Ryu's white shell peeled off like wax melting, and the seals on his skin disappeared until it was bare again. The monstrous form shrank into nothing, leaving behind only his small figure.
Jiyuu leaned forward with wide eyes, inspired by Ryu's demonstration of what he could achieve.
Finally, Kaia broke the silence by speaking up. "Can we even qualify to… call ourselves ninja?"
Ryu replied, "Did you ask yourself that before pressing piano keys and calling yourself a musician?"
Kaia was taken aback.
"Being a ninja is not just about skills or qualifications; it's about determination and heart," Ryu continued, his gaze unwavering. Kaia nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes.
Ryu's tone softened. "You can become whatever you want—so long as you don't lose hope and don't accept defeat. Each day, you grow a little stronger than yesterday. That's all it takes."
Ryu's words resonated deeply with the children, leaving a profound impact on them. All the kids who had been thrown away like a useless part of society felt a glimmer of hope ignite within them, knowing that they had the power to shape their own destinies. With Ryu's words echoing in their minds, they vowed to never give up on their dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed.
The adults there, Yuki, Dan and Tsuande, felt pride hearing Ryu's inspiring words and seeing the determination in the children's eyes. Yuki looked at Dan and said, "Didn't I say... he had a way with words?"
Dan said, "I know that already."
Akihiro signed hesitantly, and Kaia spoke for him: "He says… he wants to be a ninja. Someday."
The children exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging Akihiro's dream. They knew that with determination and perseverance, anything was possible, even becoming a ninja.
"A ninja you shall be," Ryu said. "Don't worry… what you lack will become your strength. You just leave everything to me. Like how I have already shown what you can become to Rina and to Jiyuu, I have a plan for every single one of you. So just take it easy and enjoy your new life, and when you train, train like there is no tomorrow, and then you will become stronger than those who laughed at you and doubted your abilities."
Akihiro gripped his cane and felt a surge of confidence and gratitude towards Ryu, knowing that he had found a mentor who believed in him wholeheartedly.
Kaia asked, "I am still not sure how my brother can become a ninja. You cannot fight blindness with just determination alone."
Ryu smiled and said, "Well yes, but eyes are just one of many senses a person has; there are others, like hearing and smell, and you can also train to sense chakra as well."
Ryu looked at Akihiro and said, "You were able to see me in genjutsu, right? …"
Akihiro nodded in silence.
Ryu continued, "What if I tell you I can make something like a permanent Fuinjutsu-ninjutsu combination that can help you achieve that by yourself?"
Tsuande said, "After all I have seen you do in the last few months, I don't doubt that you will make this fuinjutsu-ninjutsu combo a possibility."
Dan and Yuki nodded.
Ryu then said, "I am a builder before I am a ninja.. "
Tsuande corrected, "Still an academy brat …. Yet to graduate…"
Ryu ignored her and said, "My point is… if something doesn't exist, we just need to make it exist. Something was not possible… We have to do it once to make it possible. Maybe you can become a ninja, maybe not… There is only one way to find out…"
Kaia nodded, finally understanding Ryu's words. She was the living example of how one can do things impossible for them, as she read all of this through lip reading … not by hearing the word.
Ryu looked around at them and said, "From now on, I'll teach you all some basic hand signs. Ninjas need to communicate silently—most Jonin already know how to use them. In your free time, you'll practise and learn proper sign language."
Tsunade and Shizune left. And Dan showed the new kids their rooms and gave a tour to everyone.
****
The following morning, in the Hamur industry office building, Ryu stood before his staff and said, "To all the engineers, designers, and researchers and all the non-technical staff who have worked tirelessly for this project, thank you for your hard work," he said sincerely, bowing his head. "This launch is only possible because of your dedication. While I was busy being a doctor, you turned my sketches into working machines. Today, we make the first public call. Together, we will make history today."
A timid hand rose. Ryu gestured. "Yes, go ahead, sir."
"While waiting for you," said Research Team Leader 1, "we worked on a side project. One team developed larger screens, while another experimented with linking several of those screens into one giant display."
"You are talking about a tiled multi-screen cluster," Ryu said.
"Yes," the researcher said, "that description fits perfectly. We are going to call it that."
"Now what I was saying… in free time we did that, and we succeeded."
Ryu thought, "Great… This is why, instead of doing everything myself, I assign tasks to research… It expands their knowledge and skills, which will benefit the company and me later."
A crate was opened to reveal sleek panels, lattice frames, and coils of cable. "Video cameras already work with CRT monitors," added Prototype Team Leader 2. "We simply adapted the feed, synced multiple displays, and stitched them into a single picture."
Ryu grinned. "You've just created something even shinobi will love. Imagine the Chunin Exams on a massive screen."
"That is a brilliant idea," the researcher said.
Ryu thought, "This tech came at least ten years early because of me. I need to secure broadcast rights for all Chunin Exams from now on and make some money off them. If I add a cluster of drone cameras, then the Chunin Exam will become a reality TV show one cannot miss."
Ryu looked at the staff and asked, "How fast can you set one up now?"
The team lead quickly understood what Ryu was asking and said, "A few hours. We'll mount it to the four‑storey wall in the plaza. Stage on the ground, screen above it."
"Perfect," Ryu said. He let suspense build before adding, "It also has one more use than just entertainment…"
All the researchers waited for Ryu to finish, and Ryu said, "advertisement".
Everyone understood Ryu almost instantly. They have been developing one thing after another. They also need to advertise it to people.
Ryu then said, "I think I am going to keep the screen on the building permanently."
After the staff nodded, Ryu stated, "I believe you all deserve a bonus for all your hard work... simple words cannot cut it."
This brought a huge smile to the face of the staff. After that, all the staff began to work on the bid screen. Planning to make the biggest of the screens ever created.
****
Meanwhile, Kaori stood in her ANBU uniform before Lord Third. Mask off, face calm, she recounted her mission in precise detail: the route, the ambush, and the overwhelming force of chakra at the music event, which Kaori could not explain. Nor could the hidden ANBU they were already there in the party.
"Boss… I mean, Ryu Hamura knew who I was from day one. He's too smart to fool." Kaori said.
Hiruzen replied, "I expected as much."
Kaori said, "I apologise, Lord Hokage. I failed in my first mission."
Hiruzen said, "You did all you could."
Kaori shook her head. "It was a protection mission. Lives depended on me."
"Your opponents outnumbered and outranked your squad. That failure is not yours," Hiruzen assured.
Kaori placed a folded paper on his desk. "Then please accept this. My resignation from ANBU. I failed my very first mission. I'm not fit for the mask."
Hiruzen reassured her, "One mission failure does not define who you are."
Kaori replied, "Please, Lord Hokage, I have already made up my mind."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "Will you continue as a standard shinobi?"
"No."
Frustrated, Hiruzen rubbed his forehead. "Then what will you do?"
"There's a secretary post. A vacancy with a fair offer. I intend to take it."
For a moment he stared, then laughter burst from him, rich and booming, startling even the hidden ANBU in the shadows.
"So that's it," he chuckled. "Good luck. I hear some bosses are tougher than S‑rank missions."
Kaori's voice was steady. "I know. But I want this job. It's the right path for my growth."
Hiruzen nodded. "Then take care of your next boss."
"I will," Kaori replied firmly.
She bowed and left, resolve hard as tempered steel.
At the same time the plaza in front of Ryu's office building was alive with excitement. Workers hauled ropes as they set up the giant screen pinned in the walls, locking it in the right place with hooks and connecting it using cables. Below, carpenters secured planks for the stage.
The people on the street sensed an upcoming event of significance, anticipating something remarkable about to unfold. Ryu checked the angle from the back of the crowd and gave a satisfied nod.
At the plaza's edge, Ryu stood quietly, his eyes on the screen. At that same time, across the rooftops, Kaori left the Hokage's office towards Hamura Industries.
A/N: Please share some power stones and a review.
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