The morning mist was thick as I stood outside the academy gates, my tiny hands gripping the hilt of my wooden sword. I was five years old, but I already felt like I was supposed to be something important. Today was the first day at the academy. My heart beat fast, not from fear but from excitement. It was a new start, a new chapter. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I knew I was ready.
The village of Kirigakure was always covered in mist, the kind that made everything look blurry and mysterious. The gray stone buildings, the winding paths, and even the academy gates—all of it seemed like a world I didn't belong to, a place full of kids who were much older than me. They didn't have my red eyes, and they probably didn't have the same special reason to be here. But I didn't let that bother me. Today, I was going to prove that I was just as good as the older kids.
My name is Shiseru Kurogane. I'm from the Kurogane Clan, one of the last families that still practice kenjutsu. The sword is what we're known for, and it's the one thing I've been learning since I was very little. My clan isn't big—there are only about fifty people, including me. We live in a small house by the village outskirts, away from everyone else. My parents are both part of the Anbu, special shinobi who work in the shadows. They never come home much. They're busy, always on missions, always too tired to even say goodbye.
It's okay though. I've always been fine on my own. My wooden sword is all I need. I've spent hours practicing alone, swinging it in the backyard until my arms ached, trying to get better every day. My parents never noticed, but that's okay. I didn't need their attention. I had my sword. I had my training. That was all that mattered.
I tugged at the edge of my shirt and stepped forward, my feet crunching on the gravel beneath me. My black hair spiked up in every direction, like a wild bird's nest, but I didn't mind. The wind didn't care what my hair looked like, and neither did I. My red eyes darted around, taking in all the other kids as they walked past me, heading into the academy. They all looked so much bigger than me. Some of them looked nervous, others seemed excited. I wondered if any of them were as ready as I was.
"Are you going to just stand there all day, or are you going to come inside?" A voice broke my thoughts, and I turned to see a boy who looked about my age, though maybe a little older. He had messy brown hair, and his eyes were green. He was wearing the same academy uniform as everyone else, but he didn't look nervous at all. He looked… calm.
I blinked and frowned. "I'm not standing here all day! I'm just thinking."
He tilted his head and grinned, not seeming to take me seriously. "Thinking, huh? Must be some serious thinking. I'm Nato, by the way. And you are?"
"Shiseru," I said, glancing at him. "Kurogane."
"Kurogane, huh?" Nato raised an eyebrow, looking me over. "I've heard of your clan. You guys are really good with swords, right?"
I nodded, my chest puffing up just a little bit. "Yeah, we are. We're the best."
Nato laughed. "Well, you sure look like you're ready for it. So, you gonna stand around here or come inside? The first class is about to start."
I hesitated. "I guess we should go in then."
Nato grinned. "That's the spirit! Let's go!"
I followed Nato through the academy gates, and we walked together, side by side. The academy wasn't as big as I thought it would be, but it was big enough. Tall stone walls, open courtyards, and the smell of ink and old books drifting from the classrooms. There were kids everywhere—laughing, talking, some even running around. I didn't recognize most of them, but it didn't matter. I wasn't here to make friends. I was here to learn, to get better. I didn't need anyone else. My sword would be my friend.
Nato seemed to notice that I wasn't talking much, so he started talking for both of us. "So, Shiseru, what kind of sword do you use? I bet you're really good with it, huh?"
I glanced at him. "It's just a wooden sword," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up a little. "But it's the best sword for practice. I use it every day."
"Cool," Nato said, nodding. "I use a wooden sword too. But I'm not great with it yet. I'm good with my fists, though. I think I'll be a taijutsu master one day."
I smiled a little, feeling better. "Taijutsu is okay. But kenjutsu is better."
"Hey, hey, don't get too cocky, Shiseru!" Nato laughed, but there was no malice in his voice, just the excitement of someone eager to start something new. "Let's see who's better after a few weeks, huh? Bet I can take you down in a spar."
"You won't," I said confidently, my smile widening.
"Alright, alright, we'll see," Nato chuckled, giving me a playful shove. "Let's get to class before we're late!"
We walked into the main hall, where students were gathering in groups, heading to their assigned classrooms. The first class for me was kenjutsu, and I was more than ready. This was my specialty.
The instructor in the kenjutsu classroom was a tall man with a stern face. His hair was gray, and his eyes looked like they could see straight through you. He didn't say much at first, just stood at the front of the class, looking at us all. It was a little intimidating, but I wasn't scared.
"Welcome to the first lesson of kenjutsu," the instructor said in a low, deep voice. "You'll start with the basics. Stances, strikes, and form. You may think you know how to use a sword, but there's more to it than just swinging it around. You'll learn discipline, precision, and control. You will learn to make every movement count. Do not waste a single strike."
The class began, and we all took our places. Nato and I stood next to each other, my wooden sword resting in my hands. I wasn't sure if Nato was as serious about it as I was, but I was going to do my best. My goal was clear: I was going to become the best swordsman I could be.
Nato nudged me with his elbow. "You're gonna be a legend with that sword, huh?"
I nodded, grinning. "You'll see. I'll show everyone."
And so the first day at the academy began. It wasn't as scary as I thought. Maybe, just maybe, I'd find something more here—something other than just training. Maybe I'd find a friend, someone who would understand that the sword was everything.
But for now, I was ready. Ready to learn, ready to train, and ready to prove that I belonged here, just like the rest of them.
Today was only the beginning.