Enso officially named the new swordsmanship "Dynamic Blades Style"—a sword style that flowed seamlessly between offence and defence, shifting at the wielder's will like water bending to the shape of its container. The next step was clear: to refine it through relentless practice until it became second nature.
Though it hadn't surpassed Licht's Origin Blade Style, Enso's new swordsmanship was born from his own experience and forged through comprehension—and that was an achievement in itself. To create a style and not drop in rank—especially when competing with the style of a prodigy like Licht—was the best outcome he could ask for.
Unlike Kojirou, Licht never prioritised defence. With a magical sword capable of absorbing ninjutsu, he never needed to. His Origin Blade Style, stabilised at the peak of B-Rank, spoke volumes of his raw talent. No one had truly mentored him in swordsmanship, and he lacked exposure to advanced Kenjutsu that could propel him into the A-Rank tier.
Enso, on the other hand, had Migeiko, elite techniques, and a structured foundation. These gave him the tools not only to master but to forge his own path in swordsmanship. In this world, A-Rank physical techniques were not to be taken lightly. Might Guy versus Madara had proven that pure Taijutsu, when mastered, could rival or even overwhelm the most powerful ninjutsu. B-Rank Kenjutsu techniques like Licht's could already clash evenly with abilities like the Rasengan, due to its seamless flow. These examples testified to the deadliness of close-combat mastery.
The day he could integrate Heracles: Nine Lives into his style would mark the moment he could challenge anyone—even without using a single drop of chakra. If that day came, Enso wouldn't just rival Might Guy—he'd surpass him. Where Guy relied on overwhelming offensive pressure and the Eight Inner Gates, Enso sought something more: a complete, balanced arsenal. He was pushing the limits of every path—speed, strength, technique, and flow. Only then would he be qualified to face an Ōtsutsuki… and survive.
Exhausted from pouring every drop of his mental strength into shaping the Dynamic Blades Style, Enso fell into a deep sleep.
He slept like a baby that night.
The next morning began like any other for Enso. He woke before sunrise, stretched silently, and stepped out into the cool morning air. The village was still quiet—most people were still asleep—but that made it perfect for his usual routine.
With a steady breath, he activated his invisibility and vanished from sight. His movements were smooth and silent, a ghost slipping through the streets of Konoha. He sprinted along rooftops, weaved through narrow alleyways, and leapt from tree to tree around the village perimeter. No one saw him—not even the patrols. Even the more skilled sensory ninja would struggle to detect his presence when he moved like this. His body flowed with ease, warming up naturally as he moved. His steps were light, making no sound at all, even without using a single drop of chakra.
Once he finished his training routine, he headed toward the Academy. The sun was already high in the sky, and the once-quiet shops had opened for business.
Enso stepped inside the administration building and filled out the necessary forms for graduation. The staff were kind and efficient, the process moving quickly—until they reached one small problem.
"You're missing a photo," the clerk said, looking up from the form. "We need two photos to complete your file."
Enso blinked. It hadn't even crossed his mind.
Only now did he realise: he'd never taken a photo before. Not once. Not since he'd been reborn into this world. No pictures with his classmates, not even a quiet portrait with his mother.
The excitement of graduating early disappears completely. A strange weight settled in his stomach. For a brief moment, he stood there frozen, unsure how to respond.
"Alright," he said quietly. "I'll get it done."
He left the building with a blank look, his mind heavy. All this time, he had poured himself into training—pushing himself, refining his technique, chasing strength. But in doing so, he'd missed something irreplaceable.
He wandered the streets until he found a small photo shop tucked between two buildings. The bell above the door chimed as he stepped inside. The woman behind the counter gave him a warm smile and waved him in.
"Looking to get a portrait?" she asked.
He nodded. "It's for the Academy."
She guided him into the studio, a quiet space with a backdrop and simple lighting. An assistant helped adjust his posture and fixed the collar of his shirt.
"Stay still. Look at the lens, and relax," the assistant instructed.
Enso straightened his back slightly, hands resting at his sides. He looked into the lens, trying to soften his expression.
Click.
The photographer showed Enso the images, and after a brief moment of consideration, he selected the one he liked. The assistant quickly prepared the print, handing him five neatly printed copies of the photo, all tucked into a small envelope. Enso thanked the assistant before leaving the shop.
He stared at the photo as he walked. He looked calm, sharp-eyed, and composed. He had grown taller. His features had matured. He could see his mother's facial structure, passed on to him.
Enso returned to the academy and submitted his photograph. The staff informed him that the graduation ceremony would take place later in the afternoon, leaving him with some free time. With no particular destination in mind, Enso wandered the streets aimlessly, his thoughts drifting as he walked.
Eventually, he found himself standing in front of a flower shop. Without hesitation, he walked in and bought a small bouquet. Holding the delicate arrangement in his hands, he continued on his way, his steps leading him toward the Konoha Cemetery.
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows between the gravestones. The wind rustled softly through the leaves, and the air carried a smell of soil. Enso was the only person who would visit the Cemetery this early in the morning, but it was nice and peaceful.
Enso walked slowly, carefully. He passed by rows of names, etched with memories and stories of the fallen Shinobi and the villagers. At last, he stopped in front of a familiar stone.
Enya Uzumaki, His mother.
He knelt down quietly and placed the bouquet in front of the tombstone, arranging the flowers with care. Then he sat, letting his body settle.
"Mother," he said softly, "I'm graduating from the Academy today."
The words lingered in the air, gentle and clear.
"I know it's a bit silly to say it out loud. You're not here... your soul was used to save Kushina-sensei, and there's nothing left to hear this." He paused. "But even so… I still wanted to tell you."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the photos, placing it beside the flowers.
"Look," he whispered, "My first photo. I look quite good, didn't I?"
His voice trembled slightly, and he laughed under his breath, wiping at the corners of his eyes. "Kushina-sensei says I look like you. That I inherited your face. She says I'll break a few hearts someday."
A tear slipped down his cheek before he even noticed.
"I wish we had taken a photo together. Just one. Even a blurry one would've been enough."
His hands folded on his lap, and he looked up at the sky.
"I trained so much… I thought it was the only thing that mattered. That getting stronger would make everything better. But today, I realised I've been missing something important. i wish we could spend more time together."
The silence answered him, but somehow it didn't feel empty.
"It's okay, though," he said quietly. "I'll do better. I'll make new memories with the people around me."
He sat there for a while longer, just breathing and listening to the wind.
When he finally stood, he bowed slightly to the gravestone and took one last look at the flowers. Enso brought his photo and burned it with a lighter, watching it crumble into ashes.
"Thank you," he said. "For everything."
With that, he turned and walked away, the light of the morning sun behind him.
Enso returned home and took a long, refreshing shower. The emotional weight he'd carried earlier had eased after pouring his heart out at his mother's tombstone. He placed one of his photos on the nightstand beside his bed, a quiet reminder of how far he'd come, then headed out for lunch.
...
After lunch,
Enso met Itachi along the way, both making their way toward the graduation ceremony. The air was crisp, a gentle breeze moving the trees as they walked side by side. Enso glanced over at Itachi, remembering the chaos of their infamous clone battle not long ago.
"I'm sorry that we ended up getting exposed," Itachi said, his tone quiet, a trace of guilt lingering in his words.
Enso chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "It's all for the best. I was getting tired of the Academy anyway. If you ask me, I'd say you made the right move."
Itachi turned to look at him, his expression neutral, but there was something in his eyes—an unreadable warmth that softened his usually stoic demeanour.
"Still, an A-Rank Ninjutsu? You're really not going easy on me," Enso added, smirking slightly.
Itachi let out a smile, the tension in his shoulders easing. "That is a testament to your prowess, Enso."
The two shared a brief, yet genuine laugh, the kind of laughter that only comes from shared experience. It was a rare moment of lightness for both of them, but it was one they could appreciate amid the heaviness that often came with their world.
Before long, they reached the Academy grounds. The ceremony was about to begin, and the excitement filled the air, though Enso felt a strange calm wash over him. The formalities seemed like nothing compared to the bigger challenges ahead. The teacher at the Academy led them inside, guiding them to the designated room for the graduation.
Inside, Enso and Itachi took their places among the other graduates. More than 20 students were graduating that day, but most of them were unfamiliar faces. They had been from different classes, and they had never really interacted. Still, Enso glanced at them briefly as they could potentially be his future teammate.
Mikoto and Kushina were also present, their faces beaming with pride as they stood among the parents in the crowd. Enso caught their eyes and offered a small smile, which they returned warmly.
Minato, the Fourth Hokage, stood at the podium, his presence commanding yet calm. His voice filled the room as he addressed the graduates, each word measured and thoughtful, carrying the weight of years of experience.
"Today marks an important step in your journey. You've trained hard to get here, and from now on, the real work begins," Minato began, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room. The students, their eyes focused on him, hung on to his every word. "The world outside isn't easy. It never has been. But that's why we stand together—as comrades, as a village."
Minato continued, his voice growing even more earnest.
"Strength isn't just about power or skill. It's about protecting what matters, even when it's difficult. It's about trusting in yourself, and in those who walk beside you. No one expects you to have all the answers today. Growth takes time. What matters is the heart you put into each step you take. I'm proud of all of you."
Minato's words was clearly meant for Enso, making him remember why he was doing all of this in the first place.
"Congratulations—go and carve your own path."
With that, the ceremony moved on. Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, stepped forward, bringing out a tray of Konoha headbands. The teacher began calling the names of the graduates one by one, and each student took their turn stepping onto the stage to receive their headband from Minato, a symbol of their hard-earned graduation. It was more than just a piece of cloth. It was an identity, a responsibility, and a commitment to the village.
Minato offered words of encouragement to each student, a brief moment of connection before they moved on to the next stage of their journey. The headband wasn't always required to be worn around the head; Enso, along with a few other students, chose to wear it on their arms instead.
He quickly returned to his place beside Itachi, and the two exchanged a brief nod, both of them now officially graduates. The ceremony continued, and soon the students began to filter out of the room. Most of them would be leaving with their parents, returning to their homes to celebrate. But Enso had other plans. He had told Kushina he wanted to walk around for a bit before joining her for dinner later.
Enso stepped outside into the warm sunlight, the breeze carrying the sound of distant conversations and laughter. It was a peaceful moment, but one that felt fleeting. He headed toward a quiet hill on the edge of the village, where the Academy's buildings looked small beneath him. A smile broke out on his face, a soft, genuine smile.
As he sat down, looking out over the village, Enso felt a sense of relief wash over him. The Academy was behind him, and now, the real work began. The sun was setting slowly, casting a warm glow over everything.
Enso could finally take a moment to appreciate how far he had come. And for the first time in a long while, he felt ready for whatever came next.
Later, Enso joined Kushina and Minato for dinner, once again exempt from Seal Training. After all, he'd be meeting his Jonin sensei the next day. Curious, Enso asked Minato who had been assigned to lead his team, but Minato simply flashed him a meaningful smile and remained silent.
Enso didn't press for an answer. After all, he would find out soon enough. It wasn't like it would make much of a difference—he was ready for whatever came next.