Chapter 38: Entering the academy

Steam still clung to their skin as they stepped out of the washroom, warmth lingering in the air. A rich, savory aroma filled their senses, wrapping around them like an embrace. Their stomachs growled in unison, and without a second thought, Naruto and Karin dashed towards the dinner table, their laughter echoing through the hall.

There, Tsunade was already seated, lazily picking at her food, her expression unreadable. She lifted a piece of meat with her chopsticks, about to take a bite—

"Wait, Tsunade! We all have to eat together! That way, the food tastes even better!" Naruto declared, his voice full of conviction.

Tsunade clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes, but she placed her chopsticks down after a beat. "Tch, whatever," she muttered, though the corner of her lips twitched ever so slightly.

Shizune let out an awkward chuckle, setting down a small dish. Across the table, Kushina and Kana moved with practiced ease, arranging the final plates, their hands steady, their movements gentle. There was something comforting in their presence, in the quiet way they nurtured those around them.

Naruto and Karin plopped down in their seats, practically vibrating with anticipation. The clatter of chopsticks followed as everyone took their places.

A brief silence settled a shared moment before the meal. Then, as one—

"Ittadakimasu!"

The first bite was warm, familiar, and rich with care. Simple white rice, tender meat, and for the adults, a small cup of sake.

As they ate, Kushina glanced at the two children, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Naruto, Karin… you two are ready for tomorrow, right? The Academy starts."

"Yeah!" Naruto grinned, practically glowing with excitement.

Kana nodded, placing down her chopsticks.

"Both of them will be starting their journey tomorrow."

"But you know," Naruto added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Karin was kinda reluctant at first… but I convinced her!" He puffed out his chest proudly.

Karin shot him a flat look before crossing her arms. "Nii-san, you didn't convince me. I'm only going because Hinata is going too."

Naruto gasped, clutching his chest as if she'd struck him with a kunai. "Karin! You shouldn't just say the truth like that! How could you betray your own brother?!" he cried dramatically, pretending to wipe away imaginary tears.

Kushina chuckled, shaking her head. "Honestly, you two…"

Tsunade snorted into her sake cup, while Shizune smiled at their antics. 

After dinner, everyone retreated to their rooms, the warmth of the meal still lingering in their hearts. The house slowly fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft rustling of blankets.

Naruto and Karin lay side by side, sharing the same bed as they had for the past two years—ever since Karin had stubbornly declared that she would only sleep next to her Nii-san.

The moonlight cast a soft glow through the window as Karin turned to face him, her red hair spilling over the pillow. "Nii-san… what will the Academy be like?" she murmured, her voice laced with both curiosity and a hint of nervousness.

Naruto turned toward her, their faces close in the dim light. "The Academy isn't just a training place," he said, his voice gentle. "It's where kids our age come together, grow, and have fun. You'll see—it's not scary at all." He grinned, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "And don't worry—Hinata said you'll love it, right?"

Karin didn't answer right away. Instead, she caught his hand in hers and pressed it to her cheek, rubbing against it in a way that reminded him of a cat nudging its owner for affection.

Naruto blinked, then chuckled softly. "Karin, are you part cat?"

She only hummed in response, closing her eyes as sleep slowly pulled her in.

Naruto stayed still for a moment, watching his little sister, a small smile tugging at his lips. Then, with a content sigh, he closed his eyes too, letting the peaceful night carry them into tomorrow.

The night passed peacefully, the siblings lost in deep slumber, their bodies accustomed to rest before another day of training. But as the first light of dawn crept through the windows, they stirred awake—an instinct honed over the past two years.

For as long as they could remember, mornings were for training. Karin, alongside Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, had been following a strict regimen, one largely crafted by Naruto himself.

Their routine was rigorous—running, push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and endurance drills that pushed their bodies to their limits. After that came taijutsu practice, sparring sessions that left them breathless and bruised but stronger with each passing day. Ninjutsu training followed, refining their chakra control and perfecting the basic techniques they had already mastered: Henge no Jutsu, Bunshin no Jutsu, Kawamiri no Jutsu and other essential skills.

By now, all of them could be considered more than ready for the Academy. Their training had already placed them at the level of Genin, and thanks to their physical conditioning, they could even match an average Chūnin—or in some cases, an elite one.

But Naruto… Naruto was something else entirely.

Two years ago, he was already Chūnin-level, an anomaly among his peers. Now? He had climbed even higher, standing at the precipice of Jōnin—perhaps even capable of going toe-to-toe with an Elite Jōnin. His growth was staggering, his progress relentless.

And yet, as the morning sun painted the sky in shades of gold, he stood alongside them, training as hard as ever. Because to him, strength wasn't just about surpassing others. It was about protecting the people he cared about.

And that was something no rank could measure.

After finishing their morning training, Naruto and Karin returned home, their bodies warm from exertion. Breakfast was waiting for them, freshly prepared by Kushina, who sat with them as they ate.

Once their meal was done, they set out toward the Academy, walking side by side with Kushina. The streets were lively, filled with children and parents making their way to the same destination. Some walked alone with determined expressions, while others clung to their parents' hands, excitement and nervousness mingling in their eyes.

Karin's gaze swept across the crowd, her red eyes widening in wonder. "Wow… look at how many kids are attending," she murmured, watching the sea of students gathering at the Academy gates. There were hundreds—maybe even thousands—filling the courtyard.

Naruto, however, didn't share the same excitement. His expression dimmed slightly. "Not everyone gets to attend," he said, his voice carrying a hint of sadness.

Karin turned to him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Why not?"

This time, Naruto didn't answer. Instead, it was Kushina who spoke, her voice gentle yet firm.

"Only children from clans can attend without issue. For others, they have to pass an entry test." She glanced at Karin, letting her absorb the information before continuing. "Being a shinobi isn't just about learning cool techniques. It's a dangerous path—one that comes with life-or-death risks. If a child doesn't have the strength or skill to handle it, they aren't allowed to enroll."

Karin blinked, processing the weight of her mother's words. "Oh…" she murmured, her excitement dimming slightly as she took in the reality of the situation.

Naruto remained quiet for a moment before offering a small, determined smile. "That's why we have to make sure we get strong enough—to protect the ones who don't have that chance."

Kushina smiled softly at her son's words, ruffling his hair.

Karin looked up at him, then nodded. "Yeah… that makes sense."

With that, they continued forward, stepping closer to the Academy gates—closer to the start of their journey.