Two days passed in a flash. This morning, Satoru and Eren walked side by side along the path leading up to the Konoha Ninja Academy. The Hidden Leaf Village was still veiled in a thin morning mist, and the first light of dawn spread gently over the curved rooftops, casting a warm golden hue. The buzzing of insects echoed faintly, while merchants opened shop on busy corners, creating a peaceful air before a day full of challenges.
Report to the Hokage
Before heading to the academy, the two made a quick stop at the office of the Third Hokage. Satoru knew this was an important event, one that required approval from the highest authority in Konoha. As they stepped inside, the room was filled with the familiar scent of pipe smoke. The atmosphere was tense.
"Hokage-sama, today is the selection round for the five most outstanding young ninjas of Konoha, who will face the visiting students from the Hidden Mist. We've already arranged the qualified candidates…" — Satoru reported respectfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly took a puff from his pipe, his sharp eyes studying both Satoru and Eren. He could clearly sense the initiative and leadership Satoru exuded, and in his gaze, there was a trace of satisfaction.
"You remind me a lot of Jiraiya in his younger days… maybe even beyond him."
But then, the Hokage's expression turned serious. He narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping into a more solemn tone.
"Satoru, Eren. There's something important I must share. Have either of you heard that the Hidden Stone Village recently mobilized forces to test their might against two rising factions?"
Satoru raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't heard a word of this. Eren also furrowed his brow, looking cautiously at the Hokage. Hiruzen continued:
"The Demon Corps and the group calling themselves Pirates have started clashing with one another. But what's more notable is this—Stone Village suffered a humiliating defeat when trying to subdue either of them. Onoki is now seeking to either strike a deal or convince them to join forces with Iwagakure."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, face pensive as he tapped his pipe and exhaled a long sigh.
"I need to decide whether we should send envoys to the Pirate group. They are still human—still capable of reason. But the Demon Corps… I have a feeling they are a dangerous force we must avoid at all costs."
The Hokage looked at Satoru and Eren with a weighty gaze, as if the future of Konoha itself were beginning to rest on their shoulders.
Satoru was caught slightly off guard, but Eren approached the matter with a more political mindset. He studied the Hokage in silence. He understood the burden of leadership, and deep inside, he found himself drawing comparisons between Hiruzen and the rulers of his old homeland.
"This man… this Hokage… at least he is a leader worth placing faith in." — Eren thought quietly.
On the Way to the Academy
The Third Hokage walked with Satoru and Eren toward the Ninja Academy, where he would personally preside over the opening of today's matches.
Along the way, he made an effort to stir the spirit of loyalty within Eren, subtly probing into his thoughts. Only Hiruzen understood just how important the power of Wood Release was to the Hidden Leaf. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Eren had become incredibly vital to the village.
He wanted Eren to truly become a part of Konoha.
Ninja Academy – The Day of Young Elite Selection
As Satoru and Eren arrived at the gates of the Academy, the atmosphere was unlike any ordinary day.
Gone were the casual chatter of students and the repetitive routines of daily training. Today, the training field of the Hidden Leaf Academy was filled with the most talented students from each class. Eyes gleamed with excitement, hands clenched tight from nerves, muscles subtly tensed—everyone was waiting for a real trial of strength.
Not only students, but all the instructors were present as well. Each stood alongside their respective classes, watching the children they had guided for years.
Farther off, some proud but anxious parents of the gifted children had gathered to watch from a distance. They weren't allowed inside the training grounds, but their eyes never left the field, filled with quiet pride and concern.
On a raised platform, the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi—stood tall in his white ceremonial robes. His expression was calm and kind, yet his gaze held the authority of a leader. He stood straight, hands behind his back, surveying the twelve young prodigies awaiting his words.
This wasn't merely an internal match.
It was a test—one that would mark the first step toward the cruel world of true shinobi.
The Outstanding Candidates
Twelve students, carefully selected from six different classes, stood as the elite among their peers:
• Class 1: Shisui Uchiha — A prodigy among prodigies. Cold, calculating eyes, and his Sharingan had already awakened at a young age.
• Tokuma Hyuga — A gifted member of the Hyuga clan, possessor of the Byakugan, and renowned for his exceptional defensive jutsu.
• Kurenai Yuhi & Asuma Sarutobi — Both recognized for their raw talent. Kurenai showed early brilliance in genjutsu, while Asuma carried the unyielding will of the Sarutobi bloodline.
• Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Maito Gai — Three standout students from Satoru's class. Each had a distinct style and specialty, promising futures in their own right.
• Shiranui Genma, Tatami Iwashi, Namiashi Raidō — Future ANBU bodyguards of the Hokage. Tactical, sharp, and fiercely loyal.
• Uzuki Yugao & Hayate Gekkou — Two rising swordmasters, known for their speed and refined kenjutsu technique.
Each of these twelve names carried the hopes of Konoha's future. They were young warriors the village believed would one day shine on the battlefield.
Today, they would face off—only five would be chosen to represent the Hidden Leaf against the visiting students from the Hidden Mist Village.
The Third Hokage's Speech
Hiruzen stepped forward onto the platform. His calm and resolute voice rang out across the training field, silencing the crowd in an instant.
"Today is not just a test. It is an opportunity—to prove your strength, to rise up, and show that you are worthy of defending the pride of Konoha."
He scanned the young faces in front of him, his eyes filled with warmth and belief.
"Being a shinobi isn't just about power. It's about will… and spirit. You may lose a battle—but you must never lose who you are. I want to see warriors who fight not just for glory, but for their comrades, and for this village."
"The five who stand at the top today will each receive 10,000 ryo as a reward. But remember—money is not the true prize. Growth is."
His words ignited something in each student. The field trembled—not from jutsu, but from the heat of rising determination.
In the crowd, fists clenched tighter. Some took deep, steadying breaths. Others stared at their rivals with sharpened focus.
Satoru's Panic… and Eren's "Solution"
Right after the Hokage's speech, Satoru was called up to the stage to announce the rules of the match.
And then it hit him—
Crap! If I divide them into 1-on-1 matches, we'll end up with six winners… then three… and one kid's going to get left out! That won't work!
Satoru glanced sideways, desperate for help. His eyes locked with Eren's.
Eren gave him a lazy smirk, then leaned in and whispered:
"Don't worry. Just say they'll fight freely. Let them all battle until only five are left standing. Or have them compete for five specific items. Simple. Don't box yourself in with fixed brackets."
Satoru's eyes lit up.
"Smart as always, brother!"
Eren gave a quiet chuckle and shrugged.
Refocused, Satoru straightened his posture and stepped forward, radiating confidence. His voice rang out clearly as he faced the students—his aura calm, his expression refined, like a sage descending from the mountains.
End of Chapter.