After showering, changing, and wolfing down two helpings of breakfast, Reito left for school. He didn’t know what to expect from his second day at the academy, but it couldn’t be any worse than his first. With that certainty secure in his mind and the prospect of training with Kakashi Sensei to look forward to, he felt lighter than he had since his awakening.

He had only taken a few steps out of the orphanage when something threatened his reaffirmed resolve.

“Morning,” said Haru, looking unsure of himself.

“Err, morning,” Reito replied with a gulp. It seemed as though the boy had been waiting outside for him.

“Can I walk with you?”

Reito paused to consider this. “Sure,” he said, deciding it was best to get this conversation out of the way. They walked side by side half the distance to the academy before one of them spoke again.

“So… About yesterday…” Haru started. “I didn’t mean to lie to you, Reito. I wasn’t trying to trick you or anything, honest. I planned to tell you in private from the start, but then I saw Akio messing with you and thought I should help. Still, I should have said something sooner; I should have known someone would mention it. I just…didn’t know how to bring up something like that.”

Reito could sense the sincerity in the boy’s words. “I get it,” he said. “I wasn’t really concerned that you were trying to trick me. Learning about you after what Akio said… Well, it messed me up a bit. I know it sounds unbelievable, but for me…it’s only been days since it happened.”

“I know. The Hokage told me that, and I want you to know that I believe you.”

“You do?”

“Of course, it’s obvious that it’s affected you. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for you. Losing your teammates and your teacher like you did on your first big mission, then waking up five years later like no time has passed, finding your family gone, and having to face people like Saito Kannushi and me with all the gossip going around… That’s a lot to deal with.”

As difficult as it was to think about all this, Reito was relieved to hear someone else say it, to understand how crazy it was. “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s not really fair for me to complain. At least I’m… I mean, it must have affected you more.”

“No, you’ve got just as much right as anyone to be upset. Maybe more. I’ve had time to deal with losing my mom. You haven’t.”

“Isn’t it difficult to have me around, though?”

Haru didn’t respond right away. “A little,” he admitted, “but there’s a good side to it as well.”

“There is?”

“Yeah. Based on what the Hokage told me, my mom put her life on the line to protect you and your friends. We might not know how or why you’re here now, but I know it’s what she would have wanted. So, if you ever want to talk…”

Reito’s heart warmed at these words. “Thanks, Haru. And same to you. I didn’t know Amaya Sensei for that long, but if there’s ever anything you want to ask me…"

“Thanks,” said Haru.

“She was incredible, you know,” he assured the woman’s son. “She fought so hard, but those guys…”

“It’s alright, I know about the Akatsuki’s zombie duo,” said Haru with an edge in his tone. “They got what was coming to them!”

“I just wish I could have been a part of taking them down.”

“Me too, but that’s why ninjas exist, right? To take out bad guys? I can’t avenge my mom, but maybe I can help spare other kids the pain I went through. If I graduate, that is!”

Reito beamed and nodded in approval. “It’s going to be a rough couple of weeks, but we have a stronger incentive than others to pass, so let’s work hard! I’m going to train after school if you want to join me?”

“Sure,” said Haru.

“Cool,” said Reito, surprising himself. Just that morning, he had been swearing off friendships.

After a comfortable silence, Haru changed the topic. “So, you were getting on well with Daishi yesterday.”

“Not especially,” Reito shrugged.

“No, that’s the most I’ve seen him interact with anyone!” Haru insisted.

“Oh. Really?”

“Yeah, he’s always been a bit of an oddball, but he’s top of the class. Well, the Medical Ninjutsu class, anyway. His healing ability puts mine to shame.”

“Weird. What about the rest of the class? Any more guys like Akio that I should be wary of?”

Haru smirked. “Akio aside, it’s not the guys you need to worry about. It’s the girls in our class that you need to look out for. Some of them can be pretty scary! We’ve got Taijutsu this afternoon, you’ll see then.”

***

As Iruka Sensei had informed his students the day before, the morning session was to include a test on the Clone Jutsu. Reito and Haru had barely sat down at their desks when he had everyone line up, eliciting a chorus of groans.

Seeing as it was his first time performing in front of his new classmates, Reito was a little nervous. They would surely be watching to see how he did, and since he had a spot near the rear of the queue, he would see what level his peers were at.

Most easily produced three clones for Iruka Sensei. A few made four, including Akio, Tora, Daishi, and a Hyuga Clan girl, who Reito believed was named Hanabi. When the next person was called, Haru nudged him in the ribs. “Watch this,” he advised under his breath.

Reito stood on his tiptoes to see a girl in a royal-blue vest and skirt step forward. Long black bangs framed her fair-skinned face, but most of her hair was tied up in a bun and secured with a chopstick pin. She would have been pretty if it weren’t for her resting scowl. After performing the Hand Seal sequence absurdly quickly, she effortlessly produced five clones without a focusing chant.

“Excellent,” remarked Iruka Sensei. “Next!”

“Whoa,” exclaimed Reito as murmurs of disgust broke out among the waiting students. “Who is that? What clan is she from?”

“That’s Sekka Shimizu. She’s the top-ranked student, but she’s not from a clan,” Haru explained. “She moved to Konoha from Kiri Village in the summer. People call her Bloodmist Sekka, but if you ask me, it’s just out of jealousy because she’s been showing us all up ever since she arrived.”

Reito couldn’t help but be impressed. So, this clan-less, immigrant girl was his new class’s Sasuke, so to speak? Interesting. “Bloodmist?” he queried. Unfortunately, without knowing the context, he had spoken a little too loudly.

“Problem?” asked Sekka with a menacing glare, who had stopped next to Reito on her way to her seat.

Reito felt his cheeks redden. “Err, no. Sorry,” he said, and the girl resumed walking after an uncomfortably long moment.

“Be careful, Bloodmist is a taboo for people from the Land of Water!” Haru hissed. “She sent the last person who called her that to the medical office!”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Reito gulped.

“I told you, the girls here are scary,” said Haru just as Iruka Sensei called his name.

Haru stepped forward and slowly performed the ram, snake, and tiger Hand Seals, then commanded, “Clone (Bunshin no) Jutsu!” He produced three afterimages, but the one furthest from him was easily recognizable as a clone, given its faded, almost transparent appearance. It was still a better result than Reito managed at his graduation, though.

“Hmm. A clone like that will just be wasted Chakra in the field, Haru. You need to amass more Chakra before using the technique,” Iruka Sensei chided. “Make sure you practice after school.”

“Yes, Sensei,” Haru said with a bow.

“Your turn, Reito,” said the teacher.

The boy took a deep breath. In his mind, the last time he had stood before Iruka Sensei like this was just a couple of months ago. Considering it had actually been more than five years, the idea that he wouldn’t have anything to show for it was frustrating. With the prospect of one of the man’s disappointed expressions to look forward to, not to mention the judgment of his new classmates, Reito decided to give it his all.

Hoping that the effects of his Food Pill from that morning would pay off again, Reito began molding his Chakra. None of the students who went before him had made less than three clones, so he focused on doing three perfectly. When he felt the rush of energy in his abdomen, he activated the Chakra, crying, “Clone (Bunshin no) Jutsu!”

There was a deep crease in Iruka Sensei’s brow. Worried he had made a mistake, Reito checked over his work, careful not to lose his concentration. They looked fine. Moreover, it had happened again. There were four clones, just like before. No, not four. There were two to his left, but there were three to his right. Five clones. He had made five! And they weren’t fizzling out!

Reito kept turning his head, recounting his copies. He watched as they finally began fading from the outside in. Five. Sasuke used to make five. Sekka, the top-ranked student in this class, could make five. “I… I took a Food Pill this morning,” Reito explained, seeing the suspicion on his teacher’s face and hearing the murmurs of interest behind him.

“I see,” said Iruka Sensei, his face suddenly reverting to normal. “Well, good work, Reito, go take your seat. Next!”

Reito walked back to his seat, aware of the eyes tracking his movements, including Akio’s, which were searing into him again. When he sat down, Haru said to him, “I figured you were downplaying your abilities yesterday. Modest, huh?”

“No, I wasn’t,” Reito insisted. “I’ve never made five before. This morning was the first time I made four, and that was only because I took one of my Food Pills before starting my workout! It must still be in my system.”

Haru looked skeptical.

“What?”

“Reito…” Haru began uncertainly. “The Food Pills we made yesterday were part of a revision exercise. That recipe is one of the first things we learned from Sakura Sensei. They’re basic-level meal supplements designed for use on missions when food isn’t readily available. They fill you up, keep you healthy, and can help you replenish Chakra to an extent, but they don’t increase it.”

Reito’s insides went cold. He considered whether Haru might be lying, but he couldn’t think of any reason why he would, and he didn’t sense any deception in the boy’s words or expression. If it hadn’t been the Food Pill…? He had never even gotten the hang of three clones. How had he made four during training, then five during the test? Something wasn’t right.

***

After entering the cafeteria and seeing the looks he was getting, Reito decided to skip lunch and go outside. Apparently, word was out about his encounter with Mr. Saito. He had a big breakfast that morning, so he wasn’t especially hungry, anyway. Besides, he wanted to check something.

On his way out of the building, he felt a pang of shame when he passed a couple of boys complaining about a bathroom being out of order. When he reached his old spot by the maple tree, he sat cross-legged on the grass beneath it, closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing. A sense of calm came over him as he monitored his Chakra flow.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as far as he could tell, so he tried molding some Chakra with one hand flat to his belly. The release and co-mingling of his Physical and Spiritual Energy felt normal. Standing up, Reito performed the Clone Jutsu again. Four afterimages appeared.

Reito frowned in confusion but maintained the Jutsu. It was a full thirty seconds before the clones vanished. What was going on? This kind of overnight improvement would be welcomed by someone else, but for him, it was concerning. He had never been capable of this before. What had changed?

Did it have something to do with his disappearance and his condition? With a shake of his head, Reito let out a puff of air. Of course it did! What did it mean, though? Had he gone through some sort of training? Wouldn’t that imply that he was conscious during his missing time? But then, why didn’t he remember it, and why wouldn’t he have aged?

Reito growled and threw up his arms in frustration if only to avoid pulling his hair out. Something odd transpired then. A loud crack rang out, and a branch of the maple tree fell, narrowly missing the boy’s head. Suddenly wondering whether Akio had come looking for him again, he checked his surroundings. There was nobody in the vicinity.

Confused, Reito picked up the fallen branch to examine it. The broken end didn’t show any sign of rot, and its heartwood wasn’t discolored from being exposed. It was a fresh break. Something had to have put pressure on the joint to make it snap like this, but unless a monstrous squirrel was lurking in the canopy, he couldn’t understand who.

“Heads up!” Haru called.

Spotting an apple heading for his face at the last second, Reito dropped the branch to catch it. “Err, thanks,” he said.

“Why’d you do that?” Haru asked, eyeing the branch as he took a bite out of a second apple.

“I…didn’t,” Reito answered, hearing the hollowness in his denial. He hadn’t, had he? No, there was no way.

***

After Haru confirmed that the incident between Reito and Mr. Saito was the talk of the town, they headed to the afternoon session, which was Taijutsu practice outside. Reito was interested to see how the other students fared at hand-to-hand combat, but he wasn’t looking forward to participating. Following his surprising performance on the test, he suspected they would be keen to take him down a peg or two.

Judging by the looks he received when he arrived, he had been right. Akio grinned while pounding his fist into his palm, which was giving off steam. With exams so close, Reito doubted they would be doing basic exercises today. No, it was far more likely that they would be—

“Traditional Shinobi Sparring!” Iruka Sensei announced, finishing the boy’s thought and garnering a mixture of reactions from the assembled students. “You should be practicing your moves every day, but the best way to get accustomed to using and improving your Taijutsu is by sparring with an opponent. Today, we’ll do winner stays on, or until I order a switch. Remember, no Chakra! Now, let’s have…Tora and Toshi up first.”

“Uh oh,” said Haru quietly. “Tora’s a pretty good fighter.”

The Inuzuka Clan girl stepped forward at once, but the boy named Toshi did so reluctantly. They faced each other, performed the Seal of Confrontation, and began at Iruka Sensei’s behest. It was over in an instant. Tora delivered a series of vicious blows in quick succession, finishing with a kick launched from ground level that knocked her opponent off his feet.

Reito was reminded of how Kiba used to move, the way he took quick swipes at his opponent to keep them on the defensive and ducked and weaved low to the ground, but Tora seemed faster and more savage. She was good.

When Toshi got to his feet, the pair made the Seal of Reconciliation, locking their forefingers to acknowledge that they were still comrades. Tora defeated two more opponents before Iruka Sensei called, “Hanabi!” Her gleeful expression tightened as the pale-eyed girl stepped forward.

“Ooh, Tora’s not happy about that! Hanabi is the best at Taijutsu,” Haru explained. “She’s the heir to the Hyuga Clan, you know?”

“What about Hinata?” Reito asked, remembering the quiet girl from his former class.

“Who’s that?”

Reito shook his head as if to say, never mind.

“Begin!” Iruka Sensei commanded.

Tora dashed forward at once, but Hanabi didn’t alter her stance, one hand extended outward, palm open. She darted around, launching jabs and kicks one after the other, but Hanabi either dodged effortlessly or deflected her speedier attacks with palm strikes. Tora growled with frustration as she drew her arm back for a powerful blow.

That was when Hanabi struck. She stepped into the other girl’s space and sunk her palm into her abdomen, making her tumble over backward. She stood up, clutching her stomach but vying to continue. However, Iruka Sensei interrupted, “Good work, Tora. Next!”

Tora left the field, muttering angrily. The next two opponents were quickly dispatched by Hanabi, who had barely moved from the spot. That was when Iruka Sensei called Sekka’s name.

“This should be good!” Haru exclaimed excitedly, along with several of the spectators.

Unfortunately, their teacher dismissed Hanabi at this point. “Haru, you’re up!” he said.

Haru’s jaw dropped in horror. “Aww, man!” he said under his breath, then stepped up sulkily.

Reito winced as Sekka defeated Haru in a flash, twisting his arm, sweeping his leg, and flipping him over with ease. She did something similar with her next opponent, who limped away. She moved strangely, in one fluid motion, without any wasted effort. It was like her body was already working on follow-up moves before the first had even landed. Despite the gracefulness of her technique, there was power behind it. Was this a style they taught in Kiri Village?

Sekka’s third opponent was a bespectacled boy with shaggy white hair. He couldn’t look more disinterested if he tried. When Iruka Sensei had them begin, Sekka moved in quickly and seized the boy’s wrist. However, before she could do anything with it, he cried out and hit the floor in a rather dramatic fashion.

“Wha-what happened?” Reito asked in astonishment.

“That’s Keita Kimura,” Haru sighed, “He does that sometimes. He’s the smartest kid in class, but when it comes to Taijutsu…”

“You mean he took a dive?”

“Keita!” Iruka Sensei roared. “Take this seriously!”

“Yep, and I don’t blame him with Sekka as his opponent,” said Haru, nursing his arm.

“Yes, Sensei, I do, Sensei. Sekka’s very strong, Sensei,” the boy drawled monotonously as he walked off the field, leaving Sekka looking disgusted with him.

“Right,” the teacher said sternly. “Next up…Reito.”

Reito gulped. If he hadn’t taken Haru’s warning about the female students seriously before, he was a believer now.