Raiden awoke at the crack of dawn, his muscles still sore from the intense training of the past few days. Elder Takeshi's words lingered in his mind: What kind of shinobi do you want to be? The question had weighed heavily on him since that day, and despite his physical exhaustion, his mind was more restless than ever.
Determined to tackle the homework Elder Takeshi had given him, Raiden set out to focus on his physical stamina. The Uzumaki village was bathed in the soft morning light as he began his long-distance run along its perimeter, each step driving him forward, pushing him beyond his limits. As he ran, the steady rhythm of his breath helped to quiet his racing thoughts, allowing him to reflect on the different paths he could take as a shinobi.
As he passed by the training grounds, Raiden slowed his pace. A group of young Uzumaki clan members were sparring in the distance, their laughter and playful taunts filling the air. Among them was Kazuki Uzumaki, a boy known for his wild, spiky red hair and boundless energy. He was a year older than Raiden but had a magnetic presence, always quick to smile and lead the younger shinobi in friendly competitions.
Kazuki spotted Raiden from across the training ground and waved him over, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Raiden! Come join us!" he called out, bouncing on his feet as he prepared for another sparring round. "We've missed seeing you around!"
Raiden hesitated. He hadn't sparred with the other children in a while, his mind too preoccupied with his training under Elder Takeshi and the pressure he placed on himself to improve. But Kazuki, ever persistent, jogged over to him and clapped a firm hand on Raiden's shoulder.
"Come on, you've been training solo for too long," Kazuki said with a grin. "What's the point of all that strength if you're not going to use it? Sparring with us will help you build it even more."
Raiden managed a small smile but shook his head. "I've been working on other things. Elder Takeshi has me focusing on my physical strength for now."
"Yeah, strength's important," Kazuki said, nodding. "But it's more fun when you're training with others, not just running laps by yourself." He gestured toward the other children, who were now watching their interaction with curiosity. "You sure you don't want to join us?"
Raiden glanced at the group. They seemed carefree, their sparring filled with laughter and ease, while he had been pushing himself relentlessly, training with an intensity that often isolated him. A part of him wanted to join them, to let go and just enjoy the camaraderie. But Elder Takeshi's question weighed on him: What kind of shinobi do you want to be? He hadn't found the answer yet, and that uncertainty held him back.
"I think I'll pass," Raiden said quietly. "I've got a lot to figure out."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow but shrugged, grinning as he jogged back to the group. "Suit yourself, Raiden, but don't stay in your head too long. We could use someone serious like you to keep us on our toes."
Raiden watched as Kazuki rejoined the others, his cheerful laugh echoing across the training ground. As Raiden resumed his run, Kazuki's words stayed with him. Strength is important, but what is strength for? Was it to protect his friends, like Kazuki seemed to suggest? Or was it something more?
After another long day of running and strength training, Raiden returned home, his body aching but his mind still troubled. The conversation with Kazuki had stirred something in him, and Elder Takeshi's question was still unresolved in his heart. That night, as Raiden sat at the dinner table with his parents, the question resurfaced, more pressing than ever.
His mother, Naomi, placed a bowl of rice in front of him, her gentle smile comforting after the long day. His father, the clan leader, sat across from him, his usual serious expression softened by the familiarity of family mealtime.
As they began to eat, Raiden felt the words bubbling up inside him, and finally, he couldn't hold back any longer. "Father, Mother… Can I ask you something?"
Both of his parents looked at him, curiosity evident in their expressions. "Of course," Naomi said warmly. "What's on your mind?"
Raiden hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to voice his concerns. He set his chopsticks down and took a deep breath. "Elder Takeshi asked me a question during training, and I've been thinking about it a lot. He asked me what kind of shinobi I want to be, and… I don't know the answer."
His father's brow furrowed slightly, and Naomi's smile faded into a more thoughtful expression as Raiden continued. "I've been training so hard, but I don't know what I'm training for. Do I want to focus only on fūinjutsu? Or become a medical ninja like you, Mother? Or… maybe the clan leader, like you, Father. I just… don't know."
A moment of silence fell over the table as his parents exchanged a glance. His father was the first to speak, his voice steady and thoughtful. "That's a question every shinobi must face at some point. It's not something you need to have an answer to right away."
Naomi nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at her son. "Your father's right. When we were younger, we had to ask ourselves the same question. But the answer comes with time."
Raiden leaned forward slightly, his voice quiet but insistent. "But how did you know? How did you know what path was right for you?"
His father leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he considered the question. "I didn't know immediately. It took years of training and understanding the needs of our village before I realized that being clan leader was the best way for me to protect our people. It wasn't about wanting the power, but about fulfilling the role that would allow me to protect our clan."
Naomi smiled gently. "And for me, it was about helping others. I became a medical ninja because it gave me a sense of purpose. Healing and protecting lives through my skills—it was something I felt deeply connected to. Your path should give you that same sense of purpose, Raiden."
Raiden listened intently, his mind turning over their words. His parents had found their paths through understanding what their strengths were and how they could serve the village. Their roles had been shaped by their desire to protect and care for others.
Seeing his son deep in thought, his father spoke again, his tone gentle but firm. "You're still young, Raiden. Don't rush to find your answer. The path will reveal itself as you continue to grow and train. For now, focus on becoming the best version of yourself—physically, mentally, and spiritually."
Naomi reached across the table, placing her hand over Raiden's. "Remember, whatever path you choose, it should feel right for you. Don't worry about what others expect. Just follow what you're truly passionate about."
Raiden felt a wave of relief wash over him. His parents' words had lifted a weight he hadn't realized he was carrying. He didn't need to have all the answers right now. The path ahead was long, and he could take his time to discover his purpose.
"I'll keep that in mind," Raiden said softly, smiling as he picked up his chopsticks again.
His father returned the smile, his usual stern expression warming. "Good. Now eat up. You'll need your strength for whatever comes next."
As Raiden continued his meal, he felt lighter, more at peace with the uncertainty of his future. He still didn't know what kind of shinobi he wanted to be, but for the first time, he understood that finding the answer was a journey. And he had time to figure it out.