The second day of evaluations began with a breeze running through the training grounds, stirring leaves and nerves alike.
"Today we'll be assessing short-range ninjutsu and group coordination," Iruka announced. "You'll each form trios and attempt to retrieve a scroll from a moving target — a jōnin-level decoy."
Whispers broke out across the group. A few students glanced at one another nervously.
Shikamaru yawned. Naruto stretched his arms with a loud whoop. Akio remained still.
"I'll post the teams in five minutes," Iruka continued. "Remember, the goal isn't just power — it's teamwork under pressure."
Akio tuned out the rest, his eyes drifting across the class. A few of them had activated their dōjutsu already — not out of need, but out of habit. Across the clearing, Saka stood quietly with her arms folded, glowing white hair brushing her collar, the signature Uchūgan stars glowing faintly in the center of her pale violet eyes.
She didn't seek his attention, but her gaze lingered on him for a moment too long before turning away.
Akio blinked. He recognized that look.
She wasn't curious.
She was evaluating.
Training Ground C – Scroll ExerciseTeam assignments were called out.
"Group 4: Akio Tengetsu, Choji Akimichi, Saka Tengetsu."
Naruto groaned loudly. "Why does he always get put with Saka?! They're like... ninja royalty or something!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Maybe because they know how to follow instructions."
Akio, unmoved, walked to the staging area with Choji trailing nervously behind. Saka joined them moments later.
"You lead," she said simply.
"I'm not in charge," Akio replied.
"You're the best strategist."
Choji scratched his head. "Uhh, I'm okay with following someone. As long as we don't have to run too much..."
Akio glanced toward the jōnin-level proctor — a masked shinobi with an intentionally low chakra signature — darting between trees at high speed, scroll tucked under one arm.
"If we want the scroll, we need to cut him off and confuse his rhythm," Akio said, adjusting the thin black sleeves beneath his cargo vest. "Saka, circle wide left and force him into a feint. Choji, use Partial Expansion Jutsu to block the return path."
"What about you?" Saka asked.
"I'll predict where he lands and meet him there."
She raised an eyebrow. "Your precognition hasn't activated yet."
"No," Akio said. "But his pattern is sloppy."
The exercise began.
Saka vanished into the trees, a blur of white hair and silent motion. Choji charged forward, palms glowing as his arm swelled in preparation.
The jōnin zigzagged through the clearing, launching decoy kunai into the bushes, but Akio ignored them. His feet skimmed the grass, eyes flicking rapidly to adjust depth and angles. Every detail — branch sway, foot pressure, spacing — computed in his mind as if his body remembered a rhythm it had never danced to.
He reached the branch just as the jōnin arrived.
The shinobi's eyes widened under the mask. Akio lunged forward, kunai reversed in grip, and stabbed at the scroll arm — pulling back at the last moment to tap it instead.
"Capture," he said flatly.
Saka landed two branches above. "That's the real one."
The jōnin paused, then gave a chuckle. "Confirmed."
They had passed.
Academy Corridor – Later That AfternoonThe hallways buzzed with leftover energy. Some students whispered excitedly about their performance, others sulked over botched coordination.
Akio leaned against the window, watching drops of light trickle through the glass as shadows shifted outside.
He heard the footsteps long before Saka spoke.
"You rely too much on prediction."
Akio didn't turn. "You rely too much on me."
"I trusted your judgment."
"I don't remember asking for it."
A pause. Then she stepped beside him.
"I'm not trying to compete with you," she said.
Akio looked over. "But you want to understand me."
Saka didn't respond immediately. Then: "Yes."
Their eyes met. Her gaze was firm, intelligent — and glowing, like his. The 1-Star Uchūgan in both eyes mirrored his own, their faint celestial glimmer subtle in the afternoon light.
"You're going to awaken soon," she added quietly. "I can feel it."
"I know."
Saka's expression softened slightly. "When it happens… you won't be the same."
"I'm not trying to be the same."
She nodded once and walked away, leaving Akio with only his reflection in the glass — and the faint glimmer of a star staring back.
Tengetsu Compound – Meditation HallThe meditation hall was empty, save for Akio and his grandfather. Incense trailed lazily from an ashstone holder, curling around the open shoji windows.
They sat in silence.
"The academy evaluations are nearly finished," the old man said after a time.
"Yes."
"You've made connections."
"Some."
"Not everyone will understand our clan's place," he continued. "The Uchūgan isn't a gift most people feel comfortable around. Even now, they say our blood runs too close to the Uchiha."
"I know."
His grandfather looked up. "When your mother awakened hers, she was silent for days. She said the world felt... too loud after that. Too visible."
Akio remained quiet.
"You have her eyes," his grandfather added. "And your father's stillness. That's not a bad mix."
Akio said nothing, but he felt the warmth of the words. They didn't often speak of his parents.
"Have you been dreaming?" his grandfather asked next.
Akio nodded slowly. "Not clearly."
"You should begin documenting them."
"I already have."
The old man smiled faintly. "Good."
Evening – Konoha Street CornerShikamaru met Akio near the dango stand, where Choji was already halfway through his third skewer.
"Told you we'd pass," Choji mumbled happily.
"I didn't doubt it," Shikamaru replied.
Akio leaned against the post. He wore his usual custom outfit — dark cargo jeans and a lightweight black T-shirt with subtle thread patterns. It didn't resemble typical shinobi wear, not yet, and it certainly didn't belong to the era.
But it worked. And more importantly, it helped him not stand out. Or at least... it used to.
"You ever wonder why they keep pairing you with Saka?" Shikamaru asked casually.
Akio raised a brow. "You think it's intentional?"
"I think some of the teachers want to see if you'll clash."
"We haven't."
"That's what's worrying them."
Akio didn't reply.
Elsewhere – Hidden Shrine, UndergroundA dim room lit only by faintly glowing scrolls and markings.
Two hooded figures knelt before an altar etched with constellations.
"She's confirmed. But the boy... he's not ready."
"He's close. The chakra signature is forming."
"If he reaches two stars before we retrieve the fragment—"
"He won't."
The voice echoed in the chamber like stone on water.
"The last heir of the Tengetsu must be claimed before the Uchūgan matures beyond our reach."
Outside the shrine, a faded Tengetsu crest had been painted over in black.
Midnight – Tengetsu CompoundAkio sat on the outer porch, watching the wind move the trees. Moonlight filtered through the slats above him, casting faint shadows on the wooden floor.
His notebook sat beside him, flipped open to the last page. The star symbol he had drawn weeks ago — a five-pointed star inside a ring — had been joined by newer drawings.
Not dreams.
Memories.
He stared out into the dark. Something in his chest felt restless.
Inside, somewhere behind his eyes, something stirred. A pressure. A signal.
But it didn't bloom.
Not yet.
Just a whisper, waiting.
End of Chapter 18