The Sixth Year of Konoha's Founding
Kenichi Sato's Age: 10 Years Old
Mid-June – The Day After the Midterm Exams
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The atmosphere in the academy's outer courtyard was charged, as if the air itself was anticipating what was to come.
The head instructor announced, "Today, we'll be holding open sparring matches. It's not about winning or losing, but about observing each of your different combat styles."
The students were divided into groups based on their preliminary abilities demonstrated during the term.
Kenichi wasn't among the first called, so he sat in the shade, observing.
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Match One: Kagami Uchiha × Hiruzen Sarutobi
Kagami moved with agility. His style was clean, his movements short but calculated. He ducked swiftly, spun halfway, then leapt to the side and released a shuriken from a low angle.
Hiruzen moved as if he could read his opponent's mind. He didn't just block—the shuriken was parried with his staff, which he infused with a touch of chakra to destabilize its trajectory and send it off course.
Kagami narrowed his eyes… watching every muscle in Hiruzen's body.
Then he jumped back and launched a small, precise fireball.
Silence filled the arena.
Instructor Hama spoke calmly, "Kagami… excellent control in taijutsu and vision. Hiruzen… timing and analysis. Both of you show traits of true shinobi."
Kenichi smiled as he jotted notes in a small notebook.
> "Kagami predicts his opponent's next move through their eyes…"
"Hiruzen analyzes patterns—not just moments."
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Match Two: Danzo Shimura × Koharu Utatane
Danzo stepped forward with three quick strides, his right hand low, before suddenly swinging it upward toward her shoulder—but Koharu shifted her body gracefully, as if she had anticipated the move.
She used a quick smoke burst, but Danzo charged straight into it without hesitation, even momentarily startling the instructors. His style was aggressive—but unrefined.
Koharu wasn't weak. She adopted a tight defensive approach, dodging his strikes with precision, focusing on wearing him down rather than direct confrontation.
At the end of the match, Hama commented, "Danzo… direct offensive style. Needs better emotional control. Koharu… strong tactical mind."
Danzo didn't reply. He merely glanced at Kenichi briefly, then walked off.
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Match Three: Might Duy × Shin Tatsuma
Though he didn't win, Duy displayed an unbreakable spirit. His opponent, Shin, was faster, wielding two wooden kunai with sharp precision. Duy barely managed to block using his arms, but his smile never faded.
Duy charged in, shouting—not to intimidate his opponent, but to fire himself up. Every time he fell, he stood again quickly, as if the ground itself refused to keep him down. He stumbled, but rose. Took hits, but smiled.
At the end, Instructor Hama said, "Speed can be trained. Strength can be gained. But heart… heart cannot be taught."
Kenichi applauded Duy more than anyone else.
Duy noticed, smiled at him, and raised his tiny fist in defiance.
As he passed by, he whispered, "Thanks, Sato. One day… we'll stand together on a real battlefield."
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At the end of the exercises, Kenichi was called—not to fight, but to observe.
"You've submitted accurate reports and notes," they told him. "We'd like to see how you analyze others' battles."
Standing before the instructors, Kenichi gave a brief but precise breakdown. He explained differences in rhythm, footwork balance, and the use of angles in attacks.
One of the chunin murmured, "It's like he's not just studying with them… he's studying them like a teacher."
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By the end of the day, Kenichi sat in a corner of the courtyard, quietly writing.
He penned:
> "Kagami: His eyes are a tool. Duy: His heart is his weapon. Danzo: Ambition without flexibility."
"Koharu: Avoids conflict, but calculates every move."
"And me? I'm still searching for myself among them."
Up above, unseen… Tobirama listened to every word.