CH20 : Changes

Cherishing the moments of the past and accepting his mistakes in the hope of creating a better present, Yuichi felt prepared to begin a new chapter of his life.

Today was Sunday morning, a day usually reserved for rest, quieter than most. But not today. Today, the academy will announce the results of the early graduation exam. 

The same exam that could shape his future as a shinobi.

The air was crisp as Yuichi walked through the streets of Konoha, the early morning breeze cool against his face. It was only half-past eight, and the sun had barely begun to rise above the village, casting long, lazy shadows over the ground. 

Normally, Yuichi might have stayed in bed a little longer, enjoying the rare day off, but not today. The academy called to him.

He arrived earlier than he expected. 

The courtyard was still empty, save for a few birds perched on the academy walls. Rather than wait idly, Yuichi made his way up to the academy's roof—the highest point he could access. 

Sitting there, his legs dangling over the edge, he admired the view. From up here, Konoha looked peaceful. The morning's tranquility settled his nerves, and for a moment, the weight of the world felt distant.

The quiet was broken only by his own voice as he muttered aloud, "Why wait for something to enjoy? Why not start now? Enjoy every moment, every day, every choice."

But even as the words left his lips, Yuichi felt a flicker of doubt.

Last night had brought an epiphany, one he hadn't fully processed yet. He had spent so long running from his past—masking his pain with forced smiles, pretending he was happy, pretending he was free from regret. 

But now, he knew better. The facade had cracked. The lies he told himself were just that: lies.

"I'll make sure," he said softly, "to do everything I can so I won't regret it later."

"An admirable sentiment, but a naive one."

Yuichi almost lost his balance at the unexpected voice. He quickly activated his chakra, anchoring himself to the rooftop with his feet, before twisting around to see a figure standing behind him. 

His heart raced as he took in the man's appearance—a shinobi, fair-skinned, with short black hair that framed his forehead protector. His presence radiated an aura of quiet strength.

"Who… how did you—?"

The man chuckled lightly. "Uchiha Kagami. I didn't mean to startle you."

Uchiha Kagami. The name rang a bell, but Yuichi couldn't place it immediately. He had heard it before, though. 

One of Konoha's elites, wasn't he? He narrowed his eyes, still unsure of what to make of the encounter. 

"What brings you here?"

Kagami smiled, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I like to keep an eye on the promising ones, and you—you're early today, which tells me something." 

He stepped forward, his tone shifting from casual to serious. "I don't have much time, so let's skip the small talk. Tell me, what do you think Konoha lacks right now?"

Yuichi blinked, caught off guard by the directness of the question. He hadn't expected something so weighty first thing in the morning. 

After a moment of thought, he replied, "I think… Konoha lacks equal grounds. For everyone."

Kagami's eyes flashed with interest. 

"Good answer. Now tell me, how do you see yourself contributing to the village?"

"By becoming the strongest version of myself," Yuichi said, his voice growing more confident. "And by helping those around me."

"Strength is important," Kagami said, nodding slowly, "but strength without purpose can be destructive. Remember that."

Yuichi listened carefully, sensing there was more to Kagami than met the eye. This wasn't just a casual conversation. He was being tested.

"One more question," Kagami continued, "How do you think you'll fit into a genin squad?"

Yuichi's brow furrowed. This one was trickier.

 After a brief pause, he answered, "I think I'd fit best as a combatant medic ninja. In a squad, having a medic could save lives. And with the wars looming, fewer deaths mean more strength for Konoha."

Kagami regarded him with a small smile. "Interesting. You've thought this through. Not bad."

Then, just as suddenly as he appeared, Kagami turned to leave. "We'll talk again. Remember what I said about purpose."

And with that, the shinobi was gone, leaving Yuichi alone on the rooftop once more.

As the wind picked up, Yuichi looked down at the village below. His heart was still racing, and questions filled his mind. 

Uchiha Kagami, huh? The man had a reputation, though Yuichi didn't know the specifics. What he did know was that the encounter had sparked something within him, something he couldn't yet put into words.

With a sigh, he checked the time. 9:00 AM. The results will be posted soon.

He made his way down to the academy's entrance, where a small crowd had gathered around a bulletin board. His eyes scanned the list of names. Twenty-one students had passed the exam. Yuichi's name was there, among them. Next to his name was the instruction: Report to Room SF-17.

He arrived at the designated room to find only a handful of students present. None of them were familiar to him, but that didn't matter. This was just the beginning of his journey.

As Yuichi settled into his seat, he couldn't help but wonder where this path would lead him. 

Kagami's words echoed in his mind. Strength without purpose. Was that what he had been chasing all this time? He didn't know yet. But one thing was certain—he would find his own way, his own purpose, in time.

***