Chapter 7 — The First Night as Shinobi
Even after tying their new forehead protectors, the shock hadn't faded.
Kazuma and Tenzo walked back home through the quiet evening streets of Konoha, the sky painted orange and purple as the sun dipped behind the Hokage monument.
Tenzo walked beside him, swinging his small bag of groceries lightly.
"Nii-san… what do you think will happen tomorrow?
We might get a border notice."
Kazuma kept his gaze fixed ahead.
"Maybe. Civilian genin get sent out quickly… especially now."
Tenzo lowered his voice.
"…Because Konoha is short on manpower?"
Kazuma didn't answer.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable.
Just heavy with understanding.
---
Celebration or Distraction?
As they crossed the last street before reaching their home, Kazuma suddenly stopped.
"Let's buy meat and vegetables.
We'll cook tonight.
A small celebration."
Tenzo's eyes lit up instantly.
"Yes! Fish too! You cook the rice, I'll do the cutting!"
They entered the evening market.
Torches burned softly, vendors packed up their stalls, and the smell of grilled dumplings filled the air.
They bought:
fresh fish
leafy vegetables
onions
eggs
and a single lemon
It wasn't much, but for the two brothers, it felt like a feast.
Tenzo carried the bags as they headed home.
"Tomorrow is the real start, nii-san."
Kazuma nodded quietly.
---
Evening Training — Reality Slaps Hard
The moment they reached home, Kazuma didn't even rest.
He put the bags on the table and walked into the yard.
Tenzo blinked.
"We just graduated… and you want to train now?"
Kazuma answered without turning.
"If we relax today, we'll relax forever."
He tied his forehead protector tighter and dropped to the ground.
Push-ups
Pull-ups
Sit-ups
Squat jumps
Sword swings
Tenzo sighed and joined him, breathing harder with every set.
Kazuma grabbed the wooden swords.
"Sword drills."
His stance was stiff.
His swings lacked power.
His body's chakra pathways weren't used to sword arts.
Tenzo copied him.
Kazuma moved beside him.
"Your feet are too wide.
Shift your weight properly.
Don't swing with your arms — use your hips."
Tenzo adjusted himself.
Then Kazuma said,
"Let's practice substitution."
Tenzo groaned.
"That's the hardest one!"
But Kazuma insisted.
Tenzo picked up a small stone.
"You ready?"
Kazuma exhaled, formed the first seal—
Pak!
The stone smacked his forehead.
Kazuma rubbed the red spot, irritated.
"Tch… I couldn't even finish one seal."
Tenzo laughed softly.
"You're too slow!"
Kazuma sat on the ground, breathing heavily.
"Hand signs too slow…
Chakra molding isn't stable…
My chakra control is horrible."
Tenzo placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then let's improve it. One step at a time."
---
Wooden Shuriken Parry Game
Tenzo threw another stone.
Kazuma blocked it with his wooden sword.
Tenzo smirked.
"Let's make a game. I throw, you block."
Kazuma shook his head.
"Use wooden shuriken. The angle and spin will be real."
Tenzo nodded.
He threw one wooden shuriken — Kazuma deflected it.
Then two.
Kazuma blocked one, the second grazed his arm.
He stared at the mark quietly.
"…I couldn't block two properly."
Tenzo's face turned serious.
"In real missions, enemies throw eight at once."
Kazuma gritted his teeth.
"Again."
Tenzo threw three wooden shuriken.
Kazuma blocked one — two hit him, one on the ribs and one on the shoulder.
Kazuma didn't speak.
Didn't swear.
He just stood up again.
"Again."
Tenzo continued.
Kazuma deflected.
And was hit repeatedly.
But he kept going.
Sweat dripped down his face.
His arms trembled.
The wooden sword felt heavier every minute.
But he didn't stop.
Even Tenzo got worried.
"Nii-san… let's stop for today."
Kazuma breathed slowly.
"One more round."
Tenzo gave a small smile.
"You're crazy."
Kazuma smirked.
"That's what makes us shinobi."
---
Dinner — A Moment of Peace
Inside the kitchen, Tenzo tied an apron dramatically.
"Tonight, I am the chef!"
Kazuma sat down, rubbing his sore arms.
Tenzo worked carefully:
he chopped vegetables evenly
cleaned the fish with surprising precision
removed bones
mixed salt, lemon, and spices
fried the fish slowly until golden-brown
Kazuma cooked rice and scrambled eggs.
A warm, comforting smell filled the house.
Tenzo placed the plates down proudly.
"Chef Tenzo presents… graduation dinner!"
Kazuma took a bite.
"…It's really good."
Tenzo grinned widely.
"You always say that when you're tired."
Kazuma didn't reply — he kept eating until his bowl was empty.
Tenzo laughed.
"You eat like a starving bear."
Kazuma smirked.
"You cooked like one too."
---
Night Conversations
After cleaning the dishes, they lay on their thin mattresses.
The small bedroom glowed faintly from the lantern at the corner.
Tenzo whispered,
"Nii-san… what about tomorrow? What if we're sent to the border immediately?"
Kazuma stared at the wooden ceiling.
"Then we'll train harder than everyone there."
Tenzo turned to him.
"You're not scared?"
Kazuma was silent for a long moment.
"…I've been scared before.
I've survived worse.
Fear doesn't control me anymore."
Tenzo nodded slowly.
"Then… we'll face everything together."
Kazuma closed his eyes.
"Yes. Together."
The night grew quiet.
Outside, wind rustled the leaves.
Inside, the two brothers drifted into sleep —
tired,
determined,
and ready for the harsh tomorrow awaiting them.