Ryuusei's Beginning in Hoshigakure

Hoshigakure, Year 52 of the Shinobi Calendar.

Hoshigakure was a small village, hidden among mountains and shrouded by a starry mist that seemed to guard its secrets. With little more than 500 inhabitants, the village moved at a slow, almost peaceful pace, though not without its own tensions. Of the roughly 200 shinobi defending the village, most were constantly overburdened with missions. The shortage of ninja meant each one had to work twice as hard, and Kousei Hoshi was no exception.

Since Ryuusei's birth, Kousei was rarely home. Mission after mission kept him away, leaving little time to watch his son grow. Aiko, on the other hand, was always present. She was Ryuusei's safe harbor, the one who taught him about the world, told him stories of the Uzumaki clan, and prepared him for the day he would finally start his training as a shinobi.

Ryuusei grew up like any other child in the village. He played with friends, helped his mother with household chores, and often watched the shinobi train from afar, imagining the day he too would use the star mist to strengthen his chakra. At ten years old, that day had finally arrived.

"Ryuusei, today is the day," Aiko said, adjusting the collar of her son's clothes.

He was dressed in simple yet clean attire, ready for his first day of training. His red hair, inherited from his mother, shone under the morning sun.

"I'm ready, Mom," he replied, trying to mask his anxiety.

Aiko smiled, but her green eyes held a glimmer of worry. She knew the path to becoming a shinobi wasn't easy, especially in Hoshigakure. The star mist, though powerful, was dangerous for those unprepared.

"I was never allowed near the star," Aiko confessed, holding Ryuusei's hands. "They say only those born in Hoshigakure can withstand its energy. But I've always been curious… I've always wondered what it feels like to harness that power."

Ryuusei stared at his mother, surprised. He had never thought about it before. To him, the star was just another part of the village something everyone talked about but never truly explained.

"Do you think I can do it?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Aiko squeezed his hands firmly.

"You're strong, Ryuusei. And not just because of your Uzumaki blood. You have a brave heart. That's what matters."

He smiled, feeling a little more confident.

"Thanks, Mom."

"Now go," Aiko said, releasing his hands and stepping back. "And tell me everything when you get back, okay?"

"Of course!" Ryuusei replied, turning and running toward the village center, where other children were already gathering for training.

Aiko stood there, watching her son disappear into the distance. Her chest tightened a bittersweet mix of pride and fear. Ryuusei was still just a child, but he was about to step into a world she could never fully understand.

In the heart of the village, a group of children stood around an older shinobi, whose presence radiated authority. He was the one responsible for overseeing the star training.

"Welcome," he began, his voice echoing across the square. "Today, you take your first step toward becoming shinobi of Hoshigakure. But remember the star is no toy. It can strengthen your chakra, but it can also destroy you if you're not careful."

Ryuusei glanced around, noting the anxious expressions of his peers. Many of them had shinobi parents who had already endured this training. He, however, was the son of a foreigner and a father who was rarely home. But that didn't matter. He was determined to prove he belonged here.

"Follow me," the shinobi ordered, turning toward the village's core, where the fallen star rested, cloaked in its shimmering mist.

Ryuusei cast one last glance over his shoulder, toward home, knowing his mother was likely still watching. He took a deep breath and followed the group, his heart pounding in his chest.

The Hoshigakure training ground was simple but steeped in meaning. Surrounded by rocks carved with ancient symbols representing the fallen star, it was the place where every child of the village took their first steps as shinobi. Among the crowd, Ryuusei stood out, his red hair vibrant against the sea of muted tones. He spotted familiar faces, including Seiryu, his best friend since childhood.

A stern-looking older ninja approached, eyes sharp and observant. He was the one tasked with measuring the children's chakra levels.

"We'll start with the chakra test," he announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Those who don't meet the minimum requirement will be placed in Class B and won't proceed to star training."

Ryuusei felt a chill run down his spine. He knew the test was crucial but had no idea what to expect. One by one, the children stepped forward. The ninja placed his hand atop their heads, closed his eyes, and measured their energy. Most passed, though a few walked away, shoulders slumped in disappointment.

When Ryuusei's turn came, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. The sensory ninja placed a hand on his head, and for a moment, everything fell silent. Then, the man's eyes widened, and he stared at Ryuusei with a mix of surprise and suspicion.

"This chakra level…" the man muttered under his breath. "Nearly the same as mine. This boy… is he the son of that Uzumaki?"

Ryuusei didn't fully grasp the meaning behind the words, but he caught the distrust in the man's tone. His mother had often mentioned the village's subtle prejudice against outsiders, but this was the first time he'd felt it directed at him.

"You pass," the ninja finally declared, withdrawing his hand and scribbling something on a clipboard. "Next."

Ryuusei stepped back, relief washing over him, though the unease lingered. He rejoined the group of children who had passed, waiting for the next challenge.

The physical test was just as grueling as he'd imagined sprints, push-ups, squats, and a series of exercises that left most of the kids gasping for breath. Yet Ryuusei held his ground. He wasn't immune to fatigue, but he managed to keep pace without much trouble.

"How are you still standing?" Seiryu panted, barely able to keep his balance.

Ryuusei blinked, surprised by the question.

"My mom's been training me since I was five," he explained. "She always said I couldn't afford to fall behind."

Seiryu frowned, wiping sweat from his brow.

"My parents never made me train like that," he muttered, his legs trembling. "Even walking hurts."

Ryuusei paused, thoughtful. He had always assumed all shinobi children underwent similar training. His mother had never mentioned that her approach was unusually strict.

"Maybe my mom's just… intense," Ryuusei chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Intense is an understatement," Seiryu grumbled, still catching his breath.

As the children rested, the supervising ninja returned.

"Congratulations to those who passed," he announced, scanning the group. "Now you're ready for the next step training with the star mist."

Ryuusei's stomach flipped. This was the moment they had all been waiting for. The star mist, the very essence of the fallen star, was what made Hoshigakure unique. And now, he would finally experience it firsthand.