Chapter 5
Half a decade had elapsed since Rei was a bright-eyed five-year-old, and she had now blossomed into a vibrant ten-year-old. The morning sun's rays filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in her room as she stirred from her slumber. As she stretched and yawned, a glance at the clock sent her heart pounding. "Oh no, I've overslept!" she thought, panic seizing her.
Rei sat up abruptly, her tousled hair framing her face. She scanned her room for her alarm clock, only to find it in pieces on the floor. In its place sat Yuri, her impish black cat, looking rather pleased with herself. "Yuri, did you knock off my alarm clock again?" Rei asked, her voice tinged with frustration. Yuri merely purred, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. Rei sighed, shaking her head at her cat's antics.
With a sense of urgency, Rei leapt from her bed and rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower. As the warm water cascaded over her, she reflected on how much she had grown in the past five years. Her hair, once waist-length, was now a short bob, just above her shoulders. Her baby fat had given way to lean muscle. She had matured into a beautiful young girl, admired by boys her age. However, Rei was oblivious to their attention, her focus solely on becoming an exceptional ninja.
After her shower, Rei quickly slipped into her favorite ninja attire. She chose a light blue crop top with mesh armor underneath, a matching apron skirt, black shorts, fingerless gloves, and her reliable ninja shoes. A glance in the mirror filled her with confidence. She was ready to face the day and any challenges it might bring.
Grabbing a piece of toast for breakfast, Rei bolted out of her house, ensuring the door was locked behind her. She was late for her ninja training at the Academy and hoped her teacher, Iruka-sensei, wouldn't be too upset.
Upon entering the classroom, Rei was met with an unusual sight. Naruto, her energetic classmate, was tied up in the corner, a sheepish grin on his face, while Iruka glared at him. The class watched the spectacle with a blend of amusement and exasperation. Rei shook her head in disbelief. "Naruto, what on earth did you do this time?" she asked, incredulous. Naruto merely shrugged, his grin unwavering.
Before Rei could probe further, Iruka turned his attention to her. "Rei, you're late!" he said sternly, his eyes narrowing. Rei quickly began to explain, "Well, you see, my alarm clock was broken..." but Iruka cut her off with a dismissive wave. "Never mind that, just take your seat," he said, his tone indicating that he wasn't interested in excuses.
Rei nodded and took her seat, casting an annoyed yet amused glance at Naruto. "It's not my fault we get caught," she thought, recalling the numerous pranks she had been roped into by Naruto. "Naruto, I think you went too far this time. I did warn you it was a bad idea," she thought, shaking her head at his antics.
Iruka continued his lecture, expressing his frustration with Naruto's behavior and reminding the class about the upcoming graduation test. "Tomorrow, you all have another chance, and you're messing up again," he scolded, his voice filled with disappointment. "Because you and Rei missed it, everyone will review the Henge no Jutsu!" he announced, causing the class to groan in unison. Rei could hear the whispers from her classmates, some of them questioning why she didn't keep a closer eye on Naruto. "I'm not his babysitter," she thought, feeling slightly annoyed by the assumption.
Rei glanced over at Naruto, still tied up in the corner. She crouched down and quickly loosened the ropes around him. "Always getting yourself into some sort of predicament, aren't you, Naruto-kun?" she teased, a playful smile on her face. Naruto grinned back at her, appreciating her lightheartedness amidst the chaos.
As the class lined up in front of the podium to practice the Henge no Jutsu, Rei tossed the ropes into a corner of the room and slid in beside Hinata, one of her closest friends. The two girls exchanged a knowing look, silently acknowledging the absurdity of the situation. Naruto, on the other hand, stood in a random spot in line, not caring who he stood next to.
The first student stepped forward, a girl with bright pink hair. Naruto's eyes widened as he watched her, feeling his cheeks grow warm. She was undeniably pretty, with fair skin, green eyes, and long pink hair that reached her lower back. She wore a red qipao dress with white circular designs, paired with tight green bike shorts and blue shinobi sandals. Naruto couldn't help but blush as he watched her effortlessly transform into an exact copy of Iruka.
The girl transformed back into her original appearance, a wide grin on her face. She clapped her hands together happily, celebrating her success. Naruto couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her skills. Meanwhile, Rei observed the scene with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. She had always been fascinated by the different abilities of her classmates.
Next in line was Rei herself. She stepped forward, determined to impress Iruka with her transformation. Slowly and deliberately, she performed the hand seals, her movements precise and controlled. A cloud of smoke enveloped her, and when it dissipated, an exact copy of Iruka stood before everyone. Iruka nodded approvingly and wrote a mark on his clipboard. "Good work," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Rei transformed back into herself and casually put her hands behind her head, whistling as she made her way back to her spot in line. Her eyes briefly met Sasuke's, and even though they weren't as close as they used to be, she still tried to be there for him from a distance. "Next, Uchiha Sasuke," Iruka called out, his voice breaking the momentary silence.
Sasuke, with his brooding demeanor and dark hair, moved to the front of the line. He exuded an air of confidence, his navy blue shirt with the Uchiha crest on the back fitting him perfectly. As he transformed into Iruka, the class watched in awe. Iruka, however, seemed slightly bored by the repetitive transformations.
Sasuke transformed back into himself and walked off without a word, leaving the class in a state of anticipation.
Iruka glanced down to see who was next and smiled as he looked. His smile quickly vanished and his head snapped back down to see who it was. His eyebrow visibly twitched.
“Next. Uzumaki Naruto.”
The whole class groaned again. Naruto wasn’t known for actually doing the required task and did his own thing a lot of the time. Which usually resulted in all of them having to pay for his errors, such as cleaning the gum under the desks. Naruto, with his bright orange jumpsuit and spiky blond hair, stepped forward, a mischievous grin on his face. He performed the hand seals quickly, almost too quickly, and a cloud of smoke enveloped him. When the smoke cleared, instead of Iruka, there stood a voluptuous woman wearing a bikini. The class erupted into laughter, while Iruka's face turned a deep shade of red.
"Naruto!" Iruka roared, his voice echoing throughout the room. "This is not a joke! You're supposed to transform into me, not... not that!" He pointed at the transformed Naruto, who was now posing and winking at the class.
"But Iruka-sensei, I thought this would be more fun!" Naruto protested, his voice high and feminine. He blew a kiss at Iruka, causing the class to laugh even harder.
Iruka sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Naruto, transform back right now," he ordered, his tone stern. Naruto, still grinning, performed the hand seals again and transformed back into his usual self.
"Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "I'll do it properly this time."
Naruto performed the hand seals again, and this time, when the smoke cleared, there stood an exact copy of Iruka. Iruka, however, didn't look impressed. He simply nodded and wrote something on his clipboard.
"Good," he said, his voice flat. "Now, take your seat."
Naruto transformed back into himself and returned to his seat, still grinning. Rei shook her head, amused by Naruto's antics. She knew that despite his goofiness, Naruto was a skilled ninja. He just needed to learn to take things more seriously.
The rest of the class took turns performing the Henge no Jutsu, with varying degrees of success. Some students, like Hinata, struggled with the transformation, while others, like Sasuke, performed it flawlessly.
As the class came to an end, Iruka reminded them of the upcoming graduation test. "Remember, this is your chance to prove that you're ready to become a ninja," he said, his voice serious. "Don't waste it."
Rei nodded, determined to pass the test. She knew that becoming a ninja was a big responsibility, but she was ready for it. She was ready to prove to everyone, especially herself, that she was capable of achieving her dream.
As Rei left the classroom, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She was one step closer to becoming a ninja, one step closer to fulfilling her dream. And she knew that no matter what challenges she faced, she would overcome them. Because she was Rei, the future ninja of Konoha.
~~~~~~,~~,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Despite her best efforts to retire early, Rei found herself tossing and turning, her mind consumed by thoughts of Naruto. His struggle with the standard bunshin technique was a concern. She understood that his immense chakra reserves were a factor, but they had yet to figure out how to adjust the input for a successful output. She hoped his other scores would be sufficient to compensate, but her worry for her friend was palpable.
She had to let it go. She had done all she could for Naruto. Now, it was his turn to rise to the occasion. She had to trust in him.
Sleep finally claimed her as she dreamt of her impending journey as a genin. She woke up the next morning, ready to conquer her exams.
The following morning, Rei made her way to the Academy, determined and punctual. Upon arrival, she took her seat next to Naruto and Hinata, with Kiba, Chōji, and Shikamaru nearby. She engaged in light conversation with Hinata, the room gradually filling with a tense silence as Iruka entered, accompanied by a man with shoulder-length white hair tinged with blue and calming green eyes. He was dressed in the standard Konoha-nin attire, complete with a flak jacket and a forehead protector worn as a bandana. His serene smile added a sense of tranquillity to the room. After a brief exchange with Iruka, the man took his place at the front of the room. “The final exam will now commence. When your name is called, proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on... the Bunshin no Jutsu.”
Rei performed exceptionally well in both the written and practical parts of the test. Naruto, on the other hand, managed to pass the written portion but fell short in the practical. Despite his significant improvements, it wasn't enough to convince their instructors. Rei felt a surge of frustration, wanting to confront their teachers, but she knew it wasn't their fault. The ability to create a standard clone was a fundamental ninja skill. As much as it pained her, Naruto would have to wait until the next graduation season to try again.
After the headband ceremony, Rei found Naruto and attempted to comfort him, but he dismissed her concerns. He urged her to celebrate her achievement and assured her he was okay.
"You'll join us soon," she encouraged, squeezing his shoulders. "Don't let this setback discourage you. Just work harder next time, and you'll surpass everyone, I promise."
"I'm okay, Rei-chan, really. I just need some time alone," Naruto replied, offering a weak smile that tugged at her heartstrings.
"Alright," she finally conceded. "But remember, I'm here if you need to talk." With that, she left him to his thoughts. As much as she wanted to persist, she respected his need for space. He would seek her out when he was ready. For now, Rei had to focus on the journey ahead as a newly minted genin.
As the dawn of tomorrow approached, the enigmatic notion of her impending team assignment consumed her thoughts. To her companions, she wore a mask of nonchalance, her facade impeccable. Yet, beneath the surface, a tempest of anxiety and anticipation raged. Rei found herself fervently praying to the gods of fate, hoping against hope to be paired with her two cherished compatriots. However, the harsh reality that her friends, Shika and Choji, boasted individual skills that made them coveted assets gnawed at her optimism.
Kiba, an Inuzuka, was a probable choice for a team specializing in tracking, a field where Rei's acute sense of smell and sensory abilities made her a strong contender. She made a concerted effort to banish the mounting stress, her inner voice sternly reminding her. "Relax, surrender the tension. Everything's going to fall into place. Panicking is futile."
To distract herself from her spiraling thoughts, Rei sought solace in retail therapy. Her shopping spree resulted in an impressive haul of shinobi attire: standard-issue sandals in versatile shades of blue and black, a myriad of loose pants and leggings, fingerless gloves, shorts, mesh armor, sleeveless tops in the style of a kimono, and a selection of sleeveless hoodies. Her preference for utilitarian shades like grey, black, and blue was evident in her purchases, which she intended to wear for missions and casual village strolls. However, a few pieces in vibrant hues like violet, yellow, and green managed to sneak into her shopping bags too.
She reveled in her indulgence, feeling it was a fitting way to commemorate her status as a shinobi. Laden with her new acquisitions, she headed home to rearrange her closet and mentally prepare herself for her new teammates.
The night was drawing to a close, and Rei was on the cusp of surrendering to sleep's sweet embrace when an unexpected knock on her window shattered the silence. With reflexes honed by her training, Rei swiftly armed herself with a concealed knife and cautiously opened the window. To her surprise, Naruto stood outside, a nervous expression on his face as he cradled a large object.
"Naruto, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Rei chided, her annoyance barely concealed. Naruto retorted, "Who even keeps a knife under their pillow, psycho!" Struggling to maintain his grip on his mysterious cargo, he added, "Anyway, I've got something awesome to show you. Come on!" Without waiting for her response, he leaped off her balcony, heading towards the woods.
Rei exhaled a loud sigh. She knew she should prioritize sleep, but her innate curiosity was piqued. Swiftly, she slipped on her shoes and weapons pouch over her sleepwear, and dashed after Naruto. As she caught up with him, his broad grin confirmed he knew she wouldn't resist.
When they reached a clearing in the forest, Naruto revealed the large object he'd been carrying - a giant scroll. Rei inspected it closely, a spark of recognition flickering in her mind. As Naruto unfurled the scroll and began reading the jutsu inscribed within, Rei settled beside him, her eyes scanning the contents.
"Okay, so the first one is multi shadow clone jutsu," Naruto announced, rubbing his cheek in consternation. "Ah, not this again! It's my worst jutsu!"
"Don't worry, Naruto. We'll tackle this together," Rei reassured him, her eyes still exploring the scroll. "I have my own weak spots too, but we can help each other."
Hours passed as they immersed themselves in intensive training, their energy slowly ebbing away. Eventually, their sensei, Iruka, found them, worn out but satisfied. "You've been practicing hard, haven't you?" Iruka observed, his gaze moving between the two young shinobi. They nodded in unison, their spirits undeterred by their fatigue. Their journey had just begun.
"Listen to me, Iruka-sensei," Naruto began, his voice tinged with a barely containable excitement that echoed off the dimly lit stone walls of their secret hideout. "I've mastered this incredible jutsu. Witness it, and then... then you'll have to let me graduate. You'll see, everything will fall into place."
His words rang in the air, a hopeful promise. "Then I can start my training, Iruka-sensei. To become the best ninja. That's the way it works, isn't it?"
Rei chimed in, her voice a soft counterpoint to Naruto's fervor, "That's what we've always been told, isn't it? The scroll guarantees passage. I mean, I've already passed, but Naruto... I really wanted to help him do the same."
Iruka's eyebrows furrowed, casting shadows over his sharp eyes. "And where, pray tell, did you hear such a tale?" he asked, his voice echoing with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Mizuki-sensei," Naruto blurted out, "He's the one who told me. I just passed the information to Rei. He guided me to this scroll, to this hidden place."
Rei's voice was filled with a sudden uncertainty, "Although, now that I think about it, why didn't we just go to the exam room? Oh, I've been such a fool!" She mentally chastised herself, her eyes widening as the pieces fell into place.
Before she could say another word, Iruka's sharp cry cut through the air, "Look out!" With a swift movement, he shoved Rei and Naruto aside. A shower of kunai whistled through the air, embedding themselves into the stone wall where the two had stood moments ago.
Mizuki stepped into the dim light, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, "I see you've discovered our hidden sanctuary."
Iruka's gaze hardened, "So, this was your game all along, Mizuki?" His voice was filled with a bitter understanding, "I should've known."
Rei's heart pounded in her chest as she looked at Mizuki, now clad in full ninja attire with two giant shuriken strapped to his back. 'I've been so naive,' she thought, 'I need to get Naruto out of here.'
"Naruto! Rei! Hand over the scroll!" Mizuki commanded, his voice echoing ominously throughout the cavern.
Naruto, his eyes darting between his two senseis, was visibly confused. "Wait! What is happening here?!"
"Listen to me, Naruto, Rei. Do not let Mizuki get his hands on that scroll!" Iruka's voice was urgent as he yanked a kunai from his own thigh. "The scroll holds forbidden jutsu, which if fallen into wrong hands can put our village in grave danger. Mizuki exploited your innocence to gain power for himself."
"You tricked us!" Rei's voice rang out, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and hurt. "I knew it was too good to be true, you... you liar!"
Mizuki laughed bitterly, "Oh, you want to know who's been lying to you? I'll tell you."
"No, Mizuki!" Iruka's voice was a desperate plea, but Mizuki shrugged it off.
"Your whole life, Naruto, they've been lying to you. Since the decree twelve years ago." Mizuki's voice was filled with a cruel satisfaction.
"Decree? What decree?" Rei and Naruto asked in unison, their voices mirroring their confusion.
Mizuki's smile widened, a predator baring his teeth. "Everyone in the village knows, except for you two. The decree forbids anyone from telling you, Naruto, that you are the vessel for the Nine-Tailed Fox."
Iruka's voice was a futile echo, "Don't tell them! It's forbidden!"
"The Nine-Tailed Fox that slaughtered Iruka's parents, that laid waste to our village, is sealed within you, Naruto. You are the Nine-Tailed Fox!" Mizuki's words were like a poison, spreading through the air, seeping into their veins.
Rei's heart pounded in her chest, her eyes wide with the revelation. 'So Naruto is the vessel for the Nine-Tailed Fox... I had no idea...' She cast a glance at Naruto, whose face mirrored her own shock. His loneliness, the hatred he faced from the villagers, it all lined up now. But they didn't see Naruto, the boy she knew. They only saw the demon.
Mizuki continued his venomous tirade, "Your whole life, they've been deceiving you. Didn't you ever wonder why they treated you like an outcast, despised your very existence?"
Rei felt a pang of sadness for her friend. 'Naruto...' she thought, but was interrupted by Mizuki's next words.
"Die, Naruto!" Mizuki hurled a giant shuriken at them. Rei moved instinctively, positioning herself in front of Naruto, her eyes changing to a feline-like pink hue under the stress. 'Rei...' Naruto thought, noticing her transformation.
"Naruto! Rei! Get down!" Iruka's voice echoed in the cavern as the two ducked, looking up to see Iruka shielding them. The shuriken lodged in his back, blood seeping from the wound.
"Iruka-sensei..." Rei whispered, shock and fear gripping her.
Iruka's voice was a soft murmur, but it carried the weight of a confession, "We're the same, Naruto. When I lost my parents, no one cared. They forgot about me. I tried to get their attention, made myself the class clown, but it didn't work. My grades suffered, I made mistakes, and paid the price. I know the loneliness you feel, the pain. And I should have been there for you. I let you down. No one should have to suffer like this, to be so alone."
Mizuki laughed scornfully, "Don't make me laugh! Iruka has always hated you, Naruto. He was orphaned because the Nine-Tailed Fox killed his parents, and that beast is within you. He's only saying these things to get the scroll."
Naruto, his heart pounding, turned and fled. Rei, after a moment's hesitation, chased after him. As she found him hiding behind a tree, she crouched down to his level. "Naruto, you're not a demon. You're my best friend. I don't care if there's a demon fox inside you or not." She placed her forehead against his own Her voice was soft, reassuring, and filled with the warmth of their friendship.
"Rei..." Naruto murmured, his forehead gently resting against hers in a display of affection he had learned from her. He remembered her explaining once that this was a tradition in her father's clan, a way to show affection, akin to the way cats nuzzled each other. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace which she returned with equal warmth.
"Nothing's going to change, Naruto. We'll always be best friends," Rei's words rang out in the quiet night, her voice filled with conviction. "You're the same Naruto I've always known, and nothing can ever change that."
Their whispers came to an abrupt halt as they heard voices nearing their hiding spot. Naruto's grip tightened on the scroll while Rei cautiously peered out from their hideout, her eyes still glowing in a peculiar pink hue. Naruto wondered if she was even aware of the transformation.
"You're a fool, Iruka, protecting that... monster and his little friend," Mizuki's voice echoed through the silence, laced with scorn. "He's the one responsible for the decimation of your family."
"I don't care what you say, Mizuki," Iruka's voice held a defiant edge. "You're not getting your hands on that scroll."
Mizuki laughed, a sound that sent chills down their spines. "As if you could stop me! Don't you get it? Naruto is just like me."
"And how exactly is that?" Iruka's voice was laced with a measured calm.
"He wants the scroll for his own power, his own vengeance. That's the nature of beasts," Mizuki's words hung heavy in the air. "He'll channel all his rage into the scroll and wreak havoc."
"You're right," Iruka's voice was barely a whisper, but the words slammed into Naruto and Rei like a physical blow.
"So it's true... Iruka-sensei never believed in me," Naruto's voice broke, his fingers clutching tighter at the scroll. "He thinks I'm some... some beast... a freak."
"Naru..." Rei's voice was just a whisper as she wrapped her arms tighter around him.
"That is the nature of beasts," Iruka continued, his voice steady. "But that's not Naruto. He's unique, diligent, and pours his entire heart into everything he does. Yes, he stumbles sometimes, and gets criticized for it. But his struggles only make him stronger. That's what differentiates him from a beast. So, you're wrong. He's not the Nine-Tailed Fox. He's Naruto Uzumaki, of the village hidden in the leaves."
Rei's arms tightened around Naruto as they heard Iruka's words. She could feel Naruto's tears soak through her shirt, and she let her own tears fall freely. She was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude that Iruka believed in Naruto just as much as she did.
"Huh, you really believe that?" Mizuki's mocking voice cut through the charged silence. He pulled out another giant shuriken from his back. "I was going to save you for later, but now... you're done!" With a swift movement, he hurled the shuriken directly at Iruka.
'So this is it,' Iruka thought, steeling himself for the inevitable impact. But to his surprise, Naruto and Rei lunged at Mizuki, sending him sprawling backwards. Rei immediately rushed to Iruka's side, her eyes filled with concern.
"Sensei! Are you okay?" Rei asked, her hands glowing with a soft, green light as she initiated her medical ninjutsu. It was a skill she had been working on for quite some time, and now was the perfect moment to put it to use. She carefully examined Iruka's injuries, assessing their severity with a focused gaze.
"I'll be fine," Iruka reassured her, his gaze shifting towards Naruto who stood, ready to protect his sensei.
Mizuki, meanwhile, was struggling to his feet. "Not bad for a little punk," he grumbled, his eyes narrowing at Naruto.
"If you ever lay a hand on my sensei, I'll kill you," Naruto's voice was a low growl, his eyes glinting with a fierce determination.
Mizuki laughed, a cruel, mirthless sound. "Such big words. I could destroy you with a single move."
"Take your best shot, fool," Naruto retorted, flashing a hand sign. "I'll give it back to you a thousand fold!"
"Let's see you try, Nine-Tailed Fox!" Mizuki yelled, his face twisted into a mocking sneer.
In response, Naruto merely shouted, "Shadow clone jutsu!" In an instant, the space was filled with numerous clones of Naruto, each one as solid and real as the original.
"Naruto! This is awesome!" Rei exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement at the sight of so many Narutos. Meanwhile, she continued to carefully heal Iruka's wounds, letting her medical ninjutsu work its magic. Iruka watched in surprise, noticing the pink hue of her eyes. 'So Rei has indeed inherited her father's kekkei genkai,' he thought, making a mental note to inform the Hokage.
Mizuki, overwhelmed by the sheer number of clones, was soon overpowered and fell to the ground, unconscious. Naruto looked around at his victorious clones with a satisfied grin.
"Sorry, I kinda got carried away," he said, scratching the back of his head.
"You didn't even let me throw a punch at him," Rei pouted, her eyes returning to their normal color as she held the scroll securely in her hands.
Turning to Iruka, Naruto asked, "Are you okay, Iruka sensei?"
"Yeah, thanks to Rei. The more serious wounds are mostly healed," Iruka replied, his gaze filled with admiration for his students. 'He's amazing. He wants to surpass the Hokage. I'm starting to believe that he can do it.'
"Naruto, come here for a minute. I have something I want to give you," Iruka called out, his eyes sparkling with pride. Naruto approached, his eyes filled with curiosity. Rei watched from a distance, a wide smile on her face.
"Sensei, how much longer?" Naruto asked, his eyes still closed as per Iruka's instructions.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now," Iruka said, grinning. As Naruto opened his eyes, he was greeted with the sight of the breaking dawn, the golden rays of the sun painting the sky with warm hues.
"Congratulations, you've graduated!" Iruka announced, a proud grin illuminating his face. At his words, Naruto's eyes went wide in disbelief. "And to celebrate, we're going out for ramen tonight!" he added, chuckling lightly at the stunned expression on Naruto's face.
In an instant, Naruto's shock melted into ecstatic joy. He launched himself at Iruka, wrapping his sensei in a tight bear hug, his laughter echoing in the morning air.
"Awesome, Naruto! I knew you could do it!" Rei called out, her voice filled with genuine joy and pride. She watched as Naruto practically glowed with happiness, a wide grin plastered on her face. Despite the trials they had faced and the hardships that undoubtedly lay ahead, right now, this moment was perfect.
As Rei watched her best friend celebrate, she allowed her mind to wander. 'This is just the first step for us,' she mused, her gaze turning introspective. 'The path ahead will be tough, filled with challenges and obstacles. But I know we'll overcome them all, we'll surpass everything for the sake of our dreams.'
Her thoughts then drifted towards her newly discovered kekkei genkai. 'Who knows, maybe along the way, I might even discover more about my unique ability and how to master it.' Her eyes glowed a soft pink as she pondered, a determined resolve settling within her.