The restaurant had settled into a comfortable rhythm shinobi stopping by for quick meals, merchants discussing their morning sales over tea, and the occasional passerby taking in the scent of grilled meat wafting through the air.
Asasu sat on the restaurant's wooden steps, staring at the dirt beneath his scuffed-up sandals. The conversation from earlier still sat heavy in his mind.
He was going to join the Academy.
It wasn't like he had many other options. Being a shinobi was one of the only paths in Konoha that promised independence. No one ever really got rich from it unless they were taking under-the-table contracts or bounty hunting but it was better than spending his whole life in the restaurant.
Still, doubt gnawed at him.
Rentaro's words echoed in his head. You don't have to be special, Asasu. You just have to be better.
Better at what, though? He didn't have a bloodline, a special jutsu, or anything to his name. He had a civilian background and a pair of dusty sandals.
And in a few weeks, he was going to be surrounded by kids who already knew how to fight.
"Hey."
Asasu blinked out of his thoughts, looking up to see Okuza standing over him, hands behind his head.
The redhead had a grin plastered across his face, looking completely unbothered by anything. Yasone stood a few feet behind him, leaning against the restaurant's wooden railing, arms crossed.
"You look depressed," Okuza said bluntly.
Asasu exhaled. "That's just my face."
Okuza laughed. "Fair. You coming to the Academy with us or what?"
Asasu hesitated. "Yeah."
Okuza grinned. "Yes!"
Yasone gave Asasu a calculating look. "Do you even know anything about fighting?"
Asasu frowned. "Not really."
Okuza blinked. "Wait, seriously? You don't know any jutsu?"
"Nope."
"Not even how to throw a kunai properly?"
"Nope."
Okuza and Yasone exchanged a look.
"Well," Okuza said, clapping a hand on Asasu's shoulder. "This is gonna be fun."
"I hate how you said that," Asasu muttered.
Yasone exhaled. "At least you're honest about being behind. That's better than some people."
Okuza stretched, grinning. "No worries! We'll get stronger together. Besides, once we're Genin, we'll be able to take real missions. Maybe even fight some bandits or missing-nin!"
"That's a bit extreme," Yasone muttered.
"Come on," Okuza said, bouncing on his feet. "What's the point of being a ninja if you're not gonna fight someone? I want a big, flashy battle!"
"You're not gonna get one," Yasone shot back. "Most Genin spend their time doing grunt work. Carrying supplies, chasing pets, cleaning up trash"
Okuza made a disgusted face. "No way. That's not real ninja stuff."
"It is, though," Asasu said.
Okuza looked horrified. "Then why are we even going to the Academy?"
Yasone rolled her eyes. "Because that's how we get to the real stuff, idiot."
Asasu sighed, standing up and dusting off his pants. "Whatever happens, happens. I just need to be strong enough to live on my own terms."
Okuza and Yasone both looked at him.
Okuza grinned. "I think that's the most serious thing I've ever heard."
Yasone raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan on getting strong?"
Asasu frowned.
That… was a good question.
Later that evening, as the restaurant started to close up, Asasu found himself standing outside, staring at his house across the street.
The streetlamps flickered, casting soft glows along the dirt road. The village was still awake, but quieter now, settling into the nighttime rhythm.
"You're thinking about something," Rentaro's voice came from beside him.
Asasu didn't even jump. His father had a habit of showing up out of nowhere, moving so quietly it was almost unnatural.
"You do that on purpose, don't you?" Asasu muttered.
Rentaro smirked, barefoot as always, standing with his arms crossed. "Gotta keep my skills sharp."
Asasu exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "I need to train."
Rentaro tilted his head. "Oh?"
"If I go into the Academy like this, I'll be behind everyone else," Asasu admitted. "I don't want that."
His father studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Good. You've got time before the entrance exams. We'll start in the morning."
Asasu raised an eyebrow. "You're actually gonna train me?"
"Of course," Rentaro said, stretching his arms. "I can't have my son getting beat up by some seven-year-old Uchiha kid. That'd be embarrassing."
Asasu rolled his eyes. "Great motivation, Dad."
Rentaro smirked. "Be ready early. No sleeping in."
Asasu groaned, already regretting his decision.
As the night settled over Konoha, Asasu lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow would be his first step toward something bigger.
He didn't know what yet.
But he was ready to find out.