Days later at the Academy, Shorai noticed the classroom was unusually packed. At the entrance, many adults and couples stood, their distant cheers faintly echoing from inside. Parents? he wondered, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
He greeted everyone as he took the seat Ino had specially reserved for him in the far left corner by the door. She cast a winning grin toward Sakura and the other girls. Sakura, sitting beside Sasuke, returned an indifferent glance, ignoring Shikamaru's presence.
The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.
"Alright! Everyone is present..." Iruka scanned the room, his voice steady but charged with excitement.
"The day has arrived! Your final test begins today!" he announced with a smile. After a brief pause, hushed discussions filled the air. Raising a paper, he continued, "Now, now, keep it down. One by one, as I call your name, go to the next classroom. There you will perform a Clone Jutsu."
"Eh???"
"Easy!"
"Oh crap..."
"I'll definitely pass it!"
Excitement and dread mingled in the murmurs as names were called and students stood to leave. Soon, most returned wearing new shiny leaf headbands—now formal Konoha Genin!
Shorai waited calmly. Though his name hadn't been called yet, he sensed something special awaited him. His gaze flicked to Ino, who skipped back to her seat, headband in hand, eyes bright with excitement. She caught his eye and gave a small, encouraging smile.
About an hour later, Iruka nodded mid-count, stopping on Shorai.
"Shorai!"
"Yes, Sensei?"
A warm smile spread across Iruka's face. "Go get your headband. You've really been a Genin without one for a couple of years now."
The news hit the room like a bomb. Heads turned toward him; even Ino covered her mouth in shock and amazement. Sakura's eyes widened briefly, but she quickly masked her surprise.
Shorai's heart quickened. Finally, he thought, the recognition I've waited for. He stood and bowed slightly before leaving under everyone's watchful eyes.
He knocked before entering.
The sight wasn't much of a surprise.
Hiruzen sat beside the desk where a shiny new head protector with the leaf symbol reflected the light.
"Shorai, I believe this is yours. This is the second time I congratulate you on becoming a Genin," the Hokage said with a light laugh full of pride and expectation.
"Thank you very much, again, Grandpa," Shorai chuckled, approaching the desk to take his prize.
A moment of quiet passed before Shorai gathered courage. "May I ask something?"
"Sure, go ahead!"
"Are the Genin teams already assigned?"
Hiruzen raised a brow, still smiling. "Some adjustments can be made... but overall, yes. You're quite perceptive."
Shorai nodded thoughtfully. "I see... I believe Naruto will pass, Grandpa! So please, no need to reserve his spot for me... I..."
"Oh, stop, Shorai. There are spots for every outstanding individual, no matter how unique they are."
Shorai noticed something in Sarutobi's eyes—a flicker of something unreadable—but confusion surfaced on his face.
"I have other plans for you, my boy," Hiruzen said, leaning forward and making a strange gesture with his right hand.
Without a sound, the shadows near the windows deepened. A faint rustle, like the whisper of a breeze through dead leaves, preceded the appearance of a figure cloaked in gray armor. A mask shaped like a silent eagle's visage caught the dim light, eyes hollow yet piercing. One by one, two more emerged—each step measured, each breath controlled, their presence chilling the air. They spoke no words, only exchanged glances that seemed to carry unspoken warnings. Shorai's heart quickened, sensing that these were no ordinary shinobi, but ghosts of the village's darkest secrets.
Three ninjas clad in gray tight armor with red tattoos and animalistic masks appeared silently, their eyes peering through the small holes at the white-haired boy.
"They... why are ANBU members here?" Shorai raised a brow, still calm, glancing at the Hokage.
Hiruzen's gaze locked onto Shorai's face, observing every subtle reaction.
"I believe you have the potential to join their ranks... perhaps one day..." He paused, stroking his growing beard. "I brought them here for three reasons."
"One. They each have a particular set of skills that can benefit you. Two. They will test you and observe your current state—where you should improve or focus. You're quite a well-rounded ninja, Shorai, but we need to know the most suitable starting point for you. They will report to me. Three. Based on the results, you might tag along on a mission that fits both their scope and your capability."
Shorai bowed deeply, humbled yet determined. "I'm truly honored by such an opportunity, Lord Hokage!" Then, turning to the masked figures, he added, "I'm barely a Genin in name. I can't call myself a ninja in your presence." He bowed again. "I'll do my best to learn and fill the blanks of my inexperience. Thank you in advance!"
The three ANBU members remained silent, their presence imposing yet respectful. Hiruzen's face softened into a smile.
"Lord Hokage?"
"Yes, Shorai?"
"I... excuse me for being bold... but regardless of my training and progress with the new mentors, I'd really want you to satisfy three selfish wishes."
Hiruzen's curiosity was piqued. "If they are valid, I might approve."
Shorai took a breath. "I'd like to experience and fulfill some D-rank missions, to keep it probable but also to learn from them. I can even take part with an assigned squad. Another thing... if any Genin squad does a C-rank mission, I'd like to be on that one. And third, I'd like to attend the Chunin exam together with the selected classmates. I believe they will be chosen for the next one!"
Hiruzen's smile deepened. "Well, of course, Shorai. You will do some D ranks. But with your skills, what is reported and seen by me, your D ranks are actually C. He-he. As for missions with other squads... while I could allow it, missions are made and rewards distributed according to a set number—four team members. You can't be a fifth member," Hiruzen shook his head.
"Please forgive me for interrupting, Lord Hokage... if money is the decisive factor here, then I can reveal another thing about myself... After all, I'm the Heavenly Lotus's main male model. I don't lack money, and there is no need to reward me, besides writing that I did the mission." Shorai slowly unveiled another secret.
The silent masked trio exchanged surprised glances. The eagle-masked man stayed silent. The boar-masked one muttered, "So it was actually you!" The cat-masked one gave a high-pitched reaction before quickly composing herself.
"Ho-ho! I know about that, my boy! Well, rules are rules, Shorai! But I can make an exception for a C rank, given the increased danger. If you agree to withdraw from accepting the reward..." Sarutobi began.
"I'll forfeit any reward regardless of whether it's D or C rank, even on my own. I have enough money to sustain myself. It's best for me to gain experience and help the village in the process." Shorai's voice was steady, resolute.
'Is he for real?'
'That's quite some sum for a Genin or even a Chunin...'
'Quite admirable...'
The three voiced their disbelief silently, while Hiruzen's smile only grew, nodding approvingly.
"I still believe you might be the better candidate for Hokage. What seems to me... you're cautious... perhaps your developed nature is what might actually limit your potential. But I see you've made up your mind. Then, the more D-rank missions you fulfill, the more permission I'll give you to join other Genin squads, deal?"
Shorai nodded firmly. "Sorry... but what about the Chunin exam?"
"Naturally... it depends on your progress, of course. How much you can learn and accomplish by then. After all, if you're going to attend—you will be completely on your own!" Hiruzen announced as the ANBU exchanged glances.
Shorai bowed again. "That's everything I wanted to know. Thank you very much for tolerating my requests, Lord Hokage."
A wave of excitement and curiosity washed over him. A unique path, unknown even to himself, was beginning to warp—a challenge to a strong-willed mind.