ear 6 of Konoha's Founding
Kenichi Sato's Age: 10
First Day of the New Academic Term – April
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Something had changed. Haru had been sick since the break. I wasn't just awake—I was unrested. Not because of dreams, but because sleep had abandoned me. It was no longer a luxury—it had become a threat from within.
I stood at the door of her room, watching her breathing. The world is fragile—how many people sleep while the world needs no guard?
I walked with steady steps toward the back field. The earth was still wet with dew, the scent of mud lingering in the quiet air. The technique I had poured all my effort into over the past weeks was waiting for me.
> "Phase Two – Shattering Wave."
The ground trembled for a moment. Not violently, just a pulse. I synchronized my breath with the chakra pulsing through my feet. Quietly, I stepped forward—and a distant stone cracked without me touching it.
I quickly jotted down:
> "The internal rebound. Effective in unbalancing the opponent, but not enough to end a fight."
I looked up toward the gray sky.
> "It doesn't surprise. It doesn't exhaust. I need something new… a different style."
I didn't know yet that my entire plan would soon change.
When I returned home, my mother was preparing breakfast. I silently helped Haru, who still carried traces of sickness in her eyes. She looked at me and said:
> "I don't want you to become a ninja if it's scary."
I laughed as she gently tapped her nose to mine.
> "The kindest one is usually the strongest… That's a real ninja."
As I stepped out, I felt for the first time that I was leaving a piece of my heart behind.
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At the academy, the faces were familiar, but something in the air was different. Hiruzen stood tall, more serious than usual. Danzo was silent. Kagami was watching me in a way I didn't fully understand.
Our teacher spoke clearly:
> "This term, those who show remarkable progress will be nominated for special training. Your performance will be observed."
When my turn came, I stepped into the arena. One wooden pole. No sound. No dust. I closed my eyes, activated the technique, and the pole shattered—its fragments collapsing inwards as if something passed through it.
I heard the teacher ask:
> "What's the name of that technique?"
I answered calmly:
> "Phase Two – Shattering Wave."
There were whispers—some were afraid, some envious. I didn't turn to look. My name had already been added to the observation list.
After class, Kagami stood beside me, not looking directly at me:
> "It felt like you disappeared for a moment. I couldn't sense your attack."
> "Sometimes… sound gives the enemy a chance. Silence is deadlier defense."
From a distance, I noticed Danzo watching us. His hand was clenched over his notebook. He left without a word, but he smiled.
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That evening, I returned home and found Dai waiting near the back door with an old satchel on his back.
> "I found something strange… Didn't really get it, but it felt important."
He handed me a notebook, its edges burnt. On the first page:
> "Release of the First Gate – The Gate of Opening"
Just two words, yet they stirred something deep in my memory—The Eight Inner Gates.
I whispered:
> "Located in the brain… opening it removes the mental limiter on muscles. It grants full power, but consumes your body quickly."
I began to read:
> "Each of the eight gates seals a part of a ninja's strength to protect the body from destroying itself. Opening them unleashes that strength—but if the explosion continues, it will tear the body apart."
I asked Dai:
> "Where did you get this?"
He replied:
> "From a box my grandfather left. He used to tell me: Understanding is the beginning of power—but don't ever try to open it."
This time, I looked at him seriously—he wasn't joking.
> "I don't just want to learn it… I want to be ready for it."
I closed the notebook and handed it back.
> "We'll start our way… with the first step. Not from strength, not from chakra—real understanding begins with caution."
Dai smiled, a rare and genuine smile.
> "Thanks… for not laughing at me."
I looked up at the sky. Something inside me shifted. It wasn't chakra, or muscle, or decision. It was the rhythm of something new beating within.
> "I won't be the same anymore… soon."
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