I do not own the rights to Marvel or Naruto

Khalid's POV

A week had passed since we moved to New York. Coulson and Alexis were busy unpacking and decorating the rest of the house, while I focused on setting up my room to my liking. I decided to part ways with most of the Captain America merchandise that Coulson had given me over the years. Currently, my room only consisted of a bed, a dresser for my clothes, a chest for toys that I planned to repurpose in the future, a new desk, and a sleek bookshelf.

I was incredibly fortunate as Fury went above and beyond by generously purchasing the cutting-edge Stark computer for me. Not only that, but he also surprised me with four boxes brimming with books on science and technology. It was a true treasure trove of knowledge. Fury even arranged for a professional to come and set up the computer and internet in my room. I couldn't have asked for a better start in my new home in New York.

Although I was aware that the SHIELD agents stationed across the road might be monitoring the computer, I found myself unconcerned. After all, I had no plans to engage in any significant activities on it, apart from conducting research on the disparities between this world and my original one. Perhaps I would also undertake a few minor science projects that I was willing to share with them. Throughout the week, my focus had primarily been on delving into various aspects of history. From World War II to current business news and even pop culture, I immersed myself in extensive research.

To my surprise, I discovered that this world closely resembled my original one in many aspects. The movies and music were largely the same, and even the historical events aligned, except for the existence of Captain America. This realization brought me a sense of relief, as I no longer had to worry about the presence of mutants.

Curiosity piqued, I decided to delve into the realm of anime to see what remained consistent. However, I was taken aback to find that two beloved series, Naruto and Gundam, seemed to be absent. While Naruto should have started airing last year, the absence of any Gundam series intrigued me. I couldn't help but wonder about the reasons behind their absence in this world.

In addition to my research, I dedicated myself to daily training sessions. Sometimes, Coulson would observe me and express surprise at my physical abilities. The only thing missing from my routine was a proper sparring partner. With Ogun absent, I contemplated lifting my self-imposed ban on the time chamber to engage in more rigorous practice. Additionally, I needed to find a suitable location to practice ninjutsu.

Tomorrow marked my first day of school, and I eagerly anticipated taking the placement test. I had already memorized the study guide for the entire science program and aimed to secure a spot in the advanced class. This would grant me access to my own lab and the opportunity to conduct independent studies, albeit under supervision until I reached a more mature age. While engrossed in a book on Mechanics that Fury had sent me, a knock on my door interrupted my reading. Coulson entered, leaning on his crutches.

"Hey champ, what do you have there?" Coulson inquired, eyeing the book in my hand.

"Robot Building for Beginners," I responded.

"Isn't that a bit advanced for you?" Coulson questioned as he moved to sit on my bed. "Why not read the Captain America comics I bought you?"

"Dad, if I'm going to graduate at the age of 13, I can't afford to waste time reading comics. Although, I do enjoy Japanese Manga," I replied, closing my book to meet Coulson's gaze. The SHIELD agent let out a light chuckle at my response.

"Yeah, I know. Are you sure this is what you want to do, Khal? You're still a kid and can have plenty of fun with Gwen and the twins. There's no need to rush your education," Coulson said softly, his concern evident on his face. I could sense the weight of having a genius child was weighing on him. I sighed inwardly.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll still have time to play with Gwen and the twins. Just because I'm graduating early doesn't mean I'll sacrifice my childhood and time with my friends," I reassured him.

Coulson gazed at his son for a moment before releasing a sigh. "Fine, I won't say I'm happy about it, but I'll support you," he conceded. Coulson then smiled and ruffled my hair before continuing, "Alright, you have a big day tomorrow. Did you go through the prep book Fury provided?"

"Yeah, I did. It was pretty straightforward," I replied promptly.

"Alright then, don't stay up too late. You have an early morning ahead," Coulson advised as he made his way to the door. I returned to my book, feeling excited about the prospect of showcasing my knowledge the following day and seeing everyone's reactions when I aced the test.

Horizon Academy, August 31st, 2000, Manhattan, New York

Max Modell, the CEO of Horizon Labs and principal of Horizon Academy, sat in his office, anticipating his 8 o'clock meeting. It had been quite some time since he had last seen his childhood friend, Nick Fury. Max was taken aback when Fury approached him, requesting a favor. Fury wanted Max to assess a five-year-old child for admission to the school. Max attempted to explain that most of his elementary students were prodigies in at least one subject. However, Fury insisted that the child would be admitted into his special admission program.

Since Fury's request, Max had been eagerly anticipating meeting the child. At Horizon Academy, every student underwent the same entrance exam. The school's exclusivity was evident in its limited enrollment of only 300 students. The exam was designed to be challenging, with the majority of applicants failing. Those who did pass typically excelled in only one or two subjects on the test. No student had ever been admitted to the special admission program, which required achieving full marks in at least four subjects.

The special admission program offered the selected student a private lab and the opportunity to learn at their own pace under Max's direct guidance. It was a prestigious opportunity that had yet to be attained by any student at Horizon Academy. The prospect of meeting a child who could potentially meet these exceptional criteria filled Max with excitement and anticipation.

Max's intercom buzzed at his desk, signaling the arrival of the Coulson family. "Mr. Modell, The Coulson Family is here to see you," the voice on the intercom announced.

Max pressed the answer button and replied, "Send them in, please."

As the office door swung open, Max rose from his seat to greet his visitors. He was met by a man dressed in a black and white suit, accompanied by a boy who appeared older than his five years. The boy wore a simple white button-up shirt, jeans, and boots, exuding a sense of calmness that was uncommon among students arriving for the entrance test.

"Welcome to Horizon Academy! I'm the Founder and Principal, Max Modell," Max greeted them with enthusiasm.

Coulson observed as Max Modell introduced himself. He had conducted thorough research on the man prior to their meeting. Max Modell had risen to prominence as a self-made millionaire for his contributions to the U.S. Military in the 1990s, particularly in the field of sonar technology following the passing of Howard Stark. Max continued to assist the military with technological advancements until Tony Stark assumed control of his father's company.

The 32-year-old red-headed man stood tall at 6'2" and weighed 190 pounds. Max was dressed in a stylish blue and white suit, complemented by a red tie and glasses that added a touch of sophistication to his appearance. Coulson noted the aura of success and intelligence that surrounded Max Modell as they prepared for the upcoming meeting.

Coulson maintained his friendly smile as he extended his hand towards Max. Max reciprocated the gesture, shaking Coulson's hand firmly. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Phil Coulson, and this is my son, Khalid," Coulson introduced in a calm tone.

Khalid released Max's hand and reached out to shake his hand, saying, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Modell."

"Please call me Max," Max responded cheerfully, shaking Khalid's hand lightly. "I heard you would like to attend my school."

"Yes, my uncle said that your school was only for smart kids," Khalid replied with a childlike smile. Coulson smiled knowingly, recognizing that his son was adept at navigating social situations. Khalid typically acted his age with unfamiliar individuals, but he displayed genuine affection and openness towards his cousins and Gwen Stacy.

"Yes, that's correct. Today, you'll be taking the entrance test. It will consist of 500 questions with difficulty levels ranging from kindergarten to university," Max explained. Coulson was aware of the study book that Fury had received at the start of the summer but had only given it to Khalid after their recent move to New York a week ago. In a way, this test was Fury's method of evaluating Khalid. They suspected he had an eidetic memory, and if Khalid managed to achieve full marks on the test with just a week of study, it would serve as proof of his exceptional memory abilities.

"Follow me to the testing room," Max instructed as he turned to lead the way out of his office. "Five years ago, I established this academy with the goal of discovering the next Howard Stark, Reed Richards, or Hank Pym. Our aim is to provide guidance and education to exceptional individuals and allow them to study among peers who share their intellect."

"We have recently opened up the school for sport and culinary geniuses as well in the hope of influencing the world beyond science and engineering," Max explained. Coulson noted the advanced security system in place throughout the academy, with cameras positioned everywhere he looked. This reassured him about Khalid's safety during his time at the school. As the head of the New York field office, Coulson made a mental note to consider assigning a couple of agents as guards for the school to further enhance security measures.

After a five-minute walk, they arrived at a metal door labeled "Testing." The door slid open, revealing a disheveled blonde man seated inside, furiously scribbling on a piece of paper in front of him. The man appeared as though he had been up all night, with messy hair, a coffee stain on his shirt, and crooked glasses perched on his face.

"Dr. Connors, your examinee is here," Max announced loudly. The man, now identified as Dr. Curtis Connors, looked up and offered a tired smile.

"Good morning, my name is Dr. Curtis Connors, Head of Biology and Chemistry. I'll be the invigilator for the entrance exam," Dr. Connors introduced himself as he walked over to greet Coulson and Khalid, shaking their hands.

"Come with me, Mr. Coulson," Max said, gesturing for them to step outside of the classroom.

Coulson affectionately rubbed the top of Khalid's head and wished him luck before following Max to another room, initially assuming it was a waiting area. However, he soon realized it was a viewing room that allowed them to observe the classroom where Khalid was taking the exam. Coulson watched as Khalid listened attentively to Dr. Connors explaining the exam, rules and time limit of the exam.

"We use this room to ensure we don't have any cheaters taking the exam, but we can also use it to observe the child that has Nick Fury's attention," Max explained confidently. Coulson chose not to respond, instead focusing on his son who was waiting to begin the exam while Dr. Connors provided instructions.

"You have four hours to answer as many questions as you can. There's no need to feel pressured to answer every question on the exam. Are you ready?" Dr. Connors asked Khalid. Khalid simply nodded his head. "Then you may begin."

Hank McCoy sat in his lab located in the basement of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, which also served as the headquarters for the X-Men. He was engrossed in reading an email from his old college friend, Vernon Mann, detailing his latest archaeological dig site in Japan. The site had caught Hank's attention during his recent trip to Japan to assist Ogun, a fellow mutant.

The most intriguing aspect of the dig site was the discovery of a village believed to be over 200 million years old. As a scientist, Hank couldn't help but be fascinated by the implications of such a finding. If the village truly dated back that far, it raised questions about the age of humanity and the possibility that humans may have existed much earlier than previously believed. Hank pondered whether it was conceivable that a small group of people from that ancient era had somehow survived through continental shifts, encounters with dinosaurs, and the challenges of the ice age. The mysteries and possibilities presented by this discovery captivated his scientific curiosity.

"What's got you lost in thought, Hank?" Xavier's voice interrupted Hank's contemplation as he turned to see Xavier in his wheelchair at the doorway of the lab. Xavier was already dressed for the day in a red shirt paired with a black suit jacket and pants, while Hank remained in his sleepwear of a simple t-shirt and pajama pants.

"Well, an old friend of mine sent me some data on a possible 200 million-year-old site. He mentioned sending one of the skeletons for me to run some tests on, but it won't arrive here for another week," Hank explained. Charles wheeled his chair closer to the large screen, beginning to read over the contents of the email.

"This is interesting. Do you think these ancient people have any connection to the mutant gene?" Charles inquired.

"I believe that's why he's sending it. He's one of the few individuals who knows my true appearance without the serum. So, I speculate he wants to determine if they possess the mutant gene and how long they have been buried," Hank responded.

"If they do, it would mean that our understanding of evolution needs to be reevaluated. We also need to uncover why humans regressed to a primitive state," Charles remarked softly. Hank had pondered this question before but had not arrived at any conclusions.

"Do you think this could be related to that Orochimaru individual?" Hank asked.

"I'm uncertain, but it's possible we are dealing with an ancient secret society or civilization. One that has endured numerous cataclysmic events and the shifting of continents," Charles replied.

"Why would they choose to remain hidden all this time?" Hank inquired, seeking the professor's insights on the matter. He observed as Charles' expression shifted to one of concern.

"I fear it may not be for benevolent reasons, my old friend," Charles responded with a tone of concern, leaving Hank to ponder the implications.

Khalid's P.O.V

After an hour and thirty minutes, I set my pencil down and began reviewing my answers in the test booklet to ensure I had addressed every question. Grateful for the sharp mind that had been bestowed upon me, I marveled at how effortlessly I could retrieve the necessary information. Once satisfied with my responses, I raised my hand to signal Dr. Connors for his attention.

Dr. Connors was engrossed in scribbling on a sheet of paper in front of him and had not noticed my raised hand. His name struck a chord of familiarity in my mind, though I dismissed it as he was not a character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nevertheless, I made a mental note to revisit this later. To capture his attention, I coughed loudly, causing him to look up with a hint of surprise.

"Do you need to use the restroom, young man?" the blond male inquired. I observed him for a moment, estimating him to be in his late 20s. His disheveled blond hair, stained shirt, and lab coat suggested he had not slept in days. Additionally, I noticed that he only had one arm, prompting me to wonder about his story.

"No, sir, I've finished the exam. Can you call my dad? I want to go home now," I replied calmly. The man smiled cheerfully in response.

"It's okay to give up, son. I understand that many of those questions can be challenging for someone your age," Dr. Connors said softly, as if he were trying to protect my feelings.

"No, it was pretty easy. I answered every question on the exam," I replied confidently. Dr. Connors appeared shocked as he walked around the desk to inspect my paper. He took it and moved to another desk to review the booklet. I couldn't help but smile as I observed him going through my answers before he turned back to me with a stunned expression on his face.

Just as Dr. Connors was about to speak, Max burst into the room and hurried to his side, also examining the booklet. Their reactions seemed to suggest that my completion of every question on the exam was quite surprising. Feeling a hand rest on my shoulder, I looked up to see Coulson beaming at me with a sense of pride that shone through his typically stoic professional demeanor.

"That was fast," Coulson remarked proudly, his voice tinged with excitement. I felt a sense of joy knowing that I was able to make him proud.

"If they wanted it to be challenging, they shouldn't have given me the study book," I remarked playfully. Perhaps I could persuade Fury to send me more books on engineering and physics, or even a small workstation for my room. With those resources, I could design some impressive shinobi gear.

"Would you two mind waiting here for a moment? We want to go check the answers," Max asked quietly, his grip on the paper appearing slightly tight. I couldn't discern if his demeanor stemmed from excitement over discovering a new student or frustration that a child who seemed more suited for kindergarten had managed to complete the test.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I've been busy with work and other things. I'm not sure if I plan on writing many more A/N. This story is meant to be a long one. I would appreciate your honest feedback, both the positive and negative aspects, to help me improve my writing. Thank you to everyone who has favorited and left reviews. I hope you will continue on this journey with me.