Academy 1...

It's been two years since that Demo -- Ahem Uncle Ren started teaching us and yesterday was the last day. Though many say his training is harsh, too harsh for the kids our age which is 100% true but he brings out any hidden potential in his students, any average student entering his tutelage comes out as a promising student.

Yesterday was Uncle Ren's last class and so he made us do more practice, so I came home before night instead of in the afternoon. After reaching home I was tired and so thought of getting some rest before dinner but as soon as my body had hit the bed, I was out in an instant, I didn't even change my clothes and just laid there on top of it like an old drunk man.

In his sleep, Akira dreamt of the sky being punched with clouds stretching like a dome. He could smell the caramel in the air and the music of the meadow echoed in his ears. The meadow looked like a hideaway of the lost heaven. The sense of inner peace and harmony was unmatched. The grasses seemed to have a party with the wind, dancing in their rhythm.

There I saw a lady singing a song that made me emotional, something about the song was moving; It reminded me of something precious to me but what that was I can't seem to remember. Wanting to find answers I decided to ask her about the song but before I could call her, she turned her head towards me; she looked exactly like my mother and her lips were moving, she seems to be saying something, after trying to focus on her words I hear " Aki-- Akira, wake up..."

I was jolted awake from my sleep, I hear my mom shouting from outside my room "Akira wake up; you're gonna be late on the first day of school ."

I drowsily woke up before making my way to the bathroom, cleaning myself up I was about to head downstairs. While opening the door I was thinking how to not attend school but my thoughts were interrupted by Mom's yell " I will count till five, and if you don't come out I will be breaking the door; I don't care about your privacy"

But before Mom could start counting I opened the door. Seeing me Mom awkwardly smiled "Let's go Akira have your breakfast now, or you will be late!"

Entering the dining room Akira and Hana and Haru had breakfast, Between breakfast, I asked " Dad can I not go to the academy, I have already learned everything they will be teaching there for the next three years. "

Before my father could say anything my mom shouted" Even though you have learned everything you have to go to the academy. "

"Hai! " sighed my dad " Akira we know that you train a lot more than kids your age, which makes us proud but we are also worried sick...as you even forget to enjoy your childhood. I can see in your eyes that you are continuously striving to achieve something. Though I don't know what It is. But, please don't ever lose yourself too much in training that you even forget your childhood. Nothing can be achieved alone, and victory tastes sweet when share shared with others. So we need friends and comrades who can watch our backs in times of need. And the academy is such a place where you will such friends. "

" Ok, I understand school is necessary. " I said with a defeated tone.

After eating together all of them got out of the apartment and went in the direction of one of the most important locations of Iwa, the Ninja Academy. Along the way, we saw Hana and Yuki along with their parent going toward the academy, so we took the journey together.

We reached the academy which was near an open area along with a field beside the school, that's where the training is being held. There was a giant kanji sign for 'stone' imprinted at the front of the building. There were lots of people gathered at the front of the Academy. I spotted members of the Nopaki, Chitobi, and Kimizaru clans members together with their children gathered at the entrance of the Academy for their children to participate in the Academy entrance examination. There were many other minor clans too, but I wasn't aware of any of their names as there was no detailed information in manga or anime about them. There were a few Civilians with their Children standing nervously on one of the corners of the Academy.

There are no requirements for enrollment in the academy other than reporting on the starting day, but the better students were banded together in one class, and so few tests were done to filter the good students from the bad.

After waiting some time a person wearing a red vest announced there will be two tests one ninjutsu and the other taijutsu.

After a few minutes, the proctor announced the first exam to be a stamina test where we have run 20 laps around the ground.

All the students started running at a similar speed but slowly weak-bodied individuals were left at the back, mostly the clan's children scored a nice score but a few dark horses appeared from the civilian sides, but the most noticeable was a girl with blueish black hair, a tiny face like a doll came first along with Hana, Me and Kouji who is also the little brother of kitsuchi. Looking at the girl's hair I felt I saw the girl somewhere but can't seem to remember it.

Most of our clan members did well enough to be placed in one of the best classes.

Soon, the ninjutsu test started where it required us to show a jutsu of our choice.

I, Hana, Yuki, and Yamato showed a light Jutsu allowing us to secure a high score. The girl from before performed a water release jutsu <Mizu no Yoroi (Water Armor)>. After seeing the jutsu I was surprised but also confused; surprised as this technique is a chunin level jutsu which should not be possible by a kid without any external help and confused as in she came from the civilian side. I thought of keeping an eye on her.

After the last kid completed the test, the proctor announced the student's class, and Akira and his group without any problem were sorted into the best class. That by coincidence the girl was also sorted in our class.