𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢 | ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ

SPECIAL: Academy Days...

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When Kazumi first attended the Shinobi Academy of the Leaf, both her demeanour and appearance were the complete opposite. Her smaller frame wore simple grey robes with a used pouch tied around her arm. Within that pouch were her tools. Her blonde hair was short, like a bob-style cut to her shoulders with unkempt bangs swooping to her right.

Kazumi held a natural peeved resting face, a contrast from her usual deadpans she'd have in the far future. But, this was the past - and in the past, Kazumi was a troubled child.

Having no knowledge of what a mother and father was like, she isolated herself from the fellow children around her. Kazumi simply explained it was because of her lack of care towards the kids who praised and boosted about their family. There was nothing she could relate to, making her feel like an odd one out.

So, instead of lingering around the playgrounds, she caught the eye of her aloof grandfather-uncle, who ended up teaching her shinobi basics. Which all led up to here, where she stood, in front of the large door.

"Wanting to become shinobi is an important role. You'll have many future responsibilities." A familiar voice spoke from behind.

As she turned around, she was met with a decade younger version of her last remaining relative: Sanjiro. He gave her an empty gaze, his face worn and mourning. For the six years she had been living, not once has she ever seen him smile. Even during an important day such as this.

"I know." She looked back to the door, blinking.

If I can occupy myself and become the highest ranking shinobi, maybe Uncle will smile...

"What... makes you want to become a shinobi, child?" He slowly asked, as if hesitant.

She looked back at him again, this time glancing over her shoulder with a small smirk.

"I want to get stronger! If I don't, you won't acknowledge me as the next heir..." She replied her smiling expression shifting to a flicker of her mother's youthful face.

This caused Sanjiro's eyes to widen, Kiyoko's words assaulting his memories: "I need to get stronger... If I don't, father won't acknowledge me." The vaguely similar sentence threw him off, his aloofness softening for only a moment until recollecting himself back to his gruff, closed off demeanour.

"I—I see..." He cleared his throat, "You cannot take back this choice or you'll become more of a mockery than that Uzumaki boy." He warned, turning his back to her as Kazumi watched him leave.

Who?

She frowned, stiffly nodding, "Yes, Uncle." She muttered, but he had already left before hearing her response.

When face to face with the door, she finally opened it. The rowdy room was loud, filled with children her age. Some were on desks, messing around. Others were running and chasing one another across the large room.

At the appearance of Kazumi, the majority of the girl's froze to stare at her, their eyes glistening and cheeks burning light red. And the majority of the boy's in the room stopped messing around to size her up, giving her suspicious looks.

"Waa!! It's another prince!~" A girl announced, locking hands with her friend as they both squealed in delight.

"What a pretty boy! I'm so jealous!!" Another squealed, hearts in their collective pupils.

Oblivious, Kazumi focused on the interior of the room. It was spacious with desks and a blackboard. The mountain with the faces of the Hokage was in the distance from the large windows, as if to inspire students.