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 rather than her left thigh. 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.

No shinobi headband to be seen where it would be placed in the future—around her right thigh. 

Kazumi held a natural peeved resting face, a contrast from her usual deadpans. 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 believed her isolation was because of her lack of care toward the kids who praised and boosted about their family. There was nothing she could relate to, making her feel like an odd one out.

But this never seemed to affect her.

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 six-year younger version of her last remaining relative: Sanjiro. Nothing was changed other than him having a smaller, unkempt beard compared to his future long one. 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... really 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.

He placed a lazy hand atop her head, "Try to control yourself." 

Kazumi wanted to shoot him a pout, but he had already left. His remarkable speed did not faze her in the slightest.

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.