Chapter 1-7
It was a surreal experience watching the ground rapidly approach knowing full well that you were actually not falling.
Keeping my pace I sprinted the tree downwards kicked off at the base, made a short sprint to the tree standing some 30 feet away and made my way upwards again without breaking my stride.
Reaching the top, I braced myself and jumped to the previous tree.
I was doing laps. Vertical laps.
Keeping an eye on the hourglass Hifumi lend me I saw the last grains of sand about to run through.
Reducing my pace to a measured walk to cool down I noted my improvement. Just three days ago I was doing five laps less.
I came to a stop near the tree I was using to run up and I eyed the bark of the trunk.
Dragging my palm along I felt the rough texture threatening to break my skin. I couldn't help but frown, this was a recurring thought I had one week before my test.
I wasn't used to pain. The extent of my experience was stumping my toe, which I considered pure agony and that's about it.
I was reasonably certain, that the examiners wouldn't expect children my age to know how to properly punch, let alone punch against a log post without breaking their hands. Yet, I was slightly hesitant given that I would need to get used to the whole pain business the sooner the better.
Shaking my head, I was being unreasonable. Yes, shinobis were able to tank incredible punishment,
but like with seemingly everything the answer probably was chakra and chakra was taught at the academy.
I didn't want to risk injuries at this point anyway.
I turned to collect the hourglass and instantly my back straightened.
Hifumi was staring at me with a gaze that was mixed with shock and wonder if I had to guess.
'…Busted?'
"Since…when can you do tree-walking?" Now she sounded like she was surprised to be surprised.
"Since I stopped visiting Ichirō."
"Did he teach you?"
I only managed to tamper some of my incredulity at the thought.
"No, he didn't. I saw a boy do it and I thought I could do it, too." I shrugged slightly. That the boy was from a manga went unmentioned.
"I see." Apparently she did see something, because she looked like she came to a decision.
"Come on, I want to show you something." She motioned me to follow her and I hurried to catch up and fell in step with her.
We headed back towards the orphanage, but instead of going in she parked me at the front door and went to notify the other caretakers of our leave.
A minute later and we were out of the gate heading towards the village.
Despite being curios I kept silent. There was an odd mood surrounding Hifumi.
"I never really noticed just how advanced you were." She sounded like she was talking more for her own sake.
"There's no doubt, that you will be accepted by the academy." I stared. 'Hooray?'
During the walk, she suddenly started to point out various shops and even some tidbits of information regarding them.
There was a weapons shop, which gave a reasonable amount of money for weapons beyond repair, which you could deliver. Recycling of sorts.
She gave me the advice, provided I was fast enough, that I should buy my groceries, particularly vegetables, during lunch break.
Apparently the morning rush would be over, the vegetables would still be fresh and the prices somewhat lower given that the business would be slower and the shops wanted to get rid of their perishables.
At long last, we arrived at a building I recognized. This was the place I was hoping would be the focus of my attention for the next few years.
The place, which could define my entire future. The academy.
"Did you notice that there isn't a single academy student living in our orphanage?"
"I didn't, I haven't really thought about it." She nodded.
I was starting to have a feeling where this was going, Hifumi's melancholic tone only made it more apparent.
"That's because we are a civilian orphanage." She put a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"When you enter the academy you will have to leave the orphanage."
This really shouldn't have come as a shock, but it still rocked me slightly. Apparently my life would change even more significantly than I initially thought.
"What's going to happen?"
"During the month between your test and the start of the academy you and everybody else that passes will visit a daily class here at the academy teaching you about living on your own."
A month of dedicated home economics, I actually liked the sound of that, but…
"Where am I supposed to live?"
"The village will provide you with one of its small apartments in the area. I'm not sure about the age,
but at some point you will have to move out to make room for the next generation."
I just nodded. Despite it all being logical and reasonable it was starting to become quite a lot to take in all of a sudden.
Sensing my hint of weariness Hifumi led me to a nearby dango-shop and treated me to a few sticks.
Finishing her treat she pulled her saddle-bag onto her lap and fished out an old and worn looking book.
"I was about to give it to you once you properly entered the academy, but seeing your progress changed my mind.
You always had your own pace and it more and more seems like the sooner the better."
I tried to read the title.
"This is my copy of the introductory textbook for Medical Ninjutsu from the day I started my training."
I stared, was she…
"It is obviously outdated and lacks all the advances Tsunade-sama has made, but the basic things like anatomy and chakra haven't changed."
My last dango-stick lay forgotten on my plate as Hifumi pushed the book across the table towards me.
"You were always fascinated with your chakra and you have a talent I have never seen before. I'm certain you will make the most of it."
It wasn't just the book but the entire gesture; I was at a loss for words so Hifumi took my hand and continued.
"You will have to leave the orphanage, but you are not forbidden from visiting."
She tried a humorous smirk.
"As long as you can bear to be around an old hag we can still have our tea in the evening and when you are officially an academy student I can actually teach you something advanced."
I distinctly remembered her green glowing hands from the shelter all those years ago.
"Good morning everybody, my name is Daikoku Funeno and depending on your performance today you will call me Daikoku-sensei."
I stood in line with a dozen children my age from the various orphanages in Konoha.
It seems like this was another reason why Shinobi actually ran these facilities.
Next to raising the children, they apparently were supposed to weed out those with potential and gently discourage those without.
Remembering Danzo staring at me, I had the feeling that orphans with real tangible potential, like high chakra reserves or lineage, were whisked away for a more streamlined education. I had no idea if it was true and if yes to what extent something like this was done under the radar or maybe even condoned.
The guy that would hopefully become my sensei had a jovial air around him as he gazed at us.
The kids standing with me in front of the academy, that famous swing behind us, were naturally giddy and nervous.
I could easily admit that I was getting antsy to get finally on with it.
"We will start the day inside with a small test, stay together and follow me."
He turned and we followed him in a neat line. It was a quiet walk to a random classroom, the children were still too nervous for chatter.
We stopped before the teacher's desk, to our left the rows of seats meant for the students.
Daikoku grabbed a sheet of paper from the front row.
"I want you all to find a place to sit down with such a paper in front of you."
We nodded, went up the stairs and dispersed ourselves among the rows.
The papers were distributed in a way that there was always an empty place between each potential student.
The moment everybody took their seat Daikoku continued his explanation.
"In front of you, you will find one sheet of paper and one pencil." He paused a second.
"This is meant to test your reading and comprehension. On the front page is a small story, which you will have to read and understand.
On the backside are five questions about the story."
He paused again and looked for questions among the kids.
"You have 15 minutes, when you are done please bring your paper to my desk and return to your place."
That said, he pointed towards the clock above the blackboard.
"It's exactly eight o'clock, you may begin now."
'During the Warring States Period, ninja were organized into small mercenary clans that knew nothing but battle.
The two strongest of these clans were the Senju and the Uchiha, who had warred against each other for their entire histories…'
'Madara was ultimately defeated at what would be called the Valley of the End…'
I was reading and re-reading the story intently. I wasn't about to make some dumb mistake because of overconfidence in a village where underneath the underneath was preached.
'Where was Madara Uchiha defeated?'
I scribbled my answers, checked and double-checked and delivered my paper at the teacher's desk where Daikoku gave me a nod, which I returned.
It was now twenty past eight and Daikoku was currently grading the last tests.
The kids were understandably in various states of nervousness given that this might have been their very first test.
I saw Daikoku put down his red pencil and sat straight again.
Suddenly a chunin with an eye-patch walked in and Daikoku handed him a paper with what I believed were the results of this little test.
That done and the guy disappeared as fast as he came.
"Good, next we will test your fitness so please follow me to the training ground behind the building."
He got up and waited for us at the door to form a line again.
We were greeted by an empty field surrounded by a running track and a small forest behind it.
To our right, the chunin from early seemed to fill out a scoreboard. Confident regarding my test unlike some of the kids I kept my focus on Daikoku in front of us.
He cleared his throat and a few kids whipped their heads around with a guilty expression.
"You see behind me a track with about 220 yards. To get the full points you will have to run 10 laps in 15 minutes."
We lined up at the starting line.
"Go!"
And we were on our way. I decided to stay with the pack for the first few yards to judge their tempo and increased it accordingly afterward.
I heard two or three kids trying to keep pace with me, but that was going to change soon given their panting not even two laps in.
Without chakra I had a feeling this would have been a slight struggle after my initial training, but the way it was now it just was effortless.
Restraining myself I refrained from sprinting past the poor kids at full-speed.
Completing my ten laps I came to stop near Daikoku.
He leafed a second through his papers and made a quick note.
"That was really impressive Daiki-kun."
"Thank you Daikoku-san."
"You already unlocked your chakra, didn't you?" No beating around the bush.
"Yes, I always wanted to become a shinobi and trained accordingly.
Hifumi-neesan thought it safer to guide me instead of letting me experiment on my own." A nod and he put down another quick note on probably my file.
I chanced a glance towards the scoreboard.
I saw my name and next to it a 25, which I guess were the full points of the written test.
Next to the 25, I saw a 20, which probably meant 2 points for each completed lap in the stated time.
Somewhat satisfied I waited with Daikoku in silence for the other kids to finish.
Towards the end, I swallowed a grimace when a few of them collapsed to the ground in tears totally spent knowing they might have blown their chances.
What followed in the next half an hour was a few exercises with basically the same results.
This led to me, two other boys and a girl, who made the cut waiting in the classroom we took our test in.
Glad that I didn't have to watch some of the drama that was probably happening in front of the academy with the failed prospects, their caretakers and I guess Daikoku-sensei I leaned back in my seat and breathed a small sigh of relief.
A moment later the man walked back in again, but this time he had a young woman with black hair and glasses with him.
"First of all, congratulations to all of you. You made your first step in becoming a proud shinobi of the leaf." He said with a big genuine smile, which I couldn't help but return.
"This is Suzume-sensei," She gave a stiff nod in greeting. "she will help and teach you in the coming month to settle in your new life."
"I wish you good luck and I will see you in a month." With that said Daikoku waved us goodbye and left us with our new sensei for the month.
Seeing our focus shift to her, she cleared her throat and pushed up her glasses.
"Good morning students, as Daikoku-sensei already told you, you may call me Suzume-sensei."
I stared at her. I had told myself that I would make an effort to be on good terms with all my teachers.
I wanted to garner enough goodwill with amicable and respectful behavior to hopefully get to the point where the teachers would help me beyond the normal curriculum.
Making everybody's life easier was just a nice bonus I didn't want to miss either.
As she went on and on about the topics, that she would cover with us in the following month and what exactly she expected of us I was inclined to believe that getting a read on Suzume seemed easy enough.
She seemed like a no-nonsense individual, that wouldn't appreciate behavior that detracted from whatever current topic.
There was a certain air of pride in her position that demanded respect from those she deemed under her jurisdiction.
I had a feeling, that unlike with Daikoku, an easy-going coexistence after an introduction phase wasn't going to fly with her either.
Staying calm, respectful and nod at the appropriate times probably was my best bet with her.
At long last Suzume looked like she was about to wrap up her speech.
"When you arrive at your respective orphanage after today's enrollment I want you to pack your belongings and prepare to bring them here tomorrow.
After class, I will show you to your allocated apartments."
She nudged up her glasses once more.
"Saying your farewells would be prudent as well."
With that she sent us on our way.
I nodded to the three other kids as we left the academy and going by the sun I estimated the time to be around noon.
I hurried to get to the orphanage to still make it for lunch.
I marveled at my current situation. Four children were just admitted to a child-soldier program and were now expected to live on their own from the age of six.
I reminded myself, that a teen was tasked, or might be tasked, to kill his whole extended family.
Shaking my head from that particular derail I joined the others in the mess hall and appreciated the last meal I wouldn't have to prepare for myself according to Suzume.
Hifumi came by my seat when I was about to finish, gave me a light squeeze on the shoulder and told me quietly, that we would talk after supper again.
A quick shower and a well-deserved nap later I set out to pack my few things.
I was done just quickly as I thought I would. Four sets of clothes, two pairs of shoes and one pair of slippers were packed in less than half an hour.
I put my toiletries like my toothbrush and comb next to my bag so I wouldn't forget them after I used them tomorrow morning and nodded in satisfaction.
There was nothing of sentimental value I could forget.
Glancing at the clock, five thirty, half an hour until supper. I grabbed the book Hifumi gave me and settled back on my bed.
I've seen a section regarding Yin and Yang Chakra in the index, which I wanted to leaf through for a bit.
Supper came and went like usual. Hifumi and I took our usual seats and I poured a cup of tea for each of us.
"I'm very proud of you, your new Sensei was highly impressed when he told me the news."
I smiled and bobbed my head.
"I know or I hope you will keep visiting, but it feels right to say it now. I'm proud, but also incredibly sad to see you go."
Her smile became bittersweet for a second, but then it came back in full force.
"There's not a single doubt in me that you will go far and will someday stand next to those greats that came before you.
My only wish from now on is just to see you stay safe and the way you are."
She ruffled my head fondly, maybe even for the last time.
I kept quiet, I didn't know what to say. I wish I could have expressed myself more freely at this moment.
"Bah!" She took a sip of her tea. "Enough of that sappy nonsense." She grinned at me.
"There is still something I want to show you."
I perked up, I recognized her lecture tone.
"I've seen you do the tree-walking exercise quite proficiently. There's one basic exercise further. It's called water-walking..."
She made to elaborate, but halted and smirked at me.
"I bet you will figure it out on your own."
'You have no idea, at least now I have a legit cover for knowing the skill in the future.'
"After you mastered this skill the same way you did the tree-walking you can attempt an exercise I'm going to show you now."
She pulled out a handkerchief and unwrapped three long blades of grass and put them on the table.
She touched one end of one culm with the tip of her index finger and lifted her hand.
The singular blade of grass was sticking to her finger precisely with its end, but it wasn't bending due to gravity, it was ramrod straight over its entire length.
In the end she had all three blades of grass on three different fingers simultaneously.
"One aspect of medical ninjutsu is to heal without breaking skin, to reach internal parts of the patient without surgery.
For this exercise, you have to channel a tiny, but a constant flow of chakra along to the very tip.
The longer the blade of grass the further you will have to extend your chakra away from your fingertip." She paused, taking a breath.
"When you manage to do this on all ten fingers at the same time we will see about changing you chakra to medical chakra."