It was evening. The sun dipped low beyond the Hokage Monument, painting the village rooftops in hues of gold and crimson. Within the Hokage's office, the fading light poured through the broad window, catching the faint swirl of smoke from the pipe held loosely in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand.
At forty-two, the Third Hokage already bore the quiet weight of leadership—the kind that etched faint lines around his eyes and lent his every motion a measured calm. He stood silently before the window, gaze fixed on the slowly darkening skyline.
Behind him, the three chūnin examiners—Daiki Morimoto, Yūhi, and Morino—stood in formal alignment, tension heavy between them. The atmosphere inside the room was dense enough to feel almost physical.
Hiruzen didn't turn to face them as he spoke, his voice steady and deep.
"You've returned sooner than expected. I assume this concerns the anomaly in today's examination?"
Daiki exchanged glances with his colleagues, then stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"Yes, Lord Third. We… encountered three separate incidents during the graduation evaluations. All three involving students performing jutsu well beyond academy level."
Yūhi stepped forward, crimson eyes still sharp even under the dim light. "Two of them—Uzumaki Kushina and that black- haired boy, Asteru—successfully executed Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. And before them, Namikaze Minato displayed similar ability, though under more controlled chakra division."
That earned Hiruzen's attention. He finally turned, pipe lowering slightly from his lips. "Shadow Clone Technique?" he repeated, voice calm but laced with quiet disbelief. "From academy students?"
Morino nodded grimly, his usually stoic face showing faint traces of unease. "All three displayed stable chakra signatures during the technique. Equal distribution, full physical clones—no degradation or backlash."
For a moment, silence reigned in the office, broken only by the faint crackle of the pipe's ember. Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he exhaled a slow plume of smoke.
"Three children, each performing a forbidden supplementary technique[1]… and one of them being an orphan with no clan backing."
Yūhi bowed slightly. "We came to report this directly, Lord Hokage. And… to ask for guidance on how to proceed these students in three-man cell."
Before Hiruzen could respond, there was a soft knock on the office door.
"Enter," he said simply.
The door slid open, and the man who stepped inside carried an unmistakable aura—measured strength cloaked in quiet humility.
Silver hair, tied loosely in a low ponytail, caught the sunlight's last glow like threads of steel. His dark eyes, framed by deep lines, held both fatigue and warmth. The Uzushiogakure crest on his white-edged sleeve marked his lineage; the White Light Chakra Sabre slung across his shoulder marked his reputation.
Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang of Konoha.
He bowed lightly. "Lord Third. You summoned me?"
Hiruzen turned to fully face him, his expression unreadable. "Yes, Sakumo. I believe you should hear this firsthand."
Daiki stepped forward again, frustration edging his tone.
"How can you carelessly teach a shadow clone—a B-rank and class-supplementary ranked jutsu—to children?"
Sakumo blinked once, slowly, his expression calm as ever. "I see. So that's what this is about." He folded his arms loosely, voice steady but sincere. "Minato has potential. He's capable and intelligent enough to handle complex jutsu. He grasped the structure of Lord Second's chakra replication methods faster than even I anticipated."
Yūhi's eyes narrowed slightly. "You can teach one, Hatake-san. But why teach other children as well?"
Sakumo's gaze flickered toward her, soft but firm. "I didn't. I only explained it to Minato. No one else."
The female instructor hesitated, her crimson eyes drifting downward. "Then how did that boy—Asteru—know such a high-ranking jutsu?"
Silence followed. The kind that presses on the lungs and makes even strong shinobi reconsider their words.
Sakumo's brows furrowed slightly. "Asteru? The black haired boy who often trains with Minato?"
Daiki nodded grimly. "The same. His performance was… beyond expectations. Controlled, stable, perfect equilibrium. It wasn't an imitation—he understood the jutsu."
Sakumo's gaze grew distant for a moment, as though replaying quiet memories.
'That boy always watched closely during Minato's training. But to learn it… without direct instruction?'
Hiruzen set his pipe aside, stepping closer to his desk. "Sakumo, you're saying you never personally demonstrated or described the shadow clone process to Asteru?"
The White Fang shook his head. "No, Lord Third. Never directly. But…" he hesitated, his tone turning reflective, "he has a remarkable intuition for chakra manipulation. The kind that can mimic or reconstruct a technique from mere observation."
Morino interjected, tone clipped. "That may be so, but the technique is forbidden for a reason. If this knowledge spreads among untrained children—"
"I know," Sakumo interrupted quietly, his voice calm but firm. "But you misunderstand. These children aren't untrained. Asteru may lack pedigree, but he's far from ordinary. Minato's influence, combined with that boy's adaptability, makes their progress inevitable."
Yūhi's gaze softened slightly. 'He truly believes in them. Even that boy… especially that boy.'
Daiki crossed his arms, still unconvinced. "Belief doesn't change protocol, Sakumo. If word spreads that academy students are learning jutsu from the Scroll of Seals—"
"That knowledge didn't come from me," Sakumo cut in, his tone never rising. "And if it didn't come from the scroll, then the question isn't who taught them, but why they can perform it."
That statement hung heavy in the air.
Hiruzen regarded the silver-haired jonin for a long, silent moment. His sharp eyes, tempered by decades of wisdom, studied Sakumo not as a subordinate—but as a man whose loyalty had never wavered.
Finally, the Hokage exhaled and turned toward the window again. The last edge of sunlight had dipped behind the horizon, casting the room into a soft amber gloom.
"The Shadow Clone Technique was devised for high-efficiency intelligence gathering," Hiruzen said quietly, his tone thoughtful. "And yet, these three—Minato, Asteru, and Kushina—manifest it with natural precision. Perhaps this is less an act of carelessness, and more… evolution."
Daiki frowned. "Evolution, Lord Third?"
Hiruzen's gaze darkened, but a faint smile ghosted across his lips. "The children of this generation are not ours to shape in old ways. They see chakra differently. To them, rules are patterns, not barriers."
He turned back to Sakumo. "You said Minato understood the structure behind the technique, not merely the seals?"
Sakumo nodded. "Yes. He comprehended its nature—chakra splitting[2], memory feedback,[3]sensory retention[4]. He's ready for jōnin-level theory already."
Yūhi hesitated, then spoke softly. "And what of the other two?"
Sakumo's voice lowered, thoughtful. "Asteru's talent is instinctive—he feels chakra, and it feels like he knows what his capabilities are. He mimics without error. Kushina…" his tone warmed faintly, "I've only seen her using fūinjutsu, so she may excel in that feild."
Hiruzen folded his hands behind his back. "Three children from different paths, converging at a single technique. Fascinating."
Daiki looked uncertain. "So what do we do about them, Lord Hokage?"
For a long while, Hiruzen said nothing. Then he smiled faintly, eyes still on the window's faint reflection of the village lights.
"We watch. We guide. But we do not suppress them." His voice was calm, almost gentle. "Potential like this, if restrained too tightly, shatters. Let it grow under our eyes instead."
He turned back to his subordinates, his tone firm once more. "The matter of the Shadow Clone Technique remains classified. None outside this office are to speak of it. The records will list their results as 'Exceptional Performance.' Do I make myself clear?"
The three examiners bowed deeply. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
Sakumo inclined his head respectfully. "Understood."
As they prepared to leave, Hiruzen's gaze followed the last flicker of sunlight vanishing beyond the mountains. His thoughts, however, drifted far ahead—to the future.
He exhaled softly, the faintest smile touching his lips.
'The next generation truly is terrifying.'
Hiruzen sat back in his chair after the others left, the room now bathed in the quiet glow of twilight. The faint ember of his pipe flickered, dying out as he glanced down at the papers spread across his desk.
Three files lay open—each bearing the academy emblem, each marked with the word Exceptional.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he leaned back, murmuring to himself, "It would be a waste to keep them separate… a prodigy, a genius, and a Nine-Tailed beast jinchūriki. What a team to be made."
He chuckled softly under his breath, the sound low and warm. "Now that will certainly shake up the village."
Outside, the last light faded from the Hokage Monument.
The next morning arrived before the sun itself. Asteru's eyes fluttered open to the pale glow of dawn cutting through the paper windows. The air was cool, still tinted with the hush of the early hour.
He sat up, rubbing the back of his neck before rolling his shoulders. His body felt solid—light, but strong in a way that didn't quite fit his age. With a quiet grunt, he slid out of bed and began his usual morning stretches.
First, a slow twist of the torso. Then push-ups, pull-ups on the wooden beam, squats. Finally, he rolled his neck until it gave a satisfying crack. Sweat trailed faintly down his back as the muscles in his arms flexed under the soft dawn light.
He glanced down at himself, palm brushing over his abdomen with a crooked grin.
"Damn, this world's physiques of children are crazy," he said dryly. "Even a small kid here could beat a grown adult from my life on earth. What a class this is…"
He exhaled, letting chakra hum faintly beneath his skin.
"After practicing my Shadow Clones for the past two weeks, I can feel the energy flow smoother every day. My chakra control's almost next level now. Just wait a few more months, and I'll try the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu myself."
A grin touched his lips. "Maybe I'll even teach it to Kushina… though what's the use? She only needs fūinjutsu and her fists to beat anyone to pulp."
He shuddered slightly, remembering the rampage she went on last week—pure, unfiltered fury wrapped in a red blur.
Right then, a sharp knock echoed on his door.
"Ugh… who's even awake this early?" he muttered, standing and groaning as he walked over.
Sliding open the door, he blinked in surprise.
Kushina stood there, her red hair pulled back in a messy ponytail that caught the morning light like fire. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and she held a small wooden box wrapped neatly in a yellow-green cloth.
"W-what are you—no, why are you like that?!" she yelled instantly, face turning bright red. "Put on some clothes, idiot!"
Before he could even respond, her fist came flying upward in a perfect undercut.
But Asteru's reflexes were quicker. His hand snapped up, catching her wrist mid-swing, his expression calm but faintly amused.
"You really were planning to beat me to death and level my chin into a square. I don't need that…" he sighed, turning away.
He picked up the shirt he'd left draped over a chair, murmuring under his breath, "Like son, like mother…"
Kushina frowned. "Huh? What was that?"
"Nothing," he said quickly, slipping his shirt on and motioning for her to sit.
She pouted a little but followed him inside, placing the box carefully on the small table. As she untied the green-yellow cloth, a gentle aroma began to fill the room—sweet, savory, and faintly of the sea.
Asteru's nose twitched. "Hmm… is it another new recipe you were talking about yesterday? It smells like shrimp, crab, and eggs… What is it?"
Kushina smiled proudly, eyes sparkling as she opened the box. "Tadaa! Tamago-yaki! But these ones are special—they've got fillings!"
Inside lay several neatly rolled pieces of golden omelet, glistening faintly with steam.
Asteru leaned forward, impressed. "Looks fancy." He grabbed his chopsticks and picked one up. "Oh right—itadakimasu."
He popped it into his mouth, chewing slowly as the flavor spread—sweet egg, tender seafood, a hint of soy. He blinked, surprised. "Hmm~ these are with hidden fillings. That's impressive, Kushina. Daily, you're becoming more and more of a chef master, hehe..."
Her whole face lit up with pride, eyes practically glowing. "You mean it?! I tried something new—folding the egg while adding crab and a bit of shrimp paste for flavor!"
Asteru smirked. "No kidding. If you keep cooking like this, the academy cafeteria might lose all its customers."
She laughed, cheeks pink with joy. "Well, if you're my taste tester, I'll make sure everything's perfect!"
The two continued eating as the soft morning light warmed the small room. Between bites, they joked about classmates—how Mikoto probably aced her transformation again, how Minato must have already started training with Sakumo, how Chōza would likely fall asleep before the results were even announced.
Kushina leaned forward, chin resting in her palms. "You think we'll both pass?"
Asteru swallowed his food and grinned. "You? After that night's Shadow Clone lesson, you're in for sure. And now I'm not too worried about myself either."
Kushina's smile softened. 'He always sounds so sure… it's annoying but kinda reassuring too.'
She finished the last bite, tying the cloth back around the box. Then, standing abruptly, she brushed her skirt. "Alright! I'm heading to the academy first. Don't be late again, lazybones!"
He waved her off lazily. "Yeah, yeah. Go knock 'em dead, Uzumaki Chef."
She grinned at the nickname before running off into the morning street, her laughter echoing faintly through the quiet neighborhood.
Asteru leaned back in his chair, watching her go, a small smile tugging at his lips. Then he stretched his arms and yawned. "Man, she's pure energy even at sunrise."
After a few minutes, he stood, tossing his towel over his shoulder, and left his small apartment. The air outside was cool and crisp, carrying the distant scent of rain and fresh vegetables.
As he walked through the familiar narrow street, he waved at the old vegetable seller standing beside his cart. "Morning, Uncle!"
The old man chuckled, adjusting his hat. "Asteru-boy, up early again, huh? You kids these days have more discipline than we ever did."
Asteru grinned. "Maybe it's the threat of Kushina's punches."
The old man laughed heartily. "Ain't that the truth!"
He continued down the street until the steam from a nearby bathhouse drifted into view—a small open-air place surrounded by cedar fences and smooth stones. The signboard read: Konoha Public Baths.
He pushed open the door and was greeted by the familiar old lady at the counter, her white hair tied in a bun and a pipe resting between her lips. She looked up and smiled faintly.
"Well, look who it is again. One hour in the boys' section is free, boy," she said with a teasing grin.
Asteru laughed lightly. "You always say that, obaa-san."
She shrugged. "Because you're one of the few who doesn't splash water everywhere like a maniac."
He nodded gratefully and stepped inside. The changing room was empty—just how he liked it. He removed his clothes, wrapping a towel around his waist before stepping into the open-air section.
Steam rose gently from the surface of the water, curling upward into the cool morning air. He dipped one foot in first, then sank down slowly until the warmth enveloped him completely.
A long sigh escaped his lips. "Ahh… this hits the spot."
The water rippled around him as he leaned back against the smooth stone, eyes half-closed, mind slowly drifting.
'Finally graduating from this boring academy,' he thought lazily. 'Guess today's gonna be interesting.'
The sun began to rise over Konoha, golden rays spilling across the steam.
Steam drifted lazily over the surface as Asteru sank deeper into the hot water, arms resting along the edge. The morning was quiet—calm, peaceful, exactly the sort of moment he needed before a life-changing day.
But then—
Giggle.
A strange, breathy, way-too-happy giggle echoed from the far corner of the bathhouse.
Asteru's brow twitched.
He turned his head slowly.
There—half-hidden behind the far wooden fence—stood a tall, broad-shouldered man who absolutely did not belong anywhere near a women's bath. Snow-white hair tied back in a ponytail, two long bangs framing his face, red lines running beneath his eyes…
And a stupid grin plastered on his face as he peeked through a knothole in the fence.
Jiraiya.
One of the Legendary Sannin… though right now he looked more like one of the Legendary Creeps.
The man whispered to himself with sparkling eyes, "Ohohoho… incredible… such an awesome research opportunity…"
Asteru exhaled through his nose.
"Hey, old man," he called out casually—though Jiraiya wasn't actually that old, just older than him.
"You shouldn't peek at girls while they bathe…"
Asteru chose to act like he had absolutely no idea who Jiraiya was.
Inside, he snorted, 'As if I'd fangirl over you. I know exactly who you are, pervy sage…'
Jiraiya froze.
Then, with dramatic slowness, he straightened his back, turning toward Asteru like a child caught stealing from the kitchen.
He gave a sheepish grin, cheeks reddening.
"Ah—you got me there," Jiraiya chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just gathering… uh… inspiration for my next novel!"
He made an exaggerated flourish with his hand, like he was some sort of misunderstood artist rather than a man peeking into the women's side of a bath.
Asteru raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Right. Sure. Inspiration."
Jiraiya puffed out his chest. "You don't understand, kid! True art requires passion, vision, and—"
"Peeping?" Asteru deadpanned.
Jiraiya choked. "N-no! I mean—research! Field experience! The fundamentals of human—uh—interaction!"
The man even tried to pose dramatically, one hand on his hip, other raised with a sparkling smile.
Asteru stared at him like he was looking at a complete idiot. 'This guy really thinks this counts as a justification… unbelievable, no wonder Tsunade beats him everytime.'
He flicked water off his fingers. "Look, old man. Just don't peek. You'll get caught eventually, and I don't want to witness someone older than me crying after being beaten by angry kunoichi."
Jiraiya gasped dramatically. "Me? Cry? Listen here, kid—my pride as a man is—"
Asteru cut him off by lazily pointing over Jiraiya's shoulder. "Speaking of pride… maybe check the fence behind you."
"Huh?" Jiraiya turned—
And noticed something he definitely did not put there.
A bright red paper pinned against the wood with a needle pinning it.
A paper bomb.
Asteru shrugged calmly. "Happens when you lean too close to the women's side. The fence has… surprises."
Jiraiya's pupils shrank. "W-Wait, WAIT—"
BOOOOOM!!
The corner of the fence exploded outward with a loud crack, splinters flying everywhere as smoke puffed upward like a mushroom cloud.
Asteru didn't even flinch.
The blast blew Jiraiya straight up in the air, his limbs flailing comically.
He crashed down on the men's side floor with a dramatic thud, half-smoking, hair frizzed up, towel barely hanging on.
Asteru sighed, stood, and walked past the groaning Sannin.
Jiraiya wheezed, reaching out weakly. "H-help… help… tell my publisher—my manuscript—it's under my bed—"
Asteru didn't even look at him. "Try not to die doing 'research', old man." He smirked at jiraya's posture, 'he'll not die with just a mini blast, since he have a lot of things to do in the future.'
Inside, Jiraiya's heart cracked.
'Wh-why is this brat so cold?!'
Asteru dried off in the changing room, slipping into his normal attire. The fabric was crisp, clean, the headband still missing—but today might change that.
He paused, wrapping a clean bandage around his left arm. Not an injury—just habit, comfort, and aesthetics.
'Kushina should be reaching class by now… or fighting someone, knowing her.'
He grabbed his small pouch of shuriken's and kunai's and adjusted it at his back.
Then, without wasting a second, he sprinted out the bathhouse door, sandals slapping against the stone.
He waved quickly at the vegetable-seller uncle as he passed, earning a chuckle.
The old lady at the counter smirked from behind her pipe, muttering, "Kids these days… full of energy…"
Asteru didn't slow down.
He was already dashing toward the academy.
Today was the day everything changed.
[1] It's been only 3 years since the 2nd shinobi war ended many jutsu's were considered forbidden, based on previous brutality of the war.
[2] meaning: It’s the process of dividing your total chakra evenly (or unevenly) into multiple parts to distribute between constructs — like clones or sealing techniques
[3] meaning: It’s the process of transferring experiences or information from one chakra construct back to the original user. This creates what he called “memory feedback,” allowing the user to gain multiple experiences at once — for example, training with 10 clones means learning 10x faster because of all the feedback data merging into one brain.
[4] Meaning:It’s the ability to preserve and reintegrate sensory data (like sight, sound, touch, chakra flow perception) from an external construct back into the user. It’s what makes Tobirama’s jutsu so efficient: even after a clone or summoned body disappears, the user retains every sensory impression as if they’d lived it themselves.