Kaji trained in the Hokage's private grounds, pushing his limits. Recently, he had learned to summon a shadow version of himself—but today, he took it further.
After accidentally killing a squirrel during training, he knelt and commanded:
"Arise."
The squirrel's corpse twisted into living shadow, bowing before him.
"Climb on my shoulder. We train."
And so, a boy and his shadow squirrel sprinted across Konoha at dawn.
A Meeting of Youth
From a distance, a man in a green jumpsuit watched with sparkling eyes.
"SUCH YOUTH!"* Might Duy bellowed, joining Kaji's run.
The two matched pace—hours of relentless sprinting.
Kaji glanced at his shadow companion. "Do you grow stronger with training?"
The squirrel nodded.
"Can you grow bigger?"
Another nod—if it leveled up.
"Then give it your all!"* Kaji declared.
"Squeak!"
"YOUTH!" Duy roared.
"Squeak!"
And so, their legendary morning run continued.
As they parted:
"Good to meet you. I'm Shikaji Nara-Sarutobi."
"The pleasure is mine! Might Duy, Eternal Taijutsu Warrior!"
"Have a fine day, Duy-san."
The Academy Test
After breakfast with Hiruzen, duty called.
"The Academy wants to graduate 10 prodigies tomorrow," the Hokage said. "Can you oversee their trial, Kaji-chan?"
Kaji nodded.
At the Academy, five-year-old geniuses stood at attention as Elite Jonin Shikaji Nara-Sarutobi addressed them.
"Today, you will face three trials. Pass them, and you will graduate as Genin—fail, and you return to the Academy. Understood?"
A chorus of "Hai, sensei!" echoed back.
Round 1: The Phantom Barrage
Kaji formed a single hand seal.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu: Senpū (Shadow Clone Technique: Whirlwind)."
Instantly, ten shadow clones materialized, each mirroring Kaji's stance.
"Avoid my strikes. If you're hit three times, you're out."
2. Hyuga Hana (5 years old)
The Hyuga prodigy activated his Byakugan, veins bulging. He parried every strike with precise Gentle Fist deflections, his small palms a blur.
"Your form is tight," Kaji noted. "But predictable."
A clone suddenly sank into the ground, reappearing behind him—only for Hizashi to pivot and slap its wrist away.
Result: 1 hit – Near-perfect.
3. Uchiha Utaku's (5 years old)
Utaku's Sharingan wasn't active yet, but his instincts were sharp. He used the clones against each other, baiting them into collisions. Still, a well-timed sweep knocked him off-balance.
"Clever, but reckless," Kaji judged.
Result: 2 hits – Passed, but barely.
4. Aburame Shibi (5 years old)
Shibi's kikaichū swarmed around him, forming a living shield. The clones hesitated—striking meant getting stung.
"Cheeky," Kaji smirked. A clone exploded into shadow tendrils, slipping past the bugs to tap Shibi's back.
Result: 1 hit – Innovative.
Inuzuka Tsume (5 years old) relied on her clan's four-legged movement, but a shadow tripped her mid-leap. (2 hits)
Akimichi Chaeza(5 years old) tanked hits with his bulk, but fatigue cost him. (3 hits – FAIL)
Yamanaka Iba (5 years old) tried mind games, but Kaji's shadows had no consciousness to manipulate. (3 hits – FAIL)
Round 2: Mirror Trap
Kaji raised a hand. The ground warped, forming black mirrors that reflected each child perfectly.
"Your shadows will mimic you. Defeat them."
Hana vs. Shadow Hana
The mirror Hyuga perfectly copied his Gentle Fist, leading to a stalemate—until Hizashi forced his shadow into a trap, exploiting its lack of stamina.
"Exploiting limits. Smart."
Utaku vs. Shadow Utaku
Fugaku pretended to stumble, luring his shadow into an overcommit—then slammed a kunai hilt into its temple.
"Deceptive. I like it."
Shibi vs. Shadow Shibi
A battle of swarming insects. The real Shibi commanded his bugs to burrow underground, ambushing his mirror from below.
"Unconventional. Approved."
Final Round: The Monarch's Gaze
Kaji's eyes darkened. The air thickened as his Shadow Monarch aura erupted, pressing down like a physical force.
"Stand. Or kneel."
Kakashi gritted his teeth, digging his heels in.
Utaku sank into a stance, chakra flaring.
Hana trembled but refused to look away.
Shibi stood motionless, bugs absorbing the pressure for him.
After 30 seconds, Kaji released the aura.
"Congratulations. You four are now Genin."
The graduates panted, exhilarated. someone, ever blunt, asked:
"Why only four?"
Kaji's smile was razor-thin.
"Because the others weren't ready."
-------
Kaji slumped into a chair across from Hiruzen, stretching his arms behind his head.
"Only four passed, Father. The others couldn't even stand under pressure," he sighed.
Hiruzen frowned, scanning the list. One name stood out.
Hiruzen slid another report across the desk. Kaji's brow furrowed as he read.
"Kumo's 'peace delegation'? Don't accept it—it's a trap. Sending that many elite shinobi? They think we're clowns?"
He flipped through ROOT's intelligence files, jaw tightening.
"Kumo's been dispatching 'delegations' across nations to steal Kekkei Genkai or young Jinchūriki. First Iwa, now Kiri…"
"If they truly want peace, hold the treaty signing at the border. Send Tsunade with an ANBU escort. With her there, even if the sky falls, nothing will happen."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke from his pipe. "You're right, Kaji-chan. I've been… too hopeful for peace."
Kaji met his gaze, voice softening. "Father, I know every life is precious. But if we don't fight now, there may be no Konoha in the future. So… hold strong."
A tired but proud smile crossed Hiruzen's face—just before Kaji snatched his pipe with a shadow tendril.
"And stop smoking!"
"Hmph!" Hiruzen crossed his arms, defeated.
With that, Kaji sat cross-legged and slipped into meditation.
Key Notes:
Hidden Young Ones – Thrown into ANBU due to his lethal skills (and zero social aptitude).
Kumo's Schemes – A "peace offer" masking nationwide Kekkei Genkai theft.
Hiruzen's Resolve – Kaji reminds him: Sometimes, war is the price of survival.
Shadow Parenting – Even the Hokage isn't safe from Kaji's anti-smoking enforcement.
Kaji's Brutal Standards – Only the strongest survive.