[Satou Claire's POV.]
I sat there at one of the chairs near Yokka and Ren at the dining room, smiling in satisfaction at what I've achieved.
'Not bad. Not bad at all.'
Time had gone by so fast, I didn't even notice it. I have done a few things during this time frame, so there's quite a lot to go over.
My physique, for example, had improved greatly over the course of these weeks. I could do thrice the amount of push-ups, sit-ups, and squats compared to when I first started, along with almost twice-and-a-half times the pull-ups, and I was even starting to lose some baby fat in exchange for lean, functional muscle.
Evidently, there was a clear increase in arm strength, core strength, and especially my lower muscles. I wasn't exactly great at math, but if I had to guess, I could probably run somewhere around... thirty-and-something kilometers per hour. My jogging pace sat around twenty, I think.
I've also grown a bit...? It's hard to tell, but I can swear that I see a small difference when I look at myself in the mirror. Maybe two centimeters or so.
By the way, they also got us to start learning the basics of arithmetic, reading, and writing. When I first "arrived" here, I had already made a lot of progress in those areas—likely a result of my first gift. Be that as it may, I'm fine with just being talented at theory, though. That's enough of a cheat in my eyes.
I picked my chopsticks back up, and dived straight into my 3rd bowl of stew.
"Ne, tomorrow's the big day, isn't it?" Yokka said, no longer unphased by the ever-growing portions. "I'm really excited, because if we finally get into the academy, that means we don't have to keep doing this exercise stuff. And I don't want to keep doing it any longer, you know?! If they keep making us do all of that, I think I'll actually go insane!"
Ren nodded melancholically, "I agree. I'd much rather study and learn actual ninja tricks rather than just beating my body mindlessly."
I swallowed, setting the bowl down.
This kind of reminded me of my students, back then. Some of them would actually put in the effort at first, and once the pressure from whatever it was that pressured them faded away, they would either drop it to a light pace, or just stop entirely.
It's a common problem, and there's really nothing I can do about it. You can't just enforce this onto people and expect them to follow it without question.
"I think we have a pretty good chance. We've been giving it our best after all, right?" I said, resting my head against my hand. "I doubt it's gonna be all that, honestly."
"Exactly, exactly! That's what I'm saying, Claire!"
Ren nodded at that.
I just hope that they don't completely stop, otherwise, I'll have to try and step in.
///
The next morning, the matron woke us up very early.
At 6 freakin' AM, of all times. I know it's important, but damn! To wake literal children up at this ungodly hour? We usually slept until 9 or 10, and yet there was the matron, rushing us out of bed!
We ate breakfast, and then we got moving. We walked for a decent amount of time: I'd say twenty minutes or so, and then, we finally got there.
There was so, so much people.
More applicants around my age than I could count, accompanied by parents. There were even a few groups just like ours, each led by a single guardian. This is a bit far-fetched, but there was probably at least a thousand people attending this event! Likely even more.
"There..." I muttered, like a deer in headlights. "There sure is a large crowd today, isn't there?"
"Duh, what day do you think it is? Look at all the people!"
Needless to say, Yokka was ecstatic.
It was almost unbelievable how large the space was. And just a few hundred meters in front of us stood the Academy. Despite being far away, it was still imposing—well, I am a child, so of course it looked gigantic to me.
"It is time," a voice was heard from the distance, and I quickly turned to its direction. "I take it everyone summoned is now present?"
...The entire crowd went silent. That was damn loud. Could it be that he's using chakra to amplify his voice? I don't really see a mic or anything like that.
"Good. A moment of silence, please, for the Third Hokage himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen! Who will now deliver a speech directed to not just the children, but everyone that has come today."
Huh? The actual Third Hokage?
Then, for a moment, the north winds blew fiercely.
Leafs rustled against each other in the air, swirling around the plaza.
And there he was, without any warning. An ancient man, his face lined with wrinkles, a small grayed goatee running down his chin, clad in white-and-red robes, along with a tall, ornate hat bearing a red 'Fire' Kanji inscribed into the middle.
"It's really him...!" Yokka's eyes widened as she exclaimed in excitement.
So much people, and yet he remains perfectly composed. No wonder this man has survived three entire wars!
"Wonderful morning, is it not?" he casually said, his voice reverberating throughout the area. "I imagine everyone is doing well, on such a fine day."
His eyes moved around the silent crowd, taking in the sight of every single individual.
"I am pleased to see so many bright faces gathered here today. Bonds... they are truly what hold this village together. Family, friendship, even the fleeting connections we make are crucial to maintain the stability we all cherish.
Many of you are expecting to learn the various techniques that make a shinobi strong, do you not? You most certainly will, but do not forget this.
Strength without heart amounts to nothing! A shinobi's power only comes to light when there is something important to protect, a desire so intense it fuels every action, every decision, every single step you take. Without that spark, even the most powerful of jutsu can accomplish little.
Every year, shinobi are born and raised in Konoha. We live, fight to protect this very village and what is precious to us. Even if we are not related by blood, those that belong to this village, to me, are my most precious, most important... FAMILY!
That is what it means to carry the Will of Fire! It is a flame that burns deep within each one of us, unextinguishable to the very end!"
Each word resounded in my head as he continued his speech. This... this is the so-called propaganda known as the Will of Fire?
Crap, if I didn't know any better, I'd definitely have bought into it! Old man's dangerous and smooth with his words, no wonder he was able to train so many powerful loyal ninjas throughout the years! Tsunade, Jiraiya, and there was another one. A snake guy or something... it doesn't matter.
It didn't help that these words felt so genuine, either!
Before I could continue rambling in my own thoughts, I was cut off as he resumed his speech:
"That is precisely why Konoha's Academy exists. The seeds of tomorrow shall be planted, they will sprout, and with time, care, and perseverance... they will grow into the very trees that protect this village from harm.
Remember this, and listen well! A ninja must love his village, and hope to help preserve peace and prosperity for those who live in it!
Second, you will need a mind that will not yield, no matter the adversity you face. Hard work is the pillar of everything we've built!
Last. A ninja must be healthy in both mind and body. Should you not take proper care of yourself, you will fall sooner than you'd expect. Neglect either of those two aspects, and you'll find yourself unable to protect that which is precious to you, no matter how strong you may be.
Those are the three qualities expected of a Konoha Ninja!"
He finally raised a hand, taking off his hat with a nod, an honest-to-goodness smile on his face.
"With that, I declare this year's entrance ceremony concluded. May you young seedlings be successful in your studies, diligent in your training, and steadfast in the forms you shall form. Carry the Will of Fire deep within your hearts, and let it blaze!"
...
Holy shit.
Adults and children alike practically roared with their cheering, and the atmosphere was just so, so...
I gulped, and turned to face Yokka.
I assure you and I kid you not, somehow, there were literal stars sparkling in her eyes. How?! This doesn't make sense!
Before I knew it, I was being shook frantically by the little pyromaniac.
"CLAIRE! Did you hear all of that?! The Will of Fire sounds so damn cool! And, 'let it blaze'?! That was awesome!"
"Stoop thahahat!" I forced out while being shaken like a ragdoll. God, help me. "It is cool, just stop it!"
"Noooo!!!"
A few steps away from us, Ren stood frozen, looking straight ahead with conviction. As if he was... mesmerized.
Oh, he got him, too.
Hiruzen, you damn sly fox.
No matter—this still works for me. All that's left to do, is to completely demolish this entrance exam.
Time for my debut, eh?
Let's make it one of many.
-------------------
If you're liking the story so far, please support my P@treon below to read up to 5 chapters ahead of WebNovel!
Link - www.p atreon.com/RatOfDarkness2