The Tale of a Shinobi

The academy classroom falls quiet around Logan. Sunlight cuts through high windows, catching dust above rows of tense students and the chalk-marked testing floor.

Iruka, a young adult man with brown hair, a scar across his nose, and a green flak vest over dark clothes, stands beside the instructor’s desk.

Whispers stir behind him. Naruto, a young blond-haired boy in an orange jacket and matching trousers, leans forward with eager anticipation, while Sasuke, a young dark-haired boy in a blue shirt and pale shorts, watches in silence and Sakura, a young pink-haired girl in a red dress and dark shorts,, Ino, a young blond-haired girl in a purple outfit,, and Hinata, a young dark-haired girl with pale eyes in a lavender jacket and dark trousers, turn toward the floor.

Neji, a young dark-haired boy with pale eyes in a light tunic and dark trousers,’s pale gaze remains unreadable. Rock Lee, a young black-haired boy with thick eyebrows in a green jumpsuit and orange leg warmers, clenches one fist, Tenten, a young brown-haired girl with twin buns in a sleeveless pink top and dark trousers, and Shikamaru, a young dark-haired boy in a loose green vest and dark trousers, observe quietly, and Kiba, a young brown-haired boy in a gray hooded jacket and dark shorts,’s dog gives a restless whine near his feet.

Logan steps onto the chalk-marked floor. He brings his hands together and attempts the Shadow Clone Technique, drawing on the lesson’s practiced form.

Chakra gathers unevenly around him, stirring the dust in a thin circle. For one breath, the classroom seems to hold still.

A burst of pale smoke pops beside Logan. When it clears, a limp, hazy duplicate slumps against the floor, its outline wavering before it fades.

The last wisps of smoke curl away. Iruka studies the empty space where the clone vanished, then marks a note on his testing slate.

Logan looks to Iruka, then returns to the center of the chalk-marked floor. The classroom’s whispers quiet as every eye follows him.

Logan brings his hands together once more. Chakra gathers in a steadier current, and the dust settles instead of spiraling wildly around his feet.

A full-bodied clone appears beside him in a clean burst of pale smoke. It stands upright, solid and clearly formed, matching Logan’s small frame.