Author's Note: Hello again everyone, I'm sorry for the short chapter but currently trying something out. Perhaps for this story I could try doing short chapters, doing so would allow faster updates if I do things right rather than longer wait for 5k words.
WORDS STYLE:
Thinking
[Tv/Intercom]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
(Past words)
Chapter 2: The Beginning of the Academy
ONE MONTH LATER, AT SHIN'Ō ACADEMY
(You barely passed, your scores were horrendous but even so, you managed to pass your physical test.)
As he recalled those words, the blonde was staring up at the large entrance sign for the Shinigami Academy, students walking by were wearing the same uniform he had to wear with packs around their shoulders unlike Naruto who had none yet his attention was drawn towards two fellow students muttering to themselves while looking at him but the moment he looked at them they just hurried through the gate.
"They had the same eyes…" Muttered the blonde who takes a deep breath before entering the gate as well, the gate to Shin'ō Academy where he saw a massive open area where students stood all around on the blue marble that spreads through the academy. Naruto just looks around to see students conversing with each other, talking amongst themselves yet now and again he could see some were looking at him, the only one who stood out yet that all ends when a loud sound echoed through the area, causing him to turn towards the gate where it was shut before once again a sound before him was made, causing him to turn to see the large doors of the building opening.
"Huh—" He stops to see fellow students walking towards the door, signaling him to do the same as he heads towards the door as well and it led him to a large lecture hall with the seats being in rows, seeing this he saw students sitting down one after another and he too did the same yet as he did so he got glances from those that sat next to him on either side.
"Just say it, why don't ya'." Thought the blonde who was already getting annoyed by the stares until theirs was drawn away by a man speaking to them all at the front, standing at a podium with a scroll laid out before him.
"Welcome, new students, to Shin'ō Academy. You are now part of a proud tradition, a unique school dedicated to building this stealth forces in the Gotei 13 of the future. Apply yourselves diligently to your studies and uphold the honor of our school." He proceeds to lift a piece of paper, the same one they were given upon completion of the entrance exam they all had to bring in.
"Each of you has a piece of paper given upon the completion of your exam, they will hold your homeroom number and from there, your instructor will hand each of you a list of classes you'll be taking for the six years. You will head there after I adjourn this assembly. My name is Genshirō Okikiba, I am the 3rd Seat of the 1st Division, I have stepped away from my post for the next six years to be assigned as head of this academy in order to help nurture the next generation." At this point he got a lot of surprised looks from the students, one being from Naruto yet disappointed he wasn't in the squad of the man he wants to meet again.
"Now adjourned." With that said he turns away from everyone to walk towards the door while others start getting up to leave just like Naruto who looked both ways to see his fellow classmates heading to their classes before he felt something tsp against his shoe and looks down at seeing a folded piece of paper against his foot which he bends down and picks it up.
"No, where is it?" As he heard a feminine voice, his gaze turns to see silver hair sticking up behind him, showing someone was searching for something and Naruto looks at the piece of paper, opening it a little his eyes widen a little.
"Is your name, Isane Kotetsu?" As he said that, the person stops before looking up to reveal a woman with gray eyes and short messy silver hair.
"Y-Yes…" She looked slightly shy yet her gaze was observing him before she saw him raise the paper much to her surprise and immediately stands up.
"You found it!" As she said that, she showed a grateful smile while Naruto was looking at her, eyes slightly wide due to the simple fact she was tall, standing above him and such a sight didn't go unnoticed as Isane started looking depressed.
"My height unnerves you, doesn't it?" This immediately got a response as the blonde raises his hands.
"N-No, it really doesn't at all—" He stops and realizes he was still holding her paper before handing it back.
"That's what they all say but it's written all over your face—" She was cut off by seeing a hand and looks up to see the uncomfortable Naruto raising a hand.
"I-I'm Naruto, I noticed on your paper we were assigned to the same class." All this did was gain a sigh as she turns around.
"Don't worry, you don't have to force yourself, I've gotten used to it." Her expression turns somber. "See you in class." With that said, she starts walking away with Naruto standing there and sweating. Despite the fact, the blonde was making an effort to make a 'friend' it was immediately taken the wrong way which left the blonde now reflecting on what he did wrong before he was startled by a slap on his back and the words 'Don't let it get to ya' causing him to turn towards one raven haired student who had a similar hairstyle to his own, also being spiky.
"She's always been like that when it comes to her height so don't think too hard about it." He proceeds to smile and extends a hand. "I'm Kaien Shiba." With a smile on his face that reassured those who saw it, Naruto extends a hand and shook his.
"I would chat more but we need to get to our homerooms to receive the list of classes from our instructors." He gives a wave. "Later Naruto." With that said, he walks off with Naruto realizing he never gave his name but wondering if he overheard him talking to Isane while Kaien was smiling as he was heading to his class.
"So he's the one talked about so much." The Shiba clan member just smiles while Naruto walks in the other direction out of the lecture hall towards his class and upon arriving he's greeted by a class almost filled save for a seat in the far back which he took and in turn gaining the attention of everyone as the last to enter. One Isane noticed him but avoided his gaze at the end which he took notice of as he sat while the mentor was eyeing Naruto, the man had his face concealed by cloth.
"Let me introduce myself, I am Chiriku-Fēng." Surprised looks formed on many students' faces except for the blonde who was disinterested. "For the remainder of the year, I will be your mentor for this class and your remainder of the time at the academy." His gaze was piercing as he looked over the class, causing a few students to shrivel under his intense gaze.
"Before I hand each of you your classes, I must inform you that among all the freshmen, you all have the lowest scores from the entrance Exams whether it be one or more." This got a round of whispers and groans, one being Isane who sighs, and another girl who appeared to be mopping. "But do not fret, you have all the chances of excelling in what you lack as you learn at this academy." With that he proceeds to walk around the class, handing each of them a piece of paper which they take and open to show their classes for the next six years and as he did so he spoke.
"For the next six years, the curriculum will be how to control and use your Reiryoku, as well as the four major principles of combat, Hakuda, Hohō, Kidō, and Zanjutsu." As he was explaining, Naruto started losing track of what he was talking about and the stuff he was talking about.
"Before the day is done, you will obtain Zanpakutō." This got his attention as he glances at the mentor. "Upon entering this academy, you will be loaned one of our nameless Zanpakutō and that same blade will officially be given to you upon passing the academy and joining one of the thirteen divisions. You will be taught how to communicate with the spirit of your Zanpakutō—" He stops to see Naruto raising a hand, gaining the attention of others.
"What's a Zanpakutō?" This question immediately got some snickers and mutters from some of the students which Naruto just ignored and did not strike them while the teacher merely sighs.
"A Zanpakutō is the weapon all Shinigamis use. It is capable of cutting the spiritual bodies which is the main form to combat Hollows." This caused his eyes to widen a little.
"A Zanpakutō also is not any sort of weapon that can simply be obtained and used. The sword will become a reflection of a Soul Reaper's power and soul, and become sentient. All Zanpakutō gain a name for the living spirit which empowers the sword and lends its strength to the Shinigami who wields it. In your inner world, you can see such beings and they can vary greatly in appearance, and have their very own distinct personalities, which are similar to their owner's—" He stops to see Naruto becoming more lost at the fact they get living swords which the mentor sighs and gains more chuckles.
"Naruto, could you stay after class?" This got wide-eyes than an audible groan from the blonde while students started to chuckle and talk amongst themselves.
"District 9 trash."
"Why do they even allow them in here?"
"How did he even pass, anyone who takes the test needs to know the literal basics."
As he heard those things, Naruto remained emotionless yet his hand was turning into a fist, a few were looking at him sympathetically. In the end, the class continued with the introductions of what they will be warned, yet as it went on and on, the lone blonde sat in silence due to not knowing anything about Hakuda, Hohō, Kidō, and Zanjutsu as well as Reiatsu.
"That's enough for today, I will say spend the rest of the day finding your classes and getting used to your surroundings." As he spoke the students began standing up. "Remember, at the end of today you all will be issued your own Zanpakutō so prepare yourselves." As he said it, the only one still sitting was Naruto who received a 'come here' wave of a hand which he stood up while the man looks at one particular student, a petite girl with pale skin and short black hair that had a strand of hair that fell across her face.
"Ms. Inuzuri," This caused the girl to stop and turn while the others in front of her glanced back yet didn't bother waiting or seeing what it was about. "could you stay behind, I also wish to speak to you." This caused her eyes to widen but walked towards the Mentor with Naruto doing the same and he glances at the short girl who stood at his side.
"As you two are fully aware, among all the applicants here you both barely passed the entrance exams." This got a response as the girl looked unsure of herself while the blonde looked annoyed while the mentor looked over some papers before him.
"You two should know that not even a year ago, the tests were altered and are still being altered as we speak to give those from the Rukongai a better chance at passing." This had taken them by surprise. "Very few are in this very academy, you two are the only ones who managed to pass and enter this academy, the only freshmen this year that came from outside of the Seireitei. I won't lie and say it will be easy, it will be more difficult for you because of those reasons, you may suffer from mistreatment from your peers—" He stops seeing the look she made while the blonde looked like he could hardly care tho it was obvious he was bothered.
"Or already have, but in the end don't let them discourage you two, prove them wrong and become splendid Soul Reaper." This had surprised the two of them, not expecting to hear such a thing, despite his fierce gaze his words were all but reassuring.
"From your entrance exam tests, I can see you two would improve greatly by learning from each other, you both lack what the other doesn't." As he said that the two looked at the other.
"Just keep what I said in mind, you may go now." As he told them that, he sat back at his desk while the two made their way out of the room and the teacher just watched them leave before he looked down at a particular paper.
"I can see why I was assigned to this class. He got a zero due to having left the written exam completely blank yet…" He looks past the paper down on the second paper, a frown once again forms on his face at the sight of the test.
"Even at the start of this academy, not one student has ever gotten this high of a score for the physical part of the exam, even comparing it to Ms. Lady Yoruichi when she took the clan test at his age, it's still slightly higher." He looks back where Naruto has left.
"I can only wonder what he will be capable of by the time he leaves the academy." As he thought that, at the same time Naruto was walking next to Ms. Inuzuri, the two were rather silent as they appeared in thought yet simultaneously they had spoken.
"I'm/I'm—" The two stopped walking as they appeared surprised, they stared at each other before suddenly smiling and laughing a little, the nervousness and awkwardness suddenly started to vanish between them as the taller of the two extended a hand.
"My names Naruto, no last name and I'm from District 9." He hit looks from those walking by but like Naruto, she also ignores the loos and she shook it while giving him a gentle smile.
"I'm Inuzuri, Hisana Inuzuri and I'm from District 78." With that single introduction, a new friendship had formed as both had made their first friend since coming to the academy.
