Chapitre 20: Chapter 20: Academy?
"Chūnin? Aren't you exaggerating?"
"I could hardly believe it myself," Haruko replied, unable to suppress the pride in her voice. "This morning when I saw him after nearly 11 months, his chakra levels matched that of a Chūnin."
"Yet he still fixates on physical training above all else?" Elder Sohei muttered with concern.
"Yes," Haruko's voice softened. "I believe the Nine-Tails attack left deeper scars than we realized…" She let the sentence hang heavy in the air.
"Four – no, five years old and he's already mastering chakra control exercises that make seasoned Chūnin struggle. Yet he shows no interest in pursuing jutsu?" Disbelief colored his tone.
Haruko's eyes brightened. "Though I bet he's begun exploring elemental ninjutsu. Eight months ago, I tested his affinity – lightning nature! Can you imagine?"
"Ah," Elder Sohei stroked his silver beard thoughtfully. "That would explain the sudden increase in his chakra reserves…" He paused and continued, "Still, a Sarutobi whose primary affinity isn't fire..."
"And refuses early enrollment," Haruko added with a slight scowl.
"That's why we're here, isn't it?" Elder Sohei's voice carried a hint of concern. "The boy needs guidance. Living alone, training alone... it's not healthy for a child his age."
"What do you mean by he needs guidance? What do you think I was doing for the last two years." Haruko flared up as she spoke.
Elder Sohei raised a placating hand, gesturing toward the window where the morning sun illuminated the path to their destination. "We're approaching his house, Haruko. Let's maintain our composure."
Haruko smoothed her robes with practiced dignity. "Very well. He's expecting us – I can sense his chakra signature inside."
They approached Raijin's house, its garden meticulously maintained. The doorbell chimed, and after a moment, the door slid open to reveal a small figure with spiky dark hair and brown. "Hello, W-Welcome..." Raijin's greeting carried a slight stutter.
Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock
As Raijin's stomach began to protest, the sound of the doorbell finally broke through his thoughts, exactly fifty minutes after he'd started his wait. Raijin hurried to greet his visitors, his words catching slightly as he opened the door. "Hello, W-Welcome..."
In front of Raijin stood Haruko, with an elderly figure behind her. His weathered appearance suggested he was either a clan elder or a high-ranking village official. "Good morning, young one," Elder Sohei stepped forward first. "I am Sohei from the Sarutobi Clan, also a Clan Elder. With me is Elder Haruko, whom I believe you know."
Raijin bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to receive you." His eyes flickered between them, as he thought, 'I assume this isn't a social visit.'
"Beautiful…" Sohei replied looking warmly at the peripheral outside the house. "The garden looks well-tended," noting the maintained plants near the entrance. "Your mother's herbs are thriving."
A flash of emotion crossed Raijin's face before he carefully smoothed it away. "Yes, I've tried to keep them as she did. Please, come in. Though..." he hesitated, "I prefer shoes to be left outside, if you don't mind."
"…" Sohei glanced at this small show of assertiveness from one so young while internally analyzing Raijin's chakra amount: 'Fascinating…I must say your chakra is quite large for 5 years of age.'
The silence that followed was broken by Haruko's quick intervention. "Don't mind him. He's just a child," she said, shooting Raijin a warning glare.
Elder Sohei complied with the request, removing his footwear before entering Raijin's modest home. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the cozy hall with its comfortable couches and tea table. The open-plan design revealed the kitchen and dining area along one wall.
As Raijin guided them to the hall, his mind raced with possibilities about their visit. Why would a clan elder visit him personally? His thoughts were interrupted by Haruko's suggestion. "Uh... Why don't we have a meal at the dining table?" Her meaningful look didn't escape his notice.
"Sure, I'll prepare the meal," Raijin responded, leading the group toward the dining room. He quickly reheated the food and served it to the three waiting plates, all while wondering what important matters could have brought such a distinguished guest to his home.
After everyone settled at the dining table, an uncomfortable silence hung in the room as the two elders sat.
Elder Sohei smiled warmly, settling into his seat at the dining table, "Haruko here hasn't stopped talking about your progress to the clan elders"
Haruko's face flushed slightly, "I merely mentioned his name twice…"
"Yes, yes… twice a week. You even reorganized the entire training schedule to accommodate your morning routines." Sohei interrupted playfully.
Raijin quietly watched this exchange with amusement because Haruko's usual stern demeanor gradually cracked under the teasing of her fellow elder. After Elder Sohei teased Haruko, Raijin brought the food and informed them tea was not ready yet.
Finishing their meal, Raijin brought tea for both elders.
"Remarkable tea," Elder Sohei began casually, inhaling the steam rising from the cup.
Raijin still couldn't grasp the purpose of the visit. His thoughts raced in circles, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't reach any conclusion.
Finally, Haruko cleared her throat. "Raijin, we need to discuss your enrollment at the Academy."
'I see, so this is what it's about.'
"Your chakra control is already remarkable for your age," Elder Sohei added, gesturing to the ceiling where faint footprints were still visible from Raijin's earlier cleaning. "Waiting another year would only delay your growth."
"That's precisely why we're here," Haruko added, her tone gentler than usual.
Raijin remained silent, focusing on his tea as Sohei chimed in "The Academy would have many promising students from prominent clans. Training alongside them would challenge you appropriately."
"The Sarutobi clan valued prodigious talent," Haruko continued. "Your parents would have wanted –"
"With respect, Elder" Raijin interrupted softly, "Please don't speak of what my parents would have wanted."
A tense silence fell over the table. Haruko's eyes narrowed, but Elder Sohei raised his hand slightly, signaling her to remain silent. He spoke with his weathered hands wrapping around the teacup. "In my thirty years of service – to Konoha, I've seen many promising ninjas. The ones who started early, who embraced their gifts – they often became the backbone of our village's strength."
"Take Kakashi Hatake, for instance. His early admission to the Academy shaped him as he is today."
"Isn't he the one who lost his friends early in age?" Raijin replied with a mocking tone.
Haruko's fist came down on the dining table hard enough to rattle the teacups.
"Haruko," Elder Sohei said firmly as he raised his hand again to calm her.
He turned his attention back to Raijin, his voice steady but heavy with experience. "What happened to Kakashi was tragic – he lost his friends during the Third Shinobi World War. But times have changed. Present now is not as dangerous as it was before."
"Every day we delay in training our youth is a day lost to our potential enemies. The other hidden villages are strengthening their forces." Haruko added, her tone carrying a hint of urgency.
"And let's not forget," Elder Sohei continued, "The upcoming Academy class has special privileges this year or so as I heard."
Raijin raised his eyebrow, "Special Privileges?"
"Private training grounds usually reserved for Jōnin, and something about…experimental teaching methods." Haruko's eyes fixed on him intently.
"…"
Setting down his teacup with deliberate care, Raijin straightened his spine. "Your concern for my development is truly an honor," he began carefully, choosing each word with precision. "But perhaps I could explain why waiting might actually benefit my growth"
Elder Sohei shifted slightly in his seat, "Enlighten us," his expression one of polite skepticism. The afternoon light caught the silver threads in his hair, lending him almost all authority.
Raijin took a measured breath, gathering his thoughts, "I believe starting the Academy at the right time, with the right mindset, is more important than starting early. The class will have students my age, peers that I can grow with and learn from."
Elder Haruko's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she observed Raijin. She said, her voice softening slightly, "You will be six next month, Raijin. You'll have plenty of friends your age. What is it that you're really after?"
"I plan to learn a few more elemental ninjutsu," Raijin said bluntly.
Haruko raised an eyebrow at his candor. More?
She exchanged a glance with Elder Sohei, whose expression also shifted to one of mild intrigue. "What jutsus have you learned so far?" Haruko asked, her tone curious, probing about his training.
Elder Sohei, leaning forward with interest. "I was under the impression that you were focusing on taijutsu and medical ninjutsu?" His sleeve brushed against his tea bowl, causing a ripple in the green liquid.
"You misunderstood, Elder," Raijin replied, maintaining his composed demeanor. "I've only studied basic human anatomy to improve my taijutsu. Understanding the body's mechanics helps me target weak points more effectively."
He let his words sink in and continued, "As for lightning-type jutsu, I've developed a technique I call Electric Wave. It is designed to target both the enemies and the surrounding area, though it still requires further refinement."
"Electric wave?" Elder Haruko's intrigue quickly overtook her earlier frustration, as she demanded, "Demonstrate it to us."
"That can wait!" Elder Sohei interjected shooting her a quelling look before turning his gaze back to Raijin. "Raijin, is age the only reason you're hesitating to enroll? The standard enrollment age is six, which you'll reach shortly."
"As I've said, I need to master several more jutsus first," Raijin repeated.
Elder Sohei pressed further. "Enrolling now would offer you an opportunity – a valuable opportunity, to familiarize yourself with another clan's member. Recently, many talented students have graduated, including Itachi Uchiha—Fugaku's son. He passed in just four months and is regarded as a prodigy of Konoha."
Raijin stayed silent, though his thoughts churned. 'Itachi Uchiha…I completely forgot about him.'
Elder Sohei's eyebrows arched, his curiosity deepening. "What if I arrange specialized ninjutsu training? For the remaining six months before the Academy starts?"
Raijin paused thoughtfully and then shook his head. "Hmm…That's tempting but I would still decline."
"Is this your final decision?" Haruko asked with a sharp tone that spoke volumes.
Elder Sohei released a heavy sigh, "If this is truly your wish, we cannot force your hand."
"Thank you for understanding, honorable elders." Raijin bowed deeply, his voice carrying genuine gratitude.
As the heavy discussion about Academy enrollment concluded, Raijin gathered his thoughts, watching as the elders sipped the last of their tea.
"Honorable elders," he began tentatively, his eyes respectfully lowered. "Since you've been so gracious with your time and wisdom today... might I make a small request?"
Elder Sohei raised an eyebrow.
Raijin straightened his back, maintaining an innocent expression. "Since I'm to spend this year preparing myself, I was wondering if you might consider teaching me…"
"The Shadow Clone Jutsu."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone