Chapter 4 — Morning of the Test
The faint orange glow of dawn spread across Konoha's rooftops as a rooster crowed in the distance.
Kazuma's eyes opened instantly.
5 AM.
His body woke automatically — a habit carved from years of training.
"Tenzo, get up," he said quietly.
Tenzo groaned under his blanket. "Five more minutes…"
Kazuma raised an eyebrow. "Father used to say that before missions."
Tenzo froze, then sat up quickly. "…I'm up."
They washed, brushed, and stepped outside into the crisp morning air. The sunrise painted the sky gold.
Morning Training Begins
Kazuma stretched his arms. "Warm-up. Five laps."
The two brothers ran around their house, feet tapping softly across the dew-covered grass.
Then came push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and squats.
Their breathing settled into steady rhythm — a routine that kept them grounded.
Kazuma returned with two wooden swords. "Sword drills."
Tenzo grabbed his happily. "You're strict today."
"Graduation is today," Kazuma replied. "We can't slack."
Kazuma took stance — feet firm, sword aligned with his center.
"Remember. Your sword follows your body. Not your arms."
Tenzo mirrored him, but Kazuma quickly corrected his foot placement, his grip, and his posture.
They swung together — thrust, slash, guard, follow-through.
Wood cut the air in clean arcs.
After half an hour, Kazuma finally lowered his sword.
"Enough. Breakfast."
---
Breakfast and Walk to School
Inside, the brothers fried eggs, warmed bread, and drank milk.
Simple. Warm. Perfect.
They bathed quickly and tied their clothes neatly.
As they headed out, the village woke with them — shops opening, smoke rising from bakeries, old ladies sweeping porches.
Tenzo nudged him. "You sure your head doesn't hurt? Last time you froze like a statue."
Kazuma looked away. "I'm fine."
Tenzo smirked. "Mmhm. Afraid of the test?"
Kazuma squinted at him. "You talk too much."
---
Academy Yard — The Gathering
The academy gates were already crowded with students.
Noise filled the place:
• Uchiha clan heirs sparring with perfect form
• Hyuga children practicing gentle fist patterns
• Inuzuka kids playing with their small ninken
• Nara boys yawning lazily
• Akimichi cousins sharing food
• Yamanaka girls whispering in groups
• Aburame heirs standing quietly near the trees
Meanwhile, civilian students gathered in small groups — nervous but hopeful.
Tenzo whispered, "So many clans this year… we're really out of place."
Kazuma shook his head. "Then we'll just stand out differently."
They entered the classroom.
Most clan kids ignored them.
Most civilians were anxious.
Kazuma and Tenzo quietly took their seats at the back.
---
Arrival of the Hokage
The instructor — a strict-looking chunin — entered.
"Quiet down!"
The room fell instantly silent.
"Before your graduation test begins, we have a special visitor."
Every student stiffened.
"Lord Third Hokage himself."
A wave of whispers erupted.
The door slid open.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped inside — calm, wise, and powerful even in old age.
All students stood as instructed.
Hiruzen smiled kindly. "At ease, children."
His eyes swept the room slowly.
For a moment, Kazuma felt the Hokage's gaze pause on him — warm, measuring, curious — before moving on.
Then Hiruzen began.
"Young ones… today marks an important step. Some will graduate. Some will try again. That is normal."
His voice carried a gentle firmness that filled the room.
"But remember: strength is nothing without kindness. The Will of Fire is carried by each of you — protect your friends, your village, and those who come after you."
Every student listened with full focus — even the restless ones.
When Hiruzen left, silence lingered behind him like a blessing.
The instructor clapped once.
"Alright. Enough. Everyone outside for the first exam — kunai and shuriken accuracy!"
Excitement and fear rippled through the class.
---
Kunai & Shuriken Test
Ten wooden targets stood at the throwing range.
The instructor unrolled a scroll.
"First, Uchiha Ren!"
Clan Students Perform
Ren stepped forward confidently.
Five kunai — dead center.
Five shuriken — perfect spin, perfect accuracy.
The Uchiha group smirked proudly.
Next was Hyuga Mio — calm, precise.
Nine kunai in the center, one near the edge.
Shuriken nearly perfect.
Inuzuka Rei went next, his ninken barking happily.
Nara Shikou, Yamanaka Airi, two Akimichi cousins, Aburame Sato — all performed with high clan proficiency.
---
Civilian Students Struggle
Civilian kids followed:
• Hiro — missed three.
• Sota — hit only half.
• Ayame — very nervous but passed barely.
• Naoki — hands shaking, missed most.
• Jiro — hit only four.
Some passed.
Some failed.
No one mocked them.
Everyone understood the pressure.
---
Tenzo's Turn
"Tenzo Yuta!"
Whispers spread across the field.
"A civilian?"
"Let's see…"
"He's decent."
Tenzo walked forward calmly.
He picked up the kunai.
Inhale… exhale.
Five clean throws.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
One slightly off-center — but still excellent.
Next came shuriken.
Tenzo's hands moved with practiced confidence.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Almost all near the bull's-eye.
The instructor nodded in approval.
"Good work. Strong fundamentals."
Tenzo returned to Kazuma with a small grin.
---
Kazuma's Test
"Kazuma Yuta!"
More whispers.
"That quiet kid…"
"Is he as good as his brother?"
"Probably average."
Kazuma stepped forward.
His breathing steady.
His posture calm.
His new body not yet perfect — but his mind sharp.
He picked up the kunai.
Focus.
Don't rush.
Remember the rhythm.
He threw.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
All five landed cleanly — two near the center, three slightly outward but still accurate.
Then shuriken.
Kazuma felt the weight, calculated the rotation, then threw.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Good grouping — not perfect, but consistent.
The instructor gave a rare nod.
"Your form is balanced. Good accuracy. You pass."
Kazuma stepped back beside Tenzo.
Tenzo whispered, "You did great."
Kazuma replied quietly, "It's only the beginning."
---
The sun shone brightly over the training field as the test continued.
And somewhere deep inside, Kazuma felt the faint stirring of determination —
A new life.
A new chance.
A path only just beginning.