The Academy hallway buzzed with excitement.
Children hurried toward their classrooms, some chatting excitedly while others nervously clutched their school supplies.
Ryuu walked through the corridor at a steady pace.
His expression remained calm.
His grandfather's katana rested securely at his left hip.
It drew curious glances from nearly every student he passed.
Some whispered among themselves.
"Is that... a real sword?"
"Why would someone bring a sword to the Academy?"
"He looks older than us."
Ryuu ignored the whispers.
His mother's words echoed in his mind.
"Do not seek attention."
"Let your sword speak only when necessary."
He reached the classroom assigned to first-year students.
Taking a slow breath...
He slid the door open.
...
The room was already half full.
Groups of children laughed and introduced themselves.
Ryuu quietly walked to the last row beside the window and sat down.
From there, he could clearly see the Academy's training grounds.
A peaceful seat.
Exactly what he preferred.
...
Moments later...
The classroom door opened again.
A young girl with long blonde hair tied into two ponytails confidently entered.
She carried herself with pride.
Without hesitation, she chose a seat near the center of the room.
She looked around confidently, almost as if challenging everyone with her gaze.
"Confident..."
Ryuu thought quietly.
Soon after...
Another child entered.
A pale boy with long black hair.
Unlike everyone else...
He spoke to no one.
His golden eyes calmly observed the classroom before taking a seat by himself.
His movements were quiet.
Measured.
"He watches everything."
Ryuu noted inwardly.
Then...
BANG!
The classroom door burst open.
"Did class start already?!"
A white-haired boy rushed inside while laughing.
His loud voice instantly filled the room.
Several children giggled.
One boy pointed toward the empty teacher's desk.
"The instructor isn't even here yet."
The white-haired boy grinned.
"Then I'm perfectly on time!"
Laughter spread throughout the classroom.
Even Ryuu allowed himself a faint smile.
"He's... interesting."
...
A few moments later...
The instructor entered.
The classroom immediately became quiet.
He looked around before giving a warm smile.
"Good morning, everyone."
"My name is Hiroshi."
"I'll be your Academy instructor."
The instructor unrolled a scroll.
"Before we begin..."
"I'll take attendance."
"Tsunade."
"Present!"
Ryuu's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
Tsunade...
The future Fifth Hokage.
So this really is her generation...
His expression remained calm.
Only his thoughts betrayed his surprise.
The instructor continued.
"Orochimaru."
"...Present."
Ryuu's gaze shifted toward the pale boy.
Orochimaru...
The greatest genius of his era... and one of the most dangerous shinobi in history.
Right now... he's just a child.
Before Ryuu could think further—
"Jiraiya."
"I'm here!"
The white-haired boy answered energetically, causing several classmates to laugh.
Ryuu almost smiled.
The Legendary Sannin...
To think I'd be sitting in the same classroom as them.
So the timeline is exactly where I thought it was.
A few years have passed since the First Shinobi War...
The Second Shinobi War hasn't begun yet.
Which means...
There's still time.
He slowly exhaled.
This isn't the anime anymore.
This is my reality.
My choices can change the future.
I can't depend on memories from my previous life.
I have to become strong enough to protect what matters with my own sword.
The instructor continued calling names.
"Ryuu Kensei."
Ryuu stood calmly.
"Present."
Outwardly...
Nothing about his expression had changed.
But deep inside...
He understood that history had already begun moving.
Several students glanced toward him again.
The surname Kensei was unfamiliar within Konoha.
The instructor finished attendance before rolling up the scroll.
"Now..."
"Let's introduce ourselves."
"When I call your name..."
"Tell everyone your dream."
...
The introductions began.
One student wished to become a jonin.
Another dreamed of protecting the village.
Finally...
"Tsunade."
The blonde girl stood proudly.
"My name is Tsunade."
"I'll become the strongest kunoichi in Konoha."
The classroom applauded.
"Orochimaru."
The pale boy slowly rose.
"My name is Orochimaru."
"I wish to master every ninjutsu in existence."
Several students looked surprised.
"What an unusual dream..."
Then...
"Jiraiya."
The white-haired boy jumped to his feet.
"I'm Jiraiya!"
"I'll become the greatest shinobi the world has ever seen!"
The room filled with laughter.
Finally...
"Ryuu Kensei."
Ryuu calmly stood.
"My name is Ryuu Kensei."
"I seek to become the greatest swordsman in the shinobi world."
Silence.
A few students exchanged confused looks.
"A swordsman?"
"I thought all shinobi used ninjutsu."
Ryuu simply sat back down.
He didn't need to explain himself.
The instructor smiled.
"A dream unlike any I've heard before."
"I hope you pursue it with everything you have."
Ryuu nodded respectfully.
"I will."
...
The morning lessons began.
The instructor spoke about chakra.
The Will of Fire.
The responsibilities of a shinobi.
Ryuu listened carefully.
Although he walked a different path...
Understanding the shinobi world was essential.
...
After lunch...
The students gathered on the Academy training field.
Today's lesson focused on basic taijutsu.
The instructor paired students together.
"Jiraiya."
"Ryuu."
"You'll spar."
Jiraiya immediately grinned.
"This'll be fun!"
Ryuu bowed politely.
"I look forward to our match."
Jiraiya blinked.
"You're really serious, huh?"
The instructor raised his hand.
"No chakra."
"No weapons."
"This is only a test of your fundamentals."
"Begin!"
Jiraiya charged forward without hesitation.
His punches were quick.
Energetic.
But rough.
Ryuu remained calm.
One step to the side.
Jiraiya's punch missed.
Another punch.
Ryuu shifted his weight just enough to avoid it.
His movements were smooth.
Minimal.
Every dodge resembled the precise footwork he had practiced through thousands of foundational sword swings.
Jiraiya threw another punch.
Ryuu gently redirected it with his forearm.
The force caused Jiraiya to lose his balance.
He stumbled forward before regaining his footing.
The instructor immediately raised his hand.
"Enough."
Both boys stepped back.
The instructor nodded thoughtfully.
"Jiraiya."
"You possess excellent fighting spirit."
"But don't let enthusiasm replace technique."
Then he looked toward Ryuu.
"Ryuu."
"Your balance and control are exceptional."
"But remember..."
"A shinobi must also know when to attack."
Ryuu bowed respectfully.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Jiraiya walked over with a wide grin.
"You're really good!"
"Next time..."
"I'm definitely going to win!"
Ryuu smiled faintly.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
Nearby...
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"His footwork is strange..."
"It doesn't look like normal taijutsu."
Not far away...
Orochimaru silently observed Ryuu.
His sharp eyes analyzed every movement.
"His body moves as though every step has been practiced thousands of times..."
"Interesting..."
Neither of them approached him.
Not yet.
But both had taken notice of the quiet boy from the nearly forgotten Kensei Clan.
As the afternoon sun shone over the Academy grounds...
None of the children realized what fate had brought together that day.
Three of them would one day become known across the shinobi world as the Legendary Sannin.
The fourth...
Would walk a path no shinobi had ever walked before.
The path of the sword.
End of Chapter 22