"Freedom at last," Kuin exclaimed with a smile as he strolled down the familiar village street. "Been cooped up in that house for so long; I felt like a shut-in."
Beside him, Calico happily trotted along, her tongue lolling out.
"We're almost there, Calico," Kuin said, patting the puppy's head. "I've been wanting to teach you how to play fetch for a while now."
As they approached the park, Kuin couldn't help but notice the changes in the village's atmosphere. The streets seemed quieter, with fewer civilians strolling around, while the number of ninjas had noticeably increased.
"Guess they're finally mobilizing," Kuin mused, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Well, not my problem. They won't send children to war, will they? By the time I'm an adult, this conflict should be over."
Upon reaching the park, Kuin found a decent-sized stick and held it out towards Calico.
"All right, Calico," he began, his tone brimming with excitement. "This is how it goes: I'll throw the stick, and you run to catch it. Then, bring it back to me. It's as simple as that."
Calico barked in response, her tail wagging eagerly.
"In 3, 2, 1, go!" Kuin shouted as he hurled the stick toward the other end of the park. Without hesitation, Calico sprang into action, darting after the stick with boundless enthusiasm.
Kuin chuckled as he watched her, taking in the sight of the energetic pup bounding through the grass.
It was a simple moment of joy, a respite from the shadow of impending change that loomed over the village. Kuin couldn't help but hope that brighter days lay ahead, even as he reveled in the simple pleasure of playing fetch with his newfound companion.
As Calico darted after the thrown stick, Kuin began to overhear fragments of conversations. People spoke in hushed, worried tones as he passed by.
"Have you heard? The situation at the border is getting tense."
"My cousin's been called up. They say it might get ugly."
Kuin couldn't help but eavesdrop a little more. The park, once filled with laughter and play, now held a somber undercurrent.
"Is it true they're calling in all available shinobi?"
"Yes, and I heard some of the Chunin talking about the possibility of a full-scale war."
With each snippet of conversation, Kuin's carefree mood was replaced with a growing unease. The cheerful park now seemed like a distant memory as he considered the implications of what he was hearing.
Calico returned, dropping the stick at Kuin's feet, but he couldn't shake the heaviness that had settled over him. He glanced at the pup and said, "It looks like our plans might get more complicated, Calico. We need to be prepared for the worst." Calico tilted her head, as if trying to understand the weight of his words.
Kuin's stroll back home was now accompanied by a sense of foreboding, A cheerful day at the park giving way to concerns about the future and his security in it.
One week Later
Kuin stood before the grand entrance of the Konoha Academy, an imposing structure that bore the mark of countless aspiring ninja. The building, with its sturdy, wooden architecture, was a testament to Konoha's rich history. Its tiled roof, adorned with the village's emblem, stood tall and proud, casting a protective shadow over the students who entered its doors.
As he stepped inside, Kuin couldn't help but marvel at the bustling foyer. The space was alive with activity, children full of anticipation chatted with their parents, while others shared excited whispers with their soon-to-be classmates. The walls were adorned with framed portraits of past Hokages, a reminder of the great shinobi heritage that they all aspired to be a part of.
"Welp, here goes nothing," Kuin muttered under his breath, determined to find his way. With a quick, determined stride, he approached the receptionist desk, where a kind lady sat engrossed in her paperwork.
"Excuse me, ma'am," Kuin said, doing his best to mask his nerves. "Can you help me find my classroom?"
The receptionist regarded Kuin with a warm smile, a testament to the patience required for guiding the new arrivals each year. She extended a hand and pointed toward a large room to the side of the foyer.
"First-year students are to participate in the orientation ceremony. It's about to begin, so quickly take a seat," she explained.
Kuin thanked the receptionist, his heart thudding with anticipation, and followed her directions to the room. Inside, he joined a group of eager children, all looking like bright stars about to start their journey in the shinobi world.
To his left, there sat a young boy with dark, spiky hair and an aura of faked aloofness. He bore a striking resemblance to some of the officers that questioned him in prison,his serious determined expression hinted at great potential.
To his right, Kuin found another child, a girl with long, dark hair neatly tied in two buns, her eyes reflecting a sense of pride mixed with determination. She had the prim and proper posture of a young Heiress and an air of gentle nobility that spoke of her clan's legacy.
As they sat together in the classroom, Kuin found himself growing bored. It didn't take long for him to initiate a conversation.
"Exciting, isn't it?" he began, turning to the two young faces beside him. "I can't wait to see what we'll be learning here."
The boy with raven-black hair nodded, his expression tinged with a hint of disappointment. "My older brother mentioned that we won't start learning any jutsu until our third year," he confessed with a touch of resignation in his voice.
Kuin, his expectations of a ninja academy primarily revolving around the art of becoming a shinobi, furrowed his brows in confusion. "No jutsu until the third year? What on earth will we be doing until then?"
Interrupting their discussion, the girl to his right, radiating a sense of primness and poise reminiscent of a young princess, stepped into the conversation with a matter-of-fact air. "Basic arithmetic, strategies for wilderness survival, science, history, and throwing weapon practice," she declared in a tone that allowed no further inquiry. A gentle nod towards the front of the room signaled the end of the discussion. "Now, please be quiet; the ceremony is about to begin."
With her directive in mind, they turned their attention to the front as the classroom door swung open. A tall man with a calm, contemplative demeanor entered, his ponytail hairstyle a distinctive feature. It was Shikaku Nara, stepping in for the absent Hokage.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Fifth Hokage won't be able to join us today," Shikaku announced, his deep, monotone voice filling the room. "My name is Shikaku Nara, and I'll be taking over for the day."
As he launched into his speech about the significance of the Will of Fire, a hint of boredom seeped into his words. The students listened attentively, some captivated by the message while others, like Kuin, couldn't help but be a little disappointed.
"Maybe it it isn't as bad as he was saying. Surely we will learn a little bit about Shinobi arts right? Not everything resolves around justu."
Kuin knew in his head that he was in denial but he'll live in this pretty lie until it gets shattered by the ugly truth.