Konoha Library-
'History of Konoha Bloodlines…Notable Clan Heads of the past Decade…. there has to be something.' I mutter to myself as I peruse the shelves.
It had been several weeks since my induction to the academy. Truthfully, I don't know what I was expecting. How best to cut an artery, knife fighting 101, assassination for dummies and kids?
How else are you supposed to train child soldiers?
But no, instead the classes consisted of simple math, reading, and other mundane subjects I had done on Earth. While physical education was emphasized more the academy was not much different than normal school.
Of course, that was great. Perfect even. It gave me plenty of time to research this world while not having to worry about being a part of a suicide program to turn kids into mindless soldiers.
But it also gave me time to think.
When I appeared so suddenly, from one moment getting shot to waking up in bed as the body of a child…I had focused on my situation, thinking of nothing else but survival and where I had ended up.
Now that I had some downtime, and without my swarm to hold my emotions back, I could not help but ponder the fate of the girl I inhibited.
I knew of several people who could force my consciousness into a different body. Panacea and Bonesaw as the obvious candidates. Though I wouldn't be surprised of Contessa's path to victory could let her do bullshit like that easily.
The second option was reincarnation and somehow, I suddenly found myself with the memories of a past life. I was not religious, but once again my mind turned to numerous cape powers that could achieve similar feats. My memories as Kephri were murky at best, but I did recall pulling capes from numerous different dimensions. It was easily possible that one of the capes I called had a power that could do this.
Regardless of how it was possible, the fact was that I was here in the present in a strange new world where nearly everyone walking around had superpowers.
I had lost my ability to control insects and with it, nearly all of the techniques and abilities I had worked hard to learn.
But in exchange I was now in a world where superpowers were not some cosmic lottery but an effort of hard work. Anyone could achieve triumvirate level power in this world if they trained enough.
The concept was…something I was struggling to come to terms with.
At the start of my villain turned hero career, I had come to terms with my power was much weaker than most. Bug control had many, many useful applications, but it was never what a toddler would claim to be a power that could beat Eidolon or Legend.
The thought of being able to simply…teach myself how to use a superpower was a foreign concept I had never considered before.
But it served as a goal, something I could use to take my mind off the emotions I was not used to running rampant.
I was here in the Konoha Library to find information on a long-term goal I could pursue in my studies. I would not graduate from the academy until I am at least thirteen again, which gave me six years of study before I would be expected to graduate.
That was over six years to study everything I could to grow stronger.
But I could not just grab the first technique or fighting style I could find and study it, I needed a plan.
It had taken me three months after I had gained my powers before I decided I was ready to become a hero.
That was three months of costume building, research, training, and physical conditioning. I now had several times that amount of time to prepare.
That meant I needed to structure my training around an end goal, take steps to figure out an ace in the hole that I could use as my signature for when I was released into the wider world.
Which, incidentally, was why I started my search in the library. It was much sparser than the Brockton Bay library, with fewer fiction books and most related to civilian topics. Truthfully, the only books that were really related to Shinobi matters were history books on well-known events and people.
'Secrecy is much more important than it was in my world. With no internet the governments that rule the world can hoard their information much more effectively. I am sure the actual books on techniques are behind lock and key somewhere else in the village.' I theorize, pulling down another book which similarly proved to be irrelevant to my interest.
Replacing the book, I continue my search, wracking my brain for answers 'But how will I get my hands on techniques? If only I had my insects I could potentially spy on shinobi, but without them I would have to rely on myself, which would be suicide.'
I was unwilling to wait for the Academy to teach me anything I did not already know. After nearly a month of class all we had really gone over was a series of physical performance exercises that were like a mix of Yoga and military training toned down for our physical ages.
What's worse was that the clan kids in my class were already bragging about getting personal training from their respective families.
If I was not careful, the students with much more resources would blow past me and the rest of the civilian kids.
'Useless, useless, not in the right section…useless, Elemental Styles of the Elemental Nations…what?' I question as I pull the book out, flipping through it to find it's a book on the different elements utilized by Shinobi.
I started skimming it, learning more about how Shinobi learned to manipulate their chakra into elements, with the five largest countries named after the most common.
'Wind, Fire, Earth, Water and Lightning.' I recite, growing excited as I read more.
I knew all too well how powerful wielding the elements could be. Gaining an elemental power back on Earth Bet was like winning the power lottery. Some of the most powerful capes wielded them.
I still remember fighting leviathan, the sea itself becoming a weapon at the whim of the inhuman creature.
Reading through the rest of the book, I don't find much else, only learning that countries often specialize with their place of resident's specialty.
Truthfully, learning fire and lightning did not interest me as much as earth and water. While the two were undoubtedly powerful, they felt a bit mono use.
Water and earth powers could prove much more useful and versatile. Already I could think of hundreds of ways to utilize the two elements.
With fire and lightning, all I could really come up with were methods on how to make the opponent die in more and more visually impressive ways.
With wind…I was really not sure how that would be applied. Theoretically I could see making a tornado or a strong gust of wind but other than that I had no frame of reference.
'Alright then in order to master these two elements…I need to master chakra. To do that…' my thought process trails off as I realize one important fact.
"…How do you use chakra?" I mutter.
…
-Konoha Academy-
-2 AM-
Konoha at night was a rather breathtaking sight. Without the light pollution that affected most cities in my world, the night sky was completely clear, allowing one to see every constellation and cosmic event without the need of a telescope.
'There are advantages to a lack of technology.' I muse as I keep to the shadows of alleys as I make my way through the sleeping village.
Without security cameras, lights, or any tinkertech security systems, it was almost easy to make it to the Academy undetected.
Using a small hoodie to hide my luminescent pink hair, I dart out from the shadows to the front entrance, testing out the handle, finding it locked as expected.
'Thank you, Imp.' I give my regards to Aisha who had taught me in her spare time how to jimmy a lock with nothing but a boppy pin, a toothpick, and the hopes and dreams of rebel youth.
With a satisfying click, the door opening, admitting me into the Academy.
It had been a few days since I had first discovered that ninja could control elements and I had hit a stone wall on the first step in my plan to gain power.
While many books in both the library and the stores around the village talk about chakra often, none of them go into details on how to awaken it.
None of the teachers were willing to show me how either, all of them stating that it was only taught to second year students.
While I understood that a typical student my age would need an entire year of maturity and responsibility building exercises before being given superpowers, I was unwilling to wait an entire year before I begin training.
I creep through the empty hallways, for the hundredth time in the past few weeks wishing for my previous limited omniscience.
Instead I had to rely on my wards training as well as things I had picked up during my career as a cape in one of the most dangerous cities in America.
'Looks like everyone has gone home.' I decide, slowly making my way towards the teacher's office.
Normally I would never do something like this without all the information I could gather, but an incident in class yesterday gave me the incentive to try.
-8 AM-
"Sensei! You fell for it! You fell for it!" A boy with bright yellow hair and blue eyes cackles from the front of the room as Izume-sensei fumed while covered in orange paint.
'How in the hell did he get the paint in the ceiling.' I frown, looking up at the roof of the classroom where the paint had fallen upon the academy instructor.
"Man, that Naruto…did he sneak into the academy after dark again to plant that? Shesh, he's so troublesome." Shikamaru mutters beside her, glaring balefully at the noise generated by the two.
Glancing at the lazy clan-heir I raise an eyebrow "Snuck in after dark? He managed to sneak past the guards?"
The Nara shrugs his shoulders before propping his chin on his hands "Guards? I doubt the place has anything like that. Nothing worth stealing besides graded papers."
Yawning the boy seemed to fall asleep the minute he closed his eyes, dead to the world around him.
'This place isn't guarded at night?' I muse, looking on as the class clown was sent to stand in the hallway, still nearly vibrating with laughter after his successful prank.
I had come to an understanding of most of the kids in the class, Naruto was not the brightest tool in the shed, even for a seven-year-old. If he could get into the Academy, rig a trap, then get out without the notice of any ninja, then there was no reason I couldn't.
'I will observe tonight, if there are no guards ill sneak in.' I plan, taking out my new notebook, writing down power ideas and strategies. Already the book was filled with pages of diagrams, notes, and other things I had observed over the past two weeks of attending the academy.
…
That was how I ended up here. The following day Naruto returned to class, obviously not having been punished too severely for trespassing the Academy at night.
If a troublemaker orphan could get away with it, then the risk was minimal even if I was caught.
'Third floor, second door on the right.' I recall, having asked an older student where the teachers office was located.
Once again employing the use of bobby pins, the door opened just as easily as the last, silently admitting me into the dark room.
'Alright, sensei said the chakra exercises were for second years, instructions should be around here somewhere.' I decide, flicking on a small flashlight to look through files and scrolls in several drawers.
Eventually I hit pay dirt, finding several scrolls meant to be given a few days before one's chakra was activated and how to prepare.
"You're not the first to be dissatisfied with the pace of the academy."
My body turns cold as shock runs through my system at the voice. Whipping around I take out a sharpened kunai to face the voice. The lights off the office turn on, revealing the voice who had spoken.
Izume, the class instructor was leaning against a desk, standing in a place where I was sure there had been no-one previously.
'How? A stranger effect? An illusion?' I wonder, slowly standing up with the scroll in hand.
The academy instructor, a tall woman with short cropped brown hair and greyish eyes smiled kindly as she stood up from her slouched position.
"You don't have to worry so much. We get someone like you occasionally." She sighs, walking forward to examine what I had taken "Unlocking chakra huh…I remember you asking about that a few days ago."
"Sensei…" I mutter, not sure how to react to this development.
Izume stares at me for a long moment, considering before speaking "You are bored in my class, I can tell."
Taking hold of my emotions I try to force them down and regain control, setting my face into the impassive mask I had perfected in my old body "I would not say the class is useless, sensei."
"But you have already taught yourself the entire curriculum and are doing self-study, correct? I see you writing in your notebook in class."
"I already knew everything you have been teaching us. I taught myself it before I attended." I answer, not technically lying. I had no clue if the woman had a lie detector or some unknown equivalent. I would have to rely on telling half-truths.
The woman quirked an eyebrow "Truly? You are quite the little genius, aren't you?"
I don't answer, uncomfortable with the phrase. I had never considered myself a genius or even that talented. Everything I had achieved was through my own efforts, not through natural talent.
With a sigh the teacher goes to several cabinets, taking out a few scrolls and instruction booklets "As I said, you are not the first you know. Every generation seems to have one. I had thought Shisui and Itachi would be the only ones…but I wonder if you can move the number up to three." She mutters to herself before handing me the packet.
Staring down at the scrolls I translate the kanji.
Bunshin no Jutsu
Kawamari no Jutsu
Henge no Jutsu
Basic Academy Kata
Shinobi Basic Jutsu.
"Those are the jutsu required to graduate. If you manage to learn those and demonstrate an aptitude for them, you would be allowed to leave the academy early."
'That's it?' I wonder in disbelief, looking down at the short list.
"I know what you are thinking, there are a few other requirements, such as basic knowledge of math, logic, strategy and other things, but somehow I doubt you will need much help in those areas."
I nod, putting the scrolls into my pack before glancing back at the sensei.
"You may go." She says with a soft grin.
I made a beeline for the door, wanting to leave as fast as possible to get out of the older woman's presence. Something about her put me on edge. I felt as if she could unravel every secret about me without effort, and that terrified me.
"Oh, and Sakura?" The woman spoke.
I paused at the door, the hood of my jacket hiding my anxiety.
"Please don't mention what I gave you to anyone else. That could prove to be…problematic."
I nod, taking off as swiftly, but as silently, as possible away from the academy.
Izume stares after the young girl, sensing the faint chakra presence disappearing from the academy grounds.
"Three potential prodigies in the span of a few years…what possibilities." She mutters to herself, turning off the lights of the room and releasing the henge.
"But to think that I was almost caught by a kid…I may be getting sloppy." The figure walked to a desk and opened it, revealing several rows of folders, each with the description of an academy student.
"They really should improve the security of this place."