After pouring out all his knowledge into the diary, Satoshi was startled to realize that three hours had slipped away unnoticed. What had begun as a simple evening task had transformed into a deep immersion in thought, and now, as he glanced at the clock, the red numbers glaring back at him read 2 AM. The night had enveloped the world outside, yet he felt a surge of urgency. He thought to himself, This should be enough for now. Tiredness seeped into his bones, but he couldn't allow himself to delay—this was too important. So, despite the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him, he diligently continued writing.
While he scribbled furiously, a thought crossed his mind: the closest significant event looming on the horizon was the tragic death of Shisui Uchiha, a fate that lay at least five years ahead. I have to be strong enough to change the outcome for the better, he resolved, feeling a mix of determination and dread wash over him.
As for the plan to grow stronger, he decided it could wait until morning. His eyelids felt heavy, pulling him toward the sweet embrace of sleep. He reluctantly set down his diary and climbed into bed, surrendering to fatigue.
The next morning, Satoshi awoke late, the sunlight streaming through the window casting a warm glow in his room. He had been writing deep into the night, and his parents, mindful of his injuries, had opted not to wake him. Emerging from his room, he was greeted by his mother, who wore a bright smile that lit up her face. "How are you feeling today?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I've mostly recovered, and I don't feel any pain," he replied, the words flowing out more easily than he expected. His mother's happiness radiated in the room, and her eyes sparkled as she responded, "That's wonderful! Now go freshen up and come eat something."
Receiving this kind of love for the first time overwhelmed Satoshi, almost choking him up. He fought to keep his emotions in check, knowing that showing too much vulnerability would seem strange. I'll have to get used to this, he thought, because it's not going to change.
After freshening up, he sat down at the table with his mother to enjoy lunch. As they shared the meal, he felt an urge to gather information he couldn't find in the anime. However, he first asked, "Where's Dad? How's everything at the restaurant?"
His mother's response brought relief. "Your dad has already started reconstructing the shop. We have enough savings to manage everything, so there's no problem," she reassured him. Hearing this made Satoshi realize just how financially stable his family was, lifting a weight off his shoulders. He could now focus solely on getting stronger for the future.
While conversing with his mother, she reminded him, "You need to recover quickly if you want to join the Ninja Academy, which starts in just three months." The mention of the academy sparked a fire in his heart, providing an excellent opportunity to ask his mother about all the questions that had lingered in his mind since watching the anime.
"Mom, can you tell me about chakra control?" he asked, excitement bubbling in his voice. Despite being a retired Chunin, his mother had a wealth of knowledge to share. Seeing his eagerness, she smiled softly and replied, "Chakra control isn't easy; it requires a lot of time and effort. But since you're so keen, I'll be happy to teach you."
After a session of training, Satoshi found chakra control to be far more difficult than he had anticipated. If I'm struggling to control such a small amount of chakra, how did Naruto manage his vast reserves? He couldn't help but wonder why Naruto faced so many challenges in the beginning.
After a few hours of struggling, his mother gently told him to stop, reminding him that he was still recovering. As they sat down again, he seized the moment to ask about the entrance exam for the academy. "What does it entail?" he inquired, curiosity tinged with anxiety.
"There are three tests: a written exam, a shuriken test, and a physical examination. Based on the results, students are placed into classes," his mother explained. "Most of the top students are from major clans or some minor ones. But don't feel pressured; right now, there's no war. You're the only child of a restaurant owner, so your future is already secure."
Satoshi couldn't relax. Deep down, he knew the dark events that awaited them. While he could enjoy a few years of comfort, disaster was inevitably looming. Determined, he resolved to take his path as a ninja seriously to protect his family.
"Mom, I really want to become a ninja," he confessed, the seriousness of his words weighing heavily in the air. His mother's brow furrowed in concern. "Why the sudden desire to become a ninja?" she asked, a mix of pride and worry dancing in her eyes. Although she had hoped for him to attend the Ninja Academy, it was primarily so he could learn self-defense, not to become a full-fledged ninja.
"I don't want to feel helpless anymore," he replied, the sincerity in his voice piercing through the air. His mother's heart swelled with conflicting emotions—pride for her son's resolve and worry for the challenges he would face. Ultimately, she decided to support his dream, knowing how much it meant to him.