Years have passed, and I've already celebrated my sixth birthday.
The snow began to melt, flowers began to sprout and the wind carries a light breeze.
In a months the new school year for the ninja academy would began.
And I've also finished my tonfa training, achieving a certain understating of it. But that also meant to learn another weapon.
A Yari or in translation, a spear. Used for long range thrusts, slashes and sweeping attacks which I'm currently training against.
' What a cheap trick…' I grumbled inside as I slowly stood back up and grabbed the dropped spear from the ground.
" Round two?" Elder Shuri asked as she shifted her stance.
I matched my stance as hers, studied it, copied it and countered it.
" You're learning." She praised as she easily block an attack.
I grunted in pain as the end of her spear hit my stomach before trying to sweep my leg again but failed as I quickly shifted my weight and moved my foot away from her spear.
" Good, now let's speed things up."
' ah, shit…' I groaned inwardly as I knew I would get demolished.
***
" Souta, your even more talented than your father." Gramps held the cup to his mouth with his usual smile.
We both sat by the cliff near the clan drinking tea as we stared at the forest, watching the trees sway from the slight breeze.
" What was he like?" I asked as I spotted a yellow bird on a branch.
" Hmm, uptight, disciplined and headstrong. Sigh, he must've gotten that from his mother. But he was obsessed with swords." He replied before taking a sip from his cup.
" Obsessed with swords? Why?" I asked curiously.
" Once Daisuke graduated the academy, he managed to get the privilege to learn under a teacher who used kenjustu. From then on, he forgone his ninjustu." A sad glint flashed through gramps eyes as he told me about father.
But he didn't stop there, he spoke about fathers' habits, favorite food and even spoke about my mother.
" Ahh… it was a surprise to see Daisuke coming back home with a women. Haha!!" He laughed before wiping a tear from his eye.
He calmed down in a few seconds as we shared a moment of silence before gramps spoke again.
" Souta."
" Hm?" I replied as I drank my tea.
" What ever path you choose, just know you'll have my support."
" Thanks…" I replied as drank the rest of my tea and looked at the sun disappearing in the horizon.
" ahh, the suns going down. Here, these should help." Gramps held his hand out to reveal a smoke pellet.
I was about to refuse but the way gramps smiled as if he knew what was coming.
" Having a bit more shouldn't hurt." He said as he placed the smoke pellets in my hand.
Gramps stood up and grabbed the empty cups before leaving.
' Sigh, night training again. How long will this last? All night? They have been getting longer by each day.'
I grabbed a kunai from one of my hidden pouches and used it to descend from the cliff before running into the forest.
***
" You must now carry yourself with dignity and respect, for you now carry the burden of this clan on your shoulders." Grandmother said as she adjusted my collar.
The new clothes I was given were loose and fit for combat.
" Alright, I'll be heading to the entrance ceremony." I said as I left the clans compound.
As I made my way towards the ninja academy, I noticed other people moving towards the same location with their children.
I ignored them and began to think about my chakra. Lighting and wind, my two chakra affinity resulted from unlocking my chakra a week ago.
***
Ninja Academy - 1st Year Student ceremony
" Welcome future Shinobi's of Konoha! I am the Third Hokage- "
I tuned out the third hokages speech and observed the other students. The speech wasn't long, probably because the Hokage is busy with those stacks of papers in his office.
I gave a silent prayer for the old man, I'm pretty sure he never had that look of despair in his eyes in the battlefield.
' Heh, I guess it good to be young and not to worry about those responsibilities' I chuckled as the teachers guided us to our assigned class rooms.
A few kids cried in the classroom since their parents left. Half the kids sat nervously in their seat and a select few were calm.
I glanced to the seat infront of me and saw a kid with a pineapple shaped hair sleeping.
' Maybe a bit too calm.' I thought as I turned my eyes across the room.
Shimamaru Nara
Choki Akimichi
Ino Yamanaka
Kiba inuzka
And every other character from the story.
' Though I wonder where Naruto is? Maybe he overslept and is running late?… yeah that does sound like him.'
As we waited for our new home room teacher, my mind began to wonder again.
' Wonder what butterfly effect would happen? Eh, doesn't matter anymore.' I shrugged my shoulder before focusing on the door as it slid open.
" Goodmorning children. My name is Iruka Umino, and I'll be your home room instructor." He turned and wrote his name on the black board.
" Now that I've introduced myself, it's time for you tell me your names and what you inspired to be after the ninja academy." He smiled calmly as he studied each and every student in the room.
" Now, I'll do a roll call. When called upon, please stand up and introduce yourself."
" First up, Naruko Uzumaki." I saw Iruka's smile strain as he slowly turned his head towards the person name he said.
The first to introduce themself was a girl with blond hair in orange clothing.
' I Don't think I've seen her before.' I raised an eyebrow as I couldn't see her face but I could tell she was excited as she shouted her name.
" My name is Naruto Uzumaki!!! And I'll become the Hokage!!! Believe it!!!" She declared ploudly.
Every brain cell in my head felt like they vanished as I stared the young girl who sat down after her introduction.
' Okay…. It seems it wasn't a butterfly but a damn dragon that flapped its wings…' I sighed as I quickly scanned the room again.
' Please don't be… and she's a girl too, great.' I groaned as I spotted the gender swapped sasuke.
I quickly pulled my gaze away and got ready to introduce myself.
" My name is Souta Hikarime. And I inspire to become a shinobi my clan can be proud of… someone who protects the village and the people closest to me."
" I know I still have a lot to learn, but I'll work hard. I hope we can all become stronger together for this Village and its people."
A solid introduction I would say myself. And not to mention I gave a charming smile to let them know I'm easy to approach.
' That old hag did say I need to build connections with other clans.' I thought silently as I sat down.
Since I belong to a clan albeit a newly established and minor clan. The old hag expects me carry myself in grace and dignity like other larger clan does.
I glanced down at Choji to see him eating his third bag of chips since he entered the room. Nothing my gaze, he tilted his bag towards.
Seeing this chance to build a connection even if it's minuscule, it's a start.
" Thank you." I smiled as I grabbed a chip from his bag and quickly ate it before Iruka can catch me.
' Right… with grace and dignity…' I sighed in heart as I looked at the blackboard and ignoring the gazes I was getting from my classmates probably from how much I stood out from that introduction.
" Now that we've gotten introductions out of the way. For this year of the ninja academy you'll be learning History, reading and Writing, mathematics, Geography, basic science and physical training."
" Since it's the first day and it's almost lunch time. I'll let you all to yourselves." Iruka-sensei smiled as he left the room.
The room was quiet before it became an explosion of sound as children began to talk to each other.
" Sigh…"