RAIZEN POV
The boy shouldn't be alive.
That's the first thing running through my head as we move through the trees. My squad follows behind me, whispering doubts under their breath, but I ignore it. I keep replaying what I saw back there—the way he moved, the way he reacted.
"Captain… you're really bringing him back?" one of my men asks. He tries to sound stern, but I hear the fear underneath.
I stop walking and turn slightly. "A boy no older than fifteen sensed your Ki the moment you got within ten meters," I say. "And you're supposed to be elite. What do you think that means?"
He has no answer.
None of them do.
I continue walking, letting my thoughts settle. I keep seeing the moment he threw that kunai back—no Ki, just pure strength and instinct. It wasn't normal. And the way he stood still after we beat him down… like he was letting us.
Like he was studying us.
And then there's how he looks.
Long black hair tied loosely, some falling over his face. Pale skin. Lean muscle built from real training, not childish drills. And those eyes—cold, sharp, like he's always thinking ahead. They reminded me of those old nobles before the purge. The ones who carried themselves like they owned the world.
The sword on his back bothers me the most. Black blade. Red wrap. Old, ancient-looking. I've only ever seen something similar in old paintings.
Whoever this kid is… he's not normal.
And that's exactly why he's useful.
We reach the village gates. They open for us instantly; the guards sense something is off. They stare at the boy slumped over one of my men's shoulders, covered in dirt and bruises. They assume he's harmless.
Idiots.
I go straight to the main building where the Chief waits. He's old, but sharp—eyes always scanning. A former prodigy in his time.
"Report," he says.
I bow slightly out of respect. "We found something… unusual."
I tell him everything. The ambush. The way the boy moved. His strange presence. The sword.
The Chief listens quietly, then leans back. "A child with that level of Ki sensitivity is rare. Too rare. And you're certain he wasn't using Ki during the fight?"
"He didn't need to," I reply.
The Chief lets out a long breath, tapping his fingers on the table. "Bring him in. I want to see him myself."
"Yes, sir."
I bow again, then exit the room.
As I walk, my men fall in beside me, still uneasy.
"Captain," one whispers, "what if he's dangerous?"
I don't stop walking. "He is."
They stiffen.
"But dangerous things can be shaped," I add. "If we don't take him, someone else will."
They fall silent after that.
Ryu POV
The bag over my head smells like dirt and sweat. Not the worst thing I've smelled, but annoying. They lead me through what I assume is a gate, then down a path. I can sense the villagers… weak Ki signatures everywhere. Quiet. Peaceful.
Different from how I remember the world when I was a kid.
Someone pulls the bag off.
Light hits my eyes. I squint and look around. Wood buildings, stone paths, people carrying baskets, Shinobi standing guard on rooftops. It's nothing like the Ryoma estate. And that makes my chest tighten a little, though I don't let it show.
"Move," one of the shinobi says.
I follow them into a large building. Inside, an older man sits at a wooden desk, papers stacked beside him. His hair is grey, tied back. His eyes are sharp.
Raizen stands behind me.
"Is this the boy?" the leader asks.
"Yes," Raizen replies.
I keep my face blank as the old man studies me. His eyes linger on my sword next.
"Where did you get that blade?" he asks.
"Found it," I lie.
His expression doesn't change. "Name?"
"Ryu."
"Last name?"
"…Just Ryu."
His eyebrow twitches slightly. He knows I'm hiding something, but he can't prove it. He leans forward.
"You hide your Ki well. Too well for someone your age."
I stay quiet.
"And your stance…" His eyes trail down my posture. "Straight back. Controlled breathing. A passive guard position. You were trained as a samurai, weren't you?"
I shrug a little. "I've learned some things."
He exhales through his nose. "You're not normal. That much is clear."
He stands up.
"This world is changing," he says. "Conflicts are rising. Villages are preparing. Anyone with talent is valuable right now."
He steps closer.
"I'll be direct. You will join us. You will train under the Hatake Clan as a shinobi."
I don't react much. Truthfully, I expected this. I also need it. Tenma taught me Ki and space, but not Shinobi arts. If I want to survive the future… I need to learn from every angle.
"Fine," I say. "I'll train."
The leader nods, then signals to Raizen. "Good. Take him to the grounds. I want to see what he can actually do."
Raizen gestures for me to follow.
As we walk through the hall, he looks at me from the side.
"You didn't hesitate," he says.
"No reason to."
"You're hiding something."
"Everyone is."
He huffs a small laugh behind his mask. "Fair enough."
We exit the building and head toward a large open training field. Shinobi are sparring, practicing Ki strikes, moving in synchronized patterns. A few stop to look at me.
Raizen leads me to the center.
"Pick an opponent," he says.
A tall shinobi with a scar down his jaw steps forward before I speak. He cracks his knuckles.
"I'll fight him," he says. "Let's see what this 'mysterious' kid can do."
Raizen nods. "Fine. Don't kill him."
I take a slow breath, my hand resting near my sword. The crowd grows silent. The wind moves through the grass. My heart is steady—almost too steady.
The shinobi smirks. "Ready?"
I tighten my grip on the sword.
This is exactly what I need.
Training. Experience. Covers. A new life.
And a way to get stronger.
Raizen crosses his arms. "Begin."
I step forward.