10 Chapter 9
Damn it, Damn it
I burst out from a mountain made of scrolls, I look at the time, 8:55 am, The academy entrance exam is at 9 am.
I'm going to be late.
Spending night after night studying ninjutsu, I usually lose track of time, which leaves me in the dilemma I have now.
On foot travel time alone is half an hour, well, there's no time then the present to use my training to complete my first mission, get to the academy on time.
Judging the approximate direction of the academy, I utilise my chakra strings to rappel myself up the building which obstructs my path.
From building to building I use the threads to close the distance getting closer and closer to the academy at an alarming rate, Flying at an uncontrollable speed I find myself without a building to attach my threads to.
Focusing all the chakra to protecting my body, I crash into a shrub a few blocks from the academy, running with all my might I see all the door starting to be closed.
"WAIT!!" I yell at the top of my lungs
The teachers closing the door see me running and are stunned by the sight of my mess. Leaves still stuck in my hair, I use this opportunity to dive in through the door.
"SAFE"
.
.
.
The cherry blossoms bloom, almost as if it is rewarding the young children for their efforts. falling down on the little heads of the shinobi in training.
Children with their parents surround the notice board, looking for their child's name in the passing list.
I pick the petal off of my head while I read the list of names on the wooden board.
Going down the list, I see it, almost as if it is crying for my attention
"Hebi"
right smack in the middle of the board.
Around me, kids are celebrating and crying, or just crying, I see children gather around to talk to their friends, comfort or cheer together.
It dawns upon me, I haven't talked to anyone for a really long time.
I have no friends
Shaking my head to get rid of useless thoughts, I expand my senses, I feel a familiar chakra monitoring me, my caretaker who visits me weekly has decided to secretly monitor me.
It understandable, although I don't share the name Hyuga, registration wise I'm still technically adopted by their clan therefore I can't embarrass them.
The clan head or any Hyuga hasn't contacted me for the past few years when I was holed up in my own home. Convenient for both parties.
Reputation wise they have a lot to gain from adopting me, from the benefits of my success and also appearing down to earth and generous with the civilians and other clans. I equally benefit from increased growth, knowledge and resources.
So it's better to keep this distance while mutually benefiting.
Under the shadow of a tree nearby a swing sits there idly and sitting on it is a young boy with bright yellow hair spiky and energetic, contrasting to his lonely and dark current expression.
Seeing this I recall a name, Naruto Uzumaki.
His previous strength of will and outburst from that winter day seem almost like a lie seeing him now, on his own.
Now that I think of it he was sitting on the swing by himself back then as well.
Looking around there is a distinct distance between the adults and children from Naruto, not getting even a step closer, almost like he's a sickness
The looks in their eyes cold and harsh, refusing to give him a hint of acceptance. Expulsion from the community, animals in the wild which expel another from their group is no different from giving them a death sentence, in these adults eyes I feel they want the same.
A cruel thing to do to a child.
But remembering how he stood up to those bullies even despite his weakness, I feel it, The will of the strong, Even if he is weak now, Being blessed by chakra, In the future, he'll definitely climb to the summit of strength. And those who despise him will continue to grow weaker.
Hating others brings no improvement, true strength hates its own weaknesses and will persevere no matter what to improve. These kids who only know how to hate others will become satisfied and die in obscurity.
I only hate myself, my weakness, I'll never accept it
But Naruto his future potential, his strong body, his powerful chakra, his tempered will. If I stop for a moment, this boy blessed by heaven will feed me his dust, leaving his name in the history books while I'm left unknown.
I wish I could spend time to pity him but even this kid has more talent than me
I leave, going home to continue my training
.
.
.
