Kurenai did not know what to make of her newest student. Asami was incredible. That was the most accurate word to describe her—though, to be honest, Kurenai had a few other, less flattering terms in mind.
Asami was exceedingly prideful—haughty and conceited. Her little vainglorious princess had an ego even worse than that of an Uchiha. And yet, the girl was undeniably talented—exceptionally talented. Her skills were indisputable. No matter how high Kurenai raised the bar, the girl met her challenges with uncanny ease. To Asami, they were mere trifles—nothing more than brief distractions.
She wielded her kunai like someone with years of combat experience—experience she should not have. She was a fast learner. Always attentive, always focused, always absorbing everything like a sponge. Her chakra control was unusually advanced for her age. Her chakra reserves were clearly vast, even when she tried to play dumb.
"Chakra? What is that? Can you eat it? Can you buy it somewhere?"
Kurenai hadn't believed that for a second. There was no way Asami had survived their intense training without using chakra. Maybe a certain green-clad taijutsu prodigy could manage such a feat, but not a girl like Asami with her physical build and combat style.
Her fighting approach blended speed, flexibility, and brutal precision. During their sparring matches, Kurenai had seen it again and again. Asami's strikes were sharp and fast, executed with methodical aggression aimed at overwhelming her opponent's defense.
Again and again, she demonstrated a level of combat aptitude that no academy applicant should possess. Even at this age, her raw talent exceeded every expectation.
The girl was, without a doubt, a certified genius.
With such potential, Asami was destined to rise to the top. If she continued along this path, she could very well become a legendary kunoichi—perhaps even outshining Tsunade herself. But that was still far in the future. For now, Kurenai retained the upper hand.
"..." Kurenai allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. Their sparring match had ended—and once again, she had won.
Asami, meanwhile, was sprawled on the ground, out of breath and spent. She licked her wounds, both physical and emotional. She muttered under her breath, bitter and frustrated at another loss. She cursed, grumbled, and complained. It didn't help much.
Asami, however, considered Kurenai a gift from the heavens. Her training made the acquisition of information remarkably easy. Kurenai was an open book—she shared knowledge freely. She taught her about the ninja clans, the founding of Konoha, the origins of ninjutsu, and basic chakra theory.
Thanks to her new sensei, Asami now had access to knowledge most civilians would never even dream of. And knowledge was power—power she desperately sought.
Armed with this newfound understanding, Asami began to finally grasp the nature of chakra. Until recently, chakra had eluded her. It was a strange concept—mystical and beyond comprehension. But now, it began to make sense. She understood. She could feel it. She had begun to unravel its secrets.
Chakra was a mysterious yet stable force. A blend of physical and spiritual energies, it responded to willpower and intent. It could be shaped and molded, channeled and infused. Chakra was, in many ways, a direct extension of oneself.
She noticed how chakra mirrored her emotional state. When she felt anger, her chakra surged. When she felt joy, it sparkled. When she was sad, her chakra comforted her. And when she was nervous, it wrapped around her like a shield.
Chakra was malleable. With training, one could not only control it but also alter its elemental nature. Fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning—chakra could become any of these, depending on one's affinity.
Asami had no desire to change hers. The chakra paper revealed her affinity to be katon—fire—and she found it fitting. It matched her personality perfectly.
She had no complaints. While her chakra leaned toward yin—suggesting a strong mental and spiritual presence—it was still chakra. The standard theory stated that chakra was a fusion of yin (spiritual energy) and yang (physical energy), but in practice, the proportions could vary greatly.
Her chakra reserves were immense, even by genin standards. And more importantly, the familiar hue of her past life's chakra had returned.
A dark, purple orb shimmered into existence in her palm. It pulsed with inner light, surrounded by a corona of swirling amethyst. It was beautiful—otherworldly. It was a force of nature contained in her hand.
Asami smiled.
Her chakra was powerful. Refined. Elegant. It had returned to her, reborn with her. This—this was true power. Her power. And she adored it. Her chakra was beautiful and strong. Sweet and loyal. Her precious child.
"Asami-chan, we've arrived."
Okaa-san's voice was warm, soft. She gently squeezed Asami's hand as they stopped in front of the academy gate.
The day of the entrance exam had finally arrived.
Asami's first impression of the place wasn't stellar. The building was in disrepair—old, weathered, and begging to be demolished. The academy grounds were just as uninviting. Cracked stone. Faded paint. Rusted railings.
So this was going to be her second home for the foreseeable future? Wonderful.
Asami frowned.
Thankfully, her mother was there to lift her spirits. Everything was better with Okaa-san.
"No need to be nervous," her mother said with a smile. "Just give it your best. No matter what happens, I'll always be proud of you."
Asami blushed slightly, cheeks turning pink. Her mother's words shouldn't have affected her so much. She didn't need reassurance. She was strong. And yet...
"Okaa-san… Will you be watching me during the practical part?"
Her mother chuckled, ruffling her hair with affectionate fingers. She even planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Of course, I'll be there. I'll be watching every step. Cheering for my little treasure."
Asami smiled—genuinely.
And so the entrance exam began.
It was time to prove her worth.
With Okaa-san at her side, Asami stepped through the academy gate. The courtyard was crowded—children running around, parents beaming, relatives chatting noisily. All of them eager and excited.
Asami took it all in with a dispassionate gaze.
Humans. Meh.