The second day at the Academy began with a different weight than the first.
The initial charm of novelty was gone, as was the inspiring speech about the Will of Fire. Now began what would truly shape those children — knowledge. The instructor entered the classroom without haste, closed the door carefully, and before turning to the students, wrote a single large, firm ideogram on the board:
忍力
Ninryoku.
— Chakra — he explained after a few seconds of silence. — Or, more accurately, the force that allows a ninja to exist as a ninja.
He did not begin with legends. He began with the body.
He explained that chakra was formed through the union of two fundamental energies: Shintai Energy, physical energy, created from food, sleep, growth, and bodily training; and Seishin Energy, spiritual energy, shaped by experiences, emotions, memories, trauma, and the strength of the mind itself.
Ren followed every word with absolute attention.
The explanation was simple, but correct. More honest than most teachings he remembered from this world. Even so, something was missing — and he knew exactly what it was.
The instructor then went deeper.
— These two energies do not exist chaotically. They are organized according to older principles. Yin and Yang.
On the board, he wrote:
陰 — Yin
陽 — Yang
— Yin is linked to the mind, imagination, intention, and invisible form. Yang is linked to the body, vitality, and physical strength. When we create chakra, we are not merely mixing energy. We are balancing opposites.
Some children frowned. Others simply copied mechanically.
Ren immediately understood the problem.
The Academy taught what chakra was, but not how to sense imbalance between Yin and Yang. A common — and dangerous — mistake.
The instructor continued, explaining that ninjutsu required balance between both, genjutsu relied primarily on Yin, while advanced body techniques and physical enhancement leaned more heavily on Yang. A ninja unable to maintain this balance would end up wasting chakra, damaging their own body, or failing at even simple techniques.
Then came the legends.
Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the Rikudō Sennin, was presented as the first to teach chakra to ordinary people. Not as a weapon, but as a means of connection. The original Ninshū, according to the instructor, sought understanding, not combat.
Ren almost sighed.
The story was true — but incomplete. The world loved repeating myths, but rarely learned from them.
The lesson then moved on to a new topic. The instructor drew another ideogram on the board:
印
In.
— Hand seals — he explained — are standardized gestures used to shape, balance, and direct chakra. They do not create the jutsu. They function as a form of body language that helps the mind command energy.
Ren only partially agreed.
Hand seals were, in truth, a human adaptation. A tool created because ordinary people could not naturally do what more evolved beings accomplished by instinct. Hagoromo, his sons… they did not need seals. In were a useful crutch — but a crutch nonetheless.
— Each seal — the instructor continued — represents a symbolic and practical principle. They help align Yin and Yang before executing a technique.
On the board, he began to list them.
The Twelve Fundamental Hand Seals
1. Rat (子, Ne)
Concentration and initiation. Gathers chakra and defines the jutsu's intent.
2. Ox (丑, Ushi)
Stability and strength. Gives firmness to the chakra flow, preventing dispersion.
3. Tiger (寅, Tora)
Yin–Yang balance. One of the most important seals; aligns mind and body.
4. Rabbit (卯, U)
Precision and sensitivity. Refines fine chakra control.
5. Dragon (辰, Tatsu)
Potential and expansion. Amplifies the volume of chakra released.
6. Snake (巳, Mi)
Continuous flow. Keeps chakra cohesive during transformation.
7. Horse (午, Uma)
Speed. Accelerates the conversion of chakra into technique.
8. Ram (未, Hitsuji)
Harmony. Smooths transitions between seals and stabilizes the technique.
9. Monkey (申, Saru)
Versatility. Allows last-minute adjustments to the jutsu.
10. Rooster (酉, Tori)
Direction. Defines the form and trajectory of the jutsu.
11. Dog (戌, Inu)
Protection. Reinforces the chakra structure against interference.
12. Boar (亥, I)
Finalization. Seals the technique and releases its effect.
— Experienced ninjas — the instructor added — reduce or even eliminate seals once they internalize these principles.
Ren stored that information carefully.
Internalize principles. Not memorize gestures. That distinction mattered.
The instructor concluded by explaining that common errors included excessive force — too much Yang — or lack of focus — insufficient Yin. Proper study of seals formed the foundation of ninjutsu, genjutsu, and, eventually, more advanced applications such as fūinjutsu, where even the smallest mistake could invalidate an entire technique.
After that came the standard subjects.
Basic mathematics was taught functionally, tied to calculating distance, speed, and throwing angles. Writing and painting traditional characters occupied much of the morning. Each stroke required fine chakra control, though no one said so openly.
The instructor explained that this discipline helped not only with writing, but also with memorization of formulas, mental control, and, in the future, the study of fūinjutsu, where a single incorrect stroke could invalidate an entire seal.
Ren stood out there. Not through speed, but precision.
After the break came physical training.
A simple assessment: one full lap around the field.
At the signal, Gaku Inuzuka sprinted forward as if unleashed into a forest — loud, instinctive, but absurdly resilient. Hiashi Hyūga took the lead with perfect posture, every step calculated. Hizashi followed closely behind, less rigid but equally efficient. Masaru Uchiha pushed his pace from the start, driven by pride and competitiveness.
Ren maintained a steady rhythm.
Controlled breathing. Consistent stride. Even so, he crossed the line in fifth place.
He accepted it without reaction.
In target practice, Masaru placed first. Hiashi second. Ren third.
That confirmed what he already knew: his body was still inferior, but his technique was beginning to close the gap.
As training ended and the children dispersed, Ren thought back to the previous day's lesson. The Will of Fire. The instructor's phrase:
The fire that destroys the village rarely comes from outside.
He agreed. With reservations.
A fire that burns everything indiscriminately does not protect. A man willing to destroy the entire forest to save only his own root was not a guardian — merely someone justifying his own ego.
Danzō Shimura was the embodiment of that.
Ren did not want such a fire.
If he ever carried that title, his fire would need to warm the entire village, not just a closed circle of shadows.
That was when his vision shifted.
[System – Mission Activated]
Mission: Achieve 1st place in the Academy's overall ranking within one month
Criteria: Theory, ninja fundamentals, physical conditioning
Reward: ???
Perfect performance bonus: ???
Ren showed no outward reaction.
Inside, however, his mind was already adjusting.
Being first was not an emotional goal. It was a strategic necessity.
In that world, intentions were not enough.
Results created authority.
And he intended to obtain them.