Just like that, another week passed...
Kaito sat at Ichiraku Ramen, elbows on the counter, watching steam rise from the bowl in front of him. Pork broth. Noodles. Two slices of chashu. Half an egg. Scallions scattered like someone meant it.
He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.
It was good. The broth had weight to it, the noodles had that slight chew, and the egg was soft in the middle. He nodded to himself, kept eating.
Not god-made, though. Not the kind of thing that made you stop and reevaluate your life. Just solid ramen. Comfort food.
He glanced around the shop. It was quiet. No one stared. The old man behind the counter didn't ask questions. Just served the bowl and went back to wiping down the surface.
And that's when it made sense.
Naruto didn't worship this place because of the taste. It was because someone gave him a seat, a hot meal, and didn't treat him like a stray dog. That was probably rare for him back then...
Kaito finished the last sip of broth, set the bowl aside, and stood.
The walk to the Academy was slow. The village was waking up, vendors were setting up stalls, kids darting between alleys, ninjas stretching on a rooftop like they hadn't slept.
Kaito pulled up his panel.
It flickered into view, soft blue against the morning light.
A week's worth of training was presented in front of him.
__________________________________________________________
Name: Kaito Arata
Age: 6
Chakra: 16
Rank: Lower Academy Level
Taijutsu:
[Konoha Taijustu: Entry (64/100)]
Ninjustu:
[(E) Clone Jutsu: Entry (17/100)]
[(E) Transformation Jutsu: Entry (21/100)]
[(E) Substitution Jutsu: Entry (19/100)]
__________________________________________________________
After one week, Kaito almost reached the Middle Academy level.
Requirements:
-Chakra Reached Standard -> 20 points
-3 E Rank Justu(Lower Entry Level)
-Konoha Taijutsu(Middle Entry Level)
You have to know it takes an ordinary student 6 months to reach his current level, and he did it in only 2 weeks. Of course, this isn't worth mentioning compared to monsters like the hokages or Itachi, who is only a year older than him.
Kaito stepped into the classroom. Voices bounced off the walls. Someone cracked a joke near the window. A chair scraped too loud.
He dropped into his seat. Reina sat to his left, Daiki to his right.
Takeshi-sensei walked in, coat swinging, clipboard in hand. The room quieted fast.
"In two weeks," he said, "you'll be tested in one-on-one combat. Winners move up. Losers fight again to place."
The room stirred.
Reina leaned in. "Finally."
Daiki grinned. "I'm not losing to anyone."
Kaito blinked, jaw tight.
So that's what this was. A race. Show them where they stood. Make them chase the next spot. Pressure. Progress. Power. Konoha needed stronger shinobi, and this was how they'd speed it up.
Takeshi-sensei kept going. "The top 5 will get a prize."
Chairs creaked. Someone whispered, "Imma get first!" An Uchiha girl near the front clenched her fists. A Hyuga boy behind her muttered something about rankings.
Kaito exhaled through his nose.
His fingers tapped the desk once.
Reina glanced at him. "You ready for this?"
He smirked.
Daiki shouted. "I'm ready!!"
Reina glanced at Daiki, "Nobody asked."
Daiki grin fell and he started pouting.
Kaito looked straight ahead ignoring their antics. Right now, his mind was on what the prize could be.
After class, the three of them walked down the stone path toward the market street. Reina led the way, talking fast. Daiki followed with his hands behind his head, half-listening. Kaito walked between them, quiet.
They stopped at a small dango shop tucked between two buildings. The sign was faded, but the smell was strong: sweet soy glaze, fresh dumplings, charcoal smoke.
They sat at the bench outside. The plate came out hot, three skewers each, golden brown, sticky with sauce.
Reina grabbed hers first. "So, we can challenge the top five every two weeks, right?"
Daiki nodded, chewing slowly. "That's what Takeshi-sensei said. Win the challenge, take their spot."
Kaito bit into his first skewer. The outside was crisp, the inside soft.
Reina leaned forward. "Well, it doesn't matter, I'll be in the top 5 the first time," she said proudly.
Daiki smirked. "You say that now, but wait till you're up against that Hyūga kid. He doesn't even blink."
Reina rolled her eyes. "Then I'll make him blink."
Kaito didn't laugh, but he smiled a little.
Daiki glanced over. "You thinking of winning too?"
Kaito finished his second skewer. "Eventually."
Reina nudged him. "You better. I'm not carrying you to the top."
They finished the last bites in silence, the glaze sticking to their fingers.
The sun had dipped low by the time they split off.
Kaito walked alone through the village streets. The lanterns were lit. The rooftops were dark. The wind was soft.
He looked up.
The sky was full of stars.
In his old life, the city lights drowned them out. Just a few dots, maybe. Nothing like this.
Now, they stretched across the sky: clear, endless, quiet.
These days, he found himself staring longer. Not thinking. Just watching.
It was beautiful...