(Pov: Mysterious Narrator)
It was an ordinary afternoon, like so many others in Konoha. The weather was fresh and full of vitality, spreading from its real expression to every corner of the village.
— Huh? That's so expensive! — exclaimed the young boy, with a surprise that seemed slightly out of place.
— Look, this is the best price I can offer, kid — the merchant replied, maintaining a practical tone.
— Ah, yes... Peaceful times are comforting, don't you think? Well, give me two red bean buns — the boy replied, his tone blending melancholy and acceptance, yet also something enigmatic.
— Hm, what a strange brat... Alright, here are your buns. Enjoy and come back anytime, young man — said the merchant, confused but soon returning to his routine.
— They smell great... Well, arigatou, sir — the young boy responded, flashing a smile that seemed devoid of context.
— Mata ne, little one — the merchant said, intrigued by the unusual figure.
The exchange was brief, but the boy seemed satisfied, albeit momentarily. His gaze, as if by impulse, shifted to the small stones scattered along the road.
Nothing about them stood out; they were as ordinary as any other stone one might find along the way.
— How many stones build a cliff? — he murmured, his voice distant, as if submerged in another reality.
— Perhaps war only stirs up dust... Haha, well, in any case, they're beautiful stones — the boy mused, distracted and thoughtful, contrasting with the faint smile he wore, always ambiguous.
Watching from afar, the merchant shook his head slightly, as if telling himself that the boy was truly strange. Yet somehow, he liked him, finding him both pleasant and intriguing.
(Pov: Kakashi Hatake's perspective)
A quiet day followed the course of my routine. I feel like I could hit more targets if I slightly adjust the strength and angle of my shuriken throws.
— My hands are slightly sore... I need to become stronger to reflect my father's honor! — I exclaimed in my thoughts.
I saw a strange boy on the road. The way he walks is... odd, but the light in his eyes contrasts with this strangeness. He seems to be... reflecting on the stones?
He leans down slightly with some bags and says something weird. I don't understand what he's referring to... Cliff? Dust? How strange. Do people like this still exist around here? I don't know how my father still says I'll meet all kinds of people at the academy. He seems to be my age.
— Hey, kid! Are you a new student at the ninja academy too? — I asked casually, with mild curiosity.
— Hm? Kid? Doesn't your little friend seem any bigger, huh? — he replied lightly.
— Humpf, tell me what you were rambling on about over there. — I asked after letting out a soft snort.
— Oh, yes, let me see... Choices are your own ruins, right? Haha. — he said suddenly.
— That has nothing to do with what you were saying! — I responded, feeling tricked.
— The wind likes to carry sweet almonds to distant horizons, Kakashi. — he replied playfully, without actually answering the question.
— Hey! Wait! — I shouted as I saw him walking away without saying anything more.
— Tch, what a strange guy... — I muttered.
I felt slightly frustrated. I can't figure him out... I "smiled" beneath my mask, which I usually wear to avoid trouble with those annoying girls. Even so, I couldn't help but show a faint smile.
It seems I've found someone interesting; there's something about him that draws people in. Maybe it's his peculiar gestures or his enigmatic words.
— Sweet almonds being carried to distant horizons... What does that even mean? — I pondered.
(Pov: Mysterious Narrator)
Suddenly, his body began to move as if he were dancing, dragging his feet backward at a precise angle. His movements traced an axis in the air, and he brought his legs down with the weight of gravity, delivering a powerful hammer kick.
His opponent, agile, leaned back and pushed his feet off the ground to escape the area of impact. The scene resembled a dance, their movements perfectly synchronized, as if they were in harmony.
— Haha! You dodged again, Haruto — Tenmei said, with a mischievous smile.
— Haha, that was close! I almost got hit...! — Before he could finish, the sound of shuriken slicing through the air at a precise angle interrupted him.
— Nani?! When did he throw that? I can't believe it! — Haruto thought, surprised.
Reflexively, he moved his right hand behind him, catching two shuriken between his fingers.
— Damn! Where did he go? — once again, the question echoed in his thoughts.
Determined to deal with the danger in the air first, Haruto quickly ducked his head and waist, as if about to do a somersault. In the narrow space between the thrown shuriken, he twisted his body to gain momentum from gravity and avoid the second blade.
It was a close call. Cold sweat dripped down his back. Everything happened in a fraction of a second, quick and unpredictable, without hesitation.
— You're relentless, Tenmei! — Haruto said, exasperated, but with a hint of affection in his voice. He only wanted to surprise him with a hug.
— Ah, so it was you, Haruto... — Tenmei smiled, playfully.
— Don't be so sneaky like that — he said, with an innocent expression, as if he hadn't done anything wrong.
— Argh, you did it on purpose, I'm sure! — Haruto complained, feeling wronged but also enjoying the situation.
Tenmei just responded with a soft smile, followed by sticking his tongue out, breaking the previous mystery but keeping the same air of unpredictability.
(Pov: Haruto) Suddenly, I feel something strange... dangerous? No... Tenmei wouldn't put me in danger right after defeating me. So why do I sense this hostility?
— Finally noticed me, boy? — whispered a strange girl, right next to my ear.
A chill ran down my spine. Who the hell is behind me!? Damn, how did she get there without me noticing?
— Who are you? — I asked, tensing my muscles. Tenmei always told me to never let my guard down...
My hands slowly moved towards my forehead, but it was just a feint! Tora, Uma, Nezumi! I used gravity to let my body fall without support, and with the momentum of the drop, I delivered an upward kick directly to the girl's face.
In an instant, I saw her body move diagonally. Was she avoiding physical confrontation? She's fast! I couldn't even see her move!
— Wait... that hand seal!? — I was shocked, cold sweat trickling down my neck. If this hits me, I'll be seriously injured! I need to stop her now! Come on, Haruto... move! React!
— Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! — the girl exclaimed with a vibrant and playful look.
I quickly formed the hand seal. Tora, Hitsuji! My trump card... my salvation...
— Kawarimi no Jutsu!
— Tch, escaped, little rat... — she muttered softly.
(Pov: Mysterious Narrator)
A kunai slipped from his sleeve, and in an agile roll, he advanced forward. Another kunai appeared in his left hand, quickly caught between his fingers and thrown with precision right afterward. His body stabilized upon landing, using the force of the fall to move away from the attack zone, already prepared for a counter-attack with the kunai firmly gripped in his right hand.
— Heh... A sneaky rat appeared. I was beginning to think you'd never show up... — a malicious smile formed on his lips. — You're an Uchiha, right?
The girl saw the kunai flying straight for her heart. Her body reacted instinctively, tensing immediately. In the blink of an eye, she performed a diagonal slash, deflecting the flying kunai's attack. Her heart raced.
It was too fast! Her mind tried to catch up. How did he predict my movement without even looking back?
The boy in front of her broke her rhythm in just a few moves, regaining the upper hand in an instant.
— You... you're not like the other boy... — murmured the girl, her words heavy with tension. Her body was on high alert, ready to react. The previous blow had almost pushed her to the edge of death.
Simple, but lethal. Now she understood. This wasn't just a test. He was dangerous, and this required seriousness. Her eyes gleamed with the determination of someone who wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
— Maybe... — Tenmei responded with a mischievous smile. — The leaves are dancing today, isn't it beautiful?
— What... what are you talking about? — the girl grumbled, quickly forming a seal. Hebi — Kai! — she shouted, dispelling the genjutsu that had enveloped her.
The world around her changed. A cold sensation crept up her spine, her pupils contracting. Was it just a glance? Her mind spun. When? How did he trap me without me noticing?!
— Hmm... It seems you're underestimating me. — Tenmei spoke in a playful tone, but his sharp eyes left no doubt about his seriousness. — That's a dangerous habit...
His speech was interrupted by a subtle sound of dissipating smoke. A shuriken was thrown his way, but it was quickly intercepted by a second shuriken, colliding with the first in midair, deflecting the attack's angle. The new course of the weapon forced Tenmei into a disadvantageous position, and he couldn't escape.
The blow, however, passed straight through, slicing through Tenmei as if he wasn't there. Instead of flesh, there was only smoke. A shadow clone?! Surprise spread across the girl's face and the second attacker's. When did he do that?!
— Kuso! He tricked us! — shouted the arrogant boy, stepping out of the shadows with clenched fists.
He was furious. Everything had spiraled out of control so quickly. They had underestimated him, and now they were paying the price. The ground beneath his feet cracked and grabbed him before he could react, submerging him up to his neck.
— Akuma-san! Damn it! — For the first time, the girl let her anger slip.
— Well, well... Seems like you're getting impatient... — Tenmei said, slowly emerging from the ground with a teasing smile on his lips. — You need to pay more attention... One is down. Now, only you remain, little leaf.
— Tch, Doton? Don't think you'll defeat me like this! — The boy tried to continue, but his mouth was quickly covered by a dirty cloth, stifling his words.
— So impatient, huh? Let's take it slow... Oh! — Tenmei suddenly stopped, an innocent expression overtaking his face. — Seems like I forgot someone?
— Kisama! — the girl shouted, her anger finally taking over her expression.
Tenmei's only response was an enigmatic smile, his eyes emotionless, analyzing everything with cold detachment. I can't underestimate him again, the girl thought, as her mind sought clarity amidst the pressure of combat.
To be continued...