January 15th 2002:

One of the countless forests in the Hidden-Leaf village was engulfed by a perpetual amount of darkness. Crimson eyes leered in these shadows and glowed vermillion.

Moonlight glinted downwards and illuminated a tattoo-covered face. Ryomen Sukuna emerged from a row of bushes, footfalls silent and bored. A white-furred wolf was hot on his trail, following behind him.

Seven months had passed. Sukuna had refined all of his available abilities to the best of his ability. Concealed within the trees and flowers of the woods, Sukuna dismissed his wolf-themed Shikigami.

Tomorrow would be the day Sukuna and his class-mates would be subjected to the graduation exam—the exam where they would have to perform the academy three.

Since Sukuna had no chakra, Hiruzen Sarutobi had told him he would be undergoing a much more special exam than his class-mates to see whether or not he was fit to become a Shinobi of this village.

More and more moonlight shimmered downwards upon Konohagakure, brightening the entirety of the nation in a radiant glow of silver. Shadows crawled through alleyways, streets, and homes.

(-)

January 16th 2002:

Tuesday had arrived at last for the students of the Shinobi-Academy. Instead of the usual atmosphere of conversations and discussions, there was a tense silence in the air.

Shikamaru Nara had his chin planted into the middle of his palm, one eye closed in exhaustion and the second one opened in annoyance. His mother had him wake up early to get in some extra practice.

Seated on Shikamaru's left side was Choji Akamichi—who had his typical packet of crisps held in his hand. Ino Yamanaka was seated on his right side, going through different types of hand-signs.

Many individuals in class—much like Ino herself—were stressed out and worried over the final test that dictated their Shinobi status. Shikamaru yawned into his hand, blinking his eyes and sighing.

Sasuke Uchiha—from what Shikamaru had observed—was rather unconcerned, posture relaxed and unbothered. Pale fingers intertwined, Sasuke gazed out of the window in the back of the room.

Much to Shikamaru's hidden shock and surprise, Naruto Uzumaki had come to class at a suitable time and was sat down next to Sasuke. Naruto chatted to Sasuke—but the Uchiha was silent and bored.

Kiba Inuzuka had been called into Iruka Umino and Mizuki's room for the graduation exam. Head-band wrapped around his head, Kiba smirked at Sasuke, glanced at Naruto in mockery, and took his seat.

Everyone else was present in class at the moment—except one four-eyed and tattoo-decorated individual in particular. Shikamaru wondered if Sukuna had overslept or was skipping this crucial exam.

Distracted by his thoughts of curiosity, Shikamaru had zoned out and had missed Ino entering the examination room. Ino held her headband in her hand, a wide smile drawn onto her features.

(-)

Sukuna stood in front of the desk of the leader of the village in his office in the Hokage-Tower. Shoulders slumped and hands inserted into his pockets, Sukuna stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in pure boredom.

Scattered across the wooden surface of Hiruzen's quaint table were Sukuna's medical documents and academy reports over the years. Hiruzen scratched his chin, interest bubbling in his posture and eyes.

Wrinkled mouth twisted into a thin smile of practised indifference, Hiruzen spoke. "Your academy reports are rather excellent, Sukuna."

Index finger placed on one of Sukuna's medical files, Hiruzen said. "Though, I am curious what you have discovered about your abilities."

"I gave you full autonomy on how you handled your bloodline limit." Hiruzen shoved the medical file away. "It's time I see the results…"

"What, you want to watch me use my abilities on a target?" Sukuna raised an eye-brow, disinterested. "You're being cryptic for nothing."

A restrained chuckle of amusement was Hiruzen's response. "I shall be less cryptic then. You will have to impress me to graduate, my boy."

Snorting in avid annoyance and boredom, Sukuna responded. "How the hell do you want me to impress you, then? Some type of fight?"

"Indeed." Hiruzen tapped his fingers on his desk. "You catch on fast. I'm curious about your abilities and want to see how strong you are."

Scratching his head to shake off his lack of care, Sukuna said. "Alright, I'll bite. Who's the lucky Shinobi I'll be fighting, old man?"

"Yamato, if you would." Hiruzen glanced at the shadows of his decorative office. "I'd like you to be the one who this child fights."

"The one who uses wood release." Sukuna mused to himself, maintaining his bored demeanour. "I didn't think I'd have to fight him."

Surfacing out from the endless darkness in the office, Yamato stepped towards an uninterested Sukuna and nodded at the Third-Hokage. Hiruzen rose from his chair, hands clasped behind his back. "Come."

Sukuna was guided by Hiruzen and Yamato to the lower levels of the Hokage-Tower—where he was taken to a somewhat large room. The walls were created from reinforced stone, covered in various seals.

This was one of the rooms where Anbu personnel would spar against each in between assignments and long-lived missions. Sukuna scanned every detail of the room, absorbing this intel into his mind.

Once Sukuna and Yamato had positioned themselves on different sides of the room, Hiruzen left a Shadow-Clone to watch this battle. Yamato lowered his head in acknowledgment. "It's nice to meet you."

"He's more polite than I expected." Sukuna was amused. "Likewise, Yamato."

Somewhat intrigued and humoured, Yamato answered. "I've seen the reports. I am curious about what your Kekkei-Genkai is capable of…"

Seconds passed in an intense bout of silence before Yamato exploded into vicious action. Sukuna felt the surface beneath him tremble. Branches reached out for his body from underneath his feet.

Repositioning himself away from the unanticipated attack, Sukuna raised his fore-arms to block off a multitude of well-placed punches. Yamato cast a hand-sign, wood slithering out from his shoulder.

"This is fun!" Sukuna batted the wood-constructed snake in front of him into the seal-covered wall. "Even if he is holding back on me."

Flipping three metres backwards from Yamato to establish a fair amount of distance from him, Sukuna lashed his hand out as more and more branches burrowed themselves out from below his feet.

These branches exploded in a hurricane of wood once Sukuna applied a ruthless Dismantle onto them. Rolling his shoulders in exhilaration, Sukuna vanished in a psychotic burst of violent speed.

Yamato and Hiruzen had both seen Sukuna somehow destroy the branches. Despite his concealed surprise at the technique, Yamato fended off an onslaught of punches from Sukuna. An odd sensation was detected by the man.

The second impact of Divergent-Fist had been used on Yamato. Head snapping backwards from the strength in Sukuna's upper-cut, Yamato recovered in an interval of a second and performed a few hand-signs.

Wood-Style: Wooden-Tomb was the Jutsu Yamato had activated. Sukuna saw how the surface cracked from the emergence of blocks of wood sticking themselves onto his body to trap it in a prison of sorts.

Harnessing the unnatural reflexes his body gave him, Sukuna channelled cursed-energy into his muscles to enhance them and punched his fists through each of the wooden blocks around him.

Earth-natured chakra then escaped from Yamato's foot. After executing the hand-signs for this Jutsu, Yamato slammed a Mud-Wall into Sukuna's chin and propelled him high into the air of the tall room.

Touching his feet down on the ground in elation, Sukuna spat out a stream of blood and grinned a little. Yamato analyzed Sukuna's body-language and facial expression. "He's having fun in this battle…"

From behind Sukuna, an unanticipated branch reached out for him. Sukuna wasted no time whatsoever, applying Cleave onto its wood. Adjusting to the durability of the branch, Cleave then obliterated it.

"I'll stick to Cleave and Dismantle for this battle." Sukuna decided in his head. "I'll keep the Ten-Shadows a secret for the time being."

Having observed this battle in avid interest, Hiruzen found himself pleased by the abilities Sukuna had presented to him. A moment later, the Shadow-Clone deflected a piece of wood flung in his direction.

Yamato was unable to perceive or even sense the Dismantle launched towards his wood-constructed golem. More wood exploded across the room before Sukuna engaged the Shinobi in a match of pure Taijutsu.

Hand lifted to parry a skilled right hook from Sukuna, Yamato embedded his knee into the reincarnated child's jaw. In retaliation, Sukuna grabbed Yamato's fore-arm and activated Cleave onto it.

To soften the amount of blood trickling out from his wound, Yamato engulfed his arms in two wooden gauntlets. Sukuna was elbowed in the nose and rolled downwards into the surface of the wide room.

"I forgot how strong these bastards could be." Sukuna chuckled to himself, wiping some blood off of his mouth. "Let's try this, then…"

Cursed-energy flared around Sukuna, enhancing the strength and speed of his body beyond its natural parameters and limits. Yamato noticed the increase in his speed as Sukuna appeared in front of him.

Sukuna slammed a manji kick into Yamato's stomach. Rising to his feet in a split second, the crimson-eyed boy flicked two fingers up. Dismantle tore into the wooden gauntlets worn by Yamato's arms.

Recreating the wooden gauntlets on his arms, Yamato thought. "I can't perceive that attack at all. It's like an invisible pulse of destruction…"

Slithering towards Sukuna and sticking its tongue out, a wood-constructed snake lunged at him to sink its fangs into his flesh. Sukuna backhanded the snake in the face. Cleave ripped into its body.

"His hand touched the snake to break it." The Shadow-Clone of the Third-Hokage observed from his position. "An unexpected ability…"

Sukuna moved his entire hand upwards this time. Yamato skidded backwards as his wooden gauntlets were punctured once more. Four eyes widened in delight, Sukuna raised two of his fingers.

More wood reinforced Yamato's gauntlets. Sukuna was caught off-guard by Yamato appearing next to him. Burying an elbow into the temple of Sukuna's head, Yamato propelled him back into the ground.

Sukuna leaped to his feet, clenched his fists, stretched his mouth into a full-blown grin, and launched himself forward. Yamato dematerialized his wooden gauntlets, slapping Sukuna's left cheek.

Chakra blew out from the reinforced strike. Blood leaked out from Sukuna's mouth before he aimed a merciless punch for Yamato's torso. Yamato grunted a little from the second impact of the attack.

They both gazed at each other until they were interrupted by the sudden sound from the corner of the room. Hiruzen's Shadow-Clone had clapped his palms together. "Enough. Sukuna, you battled well."

"Yamato, return to your quarters for a break." The clone ordered, glancing at Sukuna and announcing. "Sukuna, return to my office."

(-)

Hiruzen sipped his fresh cup of tea. Memories of what his clone had witnessed from Sukuna's fight against Yamato invaded his head. Sukuna then entered his office, hands inserted into his pockets.

An intense disinterest could be seen from Sukuna's demeanour. Hiruzen took a second sip of his delectable tea, letting the prolonged silence in the atmosphere linger for a moment. "You did a good job."

Rolling all four of his vermillion eyes at the Hokage, Sukuna said. "Cut to the chase, you senile geezer. Did I impress you enough to pass?"

"You went beyond my expectations." Hiruzen admitted, wrinkled face calm and composed. "You have some spectacular abilities, Sukuna."

"Can you stop ignoring the question?" Sukuna was less patient than usual. "Did these 'spectacular abilities' of mine impress you enough?"

Chuckling at the flippant attitude the red-eyed boy had, Hiruzen said. "Yes, Ryomen Sukuna. You have impressed me enough to graduate."

"Good." Sukuna snorted in annoyance, then pondered aloud. "Are you going to give me the head-band? Or do I get it from Mizuki or Iruka?"

Hiruzen handed Sukuna a head-band and declared. "Your teammates will be Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha on team seven, Sukuna."

Having drunk more of his sumptuous tea, Hiruzen smiled. "Your team leader will be Kakashi Hatake—I'm sure you've heard that name."

"The famous Copy-Ninja." Sukuna waved his hand around. "I'm just glad I've been assigned two teammates I can tolerate and handle."

(-)

Iruka had concluded his speech to his students about the responsibility a Shinobi had for their village. Teams had been announced after his heart-felt speech. Conversation filled the air.

Naruto had improved a lot over the years—Iruka had seen. During his graduation exam, Naruto had conjured a Wind-Style: Wind-Clone instead of the usual Clone-Jutsu the academy had taught its students.

Although, once Naruto had been given his head-band, Iruka had noticed how annoyed and troubled Mizuki had looked about the situation. Deciding to ignore it for the time being, Iruka sighed.

In the morning before the graduation exam was supposed to be conducted, the Third-Hokage had told him he would be the one to handle Sukuna's final test. Iruka was worried about the results.

Sukuna had been one of Iruka's most troublesome students. In his earlier days at the academy, Sukuna had skipped most of his classes. Though, Sukuna had dropped this bad habit and attended lessons.

The entrance to the class-room was opened without fanfare. Sukuna entered the class-room, Shinobi head-band secured on his fore-head. Disregarding everyone's confused stares, he went to his usual seat.

Conversation then returned to the room after this odd occurrence. Naruto wrapped his arms around his friends' shoulders, excited by the discovery they were all on the same team. Iruka smiled at the sight.

(-)

Sukuna watched Naruto flip his head-band from one hand into the other one. Sasuke was somewhat tense—curious about what kind of personality Kakashi Hatake had and what skills he could teach them.

"I can't believe the old man tested you out himself." Naruto remarked out of the blue. "I bet you failed and he felt sorry so he passed you!"

Shoulders slumped in boredom, Sukuna responded. "Shut up, would you? I bet you had to bribe Iruka and Mizuki to let you pass the test."

"You wish, you four-eyed freak!" Naruto stuck his tongue out at his vermillion-eyed friend. "You're just jealous I'm stronger than you!"

A four-eyed glance was directed at Naruto. Sukuna snorted. "Stronger than me? Yeah, maybe whenever you're asleep and dreaming."

"You both have to learn how to shut up." Sasuke grunted at them. "Where is our teacher? Everyone else has been picked up by theirs."

"No clue." Naruto leaned back in his seat, legs settled onto a table. "Who cares where he is? I can't wait for our first missions together!"

Elbowing Sukuna on the shoulder, Naruto grinned. "You think we'll have to fight ancient demons? Or maybe save a princess from doom!"

"The only demon you'll have to fight is the one in your gut." Sukuna replied. "And why the hell would a princess want to be saved by you?"

Patting his stomach, Naruto scowled. "The furball's more of a fox than a demon. Also, who wouldn't want to be saved by Naruto Uzumaki?!"

"None of us here would." Sasuke smirked at the blond-haired boy in mockery, knuckles positioned under his chin. "You'd get us killed."

An hour passed while the members of squad seven argued. Kakashi walked into the room in a nonchalant gait, taking a mental note of the friendship between the three. The three of them noticed his presence.

Eye curved up into a crescent of sorts, Kakashi said. "My apologies for being late. You see, I got lost on the path of life on my journey here."

"That's bullshit and you know it!" An index finger was pointed in Kakashi's direction. Naruto grunted. "Man, that's a dumb excuse!"

"You must be the loud one." Kakashi remained nonchalant. "Then we have the one who broods and the one who must really like tattoos."

Mouth morphed into an amused smile, Sukuna chuckled. "I'll have you know these marks or tattoos have been on me since I was born."

Kakashi focused on Sukuna in particular, posture languid. "And I thought you dabbled in the art of forging tattoos on your own skin."

"Hey!" Naruto barged in on the conversation. "Don't ignore me! I bet you wear that stupid mask on your face to hide your bad looks."

"I'll meet you three on the roof-top for introductions." Kakashi disappeared in a plume of smoke. "Do hurry, I am a busy man."

(-)

Kakashi watched the three members of team seven settle themselves down on the surface of the roof-top of the Shinobi-Academy. Maintaining his lazy posture, he leaned forward and hummed.

"Just tell me your likes, dislikes, and goals." Kakashi pointed at his masked face. "I'm Kakashi Hatake. Everything else is for me to know."

Amused at how Kakashi had gotten on Naruto's nerves, Sasuke spoke. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I like silence and training."

"I dislike loud mouths and nuisances." Sasuke's eyes hollowed out in intensity. "My only goal for the time being is to murder one man…"

Naruto blinked at Sasuke's intense attitude. "My name's Naruto Uzumaki! I like Ramen, sleeping, training, and pranking people!"

Chin cupped in one hand, Naruto said. "I don't like being out of Ramen. My goal? My goal is to become the strongest Hokage!"

"Then no-one will underestimate and hate me!" Naruto threw his fist up and nudged Sukuna, who had zoned out. "Hey, it's your turn."

Sukuna sighed. "The name's Ryomen Sukuna. I like reading and training. I don't like obstacles in my life and people who limit me."

Crimson eyes then glinted in endless potency. "My goal is simple—I aim to become the strongest creature in all of Shinobi history…"

"Strongest creature?" Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Well, aren't you all interesting people? But, you aren't a team just yet."

Hand raised up at Kakashi, Naruto shouted. "I know! We still have to pass one more test to see if we really are cut out for this type of crap!"

"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eye-brow. "And who told you about the extra exam? Are you able to see into the future somehow, Naruto?"

"Nah." Naruto shrugged, pointing a finger at his red-eyed friend. "The tattoo-obsessed bastard told us about it, like, two months ago."

"I asked Rock-Lee about it." Sukuna told Kakashi, rose to his feet, and rolled his shoulders. "So, where the heck are we meeting up for it?"

Laidback and bored, Kakashi replied. "I'll meet you three at training ground three tomorrow! Make sure to be there at 5: 00—AM, okay?"

(-)

It had become 10: 20—PM. Sasuke was nestled in one of the training grounds hidden deep into the Uchiha-District. Sipping a bottle of fresh water he had retrieved from a scroll, Sasuke wiped his forehead.

Today had been a somewhat hectic day. From graduation, to team placements, and meeting his newest teacher. Sasuke was unsure about Kakashi as an individual—but the man was a Jonin in the end.

Sasuke found himself pondering about the circumstances that led to him, Naruto, and Sukuna becoming friends. Sukuna had joined the academy later than everyone else because of his 'special situation'.

When he had first joined the academy, Sukuna was a recluse and kept to himself. However, Naruto had somehow knew the boy. Sasuke had ignored them back in, much more concentrated in growing stronger.

On one day in particular at the academy, Sasuke and Sukuna had been slotted to spar for the first time. It was also the first time Sasuke had been defeated by one of his classmates. It was an experience.

That was how their rivalry had been established. Somewhere along that timeline, Sasuke and Naruto had then become rivals. Somehow, the three of them ended up becoming friends through these rivalries.

These thoughts were interrupted by the sound of nervous footfalls. Sasuke was on alert in the blink of an eye. The Uchiha-District was located on the outskirts of the village, hidden away from most people.

This meant nobody would go out of their way to venture out into this ghost-town—where the sole resident was the survivor of the infamous Uchiha-Massacre. Sasuke rose from his old position on the ground.

Following the source of the foot-steps, Sasuke hid behind one of the rusted fences in the woods and noticed Mizuki. The blue-haired man cheered in delight. "At last! I've stolen the Scroll-Of-Sealing! Hah!"

The Scroll-Of-Sealing was a forbidden type of scroll. Sasuke was confused—how had Mizuki stolen it from the Hokage's home. A hand-sign was cast by him, producing a faint flicker of brief flames.

Mizuki's attention was caught by these flames. From the bushes, Sasuke stepped out and faced the man. Mizuki smirked, unworried. "You must have heard what I said. I'm not leaving any witnesses!"

A Demon-Wind-Shuriken ripped into Sasuke's body—the Fire-Clone dissolved in a mass of fumes. The original Sasuke flickered behind Mizuki, parrying a series of well-timed punches and merciless kicks.

Sasuke had created two Fire-Clones—Mizuki had destroyed only one. The second Fire-Clone of Sasuke approached Mizuki from behind, snatching the forbidden scroll off of his back and sprinting away.

"Damn it, you brat!" Mizuki positioned himself into a running stance to catch the clone. "I won't let all of my efforts go to waste, you pest!"

Lips twisted into a sardonic smile, Sasuke spoke. "You're a fool for using my clan's district as a place to hide from your crimes, Mizuki."

"Thanks to Sukuna, I was able to access these." Bored eyes morphed into a mixture of crimson and obsidian. "Let's see how you fare…"

(-)

Hiruzen glanced at the Anbu guard who held an unconscious and restrained Mizuki. The Scroll-Of-Sealings had been returned to his home and Sasuke had been congratulated for his help in this issue.

"To defeat a Chunin ranked Shinobi is impressive." Hiruzen puffed out three circles of smoke, somewhat tired. "Take him away, please."

Shadows twisted and turned as the Anbu guard and Mizuki vanished. Hiruzen took in a deep breath, stashed his pipe into a drawer, and vacated his office. From these shadows, a bandaged man emerged.

Danzo Shimura had his hand clenched on the handle of his cane. "So, you assigned this 'Ryomen Sukuna' as a third member to their team."

"I did." Hiruzen paused, turned around, and smiled at the man. "Since he is now a Shinobi, I will no longer be withholding his information."

"I took a look at his unsealed medical files." Danzo squinted his eye. "What game are you playing at, Hiruzen? You've intrigued me…"

"A new Kekkei-Genkai, Danzo." Hiruzen snorted a little. "I know how much you'd salivate at moulding someone like that into your soldier."

"You did a good job at hiding him." Danzo said. "On his fake medical files, it says the boy has a deformed chakra-system and pathways."

Adjusting the hat on his head, Hiruzen replied. "Indeed. I had his real medical files sealed away into the lower vaults of Konoha's hospital."

"I shall leave this issue alone." Danzo tapped his cane on the carpet. "I have no interest in this cursed-energy—a mere mutation of chakra."

Hiruzen shook his head. "I'll leave Mizuki to you. I let him steal the scroll—but there was no grand reason for it. He just wanted power."

"Very well." Danzo inclined his head in response. "I doubted that academy instructor would amount to much in his pathetic life."

(-)

Sukuna was nestled in his bed-room. The head-band he had been given was settled onto his desk. Laying on his mattress, Sukuna wondered about what type of problems he would face in the future.

The decision to keep the Ten-Shadows a secret was a good one in Sukuna's opinion. No-one in the village was aware about this second Cursed-Technique he had gained. Sukuna closed his four eyes.

Naruto and Sasuke were his teammates—it was good for Sukuna because they were his only friends. Kakashi was a suitable teacher. Sukuna was sure he had been told about his circumstances.

He breathed out an exhausted sigh.

A/N: Thanks for reading this chapter.