章 21: The Next Step
The sun was just beginning to rise over Konoha as Haruto stood at the front gates of the orphanage, a bundle of mixed emotions weighing on his chest. Today was the day he would leave the only home he had known since arriving in this world. This wasn't just the next step in his life—it was the first step toward becoming something greater, something powerful. For years, he had watched the shinobi of Konoha move through the village, symbols of strength and influence. Now, it was his turn to join their ranks.
Behind him, the children gathered, their bright faces filled with excitement as they waved and shouted their goodbyes. Obaa-chan stood off to the side, her eyes full of warmth and pride as she watched him prepare to leave.
"You'll do great, Haruto!" one of the boys called out, his voice filled with admiration.
"You'll be the strongest shinobi ever!" another child shouted, hopping up and down.
Haruto gave them a small smile and a nod, but his mind was elsewhere. The village, the Academy, the future—it all stretched out before him, and every step he took now would bring him closer to his goal. He wasn't doing this for them, or even for the memory of his parents. His focus was singular—he wanted power. He wanted to be a shinobi who couldn't be ignored, who controlled his own fate in a world where strength dictated everything.
Obaa-chan walked over, her cane tapping against the ground as she approached. She placed her hand gently on his arm, her eyes soft but knowing. "You've worked hard, Haruto-chan," she said in a quiet voice. "I'm so proud of you. I know you'll do great things."
Haruto appreciated her words, but they didn't stir the kind of sentimental warmth they might have in someone else. He respected Obaa-chan and was grateful for everything she had done, but her pride wasn't what drove him. It never had been.
"Thank you, Obaa-chan," he said, keeping his tone polite but measured. "I'll do what I need to."
She smiled, nodding as if she understood more than he was saying. With one last squeeze of his arm, she stepped back, allowing him the space to walk away.
He turned from the orphanage, the children still waving behind him as he started toward the village. This was the moment he had been waiting for, and he was ready.
The Apartment and Stipend
The village had provided Haruto with a small, subsidized apartment as part of his enrollment in the Ninja Academy. It was a standard practice for orphans entering the Academy—housing and a monthly stipend to cover basic needs. It wasn't a lavish arrangement, but it was enough. More than enough for someone like Haruto, who had learned to live with little and focus on what really mattered.
Walking through the streets of Konoha, Haruto thought back to the letter he had received the week before. Along with the apartment and stipend, he had been given early access to his parents' inheritance. Typically, orphaned children couldn't access their parents' savings and belongings until they turned sixteen, but because Haruto was entering the Academy, the village had made an exception.
His parents had both been Chunin, and though they hadn't left behind a vast fortune, they had saved enough to give Haruto a solid financial base. His father had been close to advancing to Jonin before he was killed on a mission, and his mother had been a skilled kunoichi who had also fallen in the line of duty. Their savings wouldn't last forever, but it would be enough for Haruto to train and focus without worrying about basic necessities for the next few years.
But Haruto didn't care about his parents' legacy. He didn't feel burdened by their deaths or motivated by the need to live up to their reputation. The money they left him was just a tool, a means to an end.
Settling In
Haruto arrived at his new apartment building. It was small, located in a quiet part of the village, tucked away from the busier streets. The building was old, but the apartment itself was clean and functional. As he opened the door and stepped inside, he took in the sight of his new living space—a modest one-room apartment with a small kitchenette and a single bed. The room was sparsely furnished, with just a table, a chair, and a small window that let in the afternoon light.
It wasn't much, but it was his.
Haruto set his small bag of belongings down by the door and moved to the table, where a folder sat waiting for him. Inside were the details of his stipend, the amount of his parents' inheritance, and a few other basic guidelines about living in the village as an Academy student. He skimmed through the papers, noting the amount of money he had access to. It was a decent sum—not enough to live extravagantly, but more than enough to cover his expenses for the next few years while he trained.
The money wasn't what mattered to Haruto, though. What mattered was the freedom it provided him. He wouldn't have to waste time worrying about where his next meal was coming from or how to keep a roof over his head. He could focus entirely on his training, on growing stronger.
He thought briefly about his parents. Both had been Chunin, respected for their skills and dedication to the village. His father had been on the verge of becoming a Jonin when he was killed on a mission, and his mother had also died in service to Konoha. The village remembered them with respect, but Haruto wasn't interested in their legacy. He wasn't here to live in their shadows or to make them proud.
He was here to become powerful, to carve his own path.
A New Beginning
As Haruto settled into his apartment, he realized how much had changed. A few days ago, he had been living in the orphanage, surrounded by other children and under the care of Obaa-chan. Now, he was on his own, with only his determination and the opportunities before him. The stipend and inheritance would help him for now, but they weren't what drove him.
Haruto stood by the window, looking out at the village as the last light of day faded into evening. Konoha was quiet now, the streets settling down as shops closed and people retreated into their homes.
This was his world now—a small apartment, a steady stipend, and an endless desire to grow stronger. The Academy was just the first step in his journey. There was no legacy to honor, no emotional weight pulling him in any direction but forward. He was free to become what he wanted, to push himself toward the power he craved.
Lying back on the bed, Haruto stared up at the ceiling, his mind already planning the next steps. Tomorrow, he would continue his training, focus on honing his skills, and prepare for what was to come.
Because in the end, all that mattered to him was becoming a shinobi powerful enough to stand above the rest.
"This is just the beginning," he thought, closing his eyes. "I won't stop until I've reached the top."
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