Stepping outside the Hokage Tower and into the afternoon light, Shorai's thoughts were already occupied with how to make the best use of the final two days before the exams.
'Maybe I should take another look at my water affinity...'
His train of thought was interrupted by familiar voices approaching from behind the stone walls of the tower.
'Ino... and her team?'
Shorai quickly scanned the area.
He was not in the mood for social distractions.
Before Asuma's team could reach the entrance and notice him, his figure vanished upward, carrying him across the rooftops in a blur of motion.
'No time to waste. Personal matters can wait.'
Determined to keep his mind clear, he arrived at his secluded training spot, raised a privacy barrier, summoned a shadow clone, and tapped into the Reality Stone.
Moments later, he let out a long sigh.
"What's with the long face?" the clone asked with a smirk.
"The water affinity... or rather, the path toward Ice Release. I can't fully put the sensation into words," Shorai admitted after a moment.
The clone's expression became more attentive.
"The Stone analyzed the body's chakra circulation... how it interacts with the different transformations. It seems my problem is not a lack of affinity."
He looked down at his palms.
"The flow is simply... wrong."
"Hm..." The clone rubbed his chin. "Because you've spent so long training acceleration and movement."
Shorai nodded.
"Swift Release rewards that approach. Lightning and wind both favor rapid change. My chakra has adapted around those patterns."
The clone's expression turned serious, almost as if lecturing a student.
"Meaning you've spent years reinforcing one habit while neglecting another."
Shorai ignored the tone, staring at his palms.
"Three elemental tendencies expressing two opposing concepts within the same body..."
He narrowed his eyes.
"A Kekkei Genkai built around acceleration, while another requires stillness and structure. I focused entirely on one side and expected the other to appear naturally."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"How foolish."
"That's why you have me," the clone said with a wide grin.
"The more time we spent on Swift Release, the more difficult it became to shift into a different chakra pattern. Not because the affinity disappeared."
The clone tapped his head.
"Because the body remembers what it practices."
Shorai gave a small nod.
"Indeed. The potential remains. With our level of chakra control, it should be possible to retrain the flow."
For the next day and a half, the two white-haired boys practiced.
They moved from standard Yin and Yang exercises into a deeper examination of water transformation. Shorai created a small pond by the mountainside, and together they began working through the fundamentals.
He thinned and spread his chakra, focusing on a steady, cooling flow. He submerged his hands, moving them through the water to understand its resistance and movement. Then, slowly, he brought them back to the surface, carefully layering chakra over the liquid.
They weren't practicing water-walking.
They were trying to make the water respond.
To separate it from the larger mass.
To maintain connection without forcing control.
Tzss...
"Hey! Watch it!"
The clone immediately pulled his hands back as a sudden electric jolt passed through the water.
The surge nearly caused him to dispel.
"Huh?"
Shorai blinked.
"My lightning transformation interfered."
He looked at his palms, where faint sparks still lingered.
"The response was automatic."
"Yes, because apparently even your chakra has habits it refuses to break," the clone complained.
He shook his hands.
"Do me a favor and use a different pond next time. This one is mine."
Shorai ignored the comment.
They continued.
The progress was slow, but by the end of the second day, the results were visible.
Shorai could finally make the water adhere to his skin, forming a rotating sphere of liquid around his hand — similar to the principles behind medical extraction techniques.
Not mastery.
Not yet.
But a foundation.
He calculated that with continued practice, full transformation could be possible within a week or two.
With a rare sense of progress, Shorai finally went to sleep.
Only to wake up well before his alarm.
A faint, unfamiliar sensation settled over him.
Anxiety.
July 1st had arrived.
"..."
Shorai stared at the ceiling for a moment.
"Unexpected."
He stretched, preparing himself for whatever surprises awaited.
After completing his morning routine, he stepped outside and locked his door.
"Naruto?"
He knocked on the blonde boy's door.
Silence.
Shorai looked at the time.
8:00 AM.
A small sigh escaped him.
"Of course."
Team 7 was likely already at the Academy.
Without wasting another moment, he turned and accelerated toward the building, his figure blurring through the streets.
—
Ten minutes later, Shorai ascended the stairs inside the Academy building.
He heard Sasuke's voice first.
Then Sakura's.
As he reached the landing, he locked eyes with Naruto.
"Shorai! You came!" Naruto beamed.
"Yo."
Shorai raised a hand casually, his gaze sweeping over the gathered participants.
It stopped on a boy wearing a green tracksuit.
"What's happening?"
He stepped behind Team 7, observing the scene.
"They were trying to trick everyone with a genjutsu!" Sakura explained with a smile.
"Oh."
Shorai looked toward the two disguised shinobi.
"So the proctors are already trying to filter out participants before registration."
His expression became calm.
Almost bored.
"And you, green boy. Are you helping them?"
His eyes shifted toward the disguised proctors.
"Or are these two really unable to handle a few fresh graduates on their own?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"Hn. Pathetic."
The two disguised proctors reacted immediately.
Kotetsu moved toward Sasuke.
Izumo threw a kunai directly toward Shorai.
Lee stepped forward to intercept Kotetsu, but Shorai did not move.
His perception sharpened.
His eyes followed the blade.
Two fingers rose.
The kunai stopped.
The hallway went silent.
"Really?"
Shorai examined the weapon.
"Is this the best you can do? Pathetic."
His voice was deliberately cold.
"You should try something more convincing. This is barely a warning. Perhaps gate duty is all you're good for."
With a flick of his wrist, he sent the kunai back.
Not at Izumo.
Beside him.
Ting!
The blade embedded itself into the wall, close enough to make the message clear.
Izumo's expression tightened.
For a brief moment, Shorai allowed a controlled pressure to leak into the air.
Not enough to overwhelm.
Only enough to remind them that he was not someone to ignore.
The two proctors exchanged serious looks.
"Heh."
Kotetsu narrowed his eyes.
"What an arrogant brat."
"This isn't a daycare for fresh graduates."
Izumo forced a smile.
"Remember that."
With a swirl of leaves, they vanished.
The genjutsu disappeared, and the numbers on the doors returned to normal.
"S-Shorai-kun..."
Sakura looked at him carefully.
"Why were you being so..."
"Harsh?"
Shorai finished for her.
"They were testing us."
He frowned slightly.
"There is no reason to be courteous with those who block your ninja path, Sakura-chan. Keep that in mind."
Sakura remained quiet.
She understood the logic.
She just wasn't sure she liked it.
"Agreed."
Sasuke nodded.
As Lee watched the group, two more figures approached.
Neji Hyuga.
Tenten.
Neji glanced toward Shorai briefly before turning his attention to Sasuke.
But before he could speak, Lee marched forward with dramatic steps.
"What is your name, beautiful girl?"
Shorai's eye twitched.
The sudden change in atmosphere left Team 7 frozen.
"Go out with me! I will protect you!"
Sakura stared at him.
Then blinked.
"N-no way!"
Her face twisted.
"You're too... u-n-i-q-u-e for my taste!"
Lee collapsed.
A literal cloud of gloom seemed to settle over him.
Shorai sighed.
Some things were beyond analysis.
While Tenten tried to recover Lee's spirit, Neji moved forward.
"Let's not waste time," Sakura said, patting Naruto and Sasuke on the shoulder.
"Right."
Shorai glanced at the others.
"See you around."
"Wait."
Neji's voice stopped them.
"What is your name?"
Sasuke looked back sharply.
"You should give yours first before demanding someone else's."
Neji's expression darkened as Team 7 continued walking.
As they moved through the building, Sasuke and Naruto were led down another staircase, Shorai following behind with a knowing smile.
The large open hall came into view.
Then, a shout echoed from above.
'Uchiha Sasuke!'
Lee jumped down from the second floor, landing in a combat stance.
"Fight me! Here and now!"
Lee's blatant disregard for Naruto immediately irritated him.
Shorai watched carefully, his hand briefly brushing the Reality Stone.
Just in case.
After a short exchange of words and Naruto being easily pushed aside, Lee turned his attention back to Sasuke.
"I am the strongest Genin in this exam! I want to see how strong an Uchiha truly is!"
"Sasuke, we don't have time—" Sakura started, glancing at the clock.
"It won't take long," Shorai interrupted calmly.
He looked at Sasuke.
"This should not be difficult for you."
"Hn," Sasuke muttered, his dark crimson Sharingan spinning into life. "Obviously."
Sakura's eyes widened as the dark crimson pattern appeared.
Sasuke moved first.
Fast.
Precise.
Shorai watched silently.
'His speed is better. His reactions are sharper.'
'But his body hasn't been trained to support that level of movement.'
Lee avoided every attack.
Not because he could see them.
Because he was already moving.
Again.
And again.
A series of exchanges followed.
Redirect.
Counter.
Dodge.
Lee's taijutsu was overwhelming.
"Tsk."
Shorai crossed his arms.
"Sasuke neglected his physical conditioning."
Sakura turned toward him.
"Don't say that! Sasuke-kun won't lose to him!"
Shorai looked at her.
"I am correct."
A pause.
"Though I admit, my delivery is intentionally unpleasant."
Sakura blinked.
"You admit it?"
"I have little reason to soften an observation simply because it is uncomfortable."
His eyes returned to the fight.
"Strength on paper and strength in practice are not always the same."
A kick connected.
Sasuke was thrown backward.
"Is this all the Uchiha can do?"
Lee's voice echoed through the hall.
Sasuke rose again.
But Shorai noticed the change.
His movements had become less precise.
'He's angry.'
'The Sharingan can observe the movement, but emotion is interfering with his ability to respond.'
Then—
Bam!
Sasuke was launched into the air.
"Sasuke-kun!"
"It's over."
Shorai watched as Lee appeared behind him.
The bandages around his legs began to unwind.
Then—
A projectile struck.
The bandages were pinned to the wall.
The technique stopped.
A giant turtle appeared, immediately scolding Lee for attempting to use a forbidden technique.
Sakura rushed forward to catch Sasuke.
"Guy-sensei! He's yours!"
Smoke erupted.
Might Guy appeared.
Naruto and Sakura stared.
Shorai did not.
His eyes followed Guy's movement.
A faint smile appeared.
"You're one of the fastest shinobi I've personally witnessed."
Guy froze.
"Huh?"
Then his expression brightened.
"Ah! You understand youth!"
He immediately turned dramatic.
"How is Kakashi doing? I hope he hasn't forgotten our eternal rivalry! I am still ahead!"
A brilliant smile flashed.
"Guy-sensei is amazing!" Lee said proudly.
"He certainly is," Shorai agreed.
"Perhaps only the Raikage could rival him in pure speed."
Guy laughed awkwardly.
"Thank you for the kind words! And you are?"
"Shorai."
The two shook hands.
"You seem as youthful as Lee!"
Shorai paused.
His thoughts briefly returned to his civilian life.
'Another one of those Ren-types...'
"Hey!"
Sakura's voice snapped him back.
"It's 8:45! Registration closes at 9:00!"
"Right!"
Guy looked embarrassed.
"Lee! Your punishment will have to wait!"
With that, they disappeared.
Before leaving completely, Lee looked back.
"I must confess, Uchiha Sasuke. I was not honest."
He pointed upward.
"I am not the strongest Genin here. That person is on my team."
His expression hardened.
"My goal in this exam is to defeat him!"
"Good luck with that," Shorai replied.
Lee vanished.
Shorai's expression became thoughtful.
'Assuming the changes I caused have not altered everything...
Neji remains Lee's greatest obstacle.
The longer the fight continues, the worse it becomes for Lee.
The recoil from the Gentle Fist strikes, combined with the strain of the Gates...
He needs to end it quickly.'
Sasuke clenched his fists.
"Damn it..."
"No need to be frustrated."
Shorai looked toward him.
"Blame yourself for not training your body as seriously as he trained his."
Naruto nodded.
"He's right. Did you see his hands?"
Sakura looked between them.
"Guys..."
Sasuke stayed silent.
Then slowly—
A smirk appeared.
"Interesting."
His eyes sharpened.
"So many strong people."
Naruto grinned.
"Yeah."
Sasuke turned toward the hall.
"Naruto. Sakura. Shorai. Let's go!"
And Team 7 continued forward.