Chapter 111: My Name is Souta!
Several students had already been called one by one, their names echoing every time the door opened and the teacher's voice rang out. Yet, among them, Souta, Pakura, and Makima had not been summoned. Every ticking second stretched endlessly, hearts pounding harder with each passing moment.
And then, Souta's name was called.
"Souta!"
The voice of a teacher standing at the waiting room's door resonated clearly, sharp enough that several heads turned instinctively toward him. Souta straightened his posture, forcing composure into his body, then rose quickly from his seat.
"Good luck, Souta!" Makima encouraged him with her bright, cheerful face, her small fist pumping confidently into the air.
"Don't be nervous." Pakura added, her tone flat yet sincere. The way she said it felt slightly awkward to Souta, but he chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he responded with a warm smile and a short nod toward both of them, silently accepting their support.
With steady steps, Souta walked toward the exit of the waiting room. He could feel the weight of gazes trailing across his back—some students watching in admiration, others nervously imagining what it would be like when their own names were called.
He turned left, following the teacher who was escorting him down the corridor toward the interview room. The Academy hallway was unnervingly silent, only the echo of their synchronized footsteps filling the stone passage. A faint chill seeped from between the stone walls, a stark contrast to the dry desert air waiting outside.
When they arrived at the interview room, the teacher escorting Souta rapped politely on the wooden door.
Tok, tok. The sound of the knock was firm, deliberate.
From inside, a voice replied—calm yet commanding, not raised but leaving no space for hesitation.
"Enter."
The teacher opened the door for him, and Souta stepped forward, his movements careful but resolute. The moment he crossed the threshold, his eyes immediately caught the heavy, serious atmosphere dominating the room.
Three figures sat behind a sturdy long table. In front of them was a simple wooden chair, clearly prepared for the students who would be tested. Souta swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry, before walking toward that chair. He sat with his back straight, forcing his posture to project confidence, even as his heart raced faster than usual inside his chest.
On the right side sat his own instructor, Aomi. Her face carried a gentle smile, but her eyes, sharp and observant, revealed that she was carefully evaluating every movement he made. To the left was the Head of the Ninja Academy, his expression stern, his gaze sharp and penetrating, as though he could see straight through Souta's heart.
And between the two of them sat the one who made the air in the room feel heavier—the Third Kazekage himself. His eyes were deep, filled with overwhelming authority, as if he could weigh every detail of Souta's being with a single glance.
Souta drew a slow, steady breath. This was the moment he had been both longing for and fearing.
"Introduce yourself first, child." The Third Kazekage's words flowed softly, yet each syllable carried unmistakable weight. His voice was deep and commanding, like the desert wind—gentle on the surface, but hiding immense, unyielding power beneath.
The Kazekage's gaze bore into him, sharp yet not without warmth, testing him while also offering an unspoken push of encouragement.
"My name is Souta!" Souta introduced himself, his voice low and slightly trembling, but still firm enough to be heard.
His nervousness was palpable, though he tried desperately to mask it behind a calm expression. Both of his hands gripped tightly onto the sides of his trousers, as though anchoring himself, suppressing the awkwardness that threatened to betray him to anyone watching closely.
"Ah? I mean, also tell us what you like, what you dislike, and then state your ambitions. After that, show us the three basic Ninjutsu you've learned, and we will proceed with our evaluation." The Third Kazekage explained slowly, his voice flowing with the patience of a teacher, yet unshakably firm in its expectation. His gaze never wavered for even a moment, unrelenting as he observed how the boy in front of him would respond.
...
Chapter 112: Graduation Interview
"Ah? Forgive me!" Souta, who had just realized his mistake, quickly bowed deeply. His body stiffened, as if weighed down by guilt. His face flushed red, and his voice carried a tone of genuine remorse.
"Hahaha! It's alright!" The Third Kazekage let out a soft chuckle, his laughter light yet filled with a fatherly warmth. The gentle smile on his face dissolved the tension that had briefly hung in the air, making the atmosphere far more comfortable.
Aomi, who stood nearby, covered her lips with her hand as she let out a faint smile, while the Head of the Ninja Academy also gave a quiet laugh, both clearly signaling that they accepted the boy's apology.
"My name is Souta. The things I like... I like learning new things. I also like wooden puppets; because of that, I often watch puppet shows—" Souta began to explain slowly. His tone carried a bit more confidence than before, though a faint tremor still lingered in his voice, betraying his nervousness. Yet his words abruptly halted as he was suddenly interrupted.
"Ohh! You like wooden puppets? Do you wish to become a Kugutsu master ninja?" The Third Kazekage raised an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling with interest. His voice shifted into one of livelier enthusiasm, as though he had stumbled upon something fascinating in Souta's answer.
"Yes, that is what I wish for!" Souta replied quickly, nodding his head. His face seemed to glow with excitement, his eyes shining with conviction, though cold sweat still dripped faintly from his temple.
"Hoho, interesting. Then, please continue." The Third Kazekage gave a small nod, his lips curving into a thin smile. This time, his gaze sharpened with genuine attentiveness, as though he didn't want to miss a single word that left the boy's mouth.
"The things I dislike... I suppose none... Oh, but I dislike being disturbed while eating, or while I'm sleeping, that's all." Souta spoke while pondering, his eyes glancing slightly upward as he tried to recall what he truly disliked. His expression remained pure and unfeigned, making his words feel wholly sincere.
"I see... Then, what is your dream, Souta?" This time, Aomi's gentle voice broke the silence. Her tone was soft and filled with genuine curiosity, carrying the warmth of an elder sister who cared deeply for her younger brother. Her gaze seemed to pierce through him, searching for something beyond the simple answers of an ordinary child.
"I... I want to make the Village of Sunagakure into a village that is advanced and prosperous." Souta spoke the words firmly.
His eyes were fixed straight ahead, gazing calmly at the three adults before him without a trace of hesitation. His voice radiated sincerity, as if it was not merely a child's answer, but a conviction born from the depths of his heart.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the room shifted into silence. The three adults exchanged glances, their faces clearly showing their astonishment.
The Third Kazekage, almost without realizing it, parted his lips slightly. His eyes widened in surprise—an expression rarely seen on the face of such a great leader, a man usually enveloped in dignity and composure.
Normally, when children were asked about their dreams, their answers were almost always the same: to become the Kazekage, to be the strongest ninja, or to be renowned across the world.
But Souta, with his plain and innocent voice, spoke of something different. Something greater than a mere title. Something that touched upon the future of the entire village. His words were simple, yet carried profound weight.
As the whole shinobi world knew, Konohagakure stood as the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages, followed by Kumogakure, then Iwagakure, next Kirigakure, and lastly, Sunagakure—at the very bottom.
A village often considered weak, burdened by the harshness of its desert environment, and constantly struggling with its limited resources.
That was why, when they heard Souta say he wished to make Sunagakure into a village that was advanced and prosperous—not just to become Kazekage or the strongest ninja—the three adults were truly taken aback.
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