The Academy courtyard was filled with the buzz of anticipation. Students lined the training field, some seated, some standing, all gathered around the makeshift ring that had been drawn into the dirt with chalk and wooden posts. Today wasn't a regular lesson day, it was tournament day.
Their instructor, Daiki sensei, stood at the center with arms crossed and a clipboard in hand. "This isn't just about winning," he said. "This is about control, technique, reading your opponent, and most importantly, restraint. You're not here to hurt your classmates. You're here to improve."
A few students nodded seriously. Others bounced on their heels, eager to show off.
Haruki stood with Jun and Sachi at the edge of the ring, his hands loose at his sides. His heart thumped with excitement and nerves, but his face was composed. The whole class would see each other fight today, every strength, every weakness on display.
"First match," Daiki called, looking at the clipboard, "Jun Ito versus Ken Sato."
Jun puffed out his chest and cracked his knuckles. "Guess I'm up. Wish me luck, or better yet, wish Ken luck."
Haruki gave him a smirk. "Try not to trip over your own clone this time."
Sachi added, "And please, no ghost stories mid-fight."
Jun saluted them both with two fingers and jogged to the ring.
Ken was already waiting, a short boy with messy hair and a reputation for being quick on his feet. The match began with Daiki's sharp command.
Ken struck first, darting in with a low sweep. Jun backstepped, nearly lost his footing, then grinned and tried the Clone Jutsu. A puff of smoke revealed a distorted version of himself, not helpful in combat, but distracting enough. Ken paused, uncertain, and Jun took the opening to rush forward and tackle him.
The crowd roared with laughter and cheers as both boys rolled into the dirt. Eventually, Jun pinned Ken's arm, and Daiki called the match.
"Jun wins. Barely."
Back with Haruki and Sachi, Jun flopped down and took a long breath. "Okay," he panted, "so maybe the ghost clone did help. A little."
"You got lucky," Sachi said, though her lips curved slightly. "Ken froze up."
Haruki patted Jun's shoulder. "Good instincts, though. That tackle was… creative."
"Hey, shinobi gotta improvise, right?"
***
The matches continued through the morning. Some were fierce and energetic, others were clumsy and short. The Academy students were still learning, but the field was alive with real passion and potential.
When Sachi's name was called for her match against Aiko Yamura, Haruki gave her a quiet nod.
She didn't respond with words, but her eyes flashed with determination.
Aiko was taller and came from a shinobi clan, with rumors of elemental chakra already stirring about her. But Sachi stood calmly, her stance tight and guarded.
When the match began, Aiko opened with speed, launching a series of fast strikes. Sachi deflected and evaded, keeping her defense compact. Then she weaved a hand seal, only one, and cast the Substitution Jutsu, appearing behind Aiko with a light tap to her back before the taller girl could react.
"Point," Daiki said. "Sachi wins."
The crowd was surprised but impressed.
Haruki applauded, smiling. Jun whooped. "That was slick!"
Sachi returned quietly, brushing dirt from her sleeve. "She's fast," she murmured. "But she overcommits. Easy to bait."
"You saw that mid-fight?" Jun asked.
"I saw it before the match started. She trained that way last week."
Haruki grinned. "Nice work."
***
Haruki's name was called two matches later. But when the second name was announced, "Minato Namikaze," a ripple passed through the students.
Minato, the quiet boy with spiky blonde hair and an almost otherworldly calm, had drawn attention without trying. He was fast, almost too fast, and his jutsu had already impressed several instructors.
Haruki stepped into the ring and took a breath.
This wasn't about being the strongest. It was about learning. Growing. Testing what he'd built over the past year.
Minato stood across from him, expression polite and focused.
"Ready?" Daiki asked.
Both nodded.
"Begin!"
Haruki moved first, testing the range, stepping forward with a faint. Minato didn't take the bait. He simply shifted his footing, already anticipating. Haruki pivoted and tried a quick clone, nothing strong, just enough to create confusion.
Minato responded with a blur of motion, he didn't vanish, but it felt like it. He was already past the clone and in front of Haruki, hand raised to tag his chest.
Haruki ducked and rolled, avoiding the mark.
He countered with a sweep, forcing Minato back.
Then, chakra surged and Minato used Substitution, reappearing to Haruki's left. But Haruki turned with him, the motion almost instinctive. He spun on his heel and forced distance between them again.
The crowd murmured. This wasn't a one-sided match.
They traded small exchanges, no big hits, no devastating jutsu, but a dance of speed, timing, and awareness. Haruki landed a glancing hit. Minato tagged his sleeve. Neither could break through cleanly.
Finally, Daiki stepped in. "Time."
Both boys stood panting.
Daiki looked between them, then nodded once. "Draw."
It wasn't a loss.
But it wasn't a win, either.
Haruki stepped back, his body alive with adrenaline, mind whirring.
"That," he muttered under his breath, "was intense."
Minato gave him a slight smile and bowed politely. "You're good."
Haruki returned the gesture. "You too."
***
The tournament concluded just after lunch. Students lounged in the grass or on shaded benches, sharing snacks and stories.
Jun bit into a rice ball, still dusty from his fight. "I think I almost dislocated my shoulder during that pin."
Sachi raised a brow. "You should stop leading with your face."
Haruki chuckled. "I still can't believe I went toe-to-toe with Minato. I thought he'd wipe the floor with me."
"You held your own," Sachi said. "And that Substitution dodge? That was smart."
Jun leaned back, hands behind his head. "We're getting better. Like, actual shinobi better."
Haruki looked at them, then toward the field where others still practiced quietly. His muscles ached, but there was a fire inside him. Not from pride. From potential.
This was what he'd always dreamed of.
Not just becoming a shinobi, but growing, together, alongside people who were walking the same path.
And this was only the beginning.
***