Three months had passed since the Aburame Clan's ceremony.
Early morning.
In the training grounds of the Aburame compound, two figures—one tall, one small—were locked in combat.
Aburame Shiki rushed toward Aburame Shiwa, kunai in hand, shifting his footwork with sharp, flexible movements.Shiwa, however, stood completely still, his presence heavy and oppressive.
Shiki moved quickly, closing the distance in an instant and thrusting his kunai toward Shiwa.
Shiwa tilted his body, raising his own kunai to block. The blades collided with a flash of sparks.
Using the momentum, Shiwa counter-slash aimed directly at Shiki's ribs.
But the moment Shiwa turned for the block, Shiki reacted—rolling instinctively in the opposite direction.He narrowly avoided the counter and immediately sprang back into a ready stance.
"You've done well these past three months," Shiwa said, stepping back and signaling the end of the session. "You've mastered both the basic parasitic techniques and the phosphorus-insect variants. Your taijutsu has improved, and your chakra has increased quickly."
He nodded toward the compound. "Go tidy yourself up. You're entering the academy today—you shouldn't look like a mess."
Shiki exhaled, grateful. "I owe everything to your guidance, Master Shiwa, and Uncle Shihei's lessons—as well as the clan's medicinal meals and baths. Without all that, my progress wouldn't be anywhere near this level."
Gratitude had always been a virtue of Aburame Shiki.For three months, Shiwa and Shihei had taught him without reservation, raising his strength drastically.
And with uninterrupted medicinal meals and herbal baths, his chakra reserves had grown enough that maintaining an insect clone was no longer difficult.
After parting respectfully from Shiwa, Shiki returned home, bathed, and changed into clean clothes.
Then he made his way toward the ninja academy.
When Shiki arrived, the entry courtyard was packed with parents and children attending the opening ceremony.
He slipped quietly into the crowd of students and found a remote, unobtrusive corner—far enough away to avoid attention, but with a clear view of the stage.
A perfect spot to watch everything, he thought.
But he didn't expect someone else to occupy the same space—a silver-haired boy wearing a small face mask.
Hatake Kakashi.
Kakashi glanced at Shiki.Shiki glanced at Kakashi.Neither spoke.
Shiki felt a sharpness radiating from Kakashi—a blade freshly drawn.
Kakashi, meanwhile, sensed a silent pressure from Shiki—subtle but undeniable.
Both regarded each other in quiet assessment.
A long moment passed.
Then the Third Hokage stepped onto the stage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked out over the new students, his expression warm and relieved. He appeared kind, gentle—almost grandfatherly.
Fresh young sprouts of the Will of Fire, he thought.
His gaze swept across the courtyard:—The two quiet, composed boys in the corner, clearly exceptional.—A green blur of "youth" doing push-ups while shouting slogans.—Shiranui Genma chewing a senbon with arms crossed, trying far too hard to look cool.—Moonlight Hayate coughing weakly due to his newly awakened bloodline.
"Where Konoha dances, the fire will continue to burn," the Third Hokage declared. "The flames will illuminate the village and help new leaves sprout…"
He looked older than before, but his voice carried strength.
Konoha was at its peak:—Hatake Sakumo dominated the shinobi world.—Orochimaru had yet to sever ties.—Namikaze Minato's Flying Thunder God was rising in fame.—The great clans were thriving.
Konoha's power gave the Third Hokage confidence.This was his final period of true strength.
His decline would come later—after Sakumo's suicide, the Nine-Tails' attack, Minato's death, and Orochimaru's defection.For now, however, he stood tall.
Partway through the speech, chaos erupted.
"Make way! Sorry I'm late—I was helping an old lady cross the road!"
Uchiha Obito burst into the courtyard, flustered.
The Third Hokage paused.
Another… unique child.
With Hiruzen's experience, he couldn't tell whether Obito was lying or simply hopelessly earnest.His excuse was sloppy, obviously fake.But Obito's face showed no trace of deceit.
Impossible to read, Hiruzen sighed inwardly.This child… Uchiha Obito.
He was nothing like the typical proud, sharp-edged Uchiha.Kind-hearted.Simple-minded.If only his talent weren't so average, Hiruzen might have molded him into a true successor of the Will of Fire.
Still, at Konoha's current strength, even a problematic Uchiha clan could be controlled.
The Hokage gave Obito a warm nod.
Obito flushed bright red, trembling with excitement.
"So this… this is the Will of Fire!"
Shiki quietly admired the Third Hokage's skill at winning hearts.
When the speech concluded, warm applause erupted through the courtyard.
"Why are you staring at me?" Shiki finally asked, unable to tolerate the silent staring contest.
"You're strong," Kakashi replied flatly through his dead-fish eyes.
He had searched for the best spot to watch the ceremony—remote, inconspicuous, perfect visibility.He hadn't expected someone to be there already.
He wore a mask over his mouth and nose.But the other kid? He was wrapped up even tighter.
High collar covering his mouth.Sunglasses hiding his eyes.Hood covering his hair.Hands buried in pockets.His entire body concealed.
Alright, Kakashi thought. You've officially piqued my interest.
"Aburame Shiki. Nice to meet you."
"Hatake Kakashi," Kakashi replied in the same monotone. "Nice to meet you."
"Let's head inside," Shiki said.
The ceremony was over; students were already moving toward their assigned classrooms.
If nothing unexpected happened, he and Kakashi would be in the same class—students with potential and notable backgrounds were often grouped together.
Kakashi's talent was undeniable.He'd trained in swordsmanship under his father since childhood and was already far from weak.
His first impression of the academy students was disappointment—they seemed childish, fragile, naïve.
Until he saw Aburame Shiki.
Finally, Kakashi thought with a nod.This is what a real shinobi looks like.