Naruto : Konoha Light

At the academy, students were buzzing with excitement as they discussed their future paths.

Despite the rigorous curriculum, which was based on the proud traditions of the Ninja village, the real attraction for most children was something far simpler—choosing their first major jutsu.

"Waaah! I'm definitely choosing Tree Birth Jutsu!"

"Idiot! Wood Release is a Kekkei Genkai. You can't learn it!"

"How dare you call me an idiot! Watch me master Grand Waterfall Technique!"

"The water release techniques aren't bad, but check out my Raging Waves Jutsu!"

In the midst of this lively chatter, Asuma ran over, casually plopping down onto the stone table in front of Shimizu.

"What are you choosing as your graduation gift technique? I was planning to go with Dust Concealment Fire Release!"

Kurenai playfully ran a fingertip along her chin and mused, "I think I'll pick Dark Veil Genjutsu."

Asuma, full of excitement, turned to Shimizu. "What about you?"

Shimizu crossed his arms and smiled modestly. "Me? I'm choosing the Spirit Transformation Technique."

At that moment, a timid voice from behind hesitantly spoke up.

"Spirit… the Spirit Transformation Technique?"

Shimizu turned to see a female student looking down, as if too shy to meet his gaze.

"Is something wrong, Shizune?" he asked, tilting his head curiously.

Shizune hesitated before asking in a soft voice, "Shimizu, why would you choose to learn such a dangerous technique?"

Shimizu's expression was sincere as he answered, "If I can master this technique, I'll be able to support everyone better! Even on the battlefield, I can immediately relay information to my allies."

Shizune bit her lip and muttered, "But… anyone who learns this technique is seen as a threat by the village. And when using it, your real body is at its most vulnerable. Why would you study such a dangerous jutsu?"

Her gentle voice wavered with concern, but her tone gradually became more impassioned.

Shimizu smiled warmly. "Shizune, do you think the one who created this technique never considered those risks?"

Hearing this, Shizune subconsciously recalled the gentle figure of a man from her childhood—one who had protected and cared for her. Though she had been very young at the time, that memory had been etched deeply into her heart.

She hesitated before whispering, "I… I don't know."

Shimizu's eyes shone with conviction. "Every jutsu is created by someone with a purpose. If no one carries on their will, wouldn't that be a waste?"

Shizune repeated his words softly, as if testing their meaning. "Inherit… their will…"

"Wait, hold on!" Asuma suddenly waved his arms, interrupting the conversation. "The Spirit Transformation Technique is an S-rank jutsu! Even for you, Shimizu, learning it is nearly impossible!"

Shimizu turned to him with a gentle smile. "Asuma, that doesn't sound like you. Every powerful technique was created by someone, right? If our predecessors could achieve it, why should we think we can't? If we don't even have the courage to try, how can we create a better future?"

Asuma clenched his fists in excitement. "You're right! Then I'll pick an advanced jutsu too!"

Just then, a sly voice chimed in. "There aren't any high-level Fire Release jutsu in the Forbidden Techniques Scroll."

"NOOOO!" Asuma wailed in despair.

Shimizu chuckled before looking back at Shizune. "As for your concern, I have an answer."

Shizune blinked in surprise.

"Yes, the village may see this technique as dangerous, and yes, using it leaves the real body vulnerable," Shimizu admitted. "But there's a simple solution—partners."

"Asuma, Kurenai—you'd protect me, wouldn't you?"

Still recovering from the disappointment of no Fire Release techniques, Asuma shot up energetically. "Of course! If anyone wants to mess with Shimizu, they'll have to go through me first!"

Kurenai rolled her eyes and sighed. "Idiot, stop trying to act cool before me!"

Shizune stared at Shimizu, her eyes shimmering like the night sky. "Actually… the one who created the Spirit Transformation Technique was my uncle, Kato Dan."

Shimizu's eyes widened slightly. "No wonder you were so surprised when I said I wanted to learn it."

Shizune bit her lip. "Although… although the technique was eventually forbidden in the village…"

Shimizu wasn't surprised. After all, Konoha had a history of sealing away techniques following their creators' deaths.

"But," Shizune continued hesitantly, "my uncle's research notes on it still exist. If you really want to learn it, I can lend them to you."

Shimizu's face lit up. "Really?"

Shizune nodded vigorously. "Yes! If you—"

Before she could finish, Takiya Ryousuke suddenly burst through the door like a gust of wind, panting as he ran up to Shimizu with a gleeful smirk.

"Shimizu, guess what I just saw in the bathroom?"

Asuma immediately covered his face in exasperation. "Please tell me you didn't wander into the girls' restroom."

"Idiot! How could I do something like that?!" Ryousuke's face turned red with embarrassment. "I'm talking about Mizuki—he got cornered by a bunch of third-years!"

Everyone in the room immediately turned to stare.

"He deserves it! Serves him right for being rude to the class rep last time!"

"Yeah! Who even cares about Mizuki?"

"Actually… now that you mention it, I kind of want to go see him get his ass kicked."

Ryousuke was about to add more when he noticed Shimizu's expression turn serious.

"Wait, you're not actually thinking of saving him, are you?" he asked in disbelief.

Shimizu nodded firmly.

Ryousuke groaned. "Is he really that important?"

"Every one of you is important to me."

Shimizu's steady gaze swept across the room as he spoke with unwavering determination.

"I know Mizuki doesn't get along with everyone. He's even a bit eccentric. But regardless of that, he's still a member of our class. As long as he hasn't done anything to harm us, he remains our comrade. And besides… who gave those third-years the right to push us around?"

His words alone might not have been enough to stir the group, but thanks to his reputation, their fighting spirit ignited instantly.

"Yeah! Our first-years are the strongest!"

"Right! Let's show those third-years we're not easy targets!"

Like an unstoppable wave, the entire class surged forward, following Shimizu's lead as they charged toward the confrontation.

Throughout the academy, upperclassmen watched in shock as the mass of first-years stormed across the campus.

These rookies… were they actually staging a full-blown revolt?!

Truly terrifying!