Chapter 6
Outside the Academy, a large crowd waited, some gently chattered, others paced around restlessly.
If stares could kill, the academy gate may have blown over!
Most were civilians, united as parents. Like all ambitious parents do, they wanted their children to go further than them in life.
Many wanted them to be successful merchants of less than suspicious stuff, some wanted to be excellent bureaucrats who could end wars with words.
But all of these endeavors could wait.
Till parents could gauge their kid's ninja potential, they refused to do anything else. All other paths were just not good enough
If their kid had enough aptitude? Congrats! They will walk the path of a ninja. A scheme reeking of double standards and hypocrisy.
Fraught with danger? Yes.
Filled with Wealth? Certainly.
Will it bring power and prestige? Absolutely Yes!
They knew; despite their claim that other paths were vital, none would hesitate to change professions to ninjas if they could.
For in this cruel ninja world, only the mighty are righteous.
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(Academy Field)
Around two hundred children ran on an oval field.
Sweat poured from their faces, their legs wobbling, threatening to give way.
Some groaned, others asked for help, several just falling flat on their faces.
There were several awkward moments, one where a kid tore his pants; others sabotaged rivals by pulling their pants down, leaving ninjas chuckling.
But many of the children's faces told another story.
It looked hungry, hungry for more. They weren't done with just twenty five laps. Hopes, dreams and ambitions on the line.
The clan children may have fared well, maintaining a head start and a cooler rhythm. But the civilian children struggled to obtain a better lead, not that it surprised anyone.
Among them was Ren. Unlike most he ran with stable rhythm, his feet solid, enduring 25 laps of the field.
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(Ren POV)
"Gahh! Just five more laps!" Ren gasped.
He dragged his legs, his body screaming to stop.
Slowing down only for a moment, he caught his breath, before speeding up again, kicking up more dust on his trail.
'Not yet! It's time to beat those clan children!'
Ren revved his legs to go faster.
He picked up pace, passing many disgruntled clan children in the wake.
Some were frustrated but most didn't mind. They didn't take the race seriously because passing was almost guaranteed.
But things took a different turn when he passed Uchiha Gen.
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Shinnosuke stood at the edge of the field, sipping some fruit juice, thoroughly enjoying the climate. The aura of jonin was non-existent; anyone would assume he was on vacation.
Contrary to his current demeanor, he was watching the race with great interest.
Being a proctor, he was tasked with a single job.
Look out for any unfair means used. Civilians were desperate, and they didn't shy away from using unfair means.
But one thing stood out amid all this. A clanless child began speeding up, without any instability haunting his steps.
Shinnosuke raised his eyebrows. It's not every day a daring child appeared.
But what caught Shinnosuke's attention wasn't the child's actions, but what followed.
"Stop it filthy commoner! How could YOU surpass an UCHIHA!" shouted Uchiha Gen, attracting the attention and disapproval of every ninja.
The ripe red Uchiha was... special.
As the late Uchiha patriarch's heir he was under immense pressure.
His father's supporters wanted him as a puppet leader, but most of the clan preferred Uchiha Fugaku, after all a stronger Uchiha should take over.
Shinnosuke sighed deeply. He had heard of Gen's predicament.
Things might have played out differently, if the Uchiha patriarch was alive.
'But such unbecoming behaviour is also quite rare' thought Shinnosuke.
'Seems like he was raised with too much pampering!'
'But I think I have a pretty sweet idea to teach him a lesson after this' decided Shinnosuke, thinking of the perfect revenge plan.
'Not just that, this might remove his heir status. Those geezers will finally have to stop using the poor child.'
Shinnosuke was finally reassured.
Unfortunately no child was too safe from a jonin's lesson! Especially one with time to kill.
But an elite jonin pranking a child? Wasn't it supposed to be the other way round?
What was this world coming to?
If news got out, it would probably give the hokage a stroke!
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(Ren POV)
'Why is he yelling?' Ren screamed mentally, saving his precious breath.
He wanted to respond—he really wanted to— but it could cost him the race. His lead wasn't as solid as the Uchiha's.
The civilian kids really had it tough.
Ren really had no choice but to forget the hound chasing him.
'Just forget that idiot and focus!'
Ren picked up his pace gradually.
Seeing this the Uchiha had an all-out meltdown.
"Damn...you!" Gen shouted, picking his pace dramatically.
This race was no longer about honour but pure ego.
Seeing this, Shinnouske smiled, his interest piqued. He placed his juice down and paid great attention to the drama unfolding.
Gen caught up to Ren, surpassing him easily. He looked back to gloat, the smile flaunting his fragile ego.
Ren didn't frown, he smiled and showed a thumbs-up.
The Uchiha fell into confusion. Things weren't supposed to play out like this. Loser? Where is your pride?
Ren's smile grew wider.
He mumbled to Gen.
"Look ahead."
Gen was baffled, ultimately turning around.
Thud....
Two children slammed together with great force, sending them tumbling outside the field. Groans soon followed from the unfortunate duo.
Ren snickered.
Shinnosuke grinned wildly.
The other ninjas? Gloating at the Uchiha's fate.
With just a single lap to go, Gen committed a blunder, pulling down another child with him.
An embarrassing memory, that could even awaken the Sharingan. Shame that he didn't!
Soon the race ended and Ren ranked a modest 25th.
Not bad for a civilian newbie!
'Looks like I don't need to intervene after all.'
This certainly is the final nail in the coffin for the Uchiha heir.
Shinnosuke picked up his drink.
It was time for the next round.