Arc 2: Ninja Academy 101
Chapter 5: The Village Hidden in the Leaves
It took seven days to get to the Leaf Village. Although calling it a village was a poor description. The Leaf was very much a city. Not as big as Tekan but still impressive.
The journey had been relaxing, if not a little boring. A couple of hours in, Arashi found the most talkative wagon driver and joined him on his wagon. The driver had welcomed the endless questions he asked. The man had told him of all the cities he had visited during his career as a transporter of goods. He had told him of his family and children back in the Leaf Village and how his son wanted to follow in his footsteps. When Arashi mentioned he was going to train as a ninja, the man had smiled and nodded his head, and said a noble profession! I would not be here today if it weren't for the leaf ninja who had protected me during my deliveries.
Sakumo-san on the other hand, had not been much for conversation nor had any of the other ninja. Arashi had tried to strike up a conversation, but the man was very brief, not mean, but not one for idle chitchat. The only thing he could get out of him was a brief description of what to expect in the ninja academy and a small display of some ninja tools he should start with.
Despite traveling for seven days, Arashi had seen minor variation in scenery. For the first two days, they traveled through the mountains surrounding Tekan via the Nisshō Pass. The wagon driver told him goat herders had originally used that Nisshō Pass. The grass and shrubs growing near Tekan contained too much salt from the sea and it affected both the milk and meat of the goats. So, the herders had taken their herds inland to graze for the spring and summer and then traveled back to Tekan to sell before winter. The pass was beautiful and had easily been the most exciting part of the trip. Their caravan had climbed and descended constantly, which provided some spectacular views of the valleys below and mountains above. But after that, they descended into the endless forest and meadows of the land of fire.
At Arashi's request, the wagon driver had pulled out a map and shown him their route. They would travel northwest along the Sendaidō trade route that linked Tekan and the Leaf Village. Arashi learned that it was no coincidence why the leaf village established itself where it did. It was almost exactly halfway from the land of fires capital to many of the large cities dotting the southeastern coast. It was in an opportunistic location, taking advantage of many of the already established trade routes. The trade route stopped at several small villages along the way, allowing the caravan to restock on food and give the ox much-needed breaks. Sometimes through the dense tree cover or when they entered a meadow, Arashi could see some mountains jutting up into the sky, breaking to the monotony of the endless tree canopy above.
Being such an established route between the two cities, the road was busy. They had passed people on foot and other trading caravans several times a day. Arashi not only saw other caravans but also occasionally caught glimpses of ninja in a blur above him, jumping from branch to branch with effortless grace and at speeds he thought impossible.
On their last day of travel, everyone got up earlier than usual, eager to get to the leaf village in time for lunch. As they got closer, the quantity of ninja Arashi saw increased. Blurs of movement everywhere, going off in every direction. It was an amazing sight, and Arashi vowed to learn how to move through the trees as they did as soon as possible.
When the village gates came into view, Arashi was speechless. While he knew Tekan was a larger city in both land and population, its walls were nothing compared to the Leaf's. The village walls were easily three times the size of Tekan's. And the main gate was similarly enormous. Arashi figured 10 wagons side by side could move through the gate at once.
But the most impressive feature could be seen off in the distance. Through the massive archway that was the main gate, a mountain with enormous faces greeted him. The faces looked like mighty gods watching over the village. It reminded him of the stories the sailors back home had told about ancient titans living in the deep ocean. Once in a while, coming close enough to the surface that they could see a massive wave with a human face.
The wagon driver laughed next to him.
"First-time visitors all have the same reaction."
Arashi looked over at him, "what are they?"
"That is the Hokage Monument. The three faces carved into the rock are the village's three Hokage. From left to right we have the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, one of the founders of the village. The second Hokage Tobirama Senju, the younger brother of the first, was also one of the founders. The third one is our current and third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Are they all still alive?" Arashi asked.
"No, unfortunately, they aren't. The first died about 40 years after the village was founded. The second died during the first great ninja war 15 years ago. But the third is still alive. He governs the village and serves as a beacon of hope and strength. He is one of the strongest ninja in all the known world!"
"Wow, that's …"
"Breathtaking, am I right?"
Arashi smiled and nodded, "Yes."
"Alright everyone, get your papers ready and present them to the ninjas at the gate. Once approved, you can continue into the village to your delivery destination!" Sakumo-san yelled.
Arashi shook the hand of his travel partner. "Thanks for everything sir!"
"Think nothing of it kid. You were good company! Good luck on your ninja goal!"
Arashi hopped off the wagon and walked around to the back to grab his makeshift satchel. Once he had everything, he headed over to Sakumo-san needing to get directions and instruction on what he was supposed to do once in the village.
"Excuse me Sakumo-san. Can you point me to where I am supposed to go next?"
Sakumo turned and looked down.
"Aww, Arashi-kun. I was just about to go find you. Let me introduce you to the gate guards and then they will have someone take you to the ninja academy to register. How does that sound?"
Arashi nodded and smiled, "thank you, Sakumo-san. That would help."
Together, they walked over to the small building just on the inside of the gate.
One of the gate guards perked up, smiled, and waved his hand. "Sakumo-san welcome back! How goes the eastern front?"
Sakumo smiled at the guard, "unfortunately it's the same old gridlock as usual Kaneko, although I'm coming from Tekan this time. I'm glad to see you appear to have recovered from your injuries!"
"Bahh! Those sand ninja don't know when to give up. Even when the leaf's white fang is cutting through their lines. And when I get back out there, they won't know what hit them!" Kaneko said.
Sakumo laughed a little. "I have a feeling I'll be right back out there after this. But on a side note, I have a request of you."
"Sure, what's up?"
Sakumo put his hand on Arashi's shoulder. "Little Arashi-kun here is from Tekan and he is to begin training at the ninja academy. Can you get someone to show him the way and ensure he gets situated?"
Kaneko raised his eyebrows and looked down at him. "Wait really from Tekan? Damn ain't that a worrying sign."
Sakumo cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes.
"Sorry, sorry, meant nothing by it kid. My shift ends in 5 minutes, so I'll just take him myself."
"Thanks Kaneko. I appreciate it."
Sakumo then looked down at him. "Kaneko here will show you the way and answer any questions you may have. I've got to finish with the caravan and then head off to get my next assignment."
"Thank you, Sakumo-san," Arashi said.
Sakumo then turned and said, "Just keep your head on a swivel and you'll do fine. And remember to get yourself some correctly weighted kunai as I showed you on the trip!"
"I will and thanks for everything!"
"Alright, Arashi-kun. Hold tight here for a bit and then we'll head out to the academy."
Arashi nodded and then moved over to the side of the gate building to wait.
True to what he had said before, it was about five minutes later when Kaneko walked out to grab him.
"Alright kiddo, you ready? Is that all your stuff?"
"Yes, sir."
Kaneko gave him a weird look and then ushered him forward.
"Uhh, if that's all you got then off we go."
They started walking down the main road from the gate to what looked like the center of the village. The Hokage monument in full view the entire time.
"If you don't mind me asking, are you an orphan?"
Arashi looked up at Kaneko to see the slight discomfort on the teen's face. Arashi laughed a little.
"How could you tell? Was it the makeshift satchel on my back with everything I own or my dirty clothes?"
"Uhhh.."
"I don't mind you asking Kaneko-san. Yes, I'm an orphan. One of the hundreds in Tekan." Arashi said.
"My bad. I had heard some rumors that we had started recruiting outside these walls, but I didn't expect...well, you, I guess. How did you end up getting scouted?"
"I'm still trying to figure that out myself. But I guess I got caught throwing rocks at bullies by the right person."
Kaneko laughed, breaking the tension "I guess that's a good a sign as ever. I certainly didn't get scouted for throwing rocks. I didn't even get scouted. Just walked in against my parents' wishes and signed up."
"You can just walk in and sign up?" Arashi surprised asked.
Tokuma had made it sound exclusive, like you had to have potential to get in. Perhaps people in the leaf village played by different rules.
"Well yeah, but then there are some entry tests and screenings they do. But if they sent you all the way here, then someone most likely has already done those on you." Kaneko said.
"Screenings? Like what?"
"Probably chakra screenings to determine your reserve levels."
Arashi had heard of chakra. The sailors mentioned it in their stories. They described it as the magical source that ninja got their powers from. It looked like they weren't far off from the truth if the ninja academy had some requirements based on it. Although he was confused about how they would have screened him in Tekan, but decided not to question further.
About 25 minutes later, they were deep in the middle of the village. Kaneko had pointed out several stores where he could buy equipment and clothes. The teen seemed to stress clothes especially. Arashi guessed it was because of his ragged appearance.
The leaf village was nothing like Tekan. It was orderly and clean. The social divides in Tekan were obvious. One knew when they were moving from one section to the next. But The leaf village was not so obvious. Well, at least from what he could see from the main road.
Soon, they turned off the main road and traveled a couple of blocks. A large building soon came into sight. On one side, it was circular, with the diameter getting smaller as it got taller. Adjoined to the right side, Arashi saw a rectangular building 3 stories tall with plenty of windows pocketing the side. There was a lone tree in the courtyard out front with a swing hanging from it.
"Well, here we are, the ninja academy. This is where all your classes will be for the next couple of years. Right through that door over, there will be a reception desk where you can go and they will direct you on what to do next."
"Thanks, Kaneko-san. I hope to see you again. Also, thank you for all the recommendations on stores to shop at."
"Hey, no problem kid. Although I doubt we will see each other again anytime soon. I'll be shipped out to the front pretty soon now that I'm fully recovered."
"Oh, well good luck then Kaneko-san."
"You too kid." Kaneko waved and before Arashi could blink, was gone in a blur.
"I've got to learn how to do that," Arashi said to himself, then turned to walk into the academy.
Arashi took a big breath as he walked towards the entrance. Like the ninja HQ in Tekan, the reception desk was on the other side of the room directly in front of the entrance, where a ninja sat reading some files. Walking up to the ninja at the desk, Arashi waited patiently for the ninja to acknowledge him.
Not getting a response, Arashi said, "excuse me, sir. I'm here to register to the ninja academy."
The man lowered his file and looked down at him, "You're joking…." Seeing Arashi's blank stare, he let out a grown. "I guess not. Go through the door to your left." The ninja then went back to reading his files.
Arashi let out a soft groan and started towards the door the man pointed to. He was starting to notice a pattern here. He was being tossed around like a skipping stone.
The next room was much livelier. There were multiple desks, each manned by a ninja, and lines of children and parents in front. The other kids in the room were of varying ages. Some older and some younger than he was. But all of them were better dressed. Arashi looked down at his tattered shirt and scuffed-up shoes. He'd have to get some new clothes as soon as possible or he would stick out.
Arashi got in the shortest line to the far left. To his left, a red-headed girl was angrily scowling at a man in a red and white robe wearing a weird diamond-shaped hat. The girl looked ready to blow. Her face was close to the same color as her hair, scrunched up in obvious anger.
Arashi made a mental note to dodge this girl. She looked about the same age as he was and looked like trouble. Not someone he wanted to hang out with.
He was about to turn back to observe the line when he shivered a little. Goosebumps rising on his skin. He looked back over and noticed the man in the robes gazing at him. Not wanting to gain any more attention, Arashi averted his gaze to the back of the kid's head in front of him.
Unfortunately, that didn't work as a couple of moments after, Arashi heard murmurs from a couple of the other kids and parents next to him. They were all looking at him now.
"Mom, look at his clothes. There are holes everywhere. And he smells."
"Shush honey, don't be mean." Arashi heard the mother say.
Arashi could feel his face heating up. Nothing like this happened in Tekan. He was the norm there. He could walk through the city unnoticed if he wanted to. Yet another difference he'd have to adjust to.
Ten minutes of stares later, he was at the front of the line.
The ninja at the desk looked down at him, waiting expectantly.
Arashi opened his bedsheet satchel and pulled out the vanilla folder the girl ninja in Tekan had given him a week before. He winced when he noticed it was folded and crumpled a little. Too late now, he thought as he handed the folder to the ninja.
"Hello, sir. I'm here to register with the ninja academy. I was told to give this folder to you."
The man's eyebrows raised when he saw the folder. Reaching out and grabbing it, he opened it and began reading. He then started flipping through papers on his desk until he found what he was looking for. Arashi saw the man's eyes switching between papers, nodding his head as he read.
After a couple of moments, the man lowered the papers and looked at Arashi. "Well, everything checks out Arashi." The man smiled. "It's been a while since a kid who can barely see over the desk has handed me a profile folder. It's been even longer since I've seen a profile as full of holes like this one."
The man reached into one of the file cabinets behind him and pulled out a large envelope and some books.
The man then turned back to Arashi, handing him the envelope and books. "Here are the books you will need for your first year at the academy. Also, in this envelope, you will find your first month's allowance and keys to your dorm."
Arashi grabbed the books and envelope, having to lean back to help carry the weight. He looked questionably up at the man. "Money and dorm keys?"
"You are an orphan, correct?" The ninja asked.
Arashi nodded.
"While in the academy, the leaf village provides both lodging and a monthly allowance to orphans. The allowance should be enough for basic food and training supplies you may need during your time at the academy. Your monthly allowance will increase incrementally as you progress through the academy and get loser to graduation. You can pick up your allowance on the first of every month from this room. The dorm room you will be in is located directly across the street from the academy's main entrance. Your dorm room will be unit 2A. The first room on your left once you get to the second floor. You will have a roommate, so do try to get along with others."
Arashi smiled a little. That defiantly wouldn't be a problem. It will be a huge upgrade from what his previous roommate situation was.
The ninja continued. "The room has basic furniture and cooking supplies. Also, you've arrived just in time to make it into the next batch of classes. The new classes of students start in two days. You will be in class 3B with instructor Ishino Magami as your sensei."
"Oh, ok" Arashi said, processing the massive info the man had just dumped on him. Receiving a nod from the man and getting the obvious signal that he was done, Arashi moved to the side to let the next person in the line forward.
He set the books and envelope down onto the floor and twisted his satchel around and opened it. He then started shoving his new possessions into the satchel.
Once again, goosebumps rose on his skin and Arashi risked a glance at the man and redhead off to his left.
Great.
Now both were looking his way. At least the man was smiling at him, unlike the girl. She had shifted her scowl away from the man in the robes to Arashi.
Arashi quickly finished packing up his things and turned to leave. Shooting the man and girl a sideways glance as he rushed out the door.
Once outside, Arashi exhaled a large breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He needed to sit down. Looking over to his right, he saw the swing hanging from the tree and went to sit down, feet dangling several inches from the dirt.
What had he gotten himself into? He was hundreds of miles away from all he knew in a strange village about to begin ninja training. He knew no one here and knew next to nothing about being a ninja.
Brushing his hand through his messy hair, Arashi attempted to calm himself down. What's the next thing you must do, Arashi? Just like in the slums. What do you have to do to get through the next couple of hours?
As if on cue, his stomach rumbled, letting him know he was hungry. Arashi laughed, "glad to see some things don't change."
With his mind settled, Arashi jumped off the swing, grabbed his satchel, and headed out to find food. Only this time he'd be buying instead of stealing.
After grabbing some Yakitori from the first food stall he saw, Arashi then went to buy some new clothes and ninja gear.
He decided on one of the ninja clothing shops Kaneko had pointed out that was close to the academy. He received some weird glances when he walked in, but was able to purchase several duplicate outfits without too much hassle.
Arashi looked at himself in the mirror of the clothing shop, having quickly gone to the dressing room to don his new clothes. He had settled on a pair of long black pants, standard black ninja sandals, and a light grey hoody. The man at the counter had also recommended some shuriken and kunai holsters, which Arashi had purchased and attached one to each thigh.
It amazed Arashi at the immediate difference he saw. He had never had new clothes before. The orphanage barely clothed them at all, often giving them hole-filled shoes that were the wrong size and shirts barely held together. Sure, his hair was still messy, and some dirt was smudged on his face, but he was unrecognizable as the slum dweller he once was. If Ayame could see him now, she'd probably make fun of him and call him a spoiled middler.
Ayame…. He hoped she was doing well. The seven-day trip had already been the longest time he had been separated from her since they became friends. Nothing he could do now, though. He'd just have to work hard and learn how to read and write as quickly as possible so he could write to her. Not like she could read his letter, but maybe the caretaker could.
Arashi then went to the ninja weapon shop. Following Sakumo's advice, he asked the owner for a set of kunai and shuriken that matched his age and size. The man promptly provided two small boxes with what he called first-year academy standard.
Once about half of the kunai and shuriken were loaded into his holsters and the rest still in the boxes, Arashi shuffled out the door with arms at full capacity, holding his new possessions.
Thankfully, the weapons shop was only two blocks from the dorm room and Arashi made it up the stairs and to his room labeled 2A in no time. Turning the knob and pushing the door open with his feet, Arashi walked in and regarded the room. It was small, with identical beds, dressers, and desks on each side of the room. Two small doors on each side next to the entrance led to what he assumed was the small kitchen and bathroom.
This place was so much better than the orphanage. No leaky roof, no sharing beds. To think a village would pay for this. They must really need new ninja.
One side of the room was occupied with what he assumed to be his roommate's belongings. However, his roommate was nowhere to be seen. So Arashi set down the boxes and belongings on the empty desk to his left and set about putting away his stuff into drawers. The rest that he had, including his satchel, he slid under his bed.
As he was putting the last of his things away, the door behind him opened. Arashi turned to see the startled expression of a boy with short brown hair and dark green eyes standing in the doorway.
The boy's face twisted from shock to a huge toothy smile.
"Finally! They told me I'd be getting a roommate, but I was starting to think you'd never get here in time for the new classes." The boy walked forward and extended his hand. "My name is Fumuro Yusunkei, nice to meet you."
Arashi smiled and shook Fumuro's hand, "likewise Fumuro-san, my name is Arashi."
"Na na na none of that formal stuff. Fumuro is just fine, and I'll call you Arashi if that's cool with you."
Arashi nodded, "that's perfect. I was starting to get tired of being polite all the time."
Fumuro turned and plopped onto his bed, sitting up to look at him.
"Hey, I don't recognize you from the orphanage but I'm assuming you're an orphan like me if you're in the academy dorms. What gives?"
Arashi went to sit down in his desk chair.
Turning back to Fumuro, "I'm actually from Tekan. I grew up in an orphanage there."
Fumuro's eyes widened. "What no way! I didn't know the leaf trained people from outside the village."
"I think it's a new thing. Everyone I've met so far has also been surprised. Pretty sure I'm the first from Tekan. Not sure about any of the other villages though."
"That's so freaking cool! I've never even been outside the Leaf Village. The others are gonna freak out when they hear that. Hey, you're in Class 3B, right? With Ishino Magami sensei? They told me they try to match up roommates who are in the same class."
"Yup. Just learned that earlier when I registered. How many classes and students are there?"
Fumuro shrugged his shoulders at Arashi's question. "Eh, not sure on either one dude. But glad we're in the same class. That means we can work together on homework and practice the same stuff!"
After what felt like hours of chatting, Arashi was starting to get a headache from all the information. He had learned that Fumuro was the same age as him and that one of his parents had been a chunin but died two years ago on the front lines. He also learned about two of Fumuro's friends from the orphanage that were also just starting at the academy, two girls, Motomi Tsunase and Kochi Sanayoshi. They were above them on the third floor and would also be in class 3B.
After the long day Arashi had, as soon as he told Fumuro that he was going to bed and his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, rubbing the stubble forming on his chin. He leaned back and swiveled in his chair to look out the windows of the Hokage office. At the current rate he was going through the paperwork on his desk, he'd miss another dinner with Biwako. He'd have to make it up to her somehow. Perhaps a necklace or maybe a nice dinner out at that new restraint that opened in the civilian quarter advertising authentic land of lighting cuisine.
Hiruzen turned back to his desk and started flipping through some of the new academy student profiles, stopping when he opened a certain redhead's file.
Kushina Uzumaki.
Interacting with the youngest members of his village was a task Hiruzen took seriously. It was important if he wanted to cultivate the will of fire and ensure the village's future stayed bright. And seeing the enthusiasm on their faces always gave him some extra energy that he often used to get through the painful meetings with the clan's heads.
Kushina, however, made him question everything. If interacting with the youth meant running into Kushina, then perhaps he would just stay up here in the office.
The caretakers at the Senju compound had told him she was adamant about not becoming a ninja but unfortunately with the immense duty that had been forced upon the girl following Mito-samas death, that was not a possibility. The young Uzumaki had to become a ninja, or it put them all in danger.
So Hiruzen had trudged down to the Senju compound and accompanied the girl to the academy to ensure she didn't pull any tricks.
He didn't think that scowl left her face for a single moment. He was starting to think it was just her normal look and perhaps a chilly breeze had frozen it in place like his mother used to threaten when he was young. Arms crossed and stomping her feet, she had skipped the line and went straight to the front where she angrily completed her registration and then immediately left before the chunin at the desk could give her the books she would need. Hiruzen had pulled her to the side of the room and tried to inform her of the information she had missed, but was distracted by the newest member in the queue directly in front of him. A young boy wearing dirty clothes and shoes that were too large and several years past their prime.
Hiruzen set Kushina's file down and picked up the boy's profile.
Arashi hmm.
He was starting to think Tekan was a lost cause, and the ninja tasked withing finding children with potential would be better placed somewhere else. But then two days ago he had received word that a messenger hawk had arrived with news of a successful case.
Hiruzen applied chakra to release the privacy seal on the profile, allowing the redacted information to be viewed.
Background: Arashi is an orphan from orphanage number 4 in the harbor district of Tekan. Parents unknown.
Close ties: Arashi only displayed one significant relationship. A girl named Ayame who was in the same orphanage. Arashi's initial rejection of the offer was due to reluctance to leave Ayame in Tekan. Ayame should be identified as a potential conflict of interest.
Security threat: It is believed that Arashi poses no known threat. While contact with foreign ninja may have happened in Tekan, no genjutsu on the boy was observed. Suggest a risk level 4 be assigned and observance of Arashi through his first year at the academy be carried out.
Chakra reserves: Arashi possessed above-average chakra reserves for a civilian. Teachers should expect rapid growth in reserves once training begins and dietary nutrition improves.
Temperament: Arashi demonstrated a calm and level head when faced with conflict and uncertainty. Arashi has likely experienced many physical altercations and stressful situations while in Tekan. He was observed to resort to quick and brutal physical altercations if needed to either protect himself or others he cares about. Arashi was also observed to steal when he deemed necessary, without hesitation. Stealth levels were above average during observed thefts.
Care should be taken during initial spars at the academy. While it is expected Arashi will be behind in technique in the early stages. The subject is not likely to hesitate when an opening arises during a spar. Expect a sudden and brutal outburst.
Hiruzen sighed. A promising young recruit. Unfortunately, it looks like the boy has exchanged one difficult life for another. Let's just hope he isn't as much of a pain in the ass as the Uzumaki, or he may have to halt all recruitment from outside the leaf's walls.
Hiruzen groaned at the new presence in the room.
"Yes anbu squirrel?"
"Hokage-sama, red paint has been spotted defacing the Hokage monument."
"I'm assuming it's on my face?" Hiruzen said as he lit his pipe and puffed to get it burning.
The anbu shuffled his feet awkwardly. "Yes sir, a red swirl on your forehead."
Damn it Kushina.