Naruto: Snow Cold

I was pretty damn nervous, to say the least. I know I shouldn't be, but come on—there are going to be so many people here. Any socially anxious person would know exactly what I'm talking about.

I shuddered at the thought.

"Amai, are you okay?" Mama asked, holding my hand as we made our way toward the academy.

"Yeah, just a little restless. But I'm feeling kinda excited too."

"That's good. Don't worry about being nervous—you'll make plenty of friends during your time here, I promise. Alright?"

"Yeah…"

Truthfully, I was more curious than anything. I wanted to see what the other kids were capable of. Are there any who work as hard as I do? Maybe even harder? It's only logical to assume there must be others who put in as much effort.

And then—oh god—we were here.

So many people. It wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either. The chatter of kids and parents filled the air. Groups of students clustered together, some already forming friendships, while others stood on the sidelines like me, unsure of where to start.

Mom gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You'll do great, sweetie. Remember how much effort you've put in over the last few years."

That's right. Why should I worry? I've learned so much, and there's no way I'm letting it go to waste.

While waiting, I noticed something—there was a distinct lack of Hyūgas. You know, the ones with the white eyes and the stoic expressions. Why weren't any of them here? Did something happen?

Then it hit me. Of course—the Hyūga affair. Kumo had tried kidnapping Hinata to steal the Byakugan. Backstabbing pieces of shit… Using peace treaties as a cover to double-cross us and attempt to snatch those eyes. And then they had the audacity to demand compensation when things didn't go their way.

Not that it matters. Less competition for me, I guess.

A familiar voice rang out in the distance, drawing my attention. That calm, wise tone—it could only belong to one person. Who else but our favorite geezer, Hiruzen Sarutobi?

"Good morning, soon-to-be academy students of Konohagakure."

He stepped forward, his Hokage robes swaying gently in the breeze. His kind yet commanding presence immediately silenced the murmuring crowd of children and their parents. He continued, his voice steady and warm.

"Today marks an important day for each of you. You are taking your first steps toward becoming shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. This journey will challenge you, test you, and, at times, push you to your limits. But it will also shape you into something greater—protectors of your home, your loved ones, and the values we hold dear."

He paused briefly, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. There was no judgment in his gaze, only encouragement. He continued once more:

"Know this, young ones: a ninja's strength is not measured solely by their power or skill. It is defined by their resolve, their compassion, and their willingness to stand for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds. A true shinobi values their comrades above all else and understands the importance of working together, for it is through unity that we find our greatest strength."

I knew this wasn't the whole truth. The darker parts of shinobi life told a different story. The existence of the ANBU proved that well enough.

"Here at the Academy, you will learn a variety of techniques, but most importantly, you will learn about yourselves. Every step you take, every mistake you make, will help you grow stronger. And remember this: mistakes are not failures—they are opportunities to learn and improve."

Holy crap… He's really good at speeches, isn't he?

"Always remember, young shinobi: you must love this village and work to preserve its peace and prosperity. You must possess an unyielding spirit, capable of enduring rigorous training and hardship. And finally… be healthy in both mind and body. That is the foundation of a true shinobi."

He raised a hand, his voice rising with energy and authority:

"That is all. Let the admission test… BEGIN! Let us see how brightly your Will of Fire can burn and make the Leaf Village proud!"

The air buzzed with anticipation after the old man's speech. Parents clapped enthusiastically, some offering their children final words of encouragement, while others wiped away tears of pride. The children themselves showed a mix of emotions.

Personally? I'm a little touched. I'm not even surprised he managed to keep Naruto in check for so long, even with his poor conditions.

I turned to my right and spotted someone familiar—a boy with messy black hair and striking amber eyes. Sora. I knew he'd be here. Sure enough, his mother was standing beside him, smiling gently as she smoothed down his hair.

When Sora noticed me, his face lit up, and he hurried over, his grin as wide as ever. "Amai! Knew you'd be here as well! I'm so hyped to become a ninja."

"Yeah, of course. Also, I don't think you 'become a ninja' straight away the moment you enter the Academy."

"Whatever, same thing! Let's go!"

I snickered, and after a while, the chunin instructors began organizing us into groups, explaining exactly what we had to do. I ended up in group D, unfortunately not with Sora. So many kids... Troublesome. Probably like 130 of them or something.

Apparently, we had to keep running until we completed a certain number of laps—or until we just couldn't anymore. There'd be several rounds, each increasing the number of loops. Each lap was 300 meters, mind you. I think I can manage.

The first round started, and we were off. My legs moved automatically as I fell into a rhythm. Step, breathe, step, breathe. Focus... I decided to start off slow (for me, of course) and steady, to conserve my stamina as I kept running. Some Uchiha-looking kids were keeping up with me, along with a small group.

Don't think about anything else, just keep going. This was barely anything compared to what I do at the training grounds.

So, the rounds kept going. By the second round, around 12 kids dropped out. The third round? 26 kids. Each round we had to complete three more laps, so it was actually pretty tough. By the fourth round... Damn, 47 of them gave out. The fifth round, 34. I was starting to feel the burn... Yeah, I think I'll tap out for now. Don't want to attract too much attention.

So, I pretended to be exhausted and stopped, getting eliminated from the match.

Promptly, the match ended, leaving only the Uchiha kids as the victors. They were looking smug, even though they were clearly out of breath. So arrogant... Not that I can talk, haha.

"Okay, kids, everyone who hasn't unlocked their chakra yet, raise your hands," said the instructor, and around fifteen of the children raised their hands. We got separated, and I noticed the instructors doing the exact same thing I tried on Sora, except on their stomachs. I suppose they're really trying to replenish the ninjas lost during the Kyuubi's attack.

"Well, we are pleased to announce that everyone in this group has passed the admission test. Well done, and good luck pursuing your ninja careers. May the Will of Fire continue to burn brightly in your hearts as you follow your dreams!"

Hell yes! I knew I'd pass, but actually hearing it? That felt amazing. Absolutely incredible.

Today marks the beginning of my journey to becoming a fully-fledged ninja!