2 years later
In a canopy of forest where the leaves swung with the breeze and birds chirped lightly in the background while the sun slowly rose from his sleep, the forest began to glow faintly with life. This was the Nara Forest. Deep inside it, in an open field, a boy stood alone. Black hair, height around 133 cm, around 4 ft 3 inch, deep honey eyes filled with something heavy… something buried and old. Guilt and hatred. His face was blank, showing no emotion, only panting while standing still in the center of devastation.
All around him, the land was broken. Craters covered the ground. Earth cracked open like glass under pressure. Trees were split down the middle or smashed into the dirt, some snapped at the trunk, others flattened completely. It looked less like training, more like the aftermath of a battle.
The boy stood still, staring at the damage with calm composure. He didn't look proud or shocked, just... tired. Then, silently, he crouched to the ground, forming a one-handed seal again. His fingers trembled slightly, but he pushed through.
"Gravity Release: Gravity Crush."
A low hum, then a crushing force. Nearby trees twisted violently, their trunks erupting from the inside. The pressure was too much. One by one, they were slammed into the ground. A sharp, deafening sound echoed through the forest, then silence.
The boy, still expressionless, collapsed to his knees, chest heaving, his whole body drenched in sweat.
Akira POV
'Finally… It's ready.'
I stayed there, breathing, for what felt like a whole minute before finally standing up. My body felt heavy, my shoulders like stone. I looked up at the sky, and the sun was already high now. Bright. Warm. I wiped the sweat from my face and began walking toward Uncle Shikaku's house. My body moved on its own, but my mind had already gone back.
Back two years.
Back in the day, everything changed.
After my father died… I was devastated. My heart was filled with so much guilt and hatred, I didn't even know what I was feeling anymore. The price to save Rin was him. I didn't even hesitate when they told me. My mind just went blank. My heart was racing. I couldn't understand it.
All I could think was:
My father died because of me.
That one thought destroyed everything.
I collapsed right there. I don't even remember what happened after. They said my body went into shock, my mind became hyperactive, overloaded. I was unconscious for two days.
When I woke up, the first thing I did was go to his grave.
I stood there. Stared at the dirt. I didn't know if I even deserved to pray for his soul.
After that… I stopped speaking to anyone.
Not Minato-sensei. Not Kakashi. Not Rin. Not Kushina. I didn't hate Minato… not really. But he wasn't there. If he were, none of it would've happened. But he wasn't there because of me. And I didn't know how to face him.
Rin… I was glad she lived. But a part of me hated that, too. I hated her for living when my father didn't. I hated myself for thinking that way. But I couldn't stop it.
I couldn't even look at her.
Since then, I cut everyone off. I didn't talk to Uncle Inoichi. Or Uncle Shikaku. Not even my aunts. Only Itachi came by sometimes, but even he knew better than to speak.
I trained. Every day. Pushed myself till my body broke.
The Third Hokage kept his word; he gave me what I needed.
I was trained by Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
I copied Jiraiya's body model, as he was the only one currently capable of using Sage Mode effectively, which meant his body could naturally absorb and balance Nature Energy. Along with that, I copied his Toad Kata taijutsu style. Then I fused the core movements and power shots with my taijutsu to balance both speed and strength, similar to Jiraiya's adaptive fighting style.
I also copied Orochimaru's body model and studied his taijutsu techniques. While analyzing his cellular structure, I discovered that his cells were always in a hyperactive state. As we already know, chakra is produced by extracting physical energy from the body's 130 trillion cells and then combining it with spiritual energy. Orochimaru's hyperactive cells meant increased chakra output and vastly improved regeneration. But the side effect was severe: once used at full strength, those cells began dying rapidly, and his regeneration would shut down. Orochimaru could bypass this with his grotesque body-swapping jutsu. I couldn't use that method, not yet, at least.
After several months of intensive research into medical ninjutsu, human anatomy, and chakra theory, I managed to create an inner chakra flowing method. Normally, physical energy is extracted once from cells. But I asked, what if we could extract energy, convert it into chakra, and then redirect that same chakra to stimulate the cells just enough to generate even more physical energy? And then repeat this cycle?
Through nano-assisted self-regeneration, the cells actively healed and replenished themselves, making this feedback loop stable. This meant that chakra extraction and cell activity now fueled each other, creating a compounding effect. Theoretically, the more I used it, the stronger I became. Initially, the nanos predicted that by the age of 10, my chakra would reach nearly 30 times that of Kakashi from the original timeline. But with this method, I have now pushed the limit up to 80–90 times his level.
At present, my chakra reserves rival those of a seasoned jōnin. On top of that, my growth phase has finally begun. Over the last two years, my physical growth was minimal; I relied more on chakra and other enhancements to compensate. My strength and speed were on par with elite chūnin. But now, during this phase, my physical capabilities will scale rapidly. Once this phase ends and before the next one starts, I can start modifying my body according to the custom model I've built.
The hybrid model I've designed is constructed from the finest extracted traits across some of the strongest shinobi to ever live, each chosen with precision, purpose, and future scalability in mind. For raw speed, I've integrated data from Minato Namikaze's body, his reflex response time and high-speed neural processing were unmatched, and incorporating his muscle structure and leg tendon density has allowed me to reach a level of acceleration that is beginning to approach the early stages of his legendary mobility. For strength, I used Kushina Uzumaki's body as the base. Her raw physical power, amplified by her Uzumaki lineage and chakra chains, was extraordinary even by jōnin standards. Her chakraregeneration and vitality, also derived from her bloodline, were the perfect candidates to sustain high-load chakra techniques without significant downtime, allowing me to operate far longer than an average shinobi.
From Orochimaru, I copied flexibility and cellular elasticity. His body was engineered for survival and contortion under extreme stress, ideal for taijutsu and evasive combat techniques. To endure sustained physical clashes and high-G-force maneuvers, I extracted bone structure and resilience traits from Might Guy, whose skeletal density and muscular reinforcement were built to handle the backlash of his Eight Gates without immediate structural failure. Lastly, the ability to absorb nature energy came from Jiraiya. His compatibility with natural energy, while not perfect like the toads or Hashirama, was the best known source available and laid the groundwork for integrating my form of Sage Mode later.
Despite this already-powerful composite, one key piece is still missing: Hashirama Senju. His cells hold the secret to perfect chakra balance, natural energy affinity, and near-immortal regenerative ability. If I could obtain even a viable sample of his tissue, I could reverse-engineer the genetic structure and enhance my model to a degree even the original couldn't reach. The problem is access. As of now, the only confirmed repositories of Hashirama's cells lie deep within ROOT's vaults or Orochimaru's labs. Either path is dangerous, and exposing myself this early would dismantle everything I've built. I have no choice. I must remain in the shadows. The moment will come, and when it does, I'll be ready.
After incorporating the cellular chakra recycling method into my body, I noticed immediate changes; my physical state became remarkably refreshed, and my stamina seemed endless. But while my body adapted quickly, my mind couldn't keep up. My spiritual energy lagged, unable to match the pace of regeneration. During an intense ninjutsu training session, where I tried to expand my Wind Severance technique across varying lengths and forms, the overload became evident. My mental energy was drained dry, and my chakra system collapsed under pressure. I blacked out.
When I finally regained consciousness, I was lying in Uncle Shikaku's house, a place I hadn't stepped into for nearly four months. The familiar ceiling brought no comfort. Soon, Uncle Shikaku, Inoichi, Aunt Yoshino, and Inoki surrounded me. Their expressions held frustration and disappointment at first, anger at me for once again overexerting myself and ignoring the basic instinct to stop when necessary. But after a while, that frustration faded into silence, and then into concern. They tried to comfort me, offering words like "move on" or "you don't have to carry this alone". But I didn't respond. I just listened, clenched my fists, and sat in silence.
Because deep down, I couldn't allow myself to feel comfort, not from them, not from anyone.What if they knew?It was my birth that caused my mother's death.My interference led to my father's sacrifice.That my presence cursed their lives, costing them brother and sister.I was never meant to be in this world. I wasn't their blood. I was an impostor, living among people whose lives would've been brighter, longer, if I hadn't existed. I carried that truth like poison, silently burning me from inside.
Sensing my refusal to recover, Uncle Inoichi made a decision: he would adopt me, or at the very least move me into his household. I refused. Again. And again.Until he finally threatened me: he would cut me off from all training. No sensor techniques. No access to the Ninja Academy. No jutsu. He knew what drove me, my goal. My need to become stronger, faster than anyone else. Because if I failed, people I knew would die.I remembered clearly, in the coming years, Kumo would come for Hinata. That would spark diplomatic disaster. And although Rin's survival may have prevented Obito's descent into darkness, seeing her and Kakashi together could still tip him over the edge.Minato and Kushina's survival isn't guaranteed.I couldn't afford to be weak, not anymore.
Eventually, I moved into Inoichi's home. And there, I began focusing on expanding my Earth Release capabilities. After considerable thought, I realized that the quickest way to surpass my current limits was to create a new Kekkei Genkai, something lethal and terrifying. With Earth, Wind, and Water affinities, my options were wide, but I needed something specific.A technique strong enough to slow down even the Raikage,A technique that could crush standard enemies in an instant.
During my research, I recalled how Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, used Light-Weight and Heavy-Weight Rock Techniques to alter gravity. While technically categorized under Earth Release, his mastery was possible only because he understood the Dust Release principles, concepts of mass separation, and matter dismantling. That gave me an idea.
What if I created gravity manipulation from scratch, using just Earth and Wind?
I theorized a chakra-based gravitational field. Earth Release would anchor the atomic structure to simulate gravity wells, while Wind Release would compress surrounding air molecules, intensifying atmospheric pressure and bonding atomic fields. By adjusting those forces, I could simulate increased gravity, reduced mobility, and even suffocation. On the flip side, I could also reduce gravity to increase my speed.
With the aid of the nano, mastering the Earth chakra transformation itself took just four months. But understanding the deep characteristics and atomic-field manipulation within it was far harder. After multiple failures, I finally learned how to channel the Earth chakra to create external gravitational pull fields. Wind chakra served as a pressure amplifier, compressing and expanding molecules, thus enabling control over both air density and atmospheric gravity.
I continued honing the Gravity Release for nearly a year, refining it to the point of perfection, or as close as I could manage with no one to guide me. Since it was a kekkei genkai of my creation, born from theory and experimentation, mastering it was far from easy. I trained endlessly, learning to activate it with and without hand signs, adapting it for various battle conditions. Alongside that, I also studied and mastered most of the Nara clan's shadow techniques and the Yamanaka clan's mind manipulation techniques, aided by Uncle Shikaku and Uncle Inoichi. I even developed new techniques derived from them, but that's something I'll explore another time.
Because today is different.
Today is my first day at the Ninja Academy.
And maybe… just maybe… I'll see Itachi there. It's been one full year since we last talked. I avoided him. Pushed him away when he tried to reach out. I couldn't face him, not with the weight of guilt pressing on me, not after what happened. The only people I've spoken to over the past year were Uncle Inoichi, Uncle Shikaku, Aunt Inoki, and Aunt Yoshino. That's it. Everyone else… I shut out.
Meanwhile, the world moved on.
After the war, the Third Hokage stepped down. His reputation took a hit for his indecisiveness during wartime and for failing to demand proper reparations in the post-war treaty. Tensions remained high. Kumo and Kiri are still technically at war with Konoha, though neither has dared push deeper into the Land of Fire. Kiri retreated into isolation after the loss of four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, slain by Might Duy, the man they underestimated. That battle changed everything.
As for Konoha, Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash, was appointed Hokage nearly a year ago. His rise was inevitable. Despite his absence costing us ground during the war near the Land of Lightning, we balanced it out by capturing a tailed beast. His feats were undeniable.
But me? I haven't spoken to him since that day.
Not after my father.
Not after what I did.
After walking a bit through the familiar path, I saw Uncle Shikaku's house come into view. It had become a part of my daily rhythm: train in the Nara forest at dawn, then stop here for breakfast. I sleep at Uncle Inoichi's house, eat lunch and dinner there, and return each night. Occasionally, I visit my old house. I don't stay long, just enough to renew memories, to feel something I've nearly forgotten. But starting today, that routine will shift. I considered sending a shadow clone to attend the academy in my place. But no… that won't work. It's not efficient enough, and someone like Minato-sensei or even Itachi will see through it immediately. If I want to move forward with my plans, I need to be there, fully present. The shift must begin now.
I entered the house, bathed, and joined Uncle Shikaku and Aunt Yoshino for breakfast. This year has brought changes I hadn't expected. Aunt Yoshino is now four months pregnant. Aunt Mikoto is six months along with Sasuke. Kushina-sensei is three months pregnant. Even Aunt Inoki is expecting, in her second and a half month with Ino. With all these changes under the same roof, I often overheard their moments, their struggles, laughter, and small fights. That's why I've made a point to stay out of the house as much as I can, just giving them space. I return for meals, and at night, I sleep.
It feels like a new era is quietly starting; the Konoha 12 generation is taking shape. Neji, Lee, and Tenten are already born. Hinata, the youngest, will be born next year.
Breakfast was quiet. Uncle Shikaku made a few casual remarks here and there, nothing deep, just light chatter to fill the silence. After checking in on Aunt Yoshino's condition, I gathered my things and set out toward the Academy.
This would be the first official day of our classes. I didn't need to take any entrance exam, nor did Itachi. We'd already been pre-qualified. As I entered the building and stepped into the classroom, I saw kids my age laughing, playing, whispering about who's strong and who's not. Amidst them, Itachi sat in the corner, calm and composed, but no longer the quiet boy he once was. My influence, perhaps. Since he never had to go to the battlefield at four years old in this timeline, his personality has shifted. He talks more. Laughs, even. A group of girls surrounded him, chattering like birds in spring.
I said nothing. I walked past all of them and headed straight to the back, last bench, far from the crowd, near the open window. I sat down, watching the trees sway in the wind, the morning light slicing through the leaves. I just waited for the teacher to arrive.
But someone noticed me.
Only one person.
Itachi.
He sensed me the moment I walked in, even before I crossed the room. As I sat down, he quietly stood and began walking toward me. No words yet. Just his presence beside me.
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Chapter Length-2900 words
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