It had been a tough week.
Satoshi sat cross-legged on the floor of Shinji's workshop, the scent of fresh ink and parchment filling the air. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, staring at yet another failed seal. He wasn't used to this—this constant trial and error. Sure, his intellect helped him process information quickly, but sealcraft required more than intelligence.
"You're too tense," Shinji said from across the room, his voice calm as ever. "It's not just about logic, Satoshi. Sealcraft needs intuition. Feel your chakra flow through the design."
Satoshi sighed. He knew Shinji was right, but that didn't make it any less frustrating. Patience, intuition, chakra control—things that couldn't be rushed. But even as mistakes piled up, Satoshi felt a thrill every time he got closer to understanding the nuances of the seals.
As the days passed, Satoshi became more immersed in the craft. His sketches littered Shinji's house, notes scribbled on loose sheets of parchment. He wanted so badly to impress his mentor, to prove that he wasn't just some average academy student.
"Shinji-sensei," Satoshi said one afternoon, staring intently at a new seal he was working on. "What if we adjusted the chakra flow here?" He pointed to the center of the design.
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "It might work... but there's a reason most seals avoid that structure. Go ahead, test it."
Satoshi's heart leapt at the chance. He placed the seal on the ground, gathered his chakra, and pressed his hand against it. A puff of smoke appeared—nothing more.
For a moment, disappointment surged within him. His shoulders slumped. "I thought I had it this time."
Shinji chuckled, his smile kind but knowing. "You're getting closer, but your approach is too rigid. Fuinjutsu is like... calligraphy. You can't force it. Let the chakra guide the brush."
Satoshi's disappointment melted into determination. Shinji wasn't scolding him—he was encouraging him. Keep going. You're close.
As the week wore on, Satoshi found himself appreciating Shinji's teaching method. Unlike some instructors who hovered over their students, correcting every mistake, Shinji let him fail. He allowed Satoshi the space to experiment, even if it meant watching a seal backfire.
"That's the wrong formula for a this seal," Shinji remarked one evening after watching Satoshi draw a particularly complex design.
Satoshi grinned, not even pausing his work. "I know. I want to see what happens anyway."
The seal fizzled out in a harmless burst of light.
"Well, now you know," Shinji said, smirking.
Satoshi couldn't help but laugh. This dynamic—this freedom—was why he looked forward to each session with Shinji. Even when he failed, he felt like he was learning.
One evening, near the end of the week, Shinji watched Satoshi intently as the boy worked on yet another design. When Satoshi looked up, his mentor nodded approvingly.
"You're starting to understand it, Satoshi. With this dedication, you could surpass me someday."
The words hit Satoshi like lightning. Surpass him? His chest swelled with pride. All the doubts he had felt over the past week faded, replaced with a growing confidence. "You really think so, Shinji-sensei?"
Shinji nodded. "You've got the talent, but don't let that distract you from the work ahead. Fuinjutsu takes years of practice. Don't rush it."
Satoshi's excitement dimmed a little at those words. He had hoped to master the basics in just a week, to prove his worth immediately. But even as disappointment flickered in his chest, he knew Shinji was right.
"I wanted to master a seal for the Clone Jutsu," Satoshi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it's harder than I thought."
Shinji chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Mastery doesn't come in days, Satoshi. Don't be discouraged by time. What matters is how far you've come."
Satoshi nodded slowly. He glanced down at the failed seals around him, but this time, instead of frustration, he felt something else—determination. This was only the beginning.
Later that evening, as Satoshi prepared to leave, he bowed deeply to his mentor. "Thank you, Shinji-sensei. I wouldn't have made this much progress without your guidance."
Shinji smiled warmly. "You've earned it, Satoshi. Keep working hard. If I'm not around, I trust you to push yourself further. You have a bright future."
Satoshi straightened, feeling a surge of gratitude. His heart pounded with renewed ambition. "I won't let you down."
Walking home under the twilight sky, Satoshi's mind raced with everything he had learned. His fingers itched to create, to experiment, to test the limits of his skill. The idea that he might one day surpass Shinji filled him with hope.
I'll get there, he thought, his steps quickening with excitement. One seal at a time.