The walk to Division 1's grounds was... awkward.
Not because of Minato—he walked ahead in silence, hands in his pockets, looking like he was contemplating the meaning of life or possibly just what to have for lunch. No, the awkwardness came entirely from the walking disaster beside Rin.
Takamichi Yuji.
Every ten steps, Yuji would glance at Rin, smirk, then look away like he'd just won some invisible argument. It was infuriating.
"You know," Rin muttered under his breath, "if you keep making that face, it's gonna get stuck like that."
"What was that, *cousin?*" Yuji said sweetly, though his eyes said *I will end you.*
"Nothing. Just thinking out loud."
"Mm. Try thinking *quietly.* Some of us prefer not to listen to the ramblings of flukes."
Rin's eye twitched. "Fluke? I scored the same as you!"
"You scored a *glitch,*" Yuji corrected, brushing an imaginary speck of dust off his pristine robes. "There's a difference."
Before Rin could fire back, Minato stopped walking.
"We're here," he said flatly.
Rin looked up—and his jaw dropped.
The Division 1 Grounds were *massive.* A sprawling compound with multiple training yards, a traditional dojo, perfectly maintained gardens, and a main building that looked like it belonged in a history textbook. Everything was clean, organized, and clearly expensive.
"This is where we live?" Rin whispered, eyes wide.
"This is where *I* live," Yuji corrected smugly. "You're just visiting."
"Both of you, shut up," Minato said without looking back. "You're not the only new recruits. We're waiting for one more."
"One more?" Yuji frowned. "Who—"
"MAKE WAY FOR ROYALTY!"
The shout came from behind them, loud and obnoxious and somehow both entitled *and* whiny at the same time.
Rin turned around.
A boy about their age came strutting up the path, dressed in the most absurdly ornate robes Rin had ever seen—gold trim, embroidered dragons, and so many layers it looked like he was wearing a small tent. His hair was perfectly styled, his posture screamed *I'm better than you,* and he was trailed by two exhausted-looking servants carrying his luggage.
"Greetings, commoners!" the boy announced, stopping dramatically in front of them. "I am **Prince Daichi,** third son of His Majesty the King, and your *clearly* superior squadmate. You may bow."
Silence.
Rin and Yuji exchanged a look—possibly the first time they'd ever agreed on anything.
"Is he serious?" Rin whispered.
"I... think so," Yuji whispered back, looking genuinely confused.
"I SAID BOW!" Daichi snapped, stomping his foot.
"Yeah, no," Rin said.
"Hard pass," Yuji agreed.
Daichi's face turned red. "Do you *know* who I am?! I am ROYALTY! My father is the KING! You will show me RESPECT or I'll have you—"
"You'll have them *what?*" Minato said coldly, suddenly standing directly behind Daichi.
The prince froze. Slowly, he turned around, looking up at Minato's completely unimpressed face.
"I... uh... I was just... establishing hierarchy?" Daichi tried weakly.
"Here's the hierarchy," Minato said, voice flat. "I'm the captain. Everyone else is equally worthless until they prove otherwise. That includes you, *Prince.*"
Daichi opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"But... but I'm *royalty—*"
"I don't care if you're the Creator God himself. In my division, you're just another rookie." Minato turned and started walking toward the main building. "Now stop wasting my time and keep up."
Daichi stood there, sputtering, while his servants tried very hard not to laugh.
Rin grinned. "I think I'm gonna like it here."
---
Inside the main building, they were greeted by the smell of fresh tea and the sight of the most beautiful girl Rin had ever seen.
She was standing in the center of the room, pouring tea with the grace of someone who'd done it a thousand times. Her long black hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and she wore a simple but elegant training uniform. When she looked up and smiled, Rin's brain short-circuited.
"Welcome," she said warmly. "You must be the new recruits. I'm **Ryo Maki.** It's nice to meet you."
Rin's mouth moved, but no sound came out.
Yuji, for once, looked equally stunned.
Even Daichi stopped mid-tantrum to stare.
"I... uh... hi?" Rin finally managed.
"Hello," Yuji said, somehow recovering faster and turning on the charm. He stepped forward with a smooth smile. "Takamichi Yuji. It's an honor to meet someone as... refined as yourself."
Maki blinked, clearly not expecting that. "Oh. Um. Thank you?"
"I'm Rin!" Rin blurted out, practically shoving Yuji aside. "Takamichi Rin! Not related to him! Well, technically related, but we're not close! Anyway, hi!"
Maki giggled. "You're very energetic."
Rin's heart exploded.
"STEP ASIDE, PEASANTS!" Daichi shoved both of them out of the way and dropped to one knee in front of Maki, grabbing her hand dramatically. "Fair maiden! I am Prince Daichi, third son of His Majesty! Your beauty has captured my heart! Marry me!"
The room went silent.
Maki stared at him.
Rin stared at him.
Yuji stared at him.
Even Minato, who'd been walking away, stopped and slowly turned around.
"Did he just—" Rin started.
"He did," Yuji confirmed, looking horrified.
Maki gently pulled her hand back, her smile never wavering. "That's very flattering, Prince Daichi, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
"WHAT?!" Daichi gasped. "But I'm *royalty!* I'm rich! I'm handsome! I'm—"
"Annoying," Minato finished. "Maki, show them to their rooms before I throw the prince out a window."
"Yes, Captain," Maki said with a slight bow.
As she led them down the hallway, all three boys followed like loyal puppies.
---
The tour was going smoothly—right up until *he* appeared.
One moment, the hallway was empty. The next, a figure was standing directly in front of them, as if he'd materialized out of thin air.
Rin yelped and jumped back. "Where the hell did you come from?!"
The guy didn't answer. He was tall, probably eighteen or nineteen, with sharp features and piercing dark eyes. His expression was cold, serious, and completely unreadable. He wore his uniform perfectly, his katana strapped to his side with military precision.
"Excuse me," he said quietly, his voice low and even.
And then he started to walk past them.
"O-oh! Hinata!" Maki stammered, her face turning bright red. "I didn't see you there! How was your training? Did you—uh—are you hungry? I made tea! Well, I always make tea, but—um—"
Hinata paused, glancing at her with the faintest hint of acknowledgment. "Thank you, Maki. Maybe later."
And then he was gone.
Maki stood there, clutching her hands to her chest, looking like she'd just been blessed by the gods themselves.
Rin, Yuji, and Daichi all exchanged looks.
"Who," Rin said slowly, "was *that?*"
"That's Sosuke Hinata," Maki said dreamily, still staring down the hallway. "He's... amazing."
"Amazing how?" Yuji asked, though his tone suggested he already hated this guy.
"He's the hardest worker in the entire samurai corps," Maki gushed. "He trains every single day, sometimes for twelve hours straight. Captain Minato says he's his favorite because he reminds him of the old era—when samurai relied on skill and discipline instead of just talent and the gods sealed in their katanas."
"So he's a try-hard," Daichi muttered.
"He's *dedicated,*" Maki corrected, shooting him a look. "And tomorrow, he's going to be your trainer."
Rin blinked. "Wait, *him?* But he's barely older than us!"
"Age doesn't matter," Maki said seriously. "Hinata is one of the strongest members of Division 1. You'll learn a lot from him."
"Great," Yuji muttered. "Can't wait."
Rin didn't say anything, but inside, one thought echoed loudly:
*That guy better not be interested in Maki, or I swear—*
"He's not interested in me, by the way," Maki added casually, as if reading his mind. "I've tried. He's married to his training."
"Oh, thank god," Rin said before he could stop himself.
Maki raised an eyebrow.
"I MEAN—uh—that's sad! For you! Very sad!"
Yuji snorted.
---
That night, Rin lay in his new room, staring at the ceiling.
It was a nice room. Way nicer than anything he'd ever had before. Clean bed, working lights, a window with an actual view. He should've been happy.
But all he could think about was tomorrow.
Training with the Division 1 prodigy. The guy who scared even *Yuji* into silence.
"No pressure," Rin muttered to himself. "Just don't die. Easy."
He closed his eyes.
Somewhere down the hall, he could hear Daichi yelling about thread count.
Yeah. He was *definitely* going to fit in here.
---
**The Next Morning**
Rin woke up to someone banging on his door.
"UP! NOW!" Maki's cheerful voice rang out. "Training starts in ten minutes!"
"Ten—WHAT?!" Rin bolted upright, nearly falling out of bed.
He threw on his uniform, splashed water on his face, and sprinted outside—only to find Yuji and Daichi already waiting in the training yard, both looking far too composed for this early in the morning.
"Nice of you to join us," Yuji said dryly.
"I overslept! Sue me!"
"SILENCE!" Daichi barked. "As royalty, I demand we begin immediately! I have a massage appointment at noon!"
Before Rin could respond, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
Sosuke Hinata.
He looked exactly the same as yesterday—cold, serious, and vaguely terrifying.
"Good morning," he said evenly, drawing his katana in one smooth motion. The blade gleamed in the morning light. "Today, you'll begin your training."
"Uh," Rin said, raising his hand. "What kind of training?"
Hinata's expression didn't change.
"Simple," he said. "Three versus one. If you can land a single hit on me, you pass."
"Wait, seriously?" Rin blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it."
Yuji frowned. "And if we don't?"
Hinata's eyes glinted.
"Then you'll repeat this exercise every day until you do."
Daichi puffed out his chest. "HAH! Three against one? This'll be *easy!* I'll defeat you in seconds, commoner!"
Hinata didn't respond. He just stood there, katana raised, waiting.
Rin glanced at Yuji. Yuji glanced back.
For the second time in two days, they silently agreed on something:
*This is going to suck.*
"Begin," Hinata said.
And all hell broke loose.
---