Two weeks had passed since the forest trials.
In the early morning light, Ryju stood silently before his mirror, already dressed in his ninja uniform. He stared at himself—taller, sharper, more determined. But part of him still couldn't believe it.
"I'm going to be a ninja…""I can't even process it yet, man."
A voice called from outside his window.
"Let's go!" Renji shouted.
Across the village, Rei stepped out of her house, taking in a deep breath. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"This is going to be one hell of an adventure," she whispered.
"Be safe!" her mother and father called from the doorway.
Kenshiro sat quietly on a bench, hands clasped between his knees, eyes focused ahead.
"I'm ready," he muttered.
Near the training grounds, Goro threw his arms around his father in a tight embrace.
"I love you, Dad."
His father squeezed him back. "Man, I love you too."
Goro's voice trembled, but his eyes were steady. "I'll become strong. For you… and for Brother."
Shun adjusted his headband as he walked out of his house, already smiling.
"This is gonna be intense," he said, stepping into the sunlight.
At the Academy Gates
When the group arrived at the Ninja Academy, something felt off.
"The gate's closed," Ryju said, blinking.
Rei tilted her head. "That's weird. It's always open by now."
"True," Kenshiro added.
"I wonder why," Shun murmured.
"Beats me," Goro said with a shrug.
A familiar voice broke the confusion.
"Hey, guys! Been a while!"
They turned around at once.
Ryju's eyes widened. "Kuroyami?!"
"No way," Rei said in disbelief.
"There's no way…" Goro echoed.
"If I turn around and see you, I swear I'm gonna jump on you!" Shun warned with a grin.
Kenshiro raised a brow. "Hey—"
They all turned.
Kuroyami stood there, hands in his pockets.
"What?" he asked, blinking at them.
A second later, they rushed him in unison, tackling him with laughter and joy.
"Whoa, whoa—!" Kuroyami barely stayed on his feet.
Ryju grinned wide. "Man, we missed you."
Kuroyami stared at them. "Why are you all so tall now? You look different."
"Oh, you don't know?" Rei said, teasing.
"He aged all the ninjas that passed—to fourteen," Shun explained.
"Since you can't take missions 'til you're that age," Kenshiro added.
"Cool," Kuroyami replied, clearly impressed.
"He'll probably do it to you today," Ryju said.
"Oh, and he unlocked our abilities," Rei said. "We'll show you later."
Kuroyami nodded. "Nice. I'm looking forward to it."
More voices joined the reunion.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Azar asked as he approached.
"You're all so strong now," Misa said.
"For real," Zanden added.
"Sup, Goro," Taro greeted.
"Sup," Goro replied, grinning.
Kaien gave a silent nod.
"Hey," said Jett.
Rei leaned toward Ryju. "Oh my god, he's so cute…"
Jett blinked. "Did you say something?"
"No!" Rei yelped, looking away.
Just then, Uzuki's team arrived.
"Hey, friends!" Tetsuya called cheerfully.
"What the hell happened to this group?" Daigo asked, clearly stunned.
"They're so strong…" Hana muttered.
"I know, big sis," Jake agreed.
"Man, it's early," Hiroto mumbled, yawning.
Uzuki stepped forward, arms crossed.
"Well, would you look at that."
Ryju raised an eyebrow. "Uzuki. Sup."
Uzuki smirked. "You're different now. You're on my level."
Ryju shrugged. "Nah. I'm over that, to be honest."
"Don't get cocky just 'cause you got a boost."
"You mad that my team's caught up?"
Uzuki grinned. "Oh? Want to prove it?"
Ryju grinned back. "I already have."
"Cool it down," Kenji interjected.
"Yeah, seriously," Appolo sighed. "I'm trying to make a masterpiece of art over here."
"Why's the gate still closed?" Helia asked, frowning.
"It's getting too crowded," Mika said.
"I just want to play some music," Akari muttered.
"That girl again…" Rei murmured.
"I want to punch something," Takeshi growled.
Ryju scanned the growing crowd. "Looks like all the ninja teams are here."
"Yeah," Kenshiro said. "Everybody's here."
Suddenly, the massive gates creaked open.
Ryju took a step forward. "What?"
Kenshiro nodded slowly. "He must've been waiting for everyone."
"Guess so."
The students all began walking through the gate, filling the academy courtyard. The Spiritual King stood above them, his robe trailing in the wind.
"I had you wait," he said, his voice echoing. "Because I wanted all of you to be here. Now that you are—come. Follow me to the back."
Ryju looked up at the towering building.
"I can never get used to this place…"
"Well, get used to it," Uzuki said.
Ryju frowned. "Shut up. I wasn't even talking to you."
They all made their way up the grand stairs together.
"We've been up here before," Ryju said.
"To meet the Spiritual King," Shun replied.
At the top, the doors opened into a massive room.
"Come in and find your chairs," the Spiritual King instructed. "Your sensei will now be assigned."
They filtered in and took their seats, the tension rising.
"I can't wait," Ryju whispered.
"I wonder who we'll get," Rei said.
"Time will tell," Kenshiro replied calmly.
Azar was whispering a desperate prayer under his breath. "Please don't give me a trash sensei. Please…"
Kenji leaned back in his chair. "I hope I get a bad one. Reverse psychology, baby."
"Yeah, we're totally getting a bad one," Helia added.
The room fell silent as the Spiritual King stepped forward.
"I now assign your teachers."
He raised a parchment scroll.
"Team 8 – Takao Renji.Team 4 – Minae Hoshizora.Team 50 – Sena Kurogawa.Team 21 – Haruki Aozora.Team 42 – Hinari Tsukiyo.Team 17 – Yuna Kazehana.And finally… Team 1 – Kaji Raiden."
He looked up at the room.
"That is all. Your sensei are waiting outside. You may greet them now. Oh, and—welcome to the ninja world."