The morning light streamed through the small window, casting a soft glow across the room as the orphanage began to stir. Satoru, still getting used to the smaller body he now inhabited, stretched and rubbed his eyes. Tatsuo was already awake, sitting on the edge of his bed and tying his shoes.
"Good morning, Satoru!" Tatsuo said cheerfully, his earlier worry from the previous day seemingly forgotten."Morning," Satoru replied, though he still felt a bit out of sorts. The events of the past day were like a strange dream, but the weight of Satoru's memories made it clear that this was very real.
After quickly getting dressed, the two boys headed to the hall where breakfast was served. The smell of rice and miso soup wafted through the air, and the sound of clattering dishes and chattering children filled the room.
As they made their way to the table, Satoru overheard a group of older boys talking excitedly nearby."Did you hear? The academy's opening for admissions soon," one of the boys said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'm definitely going to apply! This is our chance to become real ninjas!"Another boy nodded eagerly. "Yeah, if we do well enough, we might even get our education paid for by Danzo-sama himself. I heard he's been looking for promising kids to train."
Satoru's ears perked up at the mention of the academy. He turned to Tatsuo, curiosity piqued. "Tatsuo, what are they talking about? What academy?"Tatsuo looked at Satoru with a surprised expression, as if he couldn't believe his friend didn't know. "You don't remember? The academy is where you go to learn how to be a ninja! It's opening for new admissions in about eleven months."Satoru nodded, trying to piece together what this meant. He had some knowledge of the Naruto world from his previous life, but now that he was actually living in it, everything felt more real, more serious.
"And they said something about Danzo? He'll pay for our education?"Tatsuo's eyes lit up with excitement as he explained. "Yeah! Danzo-sama is one of the village elders. If you show a lot of talent, he might take care of all your expenses. It's a huge deal! Not everyone can afford to go to the academy, so if someone like Danzo-sama notices you, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"As Tatsuo spoke, his enthusiasm was contagious. He started gesturing animatedly, talking about how amazing it would be to become a ninja, to go on missions, and to protect the village.
"We could learn all sorts of jutsu, go on exciting missions, and maybe even become heroes one day!"Satoru listened, a mix of emotions swirling within him. 'This is it,' he thought, 'the moment that could change everything for Satoru… and for me.' The academy wasn't just a place to learn; it was a path to survival, a chance to become strong enough to navigate this dangerous world. But it also meant diving headfirst into a life of combat and uncertainty.
As they reached the table and began to eat, Satoru couldn't help but think about the path that lay ahead. 'I have to get into that academy,' he thought. 'If I'm going to survive in this world, I need to learn how to protect myself… and Tatsuo too.'Tatsuo continued to chatter excitedly about the academy, oblivious to the weight of Satoru's thoughts. But as Satoru listened, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger.
As Satoru ate his breakfast, his thoughts drifted back to the conversation about the academy. The prospect of becoming a shinobi was both exciting and terrifying. 'Will I make it?' he wondered, his gaze fixed on the bowl of rice in front of him. 'What if I don't? What if I… die?' The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He knew from Satoru's memories that the world he was in was not a forgiving one.He recalled bits and pieces of the history from his previous life—stories of great wars, of powerful shinobi who shaped the future of entire nations, but also of countless lives lost in the crossfire.
'There are ninja wars coming in a few years,' Satoru thought, his grip tightening on his chopsticks. 'How will I get strong enough to protect myself… and Tatsuo… and everyone else?'While Satoru was lost in his thoughts, Tatsuo had struck up a conversation with another boy at the table. This boy had strikingly thick, bushy eyebrows and an infectious enthusiasm that was hard to ignore."I'm going to be a taijutsu master!" the boy declared with a confident grin, his voice loud and filled with determination. "No one will match my strength!"Tatsuo nodded eagerly, matching the boy's energy. "I want to learn ninjutsu, but taijutsu sounds awesome too! Maybe we could train together one day!"The boy with the bushy eyebrows beamed.
"My name's Might Dai! Who are you?" Dai's loud voice broke through Satoru's thoughts, pulling him out of his worries. Satoru blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift in focus. He looked up to see the boy staring at him with an expectant expression.
"Oh, uh... I'm Satoru," he said, trying to match Dai's enthusiasm but falling short. "Nice to meet you, Dai."Dai's smile widened as he nodded vigorously. "Nice to meet you too, Satoru! Let's do our best and become the greatest shinobi in the village!"Satoru couldn't help but smile at the boy's infectious energy. Despite his earlier worries, Dai's confidence made him feel a little more hopeful.
'Maybe… just maybe… I can do this,' Satoru thought, feeling a spark of determination light up within him.As they continued to eat, Satoru realized that while the path ahead was uncertain and full of dangers, he wasn't alone. There were others like Tatsuo and Dai who shared the same dreams, the same hopes. And maybe, together, they could help each other survive whatever challenges the future held.
After breakfast, all the children were called to assemble in the main hall of the orphanage. The room was abuzz with chatter as the younger children, Satoru included, exchanged curious glances and whispered questions.
The older kids, however, seemed more composed, as if they already knew what was about to happen.As they filed into the hall, Satoru noticed three figures standing at the front of the room. Aunty Hana stood in the middle, her warm smile replaced with a more serious expression. To her right was a woman with a stern yet kind face, wearing the standard attire of an academy teacher. And to Aunty Hana's left was a man dressed in full combat ninja gear, his face obscured by a mask, only his sharp eyes visible.
The sight of the masked ninja sent a ripple of excitement and unease through the crowd of children. The younger ones whispered among themselves, trying to guess who the man was and why he was there.
Satoru's gaze flicked to the older kids, noticing how their demeanor shifted the moment the teacher came into view. 'They know something we don't,' he thought, a feeling of nervous anticipation settling in his chest.Aunty Hana raised her hand, and the hall gradually fell into silence. "Everyone, please settle down," she said, her voice firm but gentle.
"We have some important guests with us today who have something to share with you all."The children quieted down, their attention now fully focused on the guests. The academy teacher stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room, landing on the older children before moving to the younger ones. Her gaze was sharp, and Satoru could sense that she was someone who commanded respect."As most of you know," the teacher began, "the academy will be opening its doors for new admissions in eleven months. This is an important time for all of you who wish to become shinobi." Her eyes lingered on the older children, and Satoru noticed how they straightened up under her gaze, as if they had a history with her.'They know her,' Satoru realized. 'And they respect her… maybe even fear her a little.'The teacher continued, "For those of you who are old enough to attend, this is your opportunity to prove yourselves. The village is looking for the next generation of shinobi, and it is up to you to decide if you are ready for that path."There was a murmur of excitement among the younger children.
Satoru could feel the tension in the room rising. This wasn't just about going to school; this was about preparing for a life that could be both honorable and deadly.Then the masked ninja stepped forward, his presence commanding the room. The air seemed to grow heavier as he spoke, his voice low and steady. "The life of a shinobi is not an easy one. It requires strength, discipline, and a willingness to sacrifice. But for those who show promise, there are opportunities that go beyond the academy."The room was silent, every child hanging on his words. Satoru noticed the older kids exchanging glances, a mix of excitement and fear in their eyes. They knew what was coming.
The ninja's gaze swept across the room, and for a moment, Satoru felt as though those sharp eyes were looking straight into his soul. "The village elder, Danzo-sama, is always on the lookout for those with exceptional potential. If you prove yourselves, you may find that your path leads to greater things… but only if you are truly prepared."The weight of his words settled over the room, and Satoru felt a chill run down his spine. 'This is real,' he thought, the reality of his situation sinking in even deeper. 'This is the world I'm in now… and I need to be ready.'Aunty Hana stepped forward again, her expression softening as she looked over the children. "I know this may seem overwhelming, but remember, you are not alone. The academy and the village will be there to guide you. But the decision is yours to make."
After the meeting in the hall, all the younger students who wanted to become shinobi were handed a set of books. These books were filled with basic knowledge about the village, chakra, and the fundamentals of ninjutsu.
Satoru, Tatsuo, and Dai each received their own set and carefully placed them in their rooms before heading to the playground.
As he walked, Satoru's mind replayed the words spoken in the hall. He knew that in eleven months, they would face an entrance exam—a test that would determine if they had what it took to enter the academy. The exam would cover both physical and academic aspects, challenging them in ways Satoru wasn't sure he was ready for.'At least I don't have to worry about the academic part,' Satoru thought with a sigh of relief.
Thanks to his previous life and Satoru's memories, he felt confident in his ability to handle the theoretical material. But the physical test, chakra control, and everything related to being a ninja? That was another story. 'I have no idea how to use chakra… or even where to start with ninjutsu,' he worried, his stomach twisting with anxiety. 'And the physical test… I'm in the body of a five-year-old now. How am I supposed to get strong enough in just eleven months?'
As they reached the playground, Satoru's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar, loud voice."One hundred and one! One hundred and two! One hundred and three!" Dai was in the middle of a rigorous set of push-ups, his voice booming with each count. His enthusiasm and determination were almost tangible, and it was impossible not to be impressed by his energy.
Satoru blinked, pulled back to reality by Dai's sheer presence. Tatsuo was already watching Dai with wide eyes, clearly impressed. "Dai, you're amazing!" Tatsuo said, genuinely in awe.Dai finished his push-ups and jumped to his feet, barely breaking a sweat.
"Thanks, Tatsuo! I've got to train hard if I want to be the best taijutsu master in the village!" he declared, his voice full of unwavering confidence.Satoru couldn't help but smile at Dai's enthusiasm. feeling a bit of the tension in his chest ease. He still had a lot to learn, but with friends like Tatsuo and Dai, the journey ahead seemed a little less daunting.
The three boys gathered on the playground, sitting in a small circle as they began to plan their training for the day. Dai nodded, his eyes shining with determination. "we need to get stronger! More push-ups, running, we can practice some taijutsu!"Satoru listened to the idea, his mind racing as he tried to piece together a plan. 'I need to focus on the basics first,' he thought. I definitely need to improve my physical strength if I want to stand a chance in the entrance exam.'He looked at his friends, both of whom were eager to start training. "Alright," Satoru said, his voice steady. "Let's start with physical training , well do pushups , squats, pullups and runs. We have eleven months to get ready, so we need to make every day count."Tatsuo and Dai both nodded. As they began their first day of training. Something else was happening in the hokage office,
Something which may or may not change Satoru's future.