The first month at the Konoha Ninja Academy was, for most children, a time of wonder, new friendships, and the slow, painstaking process of learning to mold chakra. For Ren Uchiha, it was a test of patience.
To his classmates, Ren was an enigma. While Naruto Uzumaki spent his time shouting about becoming Hokage and Sasuke Uchiha brooded in the front row, Ren occupied the furthest seat in the back corner. He often sat with his chin resting on his palm, eyes half-closed, appearing to be in a perpetual state of boredom.
But behind those half-closed lids, Ren was working harder than anyone. Using his 'Space-Time Perception,' he was mapping the chakra signatures of every person in the building. He could feel the stuttering, uneven pulses of the students and the steady, disciplined hum of the teachers. He was also monitoring the 'voids' in the shadows—the ANBU guards Minato had stationed nearby to protect both his son and the "Uchiha Miracle."
"Alright, class! Settle down!" Iruka Umino shouted, slamming a book onto his desk to get their attention. "Today is a big day. We are moving beyond theory. It's time for our first practical combat session!"
A roar of excitement erupted. Naruto jumped onto his desk, pumping a fist. "Finally! I'm gonna show everyone the Uzumaki Power!"
Sasuke scoffed, crossing his arms. "Power is useless without skill, loser."
"What did you say, Teme?!"
"Enough!" Iruka sighed, massaging his temples. "We're going to the outdoor training ground. Everyone, line up!"
The Academy's training ground was a wide, dirt-packed field surrounded by wooden fences and target dummies. The air was crisp, and the sun was high. Iruka stood in the center with a clipboard.
"The rules are simple," Iruka announced. "Taijutsu only. No lethal strikes. The match ends when I call it or when someone is unable to continue. First match: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Ren Uchiha."
The field went silent. All eyes turned to the two boys. Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, known for his boundless energy. Ren was the boy who had awakened the Sharingan at age five. It was the match everyone wanted to see.
Ren stepped forward, his movements fluid and efficient. He didn't have the bouncy energy of a child; he moved with the economical grace of a veteran killer.
Naruto stepped up, grinning widely. He began stretching his arms, his eyes burning with competitive fire. "Hey, Ren! I've been training with my dad! Don't expect me to be easy on you!"
Ren tilted his head. "I'd be disappointed if you were."
"Begin!" Iruka shouted.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, his fingers instantly forming the cross-shaped seal.
*Poof! Poof! Poof!*
Three identical Narutos appeared in plumes of white smoke. The students gasped. Even the older students watching from the balconies were stunned. At age five, Naruto was already performing a solid, physical clone technique—a feat that normally required Jonin-level chakra reserves.
**[Target Identified: Naruto Uzumaki.]**
**[Detection: Active Skill 'Shadow Clone Jutsu' (A-Rank) found!]**
**[Would the Host like to perform 'God-Level Extraction'?]**
*Extract.*
**[Ding! Extraction Successful!]**
**[You have obtained: Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu (A-Rank)!]**
**[Note: Due to 'Infinite Chakra', Host can maintain up to 1,000 clones without fatigue.]**
Ren didn't use the clones. He didn't even take a fighting stance. He simply stood there, hands in his pockets, as the four Narutos rushed him from different directions.
"Take this!" the original Naruto yelled, leading the charge with a flying kick.
Ren's Sharingan remained hidden behind his black irises, but his 'Uchiha Genius Comprehension' was working at full capacity. To him, the Narutos were moving in slow motion. He could see the slight tremor in the clones' legs—they were less stable than the original. He could hear the whistle of the air as they moved.
Ren shifted his weight by two inches.
Naruto's kick passed harmlessly through the space where Ren's chest had been a millisecond before. Naruto landed awkwardly, but his clones were already upon Ren.
*Left hook. Right sweep. Overhead hammer.*
Ren danced. He didn't parry; he simply occupied the "dead zones" of their attacks. He moved like a leaf caught in a gentle breeze, spinning and swaying through the storm of fists.
"Stop moving around!" Naruto growled, his frustration mounting.
Ren finally moved his hands. He didn't strike Naruto; he tapped the three clones on their centers of gravity—a light touch that disrupted their chakra flow.
*Poof! Poof! Poof!*
The clones vanished instantly. Naruto was left alone, his momentum carrying him forward into a punch that Ren caught with a single palm.
The impact sounded like a heavy drum. Naruto's eyes widened as he felt the sheer density of Ren's chakra. It was like punching a mountain.
"Your clones are loud, Naruto," Ren said, his voice quiet so only Naruto could hear. "And your chakra distribution is uneven. You're wasting 40% of your energy on the smoke alone."
Ren pushed his palm forward. It wasn't a violent strike, but it was infused with a burst of 'Tail-Beast Vitality.'
Naruto was sent skidding back across the dirt, his feet leaving deep grooves in the ground until he hit the perimeter fence with a loud *thud*.
"Winner: Ren Uchiha!" Iruka announced, his hand trembling as he marked his clipboard. He had never seen a five-year-old move with such cold, clinical precision.
Naruto sat up, rubbing his stomach. Instead of being angry, he looked at Ren with wide, sparkling eyes. "Whoa... Ren! That was incredible! You didn't even look at me!"
Sasuke, watching from the shade of a tree, gripped the bark so hard it cracked. *He didn't even use the Sharingan. He beat the Hokage's son with his hands in his pockets.*
Ren walked back to his corner, his expression unchanged. But inside, he was checking the System.
**[Quest Update: The Academy Demon.]**
**[Reward: +5,000 Points. Current Total: 15,000.]**
*Not bad for a morning's work,* Ren thought. *But the real test is tonight.*