The atmosphere at the academy was charged with both excitement and nervousness as eager young people gathered for the Leaf Ninja Academy entrance exam in hopes of becoming a ninja.
Ryu Hamura was standing at the edge of the crowd, and his calm demeanour contrasted with the tense atmosphere surrounding him. His sharp, bi-coloured eyes swept over the group, taking in the different clan's insignias painted on the backs of a good number of kids. Many carry the weight of their family's expectations settled on his shoulders, but unlike many others, it didn't seem to burden him.
His thoughts strayed to the rigorous training he had endured during the previous six months. He spent his mornings running with a parachute, his afternoons practicing chakra control, and his evenings talking strategically and sparring with his grandfather. Every moment had prepared him for this day.
Ryu's thoughts drifted to his grandfather's words that morning.
"Remember, Ryu," Dan had said, eyes twinkling with pride and a hint of worry, "you're more than prepared. Just do your best and stay true to yourself. And remember what we discussed about not drawing too much attention, especially from the clan kids. If they say anything, don't take it to heart. They're just immature brats."
As he continued to observe the crowd, Ryu noticed the subtle divide forming between the clan children and those from civilian families. Each group was observing the other with a mix of curiosity and caution as the air appeared to shimmer with an invisible barrier dividing them.
"I'm going to ace this test!", a boy with spiky black hair and the Uchiha fan on his back declared loudly. "My father's been training me since I could walk. These civilian kids don't stand a chance!"
His boastful words carried across the gathering, causing a ripple of unease among the civilian children. Some shuffled their feet nervously, while others lifted their chins defiantly, determined to prove themselves. Ryu watched the interaction with interest, noting the way the clan children seemed to puff up with pride at their comrade's words.
Close by, a cluster of Hyuga kids formed a close circle, their pale eyes glancing around the contest with barely concealed contempt. Their rigid postures gave off an air of superiority that, on such young faces, almost seemed comical. When a civilian boy unintentionally bumped into one of them, the long-haired girl sneered at him.
"Watch where you're going," she hissed. Her pale eyes narrowed dangerously, reminiscent of a predator eyeing its prey. When he apologised, she looked down upon him and said, "You cannot see straight and want to become a ninja?"
The boy's face flushed with embarrassment, his eyes downcast as he mumbled another apology. The Hyuga girl's friends snickered, their laughter like a sharp knife cutting through the air. The civilian boy seemed to shrink under their collective gaze, his earlier excitement replaced by doubt and shame.
Ryu felt a surge of anger at the scene unfolding before him. His fists clenched involuntarily, the urge to intervene growing stronger with each passing second. Ryu interjected, "He already said he's sorry. It's too crowded in here, and everyone is already tense. There's no need for name-calling and raising the tension more."
His words hung in the air, a challenge to the established hierarchy. While the children around him watched the exchange with anticipation, the civilian boy gazed up at Ryu with awe and gratitude. The Hyuga girl, obviously unaccustomed to being challenged, widened her pale eyes in surprise.
With a tone full of contempt, the Hyuga girl shot back, "Freaky eyes, this test is not for weaklings like you. You civilian kids amount to nothing compared to us esteemed Ninja clans."
The air crackled with tension as the two faced off, neither willing to back down. Ryu could feel the eyes of the other children on them, the crowd growing silent as they waited to see how the confrontation would unfold.
At first, her words made Ryu furious, causing his fists to clench, but his sensible mind warned him to exercise caution, recalling his grandfather's advice to stay out of the spotlight. However, there was another aspect of him that hated injustice and wanted to get more involved. He could feel his chakra responding to his emotions, swirling just beneath his skin.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. When he spoke, his voice was calm but carried a hint of steel. "Freaky eyes? Really? That's rich coming from you. And yes, you're right. The starting line for this race isn't the same for everyone. Some have to run longer and fight harder because not everyone has daddy and mommy to wipe their asses every time they fall."
He moved on after saying that leaving the scene, deciding it wasn't worth escalating the situation further. His words left the Hyuga girl speechless, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. A few snickers erupted from the crowd, quickly stifled as the girl's pale eyes swept over them menacingly. Ryu could feel the shift in the atmosphere, the other children looking at him with a newfound respect.
As he walked away, Ryu could hear the whispers following him. Some were impressed by his bravery, others curious about his identity. He realised he had drawn more attention to himself than he had intended, and he could almost hear his grandfather's voice in his head, reminding him to be cautious.
Suddenly a tall, imposing figure appeared at the front of the gathering. The man had a stern face, with a long scar running down his left cheek, and wore the standard Konoha shinobi uniform. His presence commanded immediate attention, silencing the chatter and diffusing the tension like a sudden gust of wind scattering autumn leaves.
"Attention, everyone!" His voice boomed across the academy grounds. "I am Kazuo Nakamura, your proctor for today's entrance exam. Listen carefully as I explain the rules." The chatter died down immediately as all eyes turned to Kazuo.
Kazuo continued, "The first part of the exam is a race. You must complete a 10-kilometre run around the academy playground within 10 minutes. Anyone who fails to do so will be immediately disqualified."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Ten minutes for ten kilometres seemed an impossible feat to many of the young civillian aspirants. Worried whispers and nervous glances were exchanged as the reality of the challenge sank in. Ryu, however, felt a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
A small, timid-looking boy raised his hand, his voice quavering as he spoke. "Um, Nakamura-sensei? Where exactly is the 10-kilometre mark?"
Kazuo's stern expression softened slightly, a hint of understanding flickering in his eyes. He seemed to appreciate the boy's courage in asking the question that many were thinking. "Good question. The 10-kilometre distance is equivalent to five laps around the playground. There will be markers to help you keep track."
The boy nodded gratefully at the clarification.
Instructor Nakamura paused, his eyes sweeping over the group of children. "The race will begin in five minutes. The starting point is to your right. I suggest you all make your way there now and prepare yourselves."
As the crowd began to move, Ryu felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find himself face-to-face with a girl bearing the Uchiha clan symbol on her clothes. She had bright, curious eyes and a friendly smile, though Ryu noticed a hint of sadness behind her cheerful demeanour.
"Hi there!" she said, her voice warm and inviting. "I'm Saya Uchiha. I couldn't help but notice your hair. It's really cool! Where do you get it styled?"
Ryu blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. He ran a hand through his hair self-consciously, suddenly aware of how his dual-toned hairs must look compared to the neatly groomed clan children around him.
"Oh, um, thanks," he replied. "I'm Ryu Hamura. I coloured my hair to avoid looking like a grandmother because I come from a family of white-haired people. My grandfather helps me style it."
Saya's eyes widened with interest, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "Really? That's awesome! I... I have to do my own hair. I wish I had someone like that."
He noticed the slight droop in her shoulders and the way her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. It was clear there was more to her story, but before he could respond, fate intervened in the form of a small stone.
As they continued walking, Saya stumbled over a small stone on the ground. As she fell forward, time seemed to slow down. Saya's eyes were wide with shock, and she attempted to shield her face with her hands. She braced for impact as the ground rushed up to meet her.
Ryu's hand automatically reached out to grab Saya and stabilise her before she could hit the ground, face first.
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