12 Chapter 12 : Last Name

[ Ninja Academy entrance ]

Shirou looked at the huge building located directly at the base of the Hokage Mountain. There were many children and parents present.

'To think I would have to go through this again.' - Shirou.

Shirou hated school. But right now part of him was excited as well. After all, this place was fiction to Shirou in his past life. To think that he would come to learn here one day.

Looking at all the people gathered Shirou's eyes were drawn to Guy, Kakashi, Obito and Rin. To see characters of fiction in reality was a unique experience for Shirou. Shirou was not able to instantly identify all of them as this was reality and their faces were different from the anime art style. Even when he saw Duy and Guy training previously, it was only after he noticed the outfits and other characteristics did he understood who they all were.

'Should I become friends with them?... No, it's too much trouble... But knowing the tragedy some of them will face, is it really ok for me to do nothing?... Then again what can I do to stop it? I could gradually interact with them and later slowly convince them that I know the future, but I don't think they will trust me... No... that's not it, I don't trust them. I know they are good people but if I tell them my secret there is a high chance they will leak it. I don't trust the third Hokage is a good person since he keeps people like Danzo near him despite everything he has done. The trust and reputation Hiruzen has built is so great that the moment I reveal my secret, it will definitely reach their ears somehow. In the end, the only thing that can ensure my life is absolute power.' - Shirou.

'I can't directly intervene with the events of the story until I have achieved absolute strength.' - Shirou.

Looking at Obito, Kakashi and Rin, Shirou decided not to interact with them too much.

'I am sorry...' - Shirou.

Shirou hated this. But he won't back down from his decision. Because he is not like Naruto. He is a selfish individual who puts himself before others, unlike the original Shirou. While Shirou does care about others, he won't give his own life to protect them. But if he has the strength then he won't hesitate to help.

The parents started leaving when the academy staff came and told everyone that the entrance test was going to start. One of the staff guided the children to the exam area.

While walking Shirou thought about the exam contents. He overheard some of the Ninja parents talking to their children about it. It consisted of a theoretical part and a practical part.

Everyone arrived at a classroom and the staff started calling each person by name.

After sometime.

"Hatake Kakashi." - Staff.

"Here." - Kakashi.

"Hey look, that's him, the son of White Fang."

"Kyaa... He looks so cool."

"What's so great about him? Look, he wears a mask. I bet he is trying to hide his ugly face."

Hearing all of this Kakashi kept his cool and calmly walked with one of the staff to the exam room.

Shirou was watching all this with great interest.

'It's like watching anime, only a hundred times better since I know it's real and I can even interfere with the events.' - Shirou.

Shirou began to experience a unique emotion. The feeling of knowing everything while everyone around him is ignorant. He felt like a god watching foolish humans for amusement.

'Is this what Cid from The Eminence in Shadow felt like? I have to say, it's not a bad feeling. Thinking about Shadow, can I replicate his powers somehow? I need to look into it. The guy's willpower was unmatched. The training he did was insane. Even before reincarnating, he was strong and skilled enough to take down gang members and retired soldiers. Just like Shirou Emiya, he was also one of my favorite characters.' - Shirou.

'I need to keep calm. I can't let my mentality be affected. Remember Shirou, remember all the arrogant characters across fiction who tried to show off only to get killed in the next chapter. Do you want to become like them? Of course not. Great, then tread carefully.' - Shirou.

"Uchiha Obito." - Staff.

No response.

"... Uchiha Obito?..." - Staff.

The Staff was losing patience. Just when he was about to move on to the next person. An exhausted Obito rushed into the classroom.

"...Here. Sorry I am late, I had to help an elderly janitor with sweeping a classroom. He was about to collapse you know." - Obito.

Everyone started laughing.

'Looks like Obito will be the one to inherit the "fake janitor" title in this world.' - Shirou smiled.

"...Just go." - Staff sighed. He did not want to deal with this now.

Obito nodded and followed one of the staff.

"Next, Nohara Rin." - Staff.

"Here." - Rin.

After sometime.

"... Shirou." - Staff.

"Here." - Shirou.

"Hey, look at him. His hair is so red and his eyes look like gold."

"He does not look like he is from Konoha."

"Maybe he is an immigrant."

'Whispers and rumors about me have already started. I just wanted to lay low. Was that too much to ask? Now that I think about it Kushina was bullied during her academy days because of her red hair and immigrant status. Will I have to suffer the same? I hope not.' - Shirou.

Shirou approached the staff.

"Kid, did you not choose your last name yet?" - Staff.

Orphans who are not adopted or whose real family names are anonymous are made to choose a last name. They will be offered suggestions, they can select one or they can make one for themselves. Based on what Shirou heard from Ishida, he was found at the orphanage front door with a paper slip attached with just the name "Shirou". The people who put Shirou there were never found. Shirou did not know if he even had actual parents in this world. He suspects that whatever force that reincarnated him may have simply put him there.

"My last name was decided the day before yesterday." - Shirou.

"Ok, let's hear it." - Staff.

[ Flashback ]

"Kid, have you still not decided on a last name? Why can't you just pick one already." - Ishida.

"But none of them matches well with my name." - Shirou.

"You also said you will come up with a cool last name. There is a deadline you know. If you don't find one, I will just pick a random one for you." - Ishida.

"Ok ok, I will come up with one today." - Shirou.

"You better." - Ishida.

'Come on Shirou. Put that brain of yours to work. A super duper last name... In the future when I become overpowered I want people to say "Hey look it's the Thousand Swords Shikichi Shirou"... that sounds wrong. I did think about "Emiya" but I feel I should not use that name. While I have a copy of Shirou's body, I was not raised by Kiritsugu Emiya. I do not have the dream of becoming a hero of justice. What I want is power. What I want is freedom... I want to break free from the shackles called human limits... I want to break free from concepts like destiny... I want to tear them all down... no, I want to cut them all down. Bloodline, talent, destiny, everything... I will cut them all down. That's it. That's what my last name will be.' - Shirou.

Shirou looks at the sky. No, he is looking at something that exists beyond. Shirou can't see it but he hopes his thoughts are conveyed somehow.

'I don't know if I am worthy and I don't care, but I want to realize that ultimate sword. No, I will surpass it. So I am taking your last name.' - Shirou.

Shirou turned to Ishida with a determined look.

"Ishida-san, I have decided." - Shirou.

[ Present time ]

Looking at the staff, Shirou smiled.

"My name is Muramasa Shirou." - Shirou.