The atmosphere at the training ground shifted from physical exhaustion to a cold, measuring tension. The Chunin instructor pulled out a specialized sealing scroll and a brush, his eyes scanning the remaining group.
"The wheat has been separated from the chaff," the instructor announced. "Now, those who have successfully unlocked their chakra—step forward."
A ripple went through the crowd. One by one, the kids stepped out. The Uchiha kids walked with their chests puffed out, their eyes already scanning for rivals. The Hyuga heirs were more silent, their movements disciplined and graceful. It was a parade of privilege; these children had been fed high-grade nutrients and guided by clan elders since they could crawl.
Among the twenty who stepped forward, nineteen were wearing clan crests. Then there was Ryan.
The instructor moved down the line, placing his hand on each student's wrist, his own chakra pulsing slightly to gauge their capacity. When he reached Ryan, he paused. His eyes widened, and he checked again, his eyebrows nearly disappearing into his forehead.
"Name?" the instructor asked, his voice losing its harsh edge.
"Ryan Kinji, sir," Ryan replied, his face a mask of polite, "humble" civilian obedience.
"Ryan... no clan? An orphan?" The instructor scribbled furiously on his clipboard. "Unbelievable. Your chakra density is at the Low-Genin threshold. Aside from Minato-san, we haven't seen a civilian with this kind of raw development in years. Keep this up, and you'll be a pillar of the village."
A pillar? No, I'm the one who's going to own the foundation, Ryan thought, though he just bowed deeply.
"Alright! Class allocations will be posted at the gate. Be here at 0800 hours tomorrow. Dismissed!"
The Recruitment of Genma
As the crowd dispersed, Ryan led Genma toward a quiet corner near the academy walls. Genma was still panting, his face pale, but he looked at Ryan with a new level of respect. He had seen the instructor's reaction.
"You really are a monster, aren't you?" Genma muttered, leaning against the stone wall.
Ryan didn't smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a page torn from his secret diary. On it was a list of herbs and minerals: Ginseng, Kelp extract, Selenium-rich soil samples, and specific charred moss.
"This is the start of your treatment," Ryan said, handing him the list. "Tell your father you need money for 'supplementary training materials.' These herbs will balance your thyroid and kickstart your metabolism. If you take them as I prescribe, your 'lead legs' will be gone in a month."
Genma reached for the list, but Ryan didn't let go. He held the paper firmly, forcing Genma to look him in the eye.
"Before you take this, understand one thing, Genma. I don't care about 'The Will of Fire.' I don't care about being a 'hero.' If you follow me, you work for me. Your loyalty isn't to your father, your clan, or this village. It's to the man who can see the truth behind the lies. As we grow, I'll show you the dark side of this world—the parts they don't teach in textbooks. If you aren't ready for that, walk away now."
Genma looked at the list, then at the four-year-old—no, the genius—standing before him. He saw the cold logic, the lack of hesitation.
"I was tired of being tired, Ryan," Genma said, his voice hardening as he took the list. "If you can give me the strength to stand on my own feet, I don't care who I have to look down on. I'm in."
"Good," Ryan let go of the paper. "Go. Don't mention my name to your father. Just get the materials.
The next morning, Ryan stood before the notice board. okay i knew it i am in class 1-A elite class lets see my preys.
The atmosphere in Class 1-A was like a pressure cooker. This wasn't a room full of children; it was a gathering of small predators, each trying to figure out where they sat in the food chain.
Ryan walked to the middle row, scanning the seats. He wasn't just looking for a chair; he was looking for an optimal position. He finally spotted a spot and sat down. To his right was a girl with soft, lavender-scented hair and deep green eyes—Hana Inuzuka (a distant cousin of the main branch, quiet and sharp). Ryan, being a man of "culture" from a world of high-definition aesthetics, appreciated the view.
"Is this seat taken, or is fate just being kind today?" Ryan asked with a polite, charming smile that felt way too smooth for a six-year-old.
Hana blinked, her face flushing a light pink. "N-no. It's free."
"Excellent." Ryan sat down and gestured to the seat on his left. "Genma, park it. Try not to drool on the desk."
Genma slumped into the chair, already looking like he'd run a marathon. "I'm just... conserving energy, Ryan. My soul is tired."
The Clashing of Geniuses
The peaceful moment didn't last. A shadow fell over their desk.
Standing there was a boy with the unmistakable fan crest on his high-collared shirt. This was Tekka Uchiha. He was the same age as Ryan, but he carried himself with the heavy, suffocating arrogance of a boy told since birth that he was a god among men. Unlike the older students, he hadn't graduated, but rumors said he could already manipulate fire with terrifying precision.
"You're the one," Tekka said, his voice cold. "The civilian who thinks he can stand in the same circle as an Uchiha."
Ryan didn't even turn his head. He continued looking at the chalkboard. "Genma, do you hear a buzzing sound? Like an insect that thinks it's a dragon?"
Genma snickered, though his eyes stayed wary. "Sounds like a loud one."
Tekka's fist slammed onto Ryan's desk. "Look at me when I'm talking to you! I am Tekka Uchiha. My blood is the history of this village. You're just a mistake in the system."
Ryan finally turned, his expression as calm as a frozen lake. "Your blood is just iron and oxygen, Tekka. And if you keep slamming desks, you're going to vibrate your brain right out of your ears. We're in a classroom, not a clan training ground. Use your head for something other than a target."
"You think you're smart?" Tekka leaned in, his eyes dark and intense. "In the Uchiha, we don't care about words. We care about power. I heard you have chakra. I'm going to enjoy watching you realize that quantity doesn't beat quality."
Ryan leaned back, crossing his arms. "Quality? You're struggling to maintain your composure over a conversation. If that's the 'Uchiha quality,' I'm unimpressed. Now, move. You're blocking the Princess's view," he added, nodding toward Hana, who looked like she wanted to disappear into her desk.
Tekka looked at Hana, then back at Ryan, his face twisting in rage. "Next week. The sparring matches. I'll make sure the medics have a bed ready for you."
As Tekka stomped away to the front row, Hana leaned over, whispering urgently. "You shouldn't have done that! Tekka is the top of the Uchiha youth. He's... he's dangerous."
Ryan looked at her, his gaze softening into that "refined" look again. "Danger is just a variable, Hana-chan. And I've always been very good at math."