Konoha Shinobi Academy Genin Exam
Many young ninjas stood in line, waiting their turn.
The teachers called them one by one for the combat exam.
Uchiha.
Hyuga.
Senju.
These were the favorites to win the competition this year.
Minato Namikaze vs. Uchiha Fugaku
A Sharingan user against a civilian-born ninja. Despite everything, Fugaku was not arrogant—he had learned from an early age never to underestimate his opponent and always give his all.
Seeing that neither would speak first, the teacher signaled the start of the match.
The Sharingan spun.
Kunai flew through the air.
Yet, as if by instinct, the young Minato dodged with unprecedented grace.
Konoha's elite watched in awe, some even daring to whisper that he must have a hidden Sharingan.
Fugaku was surprised as well—his classmate's reaction time might have even surpassed his own.
Taijutsu exchanges sent shockwaves through the arena. Minato accelerated and decelerated unpredictably.
Fugaku thought he had read enough of Minato's movements.
But Minato thought the same—the two-tomoe Sharingan had its limits.
Suddenly, with blinding speed—almost like a Body Flicker—Minato appeared above Fugaku. Yet, just as he thought he had the upper hand...
Fugaku found himself dominated, a kunai pressed against his throat from behind.
The audience gasped.
Hiruzen remarked, "That was the most masterful demonstration of substitution and speed I've ever seen."
Beside him, Jiraiya grinned. "I want him as my student."
Tsunade and Orochimaru remained silent.
Some bitter Uchiha muttered among themselves.
The teacher called the next match: Shikaji Nara vs. Hyuga Sento.
In the arena, the two faced each other. Sento could barely contain his arrogance.
"Surrender now to avoid unnecessary injuries from your weak strength."
Shikaji sighed.
The teacher signaled: Begin.
Sento charged forward with Taijutsu, ready to unleash his 32 Palms Rotation.
But just as his first strike was about to land—a cold sweat ran down his spine.
From every shadow on the ground, black arms wielding kunai pointed at his vital chakra points.
Even from his own clothing, a shadowy hand held a gleaming kunai against his throat.
The crowd gasped once more.
Hiruzen frowned.
Shikaku Nara, though still young in his twenties and not yet the official head of the Nara clan, was already Konoha's strategic commander and the ANBU leader—a trusted confidant of Hiruzen.
Shikaku explained: "He was hidden by the clan elders until his debut today. He awakened a long-dormant Kekkei Genkai in our lineage—one that traces back to the Warring States Era."
"We call it… Shadow Monarch's Limit."
Hiruzen repeated the words in his mind.
Shikaku continued, "Truthfully, making him fight at full strength against mere Genin would be dangerous. To prevent injuries, it's best to assign a Jonin as his opponent in the future."
Danzo interjected, "Send him to me, Hiruzen. Definitely—"
He stopped mid-sentence when the Nara-Yama-Aki Alliance turned their predatory gazes toward him, as if ready to eliminate a foolish prey.
Hiruzen coughed to ease the tension. "Danzo… you shouldn't even entertain that thought if you wish to wake up alive tomorrow." He smiled darkly.
Danzo flushed red with humiliation.
Hiruzen pondered. "Given his personality, Orochimaru would be the best teacher… but for the greater good, Jiraiya would be ideal."
"Tsunade? He might just annoy her to death with his lazy, carefree attitude."
Hiruzen thought about the future. "A Nara never wants to be Hokage—at most, an advisor. They understand their own nature: strategically cold, emotionally detached, and relaxed."
Finally, he declared: "I will be his teacher. The Second War ended not long ago—we still have time to nurture strong Jonin for the future."
With that, the meeting concluded.
------
Shikaji had just woken up, refreshed himself, and had a good breakfast when an ANBU appeared before him.
"The Hokage requests your presence."
"Hai, hai."
Shikaji made his way to the Hokage's office.
Minutes later, he arrived.
"Hokage-sama, the young Shikaji is here," the secretary announced.
"Send him in."
Shikaji entered and saw Minato with his Jonin instructor, Jiraiya, finishing their discussion.
He waited silently to the side.
Shikaji sighed. He knew he was a reincarnated soul—but for some reason, he couldn't remember anything.
All he knew were his gifts and his origins.
The Six Eyes were bound to his soul, as was the Limitless Technique. And then, there was the Shadow Monarch's power—though it felt different.
It was as if he could bend shadows like the benders from the world of Avatar. He could command "Arise", and they obeyed.
He worried that if he ever ran out of shadows, he'd be in trouble.
But reality was different.
He didn't just manipulate shadows—he unlocked an infinite well of them, as if he were a gate to an endless abyss. It was almost magical.
But his power grew with his development. Currently, he was only 8 years old.
Unfortunately, after the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha had begun training prodigies from the age of 8, while regular students followed the standard curriculum.
When Jiraiya and Minato left, Hiruzen called Shikaji forward.
"Hai, Third Hokage!"
Hiruzen smiled. "Relax. From today onward… I will be your teacher and master."
Shikaji took a deep breath and bowed.
"Student greets the master."
Hiruzen asked, "Little Kaji—I'll call you that now. 'Shikaji' is too long."
"What do you think of the Will of Fire we teach at the academy?"
Kaji thought for a moment and replied, "Master, honestly, the general effect is good. But do you know the problem?"
"Some young ninjas start questioning the meaning of life from an early age."
"And when combined with the Will of Fire, it backfires. Worse yet, this doesn't even come from civilians—it comes from noble clans like the Uchiha, Senju, or Hyūga."
Hiruzen listened while gazing at the village horizon.
"Kaji, do you think it's wrong for the young to ponder these things so early?"
"Master, the issue isn't thinking about it—I think that's normal. But imagine this: A young Uchiha comes to you and asks, 'Lord Hokage, what is the meaning of my existence?'"
"Obviously, you've lived long and seen much. You'd answer based on your beliefs, but in the end, you wouldn't truly answer his question—because these things must be pursued alone."
"But here's the problem: Depending on who asks and what struggles they face, if your answer doesn't resonate with them, it becomes a volcano of emotions that could erupt in the future."
Hiruzen murmured, "It depends on who answers and who asks… and the results may differ."
"That's basically it, Sensei," Kaji said. "If you think this is happening too often, you might consider establishing a psychology department."
Hiruzen blinked. "Psychology?"
"People who study and treat mental well-being—inner struggles. You could ask war veterans or elderly shinobi who've seen much of life to start it. I think it could help many young ninjas."
Hiruzen nodded. The idea was good, and the long-term benefits could be significant.
He smiled at Kaji, sensing that this boy might just be his final legacy to the world.