed across the water's surface as if it were solid ground. But halfway across, he abruptly stopped and turned. Hands flew into motion—
Tiger → Snake → Ox → Ram → Rooster → Rat!
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "That's… Water Style?!"
Sure enough—
The river surged upward, spiraling into a serpentine wave that came crashing toward him.
Water Style: Water Surge Wave!
The jutsu wasn't massive—Souta had deliberately held back, just enough to knock Kakashi off balance without hurting him.
Still, Kakashi's reflexes were sharp. He dodged swiftly—
But now the wave was aimed directly at Guy, who had just reached the riverbank.
Souta's hands shifted again. Both arms extended forward, palms spread and slightly raised, thumbs touching, index fingers aligned—
The seal of "Zai", one of the Nine Syllable Seals.
He crossed his arms in a sharp motion—
And before Kakashi's astonished eyes, the torrent bent mid-flow, curling back around—
BOOM!
Unprepared, Kakashi was slammed into the river, completely drenched.
On shore, Guy's eyes bulged. He hadn't yet mastered standing on water… so he was left paddling furiously instead.
From the bank, Souta grinned.
His research into the Nine Syllable Seals was bearing fruit. Even with just the shallowest grasp of the "Zai" seal, he had enhanced his control over Water Surge Wave, a C-rank technique.
He couldn't help but wonder: ten years from now, what kind of shinobi would he become?
He turned and sped off again.
From the river, Kakashi burst to the surface, dripping wet but eyes burning with renewed determination. Souta's display hadn't discouraged him—instead, it sparked his competitive spirit. With a splash, he launched back into the chase.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, bit gently on his pipe as his sharp eyes fixed on the crystal ball before him.
It displayed the very scene unfolding between Souta, Kakashi, and Guy.
After Ryusei's glowing report, and Souta's striking presence during the Will of Fire lecture, Hiruzen had decided on a whim to observe him more closely.
He hadn't expected to witness this.
Watching Souta drive Kakashi into the river with a Water Style jutsu, Hiruzen's mind involuntarily conjured an image—
Tobirama Senju.
The resemblance was uncanny.
Though Souta's technique was still unrefined, there was already a budding uniqueness in his style—just like his teacher, the Second Hokage.
Dispelling the jutsu, Hiruzen quietly committed Souta Kiryuu's name to memory.
At the village gates, Souta sat cross-legged, catching his breath.
A short while later, Kakashi arrived, bent over with his hands on his knees, gasping hard before looking up.
"When did you learn a Water Style jutsu?" he asked between breaths.
Souta smiled. "Not long ago. It was something my grandfather left behind."
Kakashi nodded, then frowned thoughtfully. "And that last seal… that was one of the Nine Syllable Seals, wasn't it?"
Souta didn't hide it. "Yes. The 'Zai' seal. They're fascinating. I've been experimenting with them. I didn't expect them to actually work."
Then his expression brightened. "By the way—when you have time, how about sparring with me in kenjutsu?"
"Kenjutsu?" Kakashi blinked. "You've studied swordsmanship too?"
Souta nodded. "Self-taught. My grandfather didn't leave behind any kenjutsu, so I've only been practicing the basics. Mostly battōjutsu—the iai strike."
Kakashi hesitated, worried he might crush Souta's confidence. But after a moment, he nodded. "Alright. I'll spar with you."
As they chatted, Guy finally arrived—still upside down, walking on his hands.
Together, the three strolled back toward the village.
And from that day on, Souta Kiryuu, Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy became far closer—friends forged through competition.
It also marked the start of countless fiery, youthful showdowns, each one brimming with passion.
Time flew.
Before anyone realized it, summer vacation had ended.
A new term began—and with it, practical combat classes.
On the training grounds, a cluster of Academy students pressed against the fence, leaving the center clear.
Ryusei stood at the center of the field. "Once again, let me stress the rules of combat class: point-scoring only. No deliberate attempts to seriously injure your opponent. But don't hold back too much either. I'll be watching carefully and will intervene if needed."
"Now, when I call your names, step forward for a one-on-one match."
His eyes scanned the roster.
"Souta Kiryuu… versus Asuma Sarutobi!"
From Kurenai's side, Asuma stepped forward. From beside Shizune, Souta did the same.
The two boys faced each other squarely before their teacher.
"Form the Seal of Reconciliation!" Ryusei commanded.
Both complied, then stepped back. Ryusei raised his arm, swung it down, and shouted—
"Begin!"