Raiden Kageyama's first year at the Hidden Leaf Academy was far from ordinary. While most students entered the academy full of excitement, ready to learn, train, and grow into their roles as ninjas, Raiden's experience was different. The first thing people noticed about him was his silence. He wasn't the typical young ninja, full of excitement and naivety. Instead, Raiden carried himself with a quiet, almost aloof confidence that kept others at a distance.
Despite his apparent detachment, he excelled in every subject. His ability to grasp complex concepts far beyond his years made him a natural student, while his growing combat abilities were the subject of whispers among his peers. No one had seen anything like it, and many had begun to fear and respect him in equal measure.
As Raiden moved through his days, he kept mostly to himself. He would attend his classes, absorb the teachings, and leave. He wasn't interested in making friends—not yet, anyway. His focus was elsewhere: on his training, on unlocking the skills his system offered him, and on preparing for the inevitable challenges that would come with this new life.
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The Academy: New Bonds
It was during one of the Academy's outdoor training sessions that Raiden's presence was truly felt. The students were paired up for sparring matches, and the instructor, Iruka Umino, had assigned him to spar against Sasuke Uchiha—the academy's brightest and most driven student.
Most people in the class watched eagerly, expecting an intense, competitive fight between the two boys. Sasuke was well-known for his skills, his Sharingan, and his unshakable confidence. But Raiden, with his emotionless eyes, appeared to be a mystery.
"Don't hold back," Sasuke said, his voice laced with a hint of challenge.
Raiden's eyes, calm and composed, met Sasuke's without a flicker of emotion. "I won't."
The moment the signal was given, Sasuke rushed forward, his Sharingan activated, anticipating every move. But Raiden was faster. With a fluid motion, he sidestepped Sasuke's attack, his body moving almost instinctively.
"He's... fast," Sasuke thought, surprised at the speed Raiden displayed. Raiden's movements weren't just quick—they were deliberate, calculated. He didn't waste any energy.
Sasuke tried again, this time launching a fireball jutsu, a tactic he often used to test his opponents' abilities. But Raiden simply dodged the attack with an agility that seemed impossible for someone of his age.
Raiden's system activated again, Ultra Instinct (Level 1). In an instant, he moved behind Sasuke, who turned just in time to block a strike to his side. But the move was too swift—Sasuke couldn't react in time. Raiden's fist stopped just short of his ribs.
"Impressive," Sasuke muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "You've got potential, Kageyama."
The class, which had been silent up until then, broke into whispers. Raiden had barely broken a sweat, and his calm demeanor only added to the mystique. Sasuke, who was known for his pride and strength, had been caught off guard by Raiden's skill. Yet, there was no arrogance or show of superiority from Raiden—only a quiet acknowledgment.
As the session ended, Raiden turned away and walked back to the bench, his presence once again leaving the rest of the class to murmur in awe.
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Hinata and Sakura: A Growing Curiosity
In the days following the sparring match, Raiden began to catch the attention of the other students, including Hinata Hyuga and Sakura Haruno. While they both admired his abilities, they were also curious about him as a person. Unlike Sasuke, who wore his pride openly, Raiden was more elusive. There was a quiet mystery to him that they couldn't ignore.
One afternoon, during a break between classes, Raiden found himself seated under the same tree where he often studied. He was reading a scroll on advanced ninjutsu when Hinata, with her shy nature, approached him. She had seen him reading before, always absorbed in his studies, and today she felt a little more confident.
"H-Hey, Raiden," she said, her voice soft but determined. "I've noticed you're always reading something new... If you don't mind, could you... could you teach me some of what you're learning?"
Raiden glanced up, his emotionless gaze meeting hers for just a moment. She had been the first person to speak to him outside of class, and though he felt no immediate urge to engage with her, he saw a certain sincerity in her request.
"You want to learn?" he asked quietly.
Hinata nodded. "I… I want to get better. I know I have potential, but I need to believe in myself more. You seem to understand things that others don't. Maybe you can help me."
Raiden tilted his head slightly. "Chakra control. Start with that."
---
Meanwhile, Sakura and Ino had noticed the interaction from a distance. Sakura, always quick to form opinions, furrowed her brow. "Hinata's talking to him?" she muttered. She hadn't expected the shy girl to approach someone as distant as Raiden, but she couldn't deny that there was something intriguing about him.
Ino, ever the one to seek out opportunities for connections, grinned. "Well, maybe it's about time someone made the first move. He's a bit of a mystery, don't you think?"
Sakura didn't respond immediately. She was still processing what she had just witnessed. Raiden wasn't like any of the other students—they were all loud, brash, or eager to prove themselves. He didn't fit that mold. And yet, there was something undeniably attractive about that indifference.
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Raiden's Growth: Unlocking New Skills
As the days at the academy passed, Raiden's skills continued to develop. His training became more intense, and his system rewarded him with new abilities. One day, during a particularly rigorous training session, he unlocked Martial Arts Mastery (Level 2). His body moved with a precision and grace that seemed almost otherworldly. Every punch, every kick, every movement was perfectly in sync with his surroundings.
At night, he would often find himself alone, reflecting on his growth and the purpose of his existence in this new world. His system had given him power—powers from all across the anime universe. But as he grew stronger, he realized that there was still much he needed to learn. Not just about his abilities, but about the people around him.
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A New Challenge: School Tournament
One day, Raiden found himself faced with an unexpected challenge. The academy was hosting an annual Chunin Exam Tournament, a friendly competition between students to test their skills in combat, strategy, and teamwork. Raiden hadn't intended to participate. He wasn't interested in proving anything to anyone. But when Naruto and Sasuke both signed up, and the other students expressed their curiosity about him, Raiden couldn't ignore the opportunity to test his own growth.
As the tournament began, Raiden knew it would be more than just a test of physical strength. It would also be a test of his ability to trust his teammates—and perhaps, for the first time, it would force him to open up to those around him.
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To be continued...