Early the next morning, the first pale light of dawn filtered through the curtains of Evan Kamiyo's room. He dressed in the standard Academy charcoal-grey tunic, checked his medical pouch, and performed a single, fluid hand seal. With a muffled poof, a Shadow Clone materialized beside him.
According to the specific protocols established by the Third Hokage, Evan's independent clones were required to adopt a civilian-ninja persona to avoid drawing attention to his true age and status. Evan looked at the clone, who stood with an unsettling, blank readiness.
"Remember," Evan said, pausing to recall the specific files Hiruzen had sent over. "Your identity is Yukaze Kaori. If any of the senior staff at the hospital ask about your background, you were a field medic reassigned from the ANBU logistics division due to a minor chakra pathway injury."
The Shadow Clone gave a mechanical nod. Without a word, it adjusted its forehead protector and vanished through the window, heading straight toward Konoha Hospital. It was a perfect tool—no ego, no fatigue, and no hesitation in face of the most gruesome injuries.
As for the clone previously tasked with hunting in the forest, Evan had officially retired that mission. He had realized that ordinary beasts provided diminishing returns; most of the local wildlife had either been cleared out or simply no longer provided the "Spirit" or "Constitution" points necessary to fuel his current level of growth.
Soon after, Evan arrived at the Academy. The building hummed with the nervous energy of thirty elite students. He navigated the hallway with a quiet confidence that drew stares from upperclassmen, eventually reaching the door of Class A.
He scanned the room briefly. In the back row, near a window that overlooked the training grounds, sat a small figure with short, dark hair and a lavender gaze. Hinata Hyuga was tracing patterns on her desk, looking isolated until she saw him enter.
"Good morning, Hinata." Evan walked over and slid into the seat directly beside her. The desk was technically meant for two, and his proximity brought a sudden, vivid flush to her cheeks.
"G-Good morning, Evan." Hinata offered a small, shy smile. The visible tension in her shoulders dissipated instantly. To her, this classroom was a battlefield of expectations, but with Evan beside her, it felt like a sanctuary.
Evan's presence didn't go unnoticed. His calm demeanor, combined with the sharp, refined features of his growing Sage Body, made him a magnet for the girls in the room. Whispers began to erupt like a low-frequency hum.
"He's the one from the gates yesterday... what's his name?" one girl whispered.
"I don't know, but he looks so mature. Look at his eyes," another replied, leaning over her desk to get a better view.
"Don't even bother," a third girl joked, though her eyes were wide. "Someone that handsome is clearly destined for great things. Maybe he's a secret clan heir?"
Evan ignored the chatter, but a sudden, cheerful voice broke through his focus. "Hello! My name is Yamanaka Ino. It's nice to meet you!"
He looked up to see a bright-eyed blonde girl leaning over the seat in front of him. Even at this age, Ino possessed a magnetic, boisterous confidence. She was the social engine of the class, her personality as striking as the platinum hair she kept in a high ponytail.
"Hello. I am Evan Kamiyo."
Behind Ino, the rest of the legendary trio was already settled. Nara Shikamaru was slumped over his desk, his cheek pressed against the wood as he watched a cloud drift by. Akimichi Choji sat beside him, the rhythmic crunch-crunch-crunch of potato chips providing a steady soundtrack to the morning.
"Hey! No eating in class, Choji," Evan said instinctively. His medical background made him sensitive to the sound of constant snacking in a sterile learning environment.
Shikamaru lifted his head, a look of profound boredom on his face. "So troublesome... even the new kid is a stickler for the rules."
Choji, however, blinked at Evan's authoritative tone and swallowed his mouthful of chips, closing the bag with a sheepish grin. "Sorry. I get hungry when I'm nervous."
"Nara Shikamaru," the lazy genius introduced himself with a half-hearted wave. "And the guy with the chips is Choji. Just ignore us; we're just here to pass the time."
Evan nodded politely. He noticed that Ino was already pulling Hinata into a conversation. As part of the prestigious clan circles, Ino was one of the few people who could navigate the Hyuga's cold social barriers with ease.
The murmurs in the room suddenly sharpened into a hush. The door slid open, and Sasuke Uchiha entered. He walked with a calculated grace, his eyes fixed forward, ignoring the dozens of stares following him. Even Evan had to admit that Sasuke's aura was impressive—he carried the pride of the Uchiha like a physical weight.
Moments later, the door crashed open again. "Out of the way! The future Hokage has arrived!"
Naruto Uzumaki came tumbling in, his orange jacket clashing violently with the refined atmosphere of the room. He scanned the seats, his eyes lighting up when he spotted Evan.
"Naruto, you're actually on time for once," Evan remarked as the blonde boy scrambled toward an empty seat.
"I told you I'd make it!" Naruto shouted, puffing out his chest. He caught Sasuke's eye and immediately scowled. "What are you looking at, you stinky elite?"
Sasuke didn't even turn his head. "Hmph. The loser is making noise again."
Evan watched the two of them, sensing the invisible friction between their spirits. Indra and Ashura, he thought. The eternal cycle of clashing wills. One driven by a cold need for recognition through power, the other by a burning desire for recognition through bonds. ***
The school bell rang, a sharp, metallic chime that signaled the start of their lives as shinobi. A man with a scarred nose and a kind, albeit slightly terrified, expression walked to the podium.
Iruka Umino took a deep breath. This was his first time leading the elite class, and the sheer amount of political pressure in the room—with the heirs of the Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, and Akimichi all in one place—was enough to make his palms sweat.
"Alright, settle down everyone," Iruka said, forced a stiff smile. "We'll start with self-introductions. Tell us your name and your dream for the future."
One by one, the students stood up. When it was Evan's turn, he kept it brief. "My name is Evan Kamiyo. I am here to master the arts of healing and protection. My goal is to ensure that the lives of those in this village are not wasted."
He sat down quickly, feeling the scrutinizing gaze of Shikamaru and the curious eyes of Ino.
Finally, Sasuke stood up. The room went dead silent. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. My goal is to become a ninja stronger than my brother and to restore the glory of the Uchiha clan. I have no interest in 'dreams,' only results."
The coldness in his voice sent a shiver through the civilian students. Then, it was Naruto's turn.
Naruto slammed both hands on his desk and leaped onto his chair. "MY NAME IS UZUMAKI NARUTO! BELIEVE IT! MY DREAM IS TO BECOME THE HOKAGE AND MAKE EVERYONE IN THIS VILLAGE FINALLY RECOGNIZE ME!"
A few students snickered. Someone in the back whispered, "The dead-last wants to be Hokage? Give me a break."
Naruto's face fell for a fraction of a second, his bravado wavering under the weight of the collective ridicule. But before Iruka could intervene, a calm voice cut through the laughter.
"I trust you," Evan said quietly.
The classroom went silent again. Naruto froze, his blue eyes widening as he looked over at Evan. The mockery faded, replaced by a strange, heavy atmosphere of respect. Naruto offered a grin that was so bright it seemed to light up the room.
Evan leaned back in his chair. He knew the road for Naruto—and for himself—would be paved with thorns. But as the first lesson began, he felt the points in his system begin to tick upward. The Academy wasn't just a school; it was his new hunting ground.
Author's Note:
Thank you for your continued support! Every Power Stone helps us dive deeper into the lore.