When Children Become Soldiers

Spring, Fourth Year at the Academy

Time flowed like a river that never stopped. Mizuki, Minato, and Kushina were now ten years old. Their bodies were no longer as small as before. Their movements were more controlled, their gazes sharper. The world of shinobi had begun shaping them—harshly.

Danzo had originally crafted a meticulous plan—he wanted Mizuki to remain in the academy until she turned twelve. That was the ideal age, in Danzo's calculation. Two extra years to perfect the foundation, strengthen the mindset, and absorb the doctrine of pure shinobi ideology.

But... the world rarely made room for rigid plans.

Tensions between the great nations were escalating. High-ranking missions that used to be reserved for Jonin were now being handed down to Chunin, even Genin under supervision. A great war… felt closer than ever.

With the unstable political climate, the Konoha Council held an emergency meeting. The result: academy students deemed ready for graduation could now take the Genin exam at the age of ten.

A pragmatic decision—and a very shinobi one.

At the Ninja Academy – Classroom

That day, the sky was clear, not a cloud in sight. Inside the main classroom, the students who had just completed their Genin exam sat in nervous anticipation. The wooden desks, once covered in doodles, now looked like a battlefield before the fight: silent, tense, and full of hope.

Minato sat beside Mizuki, his lips curled into his usual smile.

"What kind of sensei do you think we'll get?" he whispered.

Mizuki closed her eyes briefly. "As long as it's not the nagging type."

Minato chuckled quietly.

Meanwhile, Kushina sat at the front row, but she wasn't shouting like usual. She sat still, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the blackboard.

Mizuki watched her from the corner of her eye.'The Fuinjutsu Department, huh…' she thought.

Officially, Kushina was to be assigned directly to the Fuinjutsu Department due to her unique talent. But Mizuki knew the truth. That department was just a name. Her real destination was a sealed zone under 24/7 surveillance, layers of barriers, and observers from the sensory division.

'She'll be alone… and she doesn't know it yet.'

But Mizuki said nothing. She didn't want to crush Kushina's spirit before the time came. When it did, she knew Kushina would face it in her own way.

The classroom door slid open.

"Class Five, follow me!"

"Team Eight, head to the southern field!"

One by one, groups of students were called by their Jonin instructors.

Mizuki remained seated calmly, her eyes now open, like mirrors of ice. Her gaze was clear yet cold—like jade submerged in snow.

"Class Six, follow me."

The deep, casual voice made them turn their heads.

A tall man with spiky white hair stood at the doorway. His eyes were sharp, but his expression was relaxed, smiling.

Jiraiya.

He wore a Jonin vest and carried a large scroll on his back. At this time, he was still "just" known as a talented young Jonin, student of the Third Hokage. The title "Sannin" had not yet been given. No tales of heroism against Hanzo yet. But his aura… was hard to ignore.

Mizuki rose to her feet, watching Jiraiya's back with curiosity. Beside her, Minato stood eagerly. A dark-skinned boy with short white hair also stood—Dekai, their quiet and strong classmate.

'These might be my comrades… the ones who will live and die with me on missions. Interesting.'

Secluded Training Field – Late Afternoon

The late afternoon breeze carried the calming scent of pine. Wind rustled through the tall trees surrounding the hidden clearing within Konoha's forest. Sunlight pierced through the leaves, casting circles of light on the grassy ground, as if the universe itself was watching the birth of a new team.

In the center of the field stood a tall man, relaxed. Jiraiya, in his Jonin vest, his long white hair dancing in the wind. His sharp eyes looked at his three new students with an expression that was half-serious, half-entertaining himself.

"Alright," he said, scratching his neck, "since we'll be spending a lot of time together, let's start with introductions."

Before anyone could respond, a calm but clear voice sounded from the right.

"Shouldn't the teacher introduce himself first, so we know… how high the standard is for speaking?" Mizuki said flatly, a slight smile on her lips.

She stood with quiet grace. Her white kimono fluttered lightly, adorned with silver plum branch embroidery. Her long black hair was tied low with a pale blue ribbon. She didn't look like a ten-year-old girl ready for battle, but more like a noble princess lost on a battlefield.

Jiraiya looked at her and chuckled lightly. "Smart one, huh? Alright, I'll go first."

He pointed to himself with his thumb."My name is Jiraiya. I'm a Jonin. My hobby… is admiring the beauty of this world, especially summer scenery," he said with a dreamy smile and a mischievous tone, causing Minato to smile awkwardly and Dekai to raise an eyebrow.

"What annoys me? Bugs. They're irritating and always show up uninvited."

"My skills include ninjutsu, taijutsu, and summoning. And…" His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the sky, "I'm searching for the answer to a great prophecy."

He looked back at the three of them, more serious this time."My dream… is to find a student who will save the world."

There was a moment of silence. Then Jiraiya smiled again. "Alright, who's next?"

Minato stepped forward. He wore a plain white jacket and dark blue shinobi pants. His blond hair was neatly kept despite the wind. His bright blue eyes sparkled with passion.

"My name is Namikaze Minato. I like reading strategy books and playing with kids at the orphanage in my spare time. I don't like unnecessary conflict... and—"He clenched his fist."—my dream is to become Hokage. Not just the leader of the village, but a symbol of hope."

Jiraiya smiled proudly, a glimmer of affection clear on his face."Good spirit. I like how you speak."

Dekai stepped up next. Dark-skinned, with short white hair and black eyes that looked lazy but clear. He wore a dark gray short-sleeved shinobi shirt and knee-length pants.

"I'm Dekai," he said plainly. "I like napping. I don't like talking much. But I want to be strong enough so I don't have to be afraid of anyone."

Jiraiya nodded with a laugh. "Short, sharp, and honest. Not bad."

Finally, Mizuki stepped forward gracefully. She glanced at her teammates one by one before speaking in a soft, calm voice.

"My name is Hyuga Mizuki. I don't have hobbies… or rather, I don't have time for them." A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"I dislike inefficiency. The world is too cruel to waste on pointless chaos. My dream…"

She looked at the crimson sky on the horizon."…is to be like the moon that replaces the sun when the world is shrouded in darkness. It doesn't shine to be praised… only because the world needs it."

Minato gazed at her with quiet admiration. Dekai gave a small nod, acknowledging the depth of her words.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya… paused. Then smiled deeper than before.

"You all… are truly interesting."

Moments Later

Jiraiya crossed his arms and stood taller.

"Okay. Introductions done. But listen closely. Tomorrow at nine a.m., we'll begin survival training."

His gaze sharpened, tone growing serious."This is no ordinary training. It will determine whether you're worthy of becoming real shinobi—or going back to the academy. Fail… and you'll have to wait another year."

Without another word, Jiraiya turned and walked away, his body quickly vanishing among the trees.

After Jiraiya left, Mizuki didn't speak right away. She closed her eyes, feeling the wind around her.

"Byakugan!"

Her pale white eyes glowed, veins around her temples lightly bulging. She scanned the area, sweeping for any lingering chakra. Once sure, she deactivated her dojutsu.

"He's really gone," she said calmly, then turned to Minato and Dekai."Dekai, Minato… come here. We need to talk."

The three gathered in a small circle.

"I've heard… about tests like this. The Hokage's own students were tested this way. It's not just about strength, but teamwork, cleverness, and determination."

Mizuki looked at both of them. "We'll be facing Jiraiya directly. No one can win alone. So listen to my plan…"

She began explaining the strategy. Minato nodded quickly, occasionally adding his thoughts. Dekai chimed in only when necessary, with short, precise comments.

The sky darkened. But the fire within the three had just been lit.

They were no longer ordinary children.They were Konoha's future shinobi… preparing to face their very first trial the next morning.