Ryōta nodded eagerly, following him through the entrance, his footsteps quick with anticipation. The urgency in his friend's voice suggested this was exactly the kind of development Hikaru had been hoping to avoid.
"I'm home," Hikaru called out as they stepped inside, automatically removing their shoes with practiced movements.
"Welcome back, Hikaru-kun," came Ayako's immediate response from the kitchen, followed by footsteps as she emerged to greet them. Her eyebrows rose with mild surprise at seeing Ryōta.
"Good afternoon, Ayako-san," Ryōta said with a respectful bow, though his body practically vibrated with contained excitement.
"Welcome, Ryōta-kun," Ayako replied warmly, though her eyes noted his agitated state. "Would you like some tea?"
"Thank you," Ryōta said, though his focus remained clearly on sharing his news, his hands already reaching for his Academy bag.
As they settled at the low table in their main room, Ryōta could barely contain himself. His hands fidgeted with his Academy bag as he prepared to deliver what was clearly important information, his leg bouncing under the table.
"The comprehensive assessments are scheduled for next week," Ryōta announced, his voice carrying both excitement and nervousness that made it pitch higher than usual.
Hikaru felt his stomach plummet like a stone thrown into deep water, though he fought to keep his expression neutral. "What exactly will they involve?"
"Everything," Ryōta said, leaning forward eagerly, his eyes bright with anticipation. "Written theory, chakra control demonstration, taijutsu evaluation, weapons proficiency, and mastery of the three basic Academy jutsu."
Ayako set down her tea cup carefully, the porcelain making a soft clink against the saucer as her expression grew serious. "That's quite comprehensive for first-year students."
"But that's not all," Ryōta continued, bouncing slightly in his seat with nervous energy. "Koji-sensei said that students who demonstrate exceptional competence will be offered opportunities for early graduation and immediate genin team assignment."
The words hit Hikaru like a physical blow to the chest, making his breath catch. This was his worst-case scenario—formal evaluations that would reveal his capabilities while potentially forcing advancement he had spent months trying to avoid.
"Early graduation?" Ayako's voice carried sharp concern, her posture stiffening. "Hikaru-kun is only seven years old. How can the village expect children to be ready for such responsibilities?"
"Uchiha Itachi graduated at seven," Ryōta pointed out, though his tone suggested he was repeating information rather than necessarily agreeing with it, his shoulders shrugging uncertainly. "His success has apparently inspired the village leadership to look for other exceptional students."
Ayako's lips pressed together in a thin line of disapproval, her hands clenching in her lap. "One exceptional case doesn't mean others should be pressured into similar timelines."
Hikaru found himself caught between panic that made his heart race and strategic thinking that tried to calculate options. His adult mind understood the village's needs, but his young body reminded him that graduating early would be dangerous.
"What are the other students saying about this?" Hikaru asked, his hand rising to rub his temples as tension built behind his eyes.
"Mixed responses," Ryōta admitted, his earlier excitement dimming slightly as his expression grew more thoughtful. "Some are excited about the opportunity, while others seem overwhelmed by the pressure. A few students from major clans have apparently already submitted applications for early graduation consideration."
"Applications?" Ayako's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "So participation isn't mandatory?"
"No, but..." Ryōta hesitated, his gaze shifting between the siblings with obvious discomfort. "Koji-sensei made it clear that exceptional performance during the assessments would result in recommendations for advancement regardless of whether students had formally applied."
The implication sent ice through Hikaru's veins. Students who demonstrated readiness would be expected to accept advancement opportunities whether they had sought them or not.
"I see," Hikaru said quietly, his mind already working through the strategic implications while his finger began tracing nervous patterns on the table. How am I supposed to demonstrate adequate competence without standing out?
"Are you planning to apply for early graduation, Ryōta-kun?" Ayako asked gently, though her eyes remained sharp with concern.
Ryōta's expression grew conflicted, his hands clenching and unclenching on the table. "I want to prove that dedicated effort can overcome natural limitations," he said slowly, determination hardening his voice. "But after training with Hikaru-kun, I've learned to be more honest about the difference between wanting something and being ready for it."
The wisdom in his response impressed Hikaru while highlighting the contrast between Ryōta's growing eagerness for advancement and his own persistent reluctance.
"What about you, Hikaru-kun?" Ryōta asked directly, leaning forward with intense curiosity. "Will you apply for early graduation if Koji-sensei recommends you?"
The question demanded honesty while potentially revealing more about his thoughts than he was comfortable sharing. Hikaru shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his shoulders hunching slightly.
"I still believe I need more foundation training before taking on genin responsibilities," Hikaru replied carefully, his voice measured. "These assessments might reveal my current capabilities, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to graduate early."
"But what if the village decides you're ready whether you agree or not?" Ryōta pressed, his eyes wide with concern. "Koji-sensei seemed to suggest that exceptional students might not have much choice in the matter."
The possibility that his preferences might be ignored entirely made anxiety spike through Hikaru's chest, his breathing becoming slightly shallow.
"Then I'll have to hope my performance reflects honest capability rather than artificial impressiveness," he said finally, his voice quieter than intended.
"You're worried about being forced into early graduation against your judgment," Ayako observed with her usual perceptiveness, her tone gentle but knowing.
"Yes," Hikaru admitted, relief flooding through him that she understood his concerns. "Rushing development creates weaknesses that become dangerous later. The village's current needs don't change the importance of proper preparation."
The conversation continued for another hour, covering practical aspects of the upcoming assessments. When Ryōta finally departed, his steps carried renewed determination about applying for the early graduation competition.
After their friend left, Ayako turned to Hikaru with a knowing expression that made him feel transparent. "You're planning to hold back during these assessments, aren't you?"
The directness of the question made Hikaru's eyes widen with surprise. "I'm planning to demonstrate honest capability without creating impressions that might force advancement I'm not ready for."
"That's a difficult balance to maintain during formal evaluations," Ayako observed, stirring her tea thoughtfully while her eyes studied his face. "Especially if the assessors are specifically looking for exceptional students."
"I know," Hikaru admitted, his shoulders sagging as he slumped slightly in his chair. "But attempting to meet expectations I'm not ready for would be more dangerous than disappointing people."
"Your parents would be proud of your thoughtfulness about such decisions," Ayako said quietly, warmth entering her voice. "They always emphasized the importance of solid foundations over impressive displays."
As the night settled in, Hikaru found himself at his study table, practicing calligraphy for his sealing technique training. The precise brush strokes required steady hands and careful chakra control—skills that had improved gradually over months of patient practice.
Fūinjutsu had become his secret project, building on his mother's detailed notes about the fundamentals of sealing theory. The kanji characters had to be perfect, with exactly the right amount of chakra infused into each stroke. Even small mistakes could make a seal completely useless or dangerously unstable.
At least this is one skill they won't be testing, Hikaru thought as he carefully drew another practice character, his brush moving with practiced precision. The Academy didn't teach sealing techniques to first-year students, so his progress in this area would remain safely hidden.
He had managed to create a few simple storage seals that actually worked, though most of his attempts resulted in faulty seals that he kept anyway. Never know when they might be useful for pranks, he mused, examining a particularly unstable explosive seal that had failed spectacularly during testing.
The expense of sealing supplies—special paper, chakra-infused ink, and precision brushes—had been significant. But when he had consulted with Ayako about the cost, she had simply nodded and told him to continue his studies. Her support meant everything to him.
She's not just a big sister anymore, Hikaru thought as he heard her finishing her evening chores in the kitchen, the soft sounds of dishes being cleaned. Despite being only seventeen, she's more mature than anyone else I know.
After completing her household tasks, Ayako appeared at his door with something that made her expression unusually bright with excitement.
"Hikaru-kun," she called softly, her hands moving behind her back to pull out what looked like tickets.
Hikaru glanced at the clock on his table, setting aside his practice materials with careful movements. "What's up, Onee-chan?"
Ayako stepped into his room, holding up two colorful tickets with a smile that lit up her entire face. "I got two tickets for the circus show in two weeks."
"We haven't spent a lot of time together lately; how about it?" Ayako's smile grew even happier as she added, "I heard there will be many animal shows; we can go and relax. Are you interested?"
The invitation surprised Hikaru, who wondered why a circus was taking place in the village during such tense times. He remembered a circus from one of the stories he'd heard, but he wasn't sure if it was the same.
He could understand her intention when she invited him to attend the circus performance. Hikaru's lips curved up into a genuine smile, and he replied, "Sure, it should be fun, but I didn't know there was even one in the village."
"Of course, none of you ninjas would care; all you think about is training and missions," Ayako replied with mock irritation, crossing her arms while her eyes twinkled with amusement. "There are many things aside from training that you should take a look at, Hikaru-kun."
Hikaru nodded his head in acknowledgment, realizing that she was partially correct. In this world, there weren't just shinobi roaming the country; civilians also lived normal lives with their own entertainment.
A circus, in his opinion, was rare at this specific time. He wasn't sure if this was one way for the village to relieve stress from the ongoing tension or just a coincidence.
"Don't sleep late; you're still young," Ayako reminded him as she turned to leave his room, though her tone was gentle rather than scolding. "There is plenty of time to study."
Hikaru smiled at her, thinking, I really hope there is plenty of time to study, as you said.
After she left, Ayako returned again, this time with a wrapped package in her hands that made her expression grow serious and emotional, her fingers trembling slightly.
"I have something else for you, Hikaru-kun," she said, offering the package with hands that shook with barely contained emotion.
"What's this, Onee-chan?" Hikaru asked, accepting the package with growing curiosity, noting how carefully she held it.
"Something I've been saving for the right moment," she said, her voice carrying significant weight while her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I think that moment has arrived."
Inside the wrapping was a simple but beautifully crafted leather pouch, clearly designed for carrying ninja tools and supplies. The craftsmanship was exceptional, with reinforced stitching and compartments for organized storage.
"It was Otou-san's," Ayako explained quietly, her hands clasping together nervously as her voice grew thick with emotion. "He used it during his early missions as a genin. I thought... if you're going to be evaluated as a potential shinobi, you should carry proper equipment."
The gift's significance went far beyond its practical value. By offering their father's gear, Ayako was acknowledging the reality of his advancing development while providing a tangible connection to the family legacy.
"Thank you, Onee-chan," Hikaru said, his throat tightening with emotion as he examined the pouch's construction with reverent fingers. "I'll use it wisely and remember what it represents."
"Just promise me you'll make decisions based on honest assessment rather than external pressure," Ayako replied, her own voice thick with complex emotions as a tear tracked down her cheek. "Being worthy of advancement means knowing when you're not ready as much as recognizing when you are."
"I promise, Onee-chan," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
After Ayako left, Hikaru stood looking at his messy table scattered with practice papers and ink stains. "I guess slacking off one night wouldn't be that bad," Hikaru muttered. Standing up from his seat and stretching, his muscles ached from sitting hunched over his work for hours, but more than that, his mind felt heavy with everything that had happened.
He prepared for bed slowly, deciding to rest early for the first time in weeks, though his mind continued racing with thoughts of assessments, family expectations, and the growing weight of decisions that seemed too large for his young shoulders.