Chapter 109: Interview Day
This sudden increase in Souta's finances brought him some relief, yet he did not spend much of that money. After all, Souta had not even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet—the graduation interview had not even begun, and it would only start tomorrow.
To Souta, all of this was merely the beginning—his rising popularity as a writer did not necessarily mean it would help him in the harsh and demanding world of shinobi. Thus, Souta chose to keep saving, preserving his earnings so they could serve him in the uncertain days ahead.
Because of that, Souta resolved to spend this day wisely, cherishing the calm before tomorrow, when he would face the graduation interview with a steady and prepared heart. He lay on his bed, staring quietly at the ceiling, letting his mind wander before finally pulling himself up.
He slid down from the mattress, his bare feet brushing the cool floor as he stepped out of his room. The moment he opened the door, the small living space greeted him—the humble common area of his modest apartment. Without delay, he made his way toward the bathroom, situated right beside his room and directly across from the kitchen.
The sound of his footsteps echoed faintly against the wooden floorboards, while the faint, dry scent of desert sand slipped in through the cracks of the front door.
After washing up, Souta returned to his room to change into fresh clothes. Water droplets still clung to his skin, a cooling freshness awakening his senses. With renewed energy, he then stepped into the kitchen to prepare his breakfast.
In that simple kitchen, Souta lit a small oil stove, setting a small pot on top before beginning his morning routine. Soon, the aroma of rice and a light, simple soup slowly drifted into the air, filling the apartment with warmth. His stomach rumbled in response, and his morning spirit gradually rose alongside the simmering scent of food.
...
...
...
The next morning, Souta awoke from his sleep. From outside came the faint cries of desert birds, their distant calls blending with the sighing wind of Sunagakure that scraped softly against the stone walls of his apartment.
His eyelids lifted slowly, and sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of his small room, spilling across his face that still carried the faint creases of lingering dreams. He blinked several times, adjusting to the brightness that felt almost too sharp.
Drawing in a deep breath, Souta's chest expanded before he exhaled slowly, steadying himself. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, he let his feet touch the cold floor.
For a brief moment, he stared blankly downward, savoring that fleeting silence before the start of his routine. Then, pushing against the weight of morning drowsiness, he rose and walked to the bathroom.
The sound of the faucet opening echoed in the small space, and cool water splashed against his face and body. The refreshing chill steadily swept away the remnants of sleepiness still clinging to him.
The mirror reflected his damp hair and a face that looked more alive than it had a moment ago. Finished with his shower, with droplets still tracing paths down from the tips of his hair, Souta returned to his room.
Inside, he pulled out the clothes he had laid out the night before. His hands moved quickly, dressing himself in neat yet simple attire. Once finished, he made his way to the tiny kitchen, which sat connected directly to his small living area.
The quiet, dry air of the desert seemed to linger even inside, mixing with the faint stillness of the kitchen. Souta lit the stove once more, boiling water as he prepared a packet of instant noodles. The bubbling sound of boiling water filled the silence, accompanied by the rising steam that soon clouded the little space.
The savory scent of noodles filled the air, making his hunger more urgent. Souta poured the hot water in, watching the noodles soften, before eating them quickly yet savoring the simple comfort they brought.
When he finished, he set the bowl into the sink, washed his hands, and headed out of his apartment.
At the same time, the door of the neighboring apartment opened. From within stepped Pakura. Her green hair caught the morning light, and her calm expression carried the ever-present sharpness of a shinobi prepared for anything.
"Oh, yo! Already ready for the interview?" Souta asked with a grin, his cheerful tone deliberately lightening the morning air.
"Yes." Pakura nodded lightly in response, her face composed and cool, though her eyes softened ever so slightly.
...
Chapter 110: So, No Need to Be Nervous
"Then let's go together!" Souta said with a wide smile, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"Of course." Pakura nodded again, this time with a faint warmth softening her usual calm demeanor.
They stepped out of the apartment building. The desert wind drifted gently through the streets, carrying with it fine grains of sand that shimmered faintly under the morning sunlight.
The sandstone-paved roads of Sunagakure felt alive with movement, filled with the activity of other Academy students who were also preparing for this important day.
"By the way, how is it? Have you managed to develop your new Ninjutsu?" Souta asked as they descended the stone stairs, his voice laced with curiosity.
"I've already created three new Ninjutsu." Pakura answered steadily, her tone calm as she walked just behind him.
"I see, that's truly amazing." Souta replied, his eyes sparkling with genuine admiration, his lips curving into another smile.
Now side by side, they strolled along the streets of Sunagakure, heading toward the Ninja Academy. The morning air felt dry, yet warm, wrapping around them in the shadows cast by the tall sandstone buildings.
"No, you're the more remarkable one. You've become a well-known novelist, and on top of that, you've even created wooden puppets to use in Kugutsu no Jutsu. That's truly extraordinary." Pakura countered, shaking her head lightly, her clear eyes fixed ahead.
"Hey, that's nowhere near as great as being able to create Ninjutsu of your own. Everyone knows creating a Ninjutsu requires a deep understanding of chakra, hand seals, elemental affinities, and knowledge of countless other techniques. And you've managed to create three of them! That's incredible. One could even say you're a genius among geniuses!" Souta said, shaking his head, his expression now serious, his admiration for Pakura laid bare in his words.
"That… well, I suppose you're right…" Pakura replied with the faintest smile, a subtle blush coloring her cheeks.
"Hey! What are you two talking about?" A cheerful voice suddenly rang out. They turned to see Makima approaching, waving her hand in a relaxed manner.
"Makima." Souta and Pakura answered in unison, as if they had rehearsed it beforehand.
"So, what were you talking about?" Makima asked with a bright smile, her steps light as she fell into pace with them.
"Nothing much, just everyday things." Souta replied with a smile, his tone deliberately casual.
"Is that so? By the way… aren't you two nervous about the interview?" Makima asked, her expression shifting into one of unease. Her eyes darted around restlessly, and her hands clenched together tightly in front of her.
"No. Why would I need to be nervous?" Pakura asked with genuine confusion, tilting her head slightly, as though the very idea of nerves was absurd to her.
Makima froze at the question, staring at Pakura in shock. Her lips parted slightly, unable to hide her disbelief at such a carefree answer.
"I see… so there's no need to be nervous?" Makima murmured, her smile awkward, her eyes shifting toward Souta, silently asking him to confirm.
"It's fine if you're nervous now, but when the interview starts, you mustn't let the nerves get to you." Souta said with a gentle, reassuring smile, his tone calm yet filled with confidence.
"I understand! Thank you, Souta." Makima answered, relief brightening her expression, her smile more genuine this time.
"No problem." Souta nodded slightly.
The three of them continued walking toward the Ninja Academy, blending into the crowd of students who were also facing their graduation interviews that day. The streets buzzed with chatter—some students visibly anxious, tapping their feet or wringing their hands, while others tried to act composed, masking their nerves with forced laughter or lighthearted jokes.
…
…
…
Now, Souta and the others sat waiting for their names to be called into the interview room. The waiting area was thick with tension. Some students bounced their legs restlessly, others kept their eyes glued to the floor, and a few tried to crack jokes to ease the heavy atmosphere that hung in the room.
________________________
[Note: Over 50 new chapters have just been added! For only $3, you can gain early access to chapters released far ahead of schedule.
Get access to the latest chapters before they appear on Webnovel and Scribblehub—
Just become a patron on Patreon:
Patreon.com/Alex_Fabianoki]