The adrenaline of the sparring match had faded, leaving Satoru feeling drained as the proctor announced the end of the day's trials. "You may all go home now," the proctor said in a firm but calm voice. "Those who pass will receive letters at their homes."
As the children dispersed, Sakumo approached Satoru "Are you alright?" he asked, but before he could say more, Satoru lowered his head and blurted out, "I'm sorry."
Sakumo blinked in surprise. "For what?""I... I didn't know what else to do," Satoru stammered.
"I was desperate to win, and... I know what I did wasn't fair."Sakumo paused, then smiled softly. "It's alright. I understand. Sometimes, in a fight, people do whatever they can to survive."
Satoru looked up, meeting Sakumo's eyes. There was no anger or resentment there, only understanding. "I'll see you back at the academy," Sakumo added, giving Satoru a reassuring nod before turning to leave.
Satoru watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. 'He didn't have to forgive me,' he thought. 'But he did.'Tatsuo and Dai joined Satoru, and the trio made their way back to the orphanage.
As they approached, they could see Aunty Hana surrounded by a crowd of children, each one eagerly telling her about their experience in the exams.When she noticed the boys approaching, her face lit up with a warm smile.
"There you are!" she called out. "Come, tell me how it went!"
After sharing their exam stories with Aunty Hana, the trio's stomachs growled in unison. "Let's grab something to eat," Tatsuo suggested, and the others quickly agreed.
As they made their way to the cafeteria, the boys couldn't help but speculate."When do you think the letters will come?" Dai wondered aloud, his eyes filled with both anticipation and anxiety.
"I don't know," Satoru replied, trying to sound calm."But I hope it's soon."Tatsuo, grinned. "Maybe we'll get them tomorrow! But right now, I'm more concerned with what we're going to eat!"
The boys chuckled as they entered the cafeteria, their previous worries momentarily forgotten as they filled their plates.
The next week dragged on painfully slow. Each day, the tension in the orphanage grew as everyone waited for the letters that would determine their futures.
When the letters finally arrived, the atmosphere was thick with emotion. Some children cried, others celebrated, and the entire orphanage buzzed with excitement and nerves.
Satoru's heart pounded as he watched the caretaker hand out the letters. He clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing. 'What if I didn't make it?' The thought had plagued him all week.
Finally, his name was called, and he stepped forward to receive his letter. His hands shook slightly as he took it, and he hesitated before opening it. But when he finally did, a wave of relief washed over him. He had passed.
He exhaled deeply, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He had done it—he was one step closer to becoming a shinobi.
As Satoru's eyes scanned the letter, relief washed over him as he saw the words confirming his success in the exam.
But as he read further, his brow furrowed in confusion. Beneath the confirmation of his passing, there were additional details—timings and a location for something called "orientation and interview."
Curious, he quickly sought out Tatsuo and Dai, who were just as relieved and excited after reading their own letters. "Did you guys see this?" Satoru asked, holding up his letter. "There's something about an orientation and interview. What do you think it's for?"Tatsuo nodded, showing his letter. "Yeah, I saw that too. I'm not sure what it's about, though."
Dai scratched his head, looking puzzled. "Maybe it's another part of the exam?"Satoru considered the possibility. 'Could this be another test? Or maybe something to determine our placements in the academy?' He wasn't sure.
However, before his mind could spiral into overthinking, his stomach reminded him of more immediate needs with a loud grumble.
Tatsuo chuckled, patting Satoru on the back. "Let's not worry about it too much right now. We'll figure it out when we get there. For now, let's go eat!"Satoru nodded, deciding to let go of his worries for the moment.
As the morning sun began to climb higher, Satoru walked through the village streets, the warmth already promising a hot day ahead.
He bought a popsicle to cool down, savoring the sweet, cold treat as he made his way to the academy for the interview. Despite the nervous energy bubbling within him, he tried to stay calm, focusing on the refreshing popsicle in his hand.
When he arrived at the academy, a staff member led him to a quiet room. Inside, the principal—a middle-aged man with a stern yet approachable demeanor—was seated behind a desk, waiting for him.
"Good morning, Satoru," the principal greeted him, motioning for him to take a seat. "I hope you're feeling well today."Satoru nodded politely and took a seat, his small frame barely filling the chair. "Yes, sir."The principal smiled slightly before getting down to business.
"Let's start with some basic questions. What do you know about the history of the Hidden Leaf Village?"Satoru took a deep breath, recalling the information he had studied. "The Hidden Leaf Village was founded by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha. They brought together the various clans in the Land of Fire to create a place of peace and stability, where shinobi could live and work together."
The principal nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Good. Now, tell me, why do you want to become a shinobi?"Satoru paused for a moment, thinking about his reasons. "I want to become strong enough to protect the people I care about. And... I also want to make something of myself. I don't want to be left behind."
The principal's eyes narrowed slightly, assessing the sincerity in Satoru's words. "A noble goal. But the path of a shinobi is fraught with danger. What makes you think you can handle it?"
Satoru hesitated, then spoke . "I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to work hard. I'm ready to do what it takes to survive and protect others."
The principal leaned back in his chair, considering Satoru's response.
"Tell me, Satoru, how did you prepare for the academy entrance exam? What plan did you make?"
Satoru told the principal the truth, explaining how he had prioritized his studies over physical training. "I knew my body was still too small and weak, so I focused on the academic parts. I planned to build up my strength gradually as I grew older. I thought it was the best way to make sure I could pass the exam and keep up with the other students."
The principal blinked, clearly taken aback. It wasn't often that he heard such a strategic approach from a child so young. Most six-year-olds, even the more talented ones, tended to act impulsively, driven by excitement rather than careful planning. This boy, however, seemed to have a surprisingly mature outlook.
As the principal was mulling over Satoru's explanation, Satoru, who had been thinking about his performance, suddenly asked, "How did I pass the physical part of the exam?"
After a moment of silence, the principal leaned back in his chair."You passed the physical part of the exam," the principal began, "not because of your strength or skill—those are things that can be developed with time and training. No, you passed because of something far more important.
"Satoru's eyes widened slightly, unsure of where this was going.
"A shinobi," the principal continued, his voice taking on a graver tone, "is not honorable in the way many might think. A shinobi must be deceitful, backstabbing even, resorting to underhanded tactics to survive. Your decision to fling dirt into Sakumo's eyes showed that you understand the environment you're fighting in. You used your surroundings to your advantage, which is a crucial trait for a shinobi."
Satoru listened intently, processing the principal's words. The principal leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Satoru's."You brought Sakumo's guard down, and though it was temporary, you blinded him and seized the opportunity to strike. That shows cunning, awareness, and the willingness to do what it takes to win, even when you're outmatched. These are qualities that can't be easily taught—they're instincts, and you have them. You may be weak now, but as you said yourself, you can grow stronger when your body matures. That potential is why you passed."
As he walked down the corridor, he noticed another boy heading toward the room he had just exited.
The boy had light brown hair that was neatly kept, and almond-colored eyes that gleamed with a bright, almost innocent smile. The crest of the Senju clan was emblazoned on the back of his shirt, unmistakable even to Satoru, who had seen it before in the anime.
'Who is this guy?' Satoru thought, trying to dig through his memories of the Naruto series. The Senju clan was prominent, but no specific character came to mind with that description. Despite his effort, he couldn't quite place him.
As the boy approached, Satoru decided to keep things simple. "Hey," he greeted with a slight nod.The boy returned the greeting with a warm smile. "Hi!" he said cheerfully, before continuing on his way to the interview.
Satoru watched him for a moment, then turned and continued down the hall, still pondering the encounter. 'Well, it doesn't really matter who he is right now,' he thought, dismissing his curiosity for the time being. What mattered was that he had passed the exam.
he joined the other children for the orientation tour, following a group led by an academy teacher. he guided them through the academy, pointing out the various facilities.
"This is the library," he announced, gesturing to a large room filled with rows of bookshelves. Satoru's eyes lit up as he recognized some of the titles from the older kids' books he had borrowed.
He walked a little closer to the shelves, letting his fingers graze the spines of the books, feeling a sense of comfort in knowing that he had already studied a good portion of the material.
As they moved on to the science labs, Tatsuo nudged him. "Hey, Satoru, did you see that they have a whole section just for chakra studies? We can get some real practice in here."Satoru nodded, "Yeah, I saw. It'll be useful."
Dai, who was trailing behind them, piped up, "I'm going to spend all my time in the playground! I'll crush the physical training this year."
Tatsuo chuckled, "You and your push-ups. Just make sure you leave some time for studies, or else you'll be stuck in remedial classes."
Dai shrugged,"I'll figure it out!"Satoru smiled at Dai's enthusiasm.
This year's studies wouldn't be as daunting as he initially feared, giving him the opportunity to focus on training his body and perhaps even getting a head start on the next year's curriculum.
As they neared the end of the tour, the group passed by the teachers' rooms, where several academy instructors stood talking. Satoru noticed how they occasionally glanced at the students, their expressions a mix of curiosity and assessment.
Finally, the group made their way to the exit. Satoru was about to leave when something caught his eye—a man standing slightly apart from the rest of the adults. His right eye was covered by a bandage, and he wore an air of quiet authority. The man observed the children with a sharp, calculating gaze.Satoru's steps slowed as he recognized the man. 'That's Danzo Shimura,' he realized, recalling the name from whispers in the orphanage and snippets of conversation.
Danzo's gaze briefly met Satoru's, he bowed his head in respect. He didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention. As he hurried past, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just been measured, weighed, and noted by someone who had an eye for potential.
Danzo, for his part, watched the young boy with interest. 'Wasn't he the one who caught that genius off guard by flinging dirt? Most wouldn't think of something like that at his age… Satoru, wasn't it? This one has potential.'