Yuto walked down the long corridors of the Genin Corps training facility. He'd followed the maps and labeled sectors of the department engraved in the plates of each hallway. He figured it was so there were no excuses for being late or being out past curfew. He later found out through reading the rules and regulations pamphlet, that every hidden leaf facility included, that there was a curfew, and all genin residents were forbidden from leaving their floor after curfew and before reporting time. Genins are punished if seen out after curfew or on another floor. Apparently, there have been incidents where male and female residents have "had a little fun!" as the facility management worded it in the rules and regulations manual.
Yuto walked up the last set of steps, letting out a sigh. He was already sleep deprived, and now he was forced to walk up twenty flights of stairs. He questioned whether elevators had been invented yet, but suspected the answer was no.
He pushed open the door to his floor, seeing the same genin who was bad-mouthing him during the strength test at the training grounds.
He sighed again, seeing the grin planted on the genin's face.
"If it isn't the little weakling," the genin said.
"What can I help you with?" Yuto asked calmly, despite his brow twitching.
"Am I not allowed to walk down the stairs? Wouldn't want to take the window, would I?" he said, his filthy grin still planted on his face.
"Maybe you should take the window," Yuto murmured as he walked past the genin.
"What was that deadlast, I didn't quite catch that," he said, looking like he was fishing for a fight.
Yuto was about to respond, but a voice caught his ear.
"Nobutoshi! Why are you picking at a child?" said a blond-haired teenager calmly standing at the end of the hall.
"Touji? Don't tell me you're taking up for this brat," he said, surprised.
"No, I just get tired of seeing you flirting with every guy in the reserves," Touji said with a grin.
Yuto looked at the enraged Nobutoshi and calm Touji, a little awkward as he didn't even know the people in front of him.
"I was just trying to teach Suzuki here a lesson about respecting his elders," Nobutoshi said pompously.
Yuto scoffed, walking past the two as he had no interest in bickering with a pest like Nobutoshi. Plus, he was eager to see his room and get some cleaning done before he studied; it was one of the most important parts of Yuto's routine.
"Hey, where are you going? I'm not finished talking to you," Nobutoshi said with a growl.
"I'm not interested in men," Yuto said, following up on Touji's previous statement, as he walked away. He paid no mind to the enraged Nobutoshi as he walked past Touji, giving a small glance, noticing the Yamanaka clan crest on the back of his shirt.
"Yamanaka?" Yuto thought as it made sense, considering the blond hair, but not all had yellow hair, so he didn't immediately suspect it.
He eventually made it to his assigned room, pushing the door open lightly. The room was simple, having two twin-sized beds, a bedside table next to each bed, accompanied by a small lamp. There was a small closet, but the closet was... well, small.
His face became a frown; he wasn't concerned about the storage space he held his items in scrolls anyway, as he had no intentions of having his things taken. He had valuable medical and fuinjutsu scrolls, and if even one showed up missing, he'd be pissed, not to mention his tanto. The blade was not only expensive, but it was the only blade he had.
He pulled out his everyday Carrie scroll, unsealing a toothbrush, a pack of floss, some mouthwash, and a small plastic cup. He also had a few bars of soap, as he took constant showers, along with some shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. He made sure to grab everything he needed, as it was made clear that only at the start of the week were genin allowed access to the dispensary center. Of course, the facility management was more lenient on female residents, for obvious reasons.
He neatly placed his items in the drawer of the bedside table before unsealing his clothing. His clothing was scarce as he refrained from bringing his expensive fabrics to the reserves.
Just as he was hanging up his last item, the door was pushed open. He raised a curious eyebrow, wondering who his roommate would be.
"Ahh, I sure am tired, said a voice as Yuto could hear the faint sound of sanddles being kicked sloppily on the ground.
He peeked from behind the closet door, seeing the black spiky hair and the familiar goggles on the genin's forehead.
"The same guy from before, huh?" Yuto thought, clearly not amused.
"Oh, I didn't know you were here! You are fully clothed, right?" he asked abrutlly loud.
Yuto raised an eyebrow. "You are?" Yuto said, questioningly.
The teenager rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Ohh, forgive me, I'm Hikari," he said, putting a hand out with a smile.
Yuto looked at his sweaty hand and frowned, closing the closet door and walking past Hikari's outstretched hand.
"Be sure to wash your hands before touching the doorknob," Yuto said.
"Oh, sorry, I kinda forgot," Hikari said sheepishly.
Yuto didn't even glance at him, walking to his bed and rolling up the scroll lying on it. He honestly didn't like guys like Hikari. Clumsy, nervous, and unsure of themselves. While he was a coward and a life clinging novice, in terms of being a shinobi, at least he put up a front. Guys like Hikari always died to naivety, failing to see the bigger picture. They believed being themselves was enough to be liked and appreciated, but in truth, having value and use were the only things that mattered, and nobody cared about your honest and charismatic nature, unless your name was Naruto.
He sighed before speaking. "I'm Yuto Suzuki. I presume you're my roommate unless you got lost," he said.
"Um, not at all. This is my room, I assure you," Hikari said.
"Why are you wearing goggles on your forehead if you have a headband?" Yuto asked, a little curious.
"Well, you see, my eyesight is quite poor; these are so I can see in battle," Hikari said.
"I see," Yuto said, taking a towel out of his drawer.
He started removing his clothing as he looked up, seeing Hikari looking at his skinny body. His ribs could be seen poking out of his torso, and his arms and legs looked as if they had no meat at all.
Yuto looked at the concerned look on Hikari's face, raising an eyebrow. "What?" Yuto asked, confused.
"Geeze, I mean, do you eat at all?"
"Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like shit," Hikari said, clearly surprised, noticing his frame and the bags under his eyes.
Yuto looked down at his skinny body, his boxers still intact, then back at Hikari, a frown on his face.
"My stomach can only fit one meal a day," Yuto said as if it were obvious.
"your kidding. No one can possibly live off just one meal a day!" Hikari said, clearly shocked.
"your no one to lie to," Yuto said, slinging a towel over his shoulder.
"I'll see for myself when they bring supper," Hikari said.
"Do what you want," Yuto said as he was about to leave.
"Wait! Um, will you be attending the get-together in the downstairs lounge?" Hikari asked.
"Huh, for what?" Yuto asked again.
"It's so everyone can get to know each other, like an ice breaker. Even the other two classes in our sector will be there!" Hikari exclaimed in excitement.
"I can't say that I'm interested. Besides, I'll be busy with studying," Yuto said, shrugging his shoulders.
This was actually true; he had almost a dozen scrolls of material to go over, and it would take him hours longer than usual without a mentor to explain the notes as the captain at the medical department did during lessons. Also, he had no intentions of being put in the spotlight after his performance today; it would be like signing up for a water dunk tank. He already took enough of that at the last lesson.
"Study? For what?" Hikari asked, confused.
"I'm an aspiring medic, and it takes immense dedication; I simply don't have time to play like children," Yuto said.
Hikari frowned, but gave a nod. "I see," he said.
Yuto went off to the showers, walking past the flurry of genin walking towards the staircase. He was tired and hungry, his head hurt, and his body ached like hell from pushing the boulder five times his size. He ignored the curious and weirded-out looks he got as the genin caught sight of his pitiful body. He frowned, hearing more whispers. He swore it was all they did. They looked at him and judged him, without even getting to know him. Sure, he acted disinterested most of the time, but he was human, too.
It just reminded him of when he was in high school, and it made his blood boil. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. It was unlike him to get out of character like this, as for the first time, he walked with his head down, afraid to meet the gazes. He channeled chakra to his ears, refusing to hear the whispers and laughs. He quickly scurried to the end of the hallway, where the showers were, as warm liquid ran down his face. This time it wasn't sweat as it was revealed to be tears.
Yuto pushed the doors to the showers open, running inside one of the showers and plopping on the wet floor, his boxers still on. He sobbed into his hands for the first time since he entered the ninja world. He was a mess as he struggled to breathe from the constant sobbing and shaking. He pulled his knees to his chest, hugging them tightly as he released all his emotions in the form of tears and sobs.
"I'm acting like a little bitch," Yuto thought, wiping the tears from his face as he sniffled.
His heart sank hearing a voice call out in the showers.
"Is anybody in there?" asked a commanding voice.
Yuto knew that voice; it was none other than the chunin instructor.
Yuto started to wipe his tears faster, sniffling the drool under his nose.
He knew he couldn't hide from a chunin, and as expected, the shower curtain was forcibly pulled open, revealing the green chunin vest.
Yuto looked up at the man with contempt, with teary and red eyes, his pale face clearly showing red.
"Suzuki?" the instructor said, confused as he hadn't expected Yuto of all people to be there.
Yuto said nothing, looking away.
The instructor's face softened seeing Yuto blinking out his teary eyes.
"You were crying... but why?"
"It's nothing!" Yuto spat out, taking his boxers off and turning the water on, despite the instructor still being there.
The instructor gasped, seeing Yuto's skinny and frail body.
"You should eat more," the instructor whispered out looking down, diverting his eyes away from Yuto's business.
Yuto stayed silent, grabbing his soap bar and a rag. he couldn't care less about the instructor's presence; he knew the man wasn't a creep.
"I consume just enough," Yuto said, his voice shaky and low, from his previous crying.
"But..." the instructor said, but was cut off.
"Just... go," Yuto said, his voice still shaky, not even looking at the instructor.
The instructor hesitated but relented and closed the curtain before speaking.
"We'll, talk about this later," the instructor said before walking away.
Yuto didn't even respond, hearing the footsteps of the instructor walking away.
He heard the door close as he sank against the wall, sliding to the ground. If he were in the right state of mind, he would have turned on the shower and closed the curtain to prevent the instructor from seeing his weeping. He swallowed the pain in his chest and grabbed his now-wet black locks, clutching his head.
He looked at his reflection in the water on the ground, seeing his quivering lip.
The next day...
Yuto stood in the gymnasium-like quarters. he had been woken out of his sleep by a loud bell; he suspected the facility management rang. He hadn't heard the bell for reporting time until five PM in the afternoon, so he had time to study his medical scroll. He tapped his foot impatiently on the concrete floors as he couldnt wait to prove himself in the next test. He'd done so horribly on the first test, so he needed to build back up his reputation. He'd gone from a talented genin to the dead last of sector three in the matter of hours, because of one test. Not to mention his actions yesterday, as he'd let his emotions slip, bringing back bad memories from his previous life. He had calmed down through studying as he normally did after a stressful day. Now was his chance to prove he wasn't a shit ninja like the instructor likely assumed him to be.
While he was seen as a talented genin by a few chunin and their respective friend groups, that was it; he was no Itachi Uchiha. That's why none of the genin or even the chunin instructor knew who he was. Even if they did know, it wouldn't amount to much, as it was just hype, and while completing a B-rank mission was uncommon for a freshly graduated genin, it was also uncommon for a genin to be in a four-man chunin cell.
The instructor began taking a roll call, assuring that everyone was present.
He called out a few names as Yuto heard his name. he looked up from his coffee cup with a bored expression, noticing the attentive look when he met eyes with the instructor.
"Here," Yuto said calmly, taking a sip of coffee. The instructor frowned, but continued calling the names off his clipboard either way.
After a while, He saw the instructor wave a hand, gesturing for the gennin to follow him to the training field just like the day before. Yuto led the line just like the day before, carrying his bored and uninterested face.
When they finally arrived at the training grounds, the instructor kept walking past the training grounds as they made their way toward a plundra of trees. They walked down a long path taking loops and turns around bundles of different-sized trees as the instructor finally spoke.
"If you haven't realized yet, this is where you'll be tested for stamina. The trail we walk on now forms a connection into one giant triangle, which is why this trail is called the three-point trail."
He paused his speech, looking at the sun's position, as they walked before continuing.
"In about two hours, flurries of mosquitoes will dance throughout the forest, meaning you'll be forced to move at high speeds, or risk catching disease and suffer through the itching," the instructor explained with a grin.
The class went into an uproar after hearing the conditions of their test, but were silenced by some of the instructor's killing intent.
"Those are the conditions, deal with them," he growled out, clearly not fond of the genin's outbursts.
The instructor's face became even more upset, seeing Yuto unseal a can of bug repellent.
"The hell are you doing?" the instructor asked angrily.
Yuto raised an eyebrow. "I'm using all the tools in my arsenal?" Yuto said, confused as he flicked the top off and sprayed his body down. He was about to spray some more, but the instructor snatched the can out of his hand.
Yuto looked at the instructor with a frown.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," the instructor said.
"What? This goes completely against what we were taught in the academy. We are told from day one to use every tool available," Yuto said, his face contorted into anger.
"That's true, but the forest and I are your enemies today, and being the stronger enemy, I was able to take your tools. Think of it as a lesson," the instructor said.
Yuto scoffed, tucking his scroll in his pouch. He could tell the instructor had made that up on the spot, and he never intended to remove the use of bug repellent until Yuto wisely decided to prepare some.
"I expect my bug repellent back after the test, it was 4.99 on sale," Yuto said, crossing his arms with a huff.
He received an amused look from the instructor and a few chuckles and giggles from the rest of the genin.
Right then, there was an abundance of footsteps approaching the lot of genin, forcing a few heads to turn.
The instructor noticed their confused looks as he began to explain.
"You thought you'd be the only ones using the course? Like I said before, yesterday was one of the rare days we had a training ground to ourselves. Those are your fellow genin from sector three. I'm sure you met yesterday in your little get-together in the downstairs lounge," the instructor said.
After he spoke, the footsteps stopped, showing another chunin instructor with a batch of genin behind him, comparable to Yuto's bunch.
Yuto knew who the chunin was the second he saw him. The chunin sported black eyeglasses along a bandana-like headband and the standard outfit of a hidden leaf chunin. There was the elite jonin who trained Konohamaru in the first few episodes of the anime. There was Ebisu, currently a chunin instructor for the genin corp training facility.
"I am Ebisu, a fellow instructor. I presume your bunch is taking the stamina test," Ebisu said, his tone uptight, as he pushed his glasses off the brim of his nose.
Yuto rolled his eyes; he suspected it was a four eyes thing.
The instructor responded with a nod.
"I am, Taro Tanaka," Yuto's instructor said, finally revealing his name.
"We'll go according to procedure," Ebisu said pompously.
"Of course," Taro said.
The now almost 200 genin went into murmurs, as their combined speaking made for a lot of sound waves, fueling Taro's irritation.
The instructor had had enough yelling for the first time.
"Shut your trap!!" he screamed, his face going back calm after his outburst.
The genin went mute, hearing this, as Taro's part of the bunch was a little startled never seeing their instructor yell like this.
Taro sighed before he spoke again. "As instructor Ebisu said, we will go according to procedure. When two sectors are using the same grounds and taking the same test, the classes combine, making it a sector test," Taro explained.
One of the genin from Ebisu's class spoke as a female stepped forward, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail.
"what about the best five rankings for the contribution points?" she asked.
taro glanced at ebisu before speaking. "it will remain five," taro said, gaining a few gasped before he contiued.
"Everyone will be scored individually as ussual, and... the contribution points double if you make to the top five of the combined sector. when its time for your bunches distributing process. even after orienintation, the rules remain the same," taro explained.
Yuto's mouth hung open as did everyone else's. he knew what this meant; if he could win every combined sector test, he'd have enough points to obtain some of his medical material and private lessons from a captain from the department, if he were lucky.
[Be sure to give me your power stones]