Year 6 of Konoha's Founding
Kenichi Sato's Age: 10
Final Days of the First Academic Term – Late May
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In one of the Hokage's offices in Konoha, Tobirama Senju sat reviewing selected files—those of promising students. He was handling multiple responsibilities alongside his brother, the First Hokage. Among them was overseeing the next generation.
Only one file remained, resting at the top, free of dust.
Tobirama picked it up carefully.
> "Sato… Kenichi. The name has become familiar—not because of his grades, but because of repeated mentions in performance reports."
He opened the file. The first page came from the Special Assessments Division:
> "Displayed sensory ability during individual internal testing."
"Correctly identified initial statue movement through a nonstandard mechanism."
"Reacted instinctively to danger in group training before the threat was visible."
"Showed mental calm and natural response akin to advanced ninja behavior."
"Moved preemptively before a trap."
"Unusual mental stability under pressure."
Tobirama paused at the last sentence.
He said to himself:
> "Who trained him? Sensory techniques aren't taught at the academy."
He glanced at another open file nearby—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Then another—Kagami Uchiha.
Other names were starting to form a promising generation:
Hiruzen Sarutobi: Advanced elemental control, analytical genius.
Kagami Uchiha: Exceptional teamwork, suspected to possess early Sharingan abilities.
Danzo Shimura: Strategic thinking, leans toward secrecy, ambitious despite his age.
Homura Mitokado: Displays rare mental stability and unwavering loyalty.
Koharu Utatane: Exceptional in support techniques and quick to grasp administrative roles.
Might Duy: Shows remarkable physical development through consistent training, never misses a session despite lacking innate talent—displays iron will.
But Kenichi Sato was the exception—not just in personality, but in composition.
What truly set him apart was not clan heritage or formal training, but a rare internal harmony between mind and body—early awareness, and an ability to develop a sensory technique on his own. It wasn't taught—it was instinctual. A level of understanding that usually didn't appear until years into active service.
Kenichi wasn't just unique in ability—he was unique in development.
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That day, near the end of training, Kenichi was quietly conducting a private session behind one of the academy buildings, repeating his sensory wave training.
But this time, he kept his eyes open, observing how changes in his body and emotions interacted with the ground beneath him.
He heard footsteps behind him.
> "Sato."
He turned slowly. One of the Hokage's assistants stood behind him.
> "You've been summoned by the Second Hokage. Report to the main office after the day ends."
Kenichi only nodded—he didn't speak a word.
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Hours later, he stood before a wooden door—just a few feet away from one of the strongest men in Konoha.
He stepped inside.
He stood upright, silently.
Tobirama lifted his gaze from the file and looked at the boy.
Then he spoke:
> "You reacted quickly during the trap test, right?"
Kenichi nodded.
> "Do you know how you did it?"
Kenichi thought for a moment, then said calmly:
> "I'm not entirely sure. I just… felt it."
Silence.
Tobirama closed the file.
> "Sometimes understanding comes after action. That's fine.
You may not even know whether what you have is a talent.
But if it's real—then that was instinct."
He stood.
> "There are rare moments in life… where people act like true professionals, even if they're still children. You had one of those. And they're never random."
He turned to the window and continued:
> "There are many names in your generation… but only a few will make a true difference.
I may need a team after your graduation."
Then, he turned back to Kenichi:
> "And I'll be watching you, Sato. So watch yourself as well."
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When Kenichi left the office, he felt no fear—only something else.
For the first time, he realized… he had stepped into the light—
and knew he could never return to the shadow.
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