Capítulo 7: chapter 7: white room
The full moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the forest surrounding Konoha. The night was silent, save for the soft sound of leaves whispering in the wind. Hiruzen Sarutobi walked with firm steps, holding the hand of Shin, who was apprehensive. The four-year-old boy didn't fully understand what was happening, but the seriousness on Hiruzen's face and the mysterious atmosphere around them heightened his nervousness.
They were heading towards a secluded mansion, hidden in the depths of the forest. As they approached, Shin noticed the imposing size of the structure. It was an old building, with dark stone walls covered in moss, emanating a sense of abandonment and isolation. The gate creaked as it opened, and they entered the grounds.
"Don't worry, Shin. This will be your new home. Here, you'll learn important things," said Hiruzen, his gentle voice contrasting with the gloomy environment. He smiled warmly, but there was something in his eyes that Shin couldn't decipher.
Inside the mansion, the environment seemed ordinary at first glance. There was simple furniture, an unlit fireplace, and paintings of old landscapes on the walls. However, the tension was palpable. Anbu and Root ninjas were everywhere, hidden in the shadows, watching every move. Their gazes were hard and expressionless, as if they were mere ghosts.
Shin squeezed Hiruzen's hand tighter, trying to seek comfort in the Third Hokage's presence. "Come, Shin. I'll show you where you'll sleep," said Hiruzen, guiding the boy towards a staircase that led down to the basement.
The basement was cold and damp, a stark contrast to the apparent normalcy of the upper floor. The air smelled of mold and moisture, making Shin shiver slightly. The narrow corridor was lit only by torches on the walls, casting dancing shadows that created frightening shapes.
They arrived at a large room with rows of metal bunk beds, arranged facing each other. The environment resembled a military barracks, where recruits slept side by side. Each bed was perfectly made, with white sheets and aligned pillows.
"This will be your dormitory, Shin," explained Hiruzen, releasing the boy's hand and crouching down to be at eye level with him. "Tomorrow, your classes will begin. Here, you'll learn to become stronger and protect Konoha."
Shin looked around, trying to absorb everything. The beds, the small lockers next to each one, and the feeling that he was entering a completely new world. "Am I... am I going to be here alone?" he asked, his voice trembling a little.
Hiruzen placed a comforting hand on Shin's shoulder. "You're not alone. There are others like you here. And remember, all of this is for the good of Konoha. Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Shin nodded slowly, still trying to process everything. He climbed into one of the bottom bunks and pulled the covers over himself. Hiruzen stood up and observed the boy for a moment, his expression softening for a brief instant before hardening again.
"Sleep well, Shin. You have a bright future ahead of you," said Hiruzen, before turning and leaving the room, closing the door behind him. The lights went out, leaving the dormitory in darkness, except for the faint glow of torches in the corridor.
Shin lay there, looking at the ceiling, listening to the distant sounds of guards' footsteps and the whispers of shadows. He felt small and vulnerable, but there was a flame of determination in his heart.
The deafening roar echoed through the room, tearing me from a deep sleep. My heart raced in my chest, and before I could understand what was happening, the dormitory was invaded by thick, gray smoke. I coughed, eyes watering, trying to get up, but my body was still heavy with sleep.
Screams resonated around me, harsh and authoritative voices cutting through the haze. "Get up! Now! Everyone out of the dormitory!" The confusion was total. Children ran from side to side, bumping into each other. I forced myself out of bed, my legs trembling and my heart racing.
A masked ninja appeared before me, his stern gaze making me shudder. "Come on, boy, move!" he shouted, pushing me towards the door. I stumbled, still disoriented, trying to keep up with the flow of other children running out of the dormitory.
The cold night air hit me like a slap when I left the mansion. The frozen ground was icy under my bare feet, and the cutting wind made my skin prickle. My whole body was shaking, not just from fear, but from the cold that seemed to penetrate to the bone.
"Run! Come on!" The shouts continued, relentless, pushing us forward. I looked around, trying to see some familiarity in the faces of the other children, but everything was a blur of fear and panic.
We were led to a lake behind the house. The dark water reflected the weak moonlight, and the mere thought of entering it made my stomach churn. The smell of sludge and decaying vegetation invaded my nostrils, intensifying the nausea I already felt.
The scene was chaotic. As I approached the lake, I could see the fear and despair on the faces of the other children. Some were paralyzed, unable to take another step. Others cried uncontrollably, their sobs swallowed by the icy dawn wind.
"Get in the water! Now!" The order came again, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Beside me, a boy with short dark hair was shaking so much he could barely stand. He took a hesitant step back but was immediately grabbed by one of the ANBU. The ninja pushed him violently, making him fall to his knees at the edge of the lake.
A blonde girl, with eyes wide with terror, tried to flee in the opposite direction, but two ANBU intercepted her. They held her by the arms and, despite her desperate screams and kicks, dragged her back to the shore. Without ceremony, they threw her into the water, where she fell with a painful splash.
I was petrified, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I had no choice, that I needed to enter the icy water. With tremendous effort, I stepped forward, feeling the cold mud under my bare feet.
The cold was indescribable. The icy water rose up my legs, and every inch was torture. My muscles contracted involuntarily, and I felt like I was going to faint. I looked around and saw other children in the same situation. Some cried softly, their bodies shaking with cold. Others tried to maintain their composure, but the fear in their eyes was unmistakable.
"Deeper! All of you, deeper!" The ANBU's shouts didn't cease. They walked along the shore, ready to intervene if anyone tried to get out. I saw a boy fall sideways into the water, his strength exhausted. Two ANBU pulled him out, throwing him back on the shore like a sack of potatoes.
Every second in the water felt like an eternity. The cold was so intense that I could barely think. My teeth chattered uncontrollably, and I had to concentrate just on breathing. A boy next to me started crying loudly, his entire body shaking. Before the ANBU could intervene, he fainted, his face falling into the water. Two ANBU quickly lifted him and took him out, throwing him beside the shore.
I was at my limit. My whole body was shaking, and I felt like I would faint at any moment. I looked at the moon in the sky, trying to find some strength. My legs were numb, my arms without strength. I couldn't feel my fingers.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the order to get out of the water was given. With indescribable relief, I started walking back to the shore. Each step was a tremendous effort, my muscles ached, and my body was numb. When we reached the shore, the ANBU started shouting orders, dividing us into two groups.
"Group 1, jumping jacks! Group 2, push-ups! Switch every five minutes!"
I was in group 1. With stiff, trembling muscles, I started doing jumping jacks, trying to move my frozen body. The cold was overwhelming, every movement seemed like a fight against my own body. Around me, I saw other children in the same situation, their expressions of pain and exhaustion reflecting my own emotions.
Five minutes later, the groups switched. I went to the ground, starting the push-ups. My arms were shaking, and every time I pushed the ground to lift myself, I felt like I was going to collapse. The cold dawn air cut my skin, and my lungs burned with each breath.
I continued, pushing my body beyond its limit. I looked around and saw other children struggling too. Some cried softly, others just moved mechanically, their faces a mask of pain and exhaustion. I saw a boy faint during push-ups, his body collapsing on the ground. Two ANBU picked him up and threw him aside without the slightest emotion.
After endless switches between jumping jacks and push-ups, we finally received the order to run. "Five kilometers! Now!" The ANBU's shouts sounded like thunder in our ears.
We started running, our bodies exhausted and numb. Each step was torture, my feet felt like blocks of ice, barely able to feel the ground beneath them. The cold dawn wind cut my face, and I tried to control my breathing, focusing on continuing.
My legs ached, and fatigue weighed on me like a lead blanket. But I continued, forcing each step. I looked around and saw other children in equally desperate situations. Some stumbled, fell, and were quickly lifted by the ANBU, who showed no compassion. I saw a boy being beaten when he tried to stop, his screams echoing in the darkness.
"You can do it, Shin," I thought, trying to stay focused.
The sound of heavy footsteps and panting breaths filled the air. The other children were as exhausted as I was. I saw a girl faint in the middle of the run, her body falling heavily to the ground. The ANBU picked her up and threw her aside, without the slightest ceremony. The sight was terrifying, but I knew that stopping meant the same fate.
Every meter was a battle, every breath a challenge. But I continued, fueled by fierce determination. I knew I needed to become stronger, that this was just the beginning. The image of my parents and their sacrifice was etched in my mind, giving me strength to continue.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, we reached the end of the five kilometers. My whole body ached, and I could barely stand. The ANBU watched us closely, ready for any sign of weakness.
"One minute of rest! Then, more training!" one of them shouted.
I fell to the ground, trying to catch my breath, my mind spinning from exhaustion and cold. I looked around and saw the other children in the same situation, their faces exhausted and discouraged. I knew this was just the beginning, that many trials were still to come.
But at that moment, despite the fear and pain, I knew I had to continue. I needed to become stronger, to honor my parents' sacrifice. This determination, this inextinguishable flame, was all that kept me standing, all that gave me strength to face another day.
When it was 8 o'clock in the morning, we were finally taken to the cafeteria for breakfast. The environment was cold and gloomy, like the rest of the White Room, and the smell of food awaited us. However, looking at my plate, my stomach turned. Breakfast consisted of a thick, tasteless porridge, accompanied by a piece of hard bread. It was nutritious, but seemed more suitable for a prisoner than a child.
I sat at an empty table, trying to gather the courage to eat. As I looked at the plate with dismay, a boy approached and sat down beside me. He seemed a little older than me, with a calm expression and eyes that seemed to have seen much more than they should have for someone his age.
"Hi, I'm Sai," he said, without much enthusiasm, as he began to eat his own portion.
"Hi Sai, I'm Shin," I replied, still getting used to the idea of being in that place. I looked at him, trying to disguise my curiosity. "Have you been here long?"
Sai chewed slowly before answering, his eyes fixed on a distant point. "It's been a year," he finally said, shrugging. "I've gotten used to the routine. It's hard at first, but you get the hang of it."
I was silent for a moment, trying to process the amount of information. "What exactly do we do here?"
Sai stopped eating and looked me in the eye. There was a seriousness in his gaze that made me swallow hard. "Well, I'll explain," he began, his voice low and controlled. "Every morning we start with that cold water training you went through today. After breakfast, we have classes until 3:30 PM. These classes are focused on the ninja mentality."
"What do you mean?" I asked, intrigued.
"We do mental combat simulations, where we need to use reasoning and strategy to win," Sai explained, absentmindedly stirring his porridge. "We also have perception and reaction exercises, which test our speed and sensory skills."
"That sounds... like a lot," I muttered, trying to imagine going through all of this every day.
"Yeah," Sai agreed, returning to his food. "But that's not all. We also have meditation and chakra control classes. It's important to improve our techniques. And, of course, we do leadership and teamwork exercises, where we need to coordinate our skills with others."
I nodded, still trying to absorb everything. "And in the afternoon? What do we do?"
"From 3:30 PM to 7 PM, we have ninja psychology classes," Sai explained, his monotone voice contrasting with the intensity of what he was describing. "We do emotional control exercises to maintain a neutral expression, no matter what happens. We also have interpersonal conflict simulations, which require us to maintain calm and composure. We do a lot of observation and behavioral analysis exercises to improve our reading of people. And, of course, we train in stealth and discretion, to move and act without being noticed."
I looked at him, impressed. "That really is a lot."
"Yes, it is," he agreed. "But you'll get used to it. Here, you need to be strong and determined. There's no room for weakness."
I looked at my plate, suddenly feeling less repulsion for the food. I needed all the energy I could get to survive in that place. I started eating, feeling Sai's silent presence beside me, and a determination growing inside me. I would overcome all of this. For myself and for my parents.
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