The classroom smelled faintly of chalk and wood polish. Light streamed through the high windows, casting long, quiet shadows over the room.
Iruka-sensei stood at the front, marker in hand, scribbling basic chakra diagrams on the board.
"Chakra is formed by combining physical energy from the body and spiritual energy gained from experience and training…"
Naruto's head was already tilted sideways, eyes glazing.
Ren? Pen in hand, eyes sharp, absorbing every word.
The class went on — chakra theory, hand seals, shinobi ranks.
Most of the students were quiet. Some whispered. Some doodled. A few actually listened.
Ren barely moved.
He had already learned all this.
Not just from the scrolls he secretly read, or the memory fragments from his past life — but from watching. From listening. From knowing the world he was in.
This was step one.
But for Naruto, it may as well have been written in code.
The Final Question
As the lesson wrapped, Iruka turned to the class with a smile.
"Alright. Before we end for today… let's see who was paying attention."
He turned, scanning the class.
And then his eyes landed on the one student he already knew wouldn't have the answer.
"Naruto."
Naruto stiffened in his seat. "Huh?!"
"Tell me—what are the two energies that combine to create chakra?"
Dead silence.
Naruto blinked. Stared at the board. Then at Iruka. Then at the chalk. Then back at Iruka.
"Uhh… umm… energy and… more energy?"
A few kids laughed.
Naruto flushed red, gripping the desk.
Ren leaned forward slightly behind him and whispered under his breath:
"Physical and spiritual."
But Iruka saw it.
His eyes narrowed. "Ren."
The class turned toward the quieter twin.
Naruto glanced back, eyes apologetic.
Ren didn't flinch.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei?"
"You whispered something. Let's hear it from you, then."
The room hushed. Some expected him to freeze. Others expected nothing at all.
Ren sat up straight.
Calm. Clear. No hesitation.
"Chakra is created by combining physical energy — which comes from the body's cells — and spiritual energy, which is built through training, mental clarity, and life experience."
Iruka blinked.
The class stared.
Even Sasuke glanced over, just briefly.
"That's…" Iruka muttered, eyes widening a little, "…exactly right."
Naruto grinned, half proud, half sheepish. He whispered over his shoulder:
"Told you, my brother's smart."
Ren just gave a soft shrug and leaned back in his seat.
He didn't need to show off.
But he would never let Naruto fall alone, either.
And just like that, the class learned something more than chakra theory that day.
They learned that the quiet Uzumaki…
wasn't here to follow.