"The elevator to success doesn't work.
Use the stairs.
Step by step."
Joe Girard
April 7, 1050
A few weeks passed since leaving the orphanage walls. Granted freedom opened new horizons. No need to pretend or sneak for training. Days: training grounds on village outskirts; evenings: prepping written exam—that decided my class.
Perfected control, honed strikes/holds, improved kunai accuracy, read tons, learned all about the exam. Prepared as best I could.
Up early today, brewed coffee, scrambled eggs, did calisthenics, headed to Academy. Entrance exam yesterday; results posted this morning. Not banking on top class—unlike clan kids trained from four, I had one-and-a-half years. Backup plan in mind. Heard good grades could transfer to better group later.
Weather incredible: early April—sakura blooming week. Konoha so full of them, from afar looks like pink clouds descended. For Leaf shinobi, sakura means courage—petals fall strong, not wilted. For shinobi: dying in prime, in battle—noble.
Whole way to Academy, admired bright blue sky, magical blooms. Felt like tiny fairy tale land of joy/happiness. Couldn't fully feel the wonder, but inside blissfully calm. Like post-death, lost paradise.
Main street fair started recently: kids running, parents strolling, flower festival, sakura bloom maps. Air so clean/fresh—like pine forest post-rain. Over years, Konoha became special, home. Sometimes felt like déjà vu—not first time, seen winding streets, cute houses. Déjà vu my sole remnant emotion.
With those thoughts, reached Academy. Over main entrance, under Konoha emblem, bright poster congratulating new school year; crowd clustered nearby. Shoving to glimpse classes. Spotted familiar faces.
Waited crowd thin, approached board to see my placement.
"Saito Ariza. Class 'A'," I read, scanning rest—noting Naruto/Sasuke there too. Face unchanged, stepped aside. "Lucky—learning with future shinobi world legends."
First year: taijutsu, hand seals, math, language, geography, bukijutsu—shuriken/kunai throwing. Later courses: ninjutsu/genjutsu, plus kunoichi classes for girls only. They study other countries/villages—kunoichi often spy missions infiltrating as such.
Surveyed plaza, spotted fence tree with swing from anime. Light-haired boy on it—approached. Maybe Naruto, moping like cartoon?
Closer: different boy, my age. Light hair, more reddish than Naruto's. On swing, head down, staring ground—seemed crying.
"Something wrong?" I asked, eyeing black breeches, white T-shirt.
"Huh?" He looked up—gray eyes melancholic.
"You seem too sad..." I stood meters away.
"Just... Didn't make class I wanted. Wanted 'A', stuck in 'B'!" He pouted.
"What's your name?"
"Makoto."
"Nice to meet. I'm Ariza. Hey, Makoto—you know good grades transfer you?" I crouched to eye level.
"Really?!" He nearly jumped joyful.
"Yep."
"Awesome!"
"Hey, Makoto!" Familiar voice behind. Turned: curly black-haired Uchiha boy from Ichiraku weeks ago.
"Jiro?" Makoto settled. "You check your class?"
"Yeah. 'A'," he neared. "But requested 'B' transfer."
"What?! Why?!"
"Thought I'd ditch you?" Uchiha smiled. "Plus, bro won't hack 'A' class."
"But..."
"Come on. Hokage speech soon," the boy said.
"She just said transfers possible!" Makoto beamed, pointing me.
"True?" Jiro eyed me surprised.
"Yeah, but confirm," I forced smile futilely.
"You?" Makoto asked.
"'A'," I said calmly, eyeing little black-haired Uchiha. "You said you can't handle 'A'. Super expensive?"
"Yeah, your parents rich?" he retorted.
"Nope, orphan. Probably state benefits..."
"Benewhats?" Makoto sneezed, wiping nose on sleeve.
"Kids like you go 'C' or 'B', not 'A'!" Uchiha squinted.
"Why?" I pressed.
"Far as I know, orphans only there."
"Then subsidies, or Konoha regular forces short-staffed," I mused aloud; six-year-olds gawked uncomprehending.
"Come on, Jiro—she's weird," redhead said; they vanished into crowd. Minutes later, Hokage arrived with jounin, future chunin teachers. Lined up; Minato center, prepping inspiring kid speech.
For better view, jumped to swing-tree branch.
Before Minato's monologue, tested skills. Lately, sensed budding sensory ability. Confirmed days ago with library book: "How to Hide Your Chakra and Sense Others'." Useful mastery: detect nearby foes, genjutsu via chakra flux, sense other sensors active.
Formed right-hand "Tairitsu no In" seal [Confrontation Seal], focused on crowd. Chest froze, eyes shut—felt all present. Not individuals yet, just big chakra clump.
"Keep developing this."
Sat cross-legged on branch, silently watched enrollment ceremony from above, scanning colorful heads. While Minato spoke solemnly, spotted pink-haired girl—probably Sakura. Wonder if Sasuke-obsessed like anime?
Anyway, gotta compete. Plan simple: Team 7 spot over Haruno. Excel theory, suck practice. Then if Sasuke top student, Naruto worst, I'll balance team—boost mission success. Befriend Sakura, train her practice. Recall Third Hokage's anime team reason: "dreaming fool, talented protege, smart kunoichi" [Exact quote from Hiruzen to Kakashi playground, S2 Ep361]—mimicking Minato's for Kakashi pupil. Might fake Sasuke fan-club. Boosts odds, low effort. No mission, wouldn't approach—disliked him from anime start.
Snapping thoughts to reality, eyed village leader. Minato in cloak and headpiece—stunningly handsome. Held confident before student/parent crowd, wrapping fiery speech:
"Today you begin shinobi path. Long, thorny. But sure some become outstanding—not just Konoha, whole world!"
Scanning enrollees, gaze hit me—held seconds, mysterious smile, vanished yellow flash.
"What was that?" Flashed mind; slight surprise. "Remembers me? How? Saw over year-and-half ago, ten minutes. Red hair maybe."
"Hello, kids—I'm Umino Iruka, Class 'A' sensei," scar-nosed young guy stepped forward. Not tall, ~18. Probably our first class. Standard shinobi gear—chunin rank. Hair ponytailed, soft smile calming—but nervous. "Who I call now, come forward."
Shinobi eyed kids, checked parchment. Sudden hush; tense silence, named names. Called ones stepped behind him.
"...Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Haruno Sakura..."
Iruka named while I eyed familiars.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Blond boy burst out, yelling he'd be strongest—not Hokage, just strong.
"Maybe no Hokage dream yet? Fix that deviation. Or canon derails. Why mom's surname, not dad's? Yellow Flash of Konoha so many enemies, hid son? Anime mentioned," thoughts sparked.
Whispers: "that's him," "demon," "monster." Boy ignored, ran to Iruka—who eyed contemptuously, noted paper. Naruto grinned, vanished into crowd. Compared to canon: hair wheat-gold like Fourth's, ultramarine eyes—true looker.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Expected girl squeals—no fan club yet. Clan head's youngest son strode proud. So young, knew elite/near-strongest Konoha clan heir, high official's kid. Cute: onyx eyes, inky-black hair, snow-white skin.
"No worry his fate—Minato lives. They'll bond with current Uchiha head, no massacre, Sasuke happy family kid," thought; chest twinged. Slight resentment pinched—bitter someone has loving family, I don't. Past life or this.
Would've analyzed feelings longer, but Iruka called:
"Saito Ariza."
Heard, jumped down, pushed through, joined rest. Ten more names; ~thirty, headed to class.
Lecture hall like college: tiered desks. Sat; Iruka center by board:
"You made first 'A'!" he boomed over noisy kids. "Classes 'A,' 'B,' 'C'—mystery Latin letters. Clear 'A' > 'B' > 'C'. 'A': main fighters, geniuses, clan heirs, standouts. Tough combat missions. Others: borders, minor posts. Academy also for civilians—other building. Not in anime—Minato influence? "You scored highest. Each: introduce to class," sensei continued. Called; each shared.
"Shikamaru, six, that's it," yawned pineapple-haired brunette into fist, shuffled back.
"Choji, love eating," plump brown-spiky-haired boy said. Red cheek swirls—Akimichi mark. Kept crunching chips greedily while talking.
"I'm Naruto! And I'll become the strongest ninja in Konoha, dattebayo! Oh, and I love ramen!" the blue-eyed boy shouted enthusiastically, practically bouncing. Then he went back to his desk.
"Uchiha Sasuke," the sensei said, and the heir stood calmly and slowly walked to the board.
His gaze wasn't like in the anime. There was no hatred or coldness in it. Yes, he was self-confident, proud, arrogant, but not evil.
"I'm six years old, I like my family, and I don't like it when people bother me."
"Ariza Saito," the teacher said calmly and began scanning the room for me with his eyes. I didn't make him wait and stepped to the center.
"My name is Ariza. I'm seven years old. I love reading books and looking at the stars," I surveyed the whole class and stopped on Naruto. We locked eyes for a couple of seconds before someone distracted him. I thought about telling more about myself, but decided not to risk it: "Basically, that's it."
On the way back to my desk, I glanced at Sasuke. No one had openly bothered him yet, but they were already eyeing him and whispering. I had no desire to show any emotions. Though, if I thought about it, I had no desires or dreams at all—I didn't care who I sat with, where I lived, or what I wore. "Bothering" Sasuke was no more than following the plan, just like this whole world-saving mission assigned by Rikudo. As for the boys, I didn't feel anything toward them yet. Yes, they were heroes of a popular shonen, but I liked completely different characters there, like Kakashi, Minato, or Lee, who, like Naruto, had earned my endless respect for his perseverance.
The only thing that truly drove me was necessity, even some extraordinary thirst to become stronger. I didn't know where this drive came from, since the lack of emotions should have affected it. But this motivation felt vitally necessary to me. Maybe it was all the Sage of Six Paths' doing?
The sensei explained where everything was, what lessons we'd have this school year, and what in all the following ones.
And so my first day in this new life stage called "School Years" passed. Who knows, maybe they'd be the best in my life?
After the Academy, I decided to stop by Ichiraku to "celebrate" getting into the elite class.
After lunch, I headed to my favorite eighth training ground, the farthest and most disliked by the villagers. Arriving at the clearing and sitting in meditation pose, I began probing my chakra and cycling it through my chakra channels, increasing the speed. Chakra is a lump of two energies inside you—Yin and Yang—and you need to control both. Chakra is fairly warm, but you don't feel it unless you're using it. But when you direct it to other limbs, they become heavier, and energy seems to boil inside them. Over time, you don't even notice when you're using it—it becomes habit and happens automatically.
We hadn't learned this yet, but I didn't want to wait another year. This year we'd cover many subjects, but ninjutsu wasn't on the list. We'd only study seals next year, though I already knew all the seals and their effects: the Horse seal helps chakra strands become one whole, while the Tiger or Dragon seal enhances katon techniques. You can do without seals, but then you need perfect chakra control, which I obviously didn't have.
I couldn't wait for the Academy to teach it, so I started studying techniques ahead of the curriculum.
According to the plan, first I needed to finish learning shadow clones. Unfortunately, I couldn't master it as quickly as Naruto in the anime. Uzumaki managed in half an hour to an hour there, while I'd been struggling with them for a week already. There was progress, but a lot of work ahead. By the schedule, I was at least a week behind, which wasn't good.
"Once I master shadow cloning, half the job is done. After that, learning the other basic techniques and rasengan will go much faster."
They also gave me more advanced taijutsu books from the archive. They described techniques and combos, which I scheduled for the next six months.
After meditating for an hour, I did warm-ups and stretches for legs, arms, and especially wrists so I wouldn't fumble seals—after all, they direct chakra properly through the keirakukei. Mess up, and you can damage tenketsu, which hurts a lot.
After warming up, I practiced techniques to automation, then kunai and shuriken throwing. For some reason, I was really good at bukijutsu, as if I belonged to the Uchiha caste, masters of it. Though who am I comparing myself to—it's a prestigious clan, and I'm just an ordinary girl, half Uzumaki. I'm just lucky with shuriken and kunai throwing, that's all. Sakura was good at it too, I think.
Taking four kunai in hand, I threw them, and two hit the target while the others missed. Seemingly lousy result, but I'd only been training a couple weeks, so no point expecting more. Once I get good at throwing, I'll do it in motion, then from jumps or spins. As my grandma used to say: "So life doesn't seem like honey." Meanwhile, the plan includes tree- and water-walking training, which I'll start this summer-fall, then chakra-enhanced strikes. My schedule for the next six years is simple: up at five, homework till eight, then Academy, lunch after, training ground till nine with dinner break, then scrolls and books at home. For some, such a workday without a free minute would be grueling, but I'm used to it.
Even in my past life, I earned a rep as extremely active, hardworking, capable, devoting all time to study and work. I didn't play video games, didn't hang out much with peers—that was before fourteen. After, I prioritized my future career, keeping only the best friends. I wanted a profession fast, to work and escape poverty. That was my blue dream and sole past-life goal. But cruel fate was cunning. Just as I nearly stood on my feet, it knocked me down, testing resilience like it was part of a program.
"They gave me a second chance at life, and if I waste time, no talk of victory. Discipline is key—without it, nothing's achieved. Good thing I can force myself to do what's needed," with that mindset, I finished today's training exactly at six PM.
Snacking at home, I went to the village archive. Some books and scrolls couldn't go home, but I could copy them. In the "For Shinobi" section, surprisingly always empty, I sat evenings alone under desk lamp light, making notes: "How to Sleep Lightly," "How to Detect Surveillance," "Enemy Pursuit Manual," "How to Pretend Properly," and so on.
Today too, I stayed till closing at ten PM, and when I exited, I saw the black velvet sky with a careless, mesmerizing scatter of myriad stars. Those heavenly bodies so big and so distant... You can gaze endlessly, sadly knowing you'll never touch them. In my past life, staring at the Milky Way, I struggled to grasp they'd been billions of years before us and would be after our death.
Astronomy always fascinated me. As a teen, I watched half of YouTube studying it. I sincerely think stars are one of the best things in the world. Worth living for.
"Why not go watch them now—no cloudy sky like this in ages," the thought crept in, and I stopped on the deserted street amid lanterns, gazing intently at the Hokage Rock.
"Perfect spot for observing."
Half an hour later, I sat on the Third's head, with an incredible view of the whole village. I thought I'd watch stars, but my gaze stuck to the small lit houses like tiny fireflies hidden in grass.
A chain of thoughts pulled me back to past memories. I wondered if I'd meet friends and family in the Pure World upon death. How many years passed for them? How were they? Probably watching Boruto by now, out April fifth, two days after my death. Bet I ruined Romka's birthday bad, though if he knew where I ended up, he'd celebrate like a holiday.
"If only I could tell them somehow not to worry or grieve," I whispered, staring at the brightest star in the sky. It was incredibly huge, its light overshadowing all others. Against it, the rest seemed dim and plain. Wonder its name? I know many star names, but not this one. "Gotta find out..."
Noise behind startled me; I spun around. Seeing someone in leaves toward the exit, I jumped up and scanned for another way down. But they stopped me after two steps, grabbing my wrist.
Without a drop of anxiety, I turned to see little Naruto. He looked sad, even a bit dejected.
"Wait, Ariza-chan," he whispered, loosening his grip. The whisker-like marks on his cheeks looked more like big moles than scars.
"Hi, Naruto," I pocketed my hands and looked into his deep eyes, blue in the dark. Moonlight alone lit our faces in the gloom.
"Hi," the blond mumbled glumly.
"What are you doing here?"
"I remembered you said you love looking at stars. So I decided to look too!" he exclaimed, gazing intently, almost fearfully. "You won't chase me away, right?"
"Of course not. Why would you think that?" I asked calmly.
"W-well... uh... just... others do! Yeah! They chase me as soon as they see me, and I... I didn't do anything to them!" he lamented, tears sparkling in his eyes.
"And your dad?"
"He's always busy, but if he sees, he stands up for me, yeah, he supports... just always working... And those looks... they follow me everywhere," he pursed his lips and dropped his eyes. Our talk reminded me of my childhood, facing hate and mockery daily without knowing why. I wasn't smart, wasn't pretty; sick grandma had no money for nice clothes or pricey smartphones—but was that reason for insults? Still no answer.
"Let's sit. Nothing to fear beside me," I smiled, and we sat on cool stone, gazing at starry sky. Cold wind tousled our hair, but it didn't bother us. "You know, I used to face constant contempt too. Wherever I was, I was unwelcome."
"Really?!" he exclaimed, staring like he'd found someone to share the pain.
"I was an outcast, like some leper..."
"Eh, what?" he looked confused, and I realized to simplify.
"You know, that feeling when everyone looks at you like a loser and expects nothing?"
"Uh-huh," he nodded.
"But I wouldn't be me if I accepted it."
"What'd you do, Ariza-chan?!"
"I decided to get better, to show everyone I'm not nothing—though first, to prove it to myself," I shared my story.
"Did it work?!" he looked worried.
"Yeah, but I had to bust my ass to earn respect. So they wouldn't look at me like trash. Took time and effort, but they started respecting me."
"You're awesome, Ariza-chan!" the boy exclaimed joyfully.
"Thanks, Naruto. Know everything can change, even reputation. Your life's in your hands."
"Right, dattebayo!" he jumped up excitedly, then glanced at me. "Uh... er... what's reputa... uh..." he blinked confusedly.
"Uh... ask your dad," I stumbled.
"Mmm... won't work," he grimaced.
"I see something happened. Tell me, Naruto."
"Just..." he waved, "Fought with dad. He scolded me for not listening to another sensei!" the boy said indignantly, furrowing brows: "And that one wouldn't teach cool techniques, kept yapping about meditation!" Arms crossed, Naruto ranted: "Today he said I'll never be a strong ninja like this!"
"Prove him wrong," I smiled sweetly.
"How?" he turned, surprised.
"Dunno, who's strongest in the village?" I hinted gently.
"Right!" Naruto cut in. "I'll become Hokage! But not just any—the strongest ever! I'll surpass dad, and he'll respect me! Teach cool techniques!" He clenched fists, serious-faced. "Whole village'll recognize me! Be proud! Done—becoming Hokage is my dream!" His speech brought a smile deep inside.
"Naruto," he turned at my calm words, like deciding his dream's fate. I put hand on his shoulder: "Never give up or stray from your path. Overcome all obstacles and pain life throws, fulfill your dream. You'll earn respect and become strongest," with each word, sparks lit in Naruto's eyes. "You've found your true dream, and I believe in you. You'll be the strongest Hokage in history," I paused, wondering if I imposed it. In canon, Naruto reached it himself, just later. Naruto without Hokage dream isn't Naruto. He'd forget my words and speech, but dream stays. In anime, Naruto became good ruler.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki—the next Hokage, dattebayo!" He faced village, fist raised, shouting in childish voice.
"Won't your dad punish you for late stroll? It's ten PM," I asked.
"And you?"
"I'm an orphan. From the orphanage on village edge. Parents died long ago..."
"Sorry," he said regretfully, "My mom's dead too," gaze dropped, smile faded. "On my birthday. Asked dad, but he won't tell," he said hurt, and I analyzed:
"So only his mother died that night? What happened? Probably all changes stem there. If Minato died too, this world'd match canon? Just guesses."
"Take care of your dad. Even if you fight. Protect him. Losing loved ones hurts bad," I lowered head, eyeing Konoha's night streets.
"You're right, Ariza-chan, I..."
Before he finished, worried voice behind:
"Naruto?!"
Turning, I saw Minato where none was a moment ago. He approached worriedly, kneeling before Naruto, who recoiled:
"Oops... Dad, what're you doing here?!"
"Looking for you. Don't run off again," Minato smiled faintly.
"I... I don't wanna meditate, I wanna learn cool techniques! See!" boy declared confidently in childish voice. "And I'll be next Hokage! Got it, dad?! Stronger than you, dattebayo!"
"I see," he closed eyes, still smiling. "Looks like you got a friend," he glanced at me.
"Huh? Yeah! Ariza-chan!" Naruto approached, hand on my shoulder. "We're in same class!" he shouted excitedly, beaming like finding first friend. "And she believes I'll be Hokage!"
"Really?" he looked at me mildly surprised, kindly.
"Naruto-kun can do it," I feigned admiration.
"Glad you have such great friend," he told son. "Now home time. We'll walk Ariza home then dinner," Minato said softly, hand on child's head.
"Dad, listen!"
"Listening, Naruto..."
"I wanna invite Ariza-chan over! For dinner! Please!"
"At our place?" Namikaze blinked at me surprised.
"Wh-what?" I feigned surprise too.
"Please, dad, she has no parents, dattebayo! Who'll cook for Ariza-chan?!" hands clasped pleading.
"Naruto..." I said softly. "I have food, and I can cook."
"But I want to! Dad, please, please!" he begged.
"Sigh... Well, if you really want, why not invite her—plenty for all," Minato smiled hospitably, kindly at me.
"Probably why I liked Minato in anime—he's just kind," flashed in thoughts.
"Yay!" Naruto cheered beside me, and being near him felt light.
"Alright, let's go," Minato stood. "Or it'll cool and taste bad."
"Sure I won't impose?" I said cautiously; Hokage replied:
"Of course not, don't say that, Ariza. By the way, what were you doing here at eleven PM?"
"I... I love looking at stars," I looked skyward, unwilling to lie. Minato's a sensor; he'd detect chakra fluctuation. "They're so beautiful..."
"See that one?" he pointed at brightest sky star.
"Yep!"
"That's Mira. Double star—Red Giant and White Dwarf."
"Wow!" I feigned kid reaction. Wanted more info, but questions like "How many light-years?", "Variable?", "Magnitude?" would expose me. Kids don't know that. "How'd you learn about Mira?"
"Just have a great acquaintance who loves stars too."
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan