The soft glow of the morning sun painted the academy's courtyard in muted gold as students began to gather. An undercurrent of anticipation and nervousness rippled through the air, marking the start of a new semester.
Ren noticed Jun'ko and Aoi even before entering the building. They stood near the entrance, Jun'ko unusually quiet, fiddling with the hem of her jacket, while Aoi appeared suddenly engrossed in his notes. The atmosphere between them was thick with unspoken words.
"Hey!" Shinji's cheerful voice broke the tension. "I slept so much these past two weeks that now I'm completely awake! You know what that means?"
"That you'll finally pay attention in class?" suggested Yukiko, appearing silently beside them.
"No, that I'll have to catch up on all the sleep I miss during lessons!" Shinji looked around, noticing the strange atmosphere. "What's wrong? You all look as tense as shamisen strings."
The awkward silence that followed made Shinji realize he had said something wrong, though he couldn't figure out what.
"Nothing happened that I know of, Shinji," Yukiko sighed, while Jun'ko seemed to wish the ground would swallow her up.
"Oh really? Then why isn't Jun'ko talking? It's the first time I've seen her this quiet since... well, ever!"
"Technically," Aoi interjected, speaking for the first time, "silence isn't necessarily indicative of-"
"Everyone to class!" Fujimoto-sensei's voice interrupted any further attempts by Shinji to "improve" the situation.
The classroom was exactly as they had left it, yet it felt different somehow. Perhaps it was the light filtering through the windows, or maybe it was the awareness that the village itself was changing.
"I hope you all took advantage of these two weeks to rest," Fujimoto-sensei began, his gaze sweeping over the students. "Because starting today, things will change."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The village is entering a new era under the leadership of the Fourth Mizukage. An era that will demand more prepared, more versatile, and stronger ninja."
"This means," he continued, beginning to write on the blackboard, "your training will intensify. Sparring will be weekly, no longer monthly. Theory is important, but a Kirigakure ninja must be ready for anything."
Misaki, seated at the back of the classroom, straightened slightly at those words. Other students exchanged glances, some excited, others apprehensive.
"Oh no," Shinji groaned. "How will I sleep if we have to fight every week?"
"You could always use your coral as a pillow," Yukiko suggested.
"Already tried that," Shinji yawned. "It's surprisingly comfy, though once I woke up with an entire coral reef around my desk."
Fujimoto-sensei tapped the chalk against the board. "I see your enthusiasm hasn't waned. Good. You'll need it."
The lesson proceeded normally, though the atmosphere felt charged with a new energy. Aoi took notes with his usual meticulousness, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward Ren. Jun'ko, for once, seemed genuinely focused on her book instead of her usual attempts to make the class laugh.
"And remember," Fujimoto concluded as the students began packing up their materials, "tomorrow we'll begin practical evaluations. I want to see how much rust you've gathered over these two weeks."
Ren stood, determined to finally talk to Jun'ko and Aoi. He had spent the past few days pondering what to say, how to balance the need to keep his distance with the desire not to lose those connections entirely.
"Mizutani." Fujimoto-sensei's voice stopped him before he could reach his friends. "A moment."
Jun'ko and Aoi hesitated at the door, but a nod from Fujimoto urged them to move on.
"I have good news," the sensei said once they were alone. "Regarding your request for a kenjutsu instructor." He paused, studying Ren's reaction. "I've found someone who might be interested. A jonin with considerable experience."
Ren waited, sensing there was more.
"Ganryū-san has a... particular reputation," Fujimoto continued. "He's demanding. But if you accept to meet him, I believe you could learn a great deal."
The name hit Ren like a lightning bolt. The jonin from the ramen stand—that's why his movements had seemed familiar.
"When?" he asked simply.
"Tomorrow at dawn, East Training Field." Fujimoto studied him carefully. "This isn't an opportunity he offers often, Mizutani. Think carefully."
As he exited the classroom, Ren saw Jun'ko and Aoi still waiting in the hallway. His heart gave a small leap, but before he could say anything, Fujimoto's voice called him one last time:
"Oh, and Mizutani? Bring the tanto."
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