Naruto: Uzumaki Yuji [EN]

While the sensei was perfectly explaining the most direct definition of chakra, Yūji was learning and absorbing everything like a sponge, his gaze firm as he noticed how Rokushō formed seals to mobilize chakra, while in his mind, he also listened to Sukuna explaining the curiosity of chakra and all the new things this energy attracted.

Now he truly seemed like someone excited to learn. As for Sukuna, of course, he wanted to learn! Despite chakra energy being incredibly pure, he was truly mobilizing his thoughts, like someone who had mastered and delved deeply into cursed energy his entire life.

How could he not be interested in moving into a new domain? An energy that had no constraints in manifesting into a simple innate or inherited technique, an energy that was moldable and versatile to manifest its power in various elements. He noticed that chakra is pure, but through seals, it changes nature to form ninjutsu.

Chakra energy molds to the element the user desires, with five chakra nature transformations: water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning. It was interesting for Sukuna to observe how, when the Jōnin performed the respective seals, the pure energy changed to the color of the chakra's nature. He created a small flame, but Sukuna saw how his chakra networks, as they neared his arms and mouth, were dyed a very pure red.

' If I had had this power instead of cursed energy, I would have killed them all in just a moment… Now that we can obtain this energy, without a doubt, you will become very strong, just like me. If I nurture you and teach you, you will be the perfect body for me. ' Sukuna spoke in Yūji's mind, who remained in that somewhat uncomfortable position, feeling a bit nervous that someone might notice the small, exhilarated eye beneath his own.

' Just shut up, I'm trying to learn. ' the boy grumbled, twisting his face.

" Alright, now that everyone has learned the fundamental aspects of chakra, we will have a small shurikenjutsu class in the courtyard, so stand up and let's go now. " the Jōnin clapped, calmly observing the children's excitement as they quickly stood up, filled with enthusiasm. Without a doubt, small children hated theory; they preferred to train and prepare to be ninjas, eager to become strong.

Yūji sighed in relief, sensing that Sukuna seemed less interested in those kinds of things, only focusing on the energy called chakra. The boy carefully stood up, still noticing how many mocked his small stature, something he was not very proud of. After all, in those four years, he had eaten alongside his sister, but not with the necessary nutrients to have a normal height like a true four-year-old child.

As he walked to the exit, he noticed that unlike the others, two children, a girl and a boy specifically approached him.

" So, you're going to be the new standout in the class. You know, everyone thinks you're a very arrogant kid. " said the boy with brown hair tinged with black and deep blue eyes, a small scar on his forehead. Though he spoke mockingly, his tone was friendly.

Yūji looked at the boy and then at the girl, giving them a warm and kind smile. " I just like learning. The more I can learn, the better. What are your names? " he asked cheerfully and optimistically.

The girl showed an equally energetic smile. " That's the spirit! My name is Nobumi, and this fool who's always so direct is called Uguma. I hope you don't mind if we hang out with you. I want to see what you're capable of! If you said you'll be the strongest, you must already have a foundation, right? Also, how old are you? You're way too young to be in the academy. " she spoke excitedly. Her chestnut-colored hair almost turned to an ashy blonde, with dark, deep eyes and a pinkish stain on her face, giving her an exotic touch.

" Uh… well… I'm four. " the redhead muttered, somewhat embarrassed.

" Four?! You're way too small for this stuff! You must be a prodigy if the academy director let you in. " Nobumi was very surprised at Yūji's age, immediately voicing her thoughts about the boy.

" Don't be so pushy, Nobumi. " Uguma murmured with a hint of irritation. After all, the one talking the most was the girl; he just wanted to approach the redhead but didn't know how to start a conversation.

The younger boy simply gave a big, energetic smile. " Of course, I'm very strong! Well… at least I think so " his eyes drifted off, leaving a comical air between the three as they headed to the courtyard.

" Well, I hope you prove it when it's our turn for taijutsu. I noticed you making funny faces when the teacher explained ninjutsu and chakra. If you're struggling, I can help you. My strength is chakra control " the girl spoke proudly. " And that fool over there is good at taijutsu and weapon handling. His parents are Jōnin from the village, while my mom is just a Chūnin, but I will grow up to be a superior Jōnin and help Konan-sama. "

Yūji's expression was blank at how much the girl kept talking and talking without stopping, mostly teasing the taller boy among the three.

And so, the redheaded boy looked at the backyard. A roof had been set up due to the rain, though some drops still seeped through. The sad and bleak landscape of the village gave him a strange feeling, that grayish color making him the only one too striking because of his hair. However, he did nothing, only taking a deep breath before looking at his teacher.

" Very well, I will explain the weapons again. We will use the shuriken at this moment. These are… " The green-haired Jōnin calmly took out ninja stars that seemed heavy, smiling at the children. " What you have to do is hit all the targets I placed specially. It will be a bit difficult, but that's why everyone has to try their best. Place your hand in this position, and throw. " he said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Jōnin threw the shuriken at a noticeable speed. All the children gasped as they saw how the sensei easily hit all the targets in a single movement, precise and clean.

" Alright, let's start the lesson. Step forward, Uguma. " the teacher calmly spoke, taking a small notebook from his ninja pouch where he had the children's names written to record their scores.

The boy, looking irritated and bored, approached his teacher, who handed him six shuriken, which he took while waiting patiently for his master's signal.

" Very well, you can start when you're read— " He didn't even finish his sentence before seeing how, with a precise movement, Uguma threw all the shuriken with the necessary force and speed. The sound of each shuriken hitting dead center echoed. Rokushō knew Uguma was exceptionally skilled in weapon handling, that was the boy's strength. He just gave a small smile, noticing Uguma nodding at his perfect throw.

Yūji had a funny expression, his mouth wide open as he watched how the dark brown-haired boy had thrown the shuriken and all of them hit the targets.

When it was the turn of the one taller than Nobumi and him, the boy smiled excitedly. " That was amazing, friend! You didn't miss a single one! " Yūji's voice was lively.

Nobumi just scoffed. " Hmph, he's a show-off. Ever since we joined the academy, that's what he loves to show off the most. "

The younger boy was about to keep talking when he heard his sensei call the girl's name.

" Nobumi, step forward. "

The ashen blonde approached the center of the circle, as Rokushō-sensei handed her the shuriken. Nobumi sighed, waiting for the Jōnin's signal, who, seeing her already prepared, gave permission with a soft smile.

Nobumi narrowed her eyes, throwing the shuriken with precision, good speed, and control, only to notice that two did not hit the center. " Tch, this isn't my strong suit. " she blushed upon seeing her mistakes. But when she approached Yūji and Uguma, the former had a bright, excited smile, which comforted her slightly dejected heart.

" Nobumi, you were also incredible! You're really good at this! " the boy spoke with joy, making the dejected Nobumi arrogantly rub her nose.

" Of course, I'm very good. I just let Uguma win so he wouldn't be embarrassed, little Yūji. " she continued rubbing her nose with that arrogant gesture, while Yūji showered the girl with verbal praise, boosting her even more. The only one with an irritated expression was the taller black-haired boy.

One by one, everyone took their turn, leaving only a few left. It seemed that Yūji was among the last, as after a rather shy girl finished, only managing to hit two in the target while the rest missed the Jōnin spoke again.

" Now it's Yūji's turn. Come on, step forward. " Rokushō-sensei calmly stopped writing, already holding the shuriken in his hands so the boy could throw them at the target.

Rokushō watched as the small boy approached. Most of the children mocked his height as he passed by them, so thin he looked fragile. But the green-haired Jōnin, who was calmly observing the boy, knew that fragile appearance could be a complete deception.

Something inside him warned that this child was more dangerous than he appeared. Even more so because he had even caught Konan-sama's interest. He had great expectations for this boy who had entered the academy two years early an exception that could leave a mark on the Rain Village.

The green-haired Jōnin gave Yūji a soft smile, handing him the six shuriken in his small hands. " Very well, Yūji, don't feel bad if you don't hit any. After all, these might be heavy for you. " he said, trying to encourage the boy.

But Rokushō was surprised to see the determined and mature look in the boy's eyes. " No problem, sensei. I'll give it my all everything! " the red-haired boy spoke firmly, gripping the shuriken properly.

The Jōnin calmly stepped away from the area. " Alright, then. When you're ready, you're free to throw them." Rokushō was already prepared to record Yūji's score.

The boy stood still, looking around, taking a deep breath, feeling the high expectations Nobumi and Uguma had for his throw.

And while everyone was excited to see his performance, even though Yūji appeared calm and mature on the outside, inside, it was a different story. ' …I have no idea how to do this! I don't know how to throw a shuriken! I'd rather use my fists… ' In his mind, Yūji was filled with worry, sweating coldly.

His hand trembled slightly. ' Whatever happens... but, what if I use my cursed energy? It might change something. ' Thinking about it, Yūji still kept his determined gaze and threw with force.

No one but him could see how the shuriken were tinged with a dark, misty color and touches of crimson. Sometimes, they even shifted to blue, as it was a combination of cursed energy.

His eyes gleamed as he threw them, and fortunately, he managed to hit three out of seven targets. Though only one landed in the center, the other two still hit the mark.

It seemed that sensei was excited to witness this a four-year-old boy managing to hit three targets. Truly impressive. Though it wasn't as much as he had hoped, he was satisfied.

That told him that Yūji could really learn quickly and easily.

The boy exhaled the breath he had been holding and ran toward Nobumi and Uguma. " Did you see that?! I hit three! " Yūji's joy was genuine. Besides being happy about hitting three targets, he was also relieved that he hadn't lost his touch in manipulating CE. At the last moment, with just the tips of his fingers, he subtly redirected the shuriken's path. If he hadn't done that, he wouldn't have hit any.

The children who had mocked Yūji, thinking he wouldn't hit a single one, fell silent as they watched how he managed to land his shots.

He had surpassed many.

" Well, you weren't too bad, but I feel like this isn't your strong suit. " the black-haired boy spoke kindly, though his face twisted when Nobumi roughly pushed him away by the cheek.

" Shut up, loser! Yūji-chan did fantastic! Though, of course, not as much as me. " she boasted again, making the boy support her cheerfully.

The little redhead liked being surrounded by people. He had been feeling very lonely, having only his sister. He really thought it was a good idea to enter the academy at an early age.

" Alright, that's all for the yard. Everyone, go inside quickly. " the Jōnin spoke calmly, smiling as he finished writing the scores.

The man watched as all the children entered the classroom, while he went to collect his shuriken. They were expensive, and the village didn't provide much funding, so they took good care of their ninja weapons.

However, when he approached the targets, expecting to find the shuriken there, his eyes widened in shock at what he saw.

" What... what happened here? " he muttered to himself upon realizing that, indeed, the shuriken was not in the target it had pierced straight through it! Shocked, he removed the wooden circle that had been hanging, but that wasn't the end of it.

A chill ran down his spine as he took in the scene.

The damn shuriken had cut through the trees with ease. Following the trail of his ninja weapon, he couldn't stop being amazed. The shuriken had passed through a total of six trees, making a clean cut with no signs of erratic destruction.

He thought he couldn't be more surprised by the fact that Yūji had managed to hit three targets.

But now...

He wasn't just surprised anymore, he was convinced that this child was, without a doubt...

" A prodigy in the making... " the words slipped from his lips as he observed how the six shuriken had caused such destruction. Some had passed cleanly through, while others had shattered the inner bark.

That boy… he hadn't even seemed to put effort into throwing the shuriken. Rokushō was truly astonished.

That little boy was going to bring some great surprises, and he was looking forward to witnessing them.