The Hokage's office was quiet as the sun began to set over Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe calmly, letting the smoke rise slowly as he read a simple yet revealing report. There were no exaggerated adjectives—only numbers, objective observations, and direct comparisons.
General Academy Evaluation Results – Initial Class.
His eyes moved carefully over the names:
Chōbee Akimichi.
Gaku Inuzuka.
Kohari Aoyama.
Ikkaku Umino.
Shinku Yūhi.
Hiashi Hyūga.
Hizashi Hyūga.
Reiji Nara.
Masaru Uchiha.
Kenta Sarutobi.
Shin Shimura.
Atsuo Kanzaki.
And finally, once again:
Ren Kurosawa.
— First place overall… — Hiruzen murmured, without any great surprise.
He leaned back slightly, exhaling smoke slowly.
Ren did not lead every category. In the race, he placed behind a few others. In target practice, he lost to the Hyūga and the Uchiha. Still, his theoretical scores, physical consistency, and discipline kept him among the top in every evaluation.
— A well-balanced talent — he concluded. — Not an overwhelming genius… but someone who grows steadily.
Not like Orochimaru had been.
And to Hiruzen, that was a good thing.
— Children who burn too fast often turn to ash early — he said quietly.
He tapped the pipe against the ashtray.
— ANBU.
A figure appeared silently at the side of the room.
— Discreetly increase Ren Kurosawa's allowance — Hiruzen ordered. — Nothing that draws attention. Just enough to ease basic expenses. And keep observing him. I want reports if there are any sudden deviations from his pattern.
— Yes, Hokage-sama.
When the ANBU vanished, Hiruzen turned toward the window.
— Let's see what kind of man you'll become — he murmured.
---
Far beneath the village, in a sector that did not exist on any official map, Danzō Shimura reviewed the same report.
The Root facility was cold, built of bare stone and dimly lit. Sealed scrolls lined the walls, while a large map of Konoha occupied the central table.
Danzō leaned on his cane, his single visible eye fixed on the data.
— Twelve students… — he murmured. — An interesting class.
A Root agent knelt before him in silence.
— This year demands extra attention — Danzō continued. — A talented Uchiha. Two Hyūga of the main branch. A Sarutobi. A competent Nara.
His finger stopped on another name.
— Shin Shimura.
The agent did not react.
— The elders of my clan continue to pressure me — Danzō said, restrained contempt in his voice. — They complain about losses. About missions from which no one returns. They demand results, yet fail to understand the cost.
He closed the report with a sharp motion.
— Shin is obedient, but ordinary. He will not be the future of the clan.
His gaze then shifted to Ren.
— Ren Kurosawa… — he repeated. — Consistent. Disciplined. But not dominant.
His fingers tapped the table once.
— Not worth the political confrontation with Hiruzen. The return is far too low.
He turned to the agent.
— Observe them all. Especially Ren and Atsuo Kanzaki. One has ninja potential. The other… political potential.
The agent bowed his head.
— For now, no recruitment.
---
At the Academy, however, the atmosphere was completely different.
The classroom was loud, filled with children's voices mixed with pride and frustration.
— I told you I'd do well! — Gaku Inuzuka shouted, arms behind his head. — I just need more target practice!
— More practice in everything — Masaru Uchiha replied with a confident grin. — I still ranked above you.
— Barely! — Gaku snarled.
— Barely is still losing — Reiji Nara commented lazily, yawning without even lifting his head from his desk.
A few laughs followed.
Chōbee Akimichi laughed loudly, unconcerned with the rivalry, talking instead about how much he had eaten during lunch.
Kohari Aoyama watched quietly, occasionally stealing glances at Ren before returning to her notebook.
Ikkaku Umino maintained a serious posture, organizing his materials, while Shinku Yūhi simply observed, silent and attentive.
— Hey, Ren — Kenta Sarutobi called out. — First place overall, huh?
Several gazes turned toward him immediately.
— Yeah — Ren replied calmly.
— Impressive — Kenta said with a respectful smile.
Hiashi Hyūga stood with his arms crossed, expression rigid. Hizashi, beside him, seemed more relaxed, though clearly curious.
— We should celebrate — Chōbee suggested enthusiastically.
— Where? — Gaku asked.
— The Akimichi restaurant — Chōbee replied proudly.
— We'll pay — Masaru said casually.
— The Hyūga clan will contribute as well — Hizashi added politely.
Some students exchanged impressed looks.
Atsuo Kanzaki, seated farther back, watched everything in silence, his eyes far too sharp for an ordinary child. Ren noticed.
That boy was not simple.
Shin Shimura was watching too — but without any expression at all.
---
That night, the Akimichi restaurant was full.
The smell of grilled meat filled the air. Plates piled high. Laughter echoed throughout the room. For the first time, the students were not competing directly.
— If I hadn't messed up that question… — Kohari complained.
— You did well — Ikkaku replied seriously. — Better than you think.
Gaku exaggerated his performance in the race.
Masaru spoke proudly of his accuracy.
The Hyūga spoke little, observing more than anything.
Atsuo participated minimally, but listened to everything.
Ren ate in silence.
That night was more important than it seemed.
Rivalries, alliances, and quiet observations were being formed—things that would echo for years.
And while the students celebrated, in different parts of the village, decisions had already been made.
Some in the light.
Others in the shadows.
And Ren Kurosawa, without realizing it, was already on the board.