The scroll fizzled out, its ink evaporating into the air as another failed attempt at the chakra suppression seal dissolved into nothing. Raiden stared at the remnants of his work, his heart sinking in frustration. How many times had he tried? How many seals had he crafted only to see them fall apart in front of him? His chest tightened with the weight of failure.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He had worked so hard, studying relentlessly for months, practicing every day. But no matter what he did, he couldn't seem to get the balance of chakra right. The seal always fell apart when he tried to activate it. His hands clenched into fists, his nails biting into his palms as his thoughts raced.
"Damn it," he muttered, staring at the now-useless scroll. He could feel the sting of tears threatening to build up, but he fought them back. He wasn't a child anymore—he couldn't afford to waste time wallowing in self-pity.
But the thought gnawed at him. Why couldn't he get this right? He knew the theory, had memorized every line of the formula, but still, every attempt crumbled. The pressure of his own expectations weighed heavily on him. He wasn't just practicing for fun—he was preparing for the dangerous future that lay ahead. His clan, his family, his own life could be at risk if he didn't get stronger.
Before Raiden could spiral deeper into his frustration, he heard the familiar sound of footsteps behind him. His father, the clan leader, approached slowly, his gaze thoughtful as he took in the scene—his son surrounded by failed seals and his obvious frustration.
"You're pushing yourself too hard, Raiden," his father said in a calm, steady voice. He stepped closer, surveying the failed seal and the look of disappointment on his son's face. "Chakra suppression is one of the most difficult seals to master, and yet here you are, trying to do it on your own."
Raiden didn't respond at first, the weight of his failure too fresh, too raw. He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair as his shoulders sagged.
His father continued, his tone softening. "You've been spending all your time in this library, buried in these scrolls. Meanwhile, the other children your age are outside playing, laughing, living. You've dedicated yourself to this path, but you're rushing."
Raiden's head dropped, a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew his father was right, but it didn't make the sting of failure any less sharp. The other children—while they spent their days playing or sparring with simple techniques, he had chosen to immerse himself in the world of seals and chakra manipulation. He had pushed himself harder than anyone, determined to become strong enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"I don't have time for that," Raiden muttered under his breath. "I need to get stronger now. I'm not like them. I know how dangerous the world outside is. If I don't prepare—"
"Rushing toward power without guidance will only make you weaker," his father interrupted gently. He knelt down in front of Raiden, his eyes steady and warm, despite his stern tone. "You're trying to run before you've learned to walk. If you're truly serious about becoming stronger, then books and scrolls aren't enough. What you need is a teacher."
Raiden froze for a moment, blinking as the realization dawned on him. A teacher. Why hadn't he thought of that? He had been so focused on trying to teach himself, trying to prove that he could do it alone, that he never considered the fact that there were others—far more experienced—who could guide him.
The realization hit him hard, and Raiden mentally facepalmed himself. Of course, a teacher! He had been trying to do something beyond his skill level without any guidance, fumbling through techniques that required years of experience. How foolish could he have been?
He looked up at his father with wide, hopeful eyes, his usual composure melting into a childlike eagerness. "Can you train me, Father?" he asked, his voice quiet but filled with longing. The disappointment he had felt moments before seemed to slip away, replaced with a newfound sense of hope. His father was the leader of the Uzumaki Clan, and Raiden had always admired his strength and wisdom. If anyone could help him, it would be his father.
For a moment, his father's expression softened further, but then a look of hesitation crossed his features. He straightened up, his gaze drifting away from Raiden's for a brief moment. "Raiden, I… don't have enough time to train you myself. My duties as clan leader keep me busy."
Raiden's heart sank a little at the words, the hope that had flickered inside him dimming. His father was right. Being the leader of the Uzumaki Clan came with enormous responsibilities. Raiden knew that, but still, hearing his father say it aloud stung.
Seeing the look of disappointment on his son's face, Raiden's father quickly placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But," he said, his tone picking up, "I will do something even better. I'll ask my teacher to train you."
Raiden's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. His father's teacher? The one who had trained the next leader of the Uzumaki Clan? That could only mean one thing—this person was a master, someone who had molded his father into the formidable leader he was now.
"Really?" Raiden asked, excitement bubbling up inside him. "You think they'll agree?"
A small smile tugged at the corner of his father's lips as he nodded. "I don't see why not. You have the potential, Raiden. And more importantly, you have the drive. If you're serious about this, then my teacher will help you reach new heights."
Raiden could hardly contain his excitement. The person who had trained the clan leader—his father—was going to train him. He felt a surge of hope, of confidence. This was the guidance he had been missing. A real teacher, someone who could show him the path forward, help him perfect his techniques, and push him to grow stronger.
His father gave him a firm nod, then reached out to ruffle Raiden's hair. "Come on," he said warmly. "You've spent enough time training today. Let's go home and have dinner."
Raiden grinned, the weight of his earlier frustration all but gone. He quickly gathered his things, following his father out of the library and toward their home. For the first time in a long while, Raiden felt lighter—hopeful. The road ahead was still long, and there were many challenges left to face, but now he knew he wouldn't have to face them alone.
With a teacher to guide him, Raiden felt like he was one step closer to unlocking his true potential.
As the sun set over the Uzumaki village, Raiden walked beside his father, the excitement of the future swirling in his chest. He knew that with the right training, he could become someone truly powerful—someone who could protect his clan, his family, and himself from the dangers that were sure to come.