4 Chapter 4 : Friend

When all the paperwork was cataloged, the students were broken into individual classes consisting of around fifteen students per teacher. Kenji walked through the halls of the academy darting his eyes around basking in the greatness. Ninja. Kenji was now on the path of the ninja. The faint whispers of his classmates trickled through the hall while Kenji's teacher led them to an open room supported by massive columns with a rectangular pool of water in the middle. The water was as still as the walls enclosing it.

Someone whispered "Listen up."

Apparently no one heard the almost inert gesture.

"Listen up." The unknown individual seemed to struggle speaking loudly as the students finally settled down.

"I'll be your teacher here while you idiots struggle through the academy." Students everywhere began to cringe at the sight of their bad luck. "My name is Mr. Yuto."

Mr. Yuto sported blue extravagant hair to accompany his slouching body language. No one could tell what his eyes looked like due to him barely being able to keep them open. Kenji couldn't help but force a smile.

Before anyone could ask questions Mr Yuto sluggishly whispered, "Everyone please make your way to the pool and try to stand on it."

Judging from the reaction of the students, no one knew what the hell was going on. Worry and anxiety filled the faces of every young child while Mr. Yuto turned around and flickered away, leaving the kids to figure it out for themselves. Two bodies emerged from the crowd anxiously speed-walking to the pool. One was a gill-faced boy cutting holes through his lips with his shark teeth smile and the other was Kenji who wore his traditional half smile. Both kids lead the pack as their classmates followed. Not a word could be heard. Only the abrubt splashes of kids sinking into the water. In the end, only Kenji and the shark kid managed the water walking feat until every one else gave up. Kenji gazed at the kid with wonder. Aya had taught him many things before the academy, and water walking was one of them. Who taught this kid?

The defeated faces of the class suddenly turned to fright and admiration. Kenji glanced towards the door and almost puked from excitement.

The fourth Mizukage himself, Yagura Karatachi, entered the room followed by Mr. Yuto and a man that struck fear in Kenji. The man wore a shark Anbu mask. His muscles where bulging from the undercut of his tank-top. For some reason, Kenji's gut told him to stay away from this man.

The three intimidating men approached the pool beside the class and stood there. All were staring at the two boys defying the laws of gravity. Suddenly Yagura glanced towards Mr. Yuto and said, "Oh so we got two this year?" Before Mr. Yuto could reply with respect, Yagura grinned viciously. "Tell me your names." Yagura directed his attention to Kenji and the mystery boy.

Aya had informed Kenji to treat the Mizukage with respect, so he slightly bowed and stated, "Kenji, Lord Mizukage."

Yagura seemed pleased with his performance and nodded. He turned to the other child who quickly glanced at Kenji. Kenji motioned him slightly with his head. He nervously turned towards Yagura and said, "Ha..Hansuke, Lord Mizukage."

Yagura smiled. "Very well, Kenji, Hansuke. You must now fight to the death." Yagura backed off a few feet with his 'bodyguards' leaving a starstruck academy class. After about thirty seconds, Yagura seemed to get annoyed and yelled "Now!"

The class, Kenji, Hansuke, and even Mr. Yuto shuddered. The class retreated with fear while Kenji and Hansuke looked at each other and walked toward each end of the pool. Kenji was afraid. He didn't want to do this. Why should he have to kill someone on his first day! Even though he didn't know Hansuke, he assumed he adopted the same mindset.

The Shark Anbu threw both of them a kunai, looked at Yagura, then rumbled a "Begin."

Both contestants glared at each other and strengthened the resolve in their minds. Both thought, I just started on this path...I can't stop now. I won't!

Two boys flashed towards each other leaving a ripple behind and clashed. Sparks flew off the opposing kunai. Kenji instigated a whirl of strikes towards Hansuke who slightly retreated, still striking sparks with every successful block.

After a fury of kunai engagements, Kenji struck a stab towards the head of Hansuke. Hansuke ducked and leaned his head back. He could feel the kunai ripple through his hair as he eyed the black piece of metal. Hansuke lunged towards Kenji's left side and slashed with all his might. Kenji saw this coming. He smiled and leaped headfirst over Hansuke. Kenji's feet hit the water. He slung his kunai at the face of Hansuke. Without any time to think, Hansuke followed. Both knives collided in the air with force and took a dive into the pool.

The class watched with their eyes bulging. They couldn't believe how talented these two were. Yagura and his goons watched the fight intently with no emotion at all. A few kids could clearly see the harsh judging of the brawl in front of them.

At the same time, Kenji and Hansuke broke out into a fist fight. One sock after another. Both were even in terms of taijutsu. Kenji pulled back as well as Hansuke. The boys were thinking. Watching. Hoping to find an opening. This fight wouldn't go anywhere the way it was now.

Yagura was readying to end the fight when the boys collided again.

Kenji and Hansuke banged their forearms against each other, their faces inches away. Both were gritting their teeth in exhaustion while testing each others resolve with a gritty stare down. Almost in sync, they went vertical. Jumping away from each other, both boys pulled their hands together in mid-air.

Upon this advancement, Yagura's interest was peaked. The trio of men widened their eyes. Kenji weaved the signs boar, horse, and tiger.

Hansuke began to weave tiger, ox, tiger, rat.

"Fire style : Great Fireball Jutsu!"

"Water style : Water Bomb Jutsu!"

Both kids were in fight or flight. They used everything they had. A giant fireball collided with a ball of water equal its size.

Boom!

The pressure of the collision knocked a few students on their butts. Some braced themselves while others couldn't take their eyes off this performance. Yagura, Mr. Yuto, and the shark Anbu stood with arms crossed. No doubt thinking how lucky they were to have these two, but the fight was not over.

Heaving with every breath, Hansuke charged towards Kenji with a bare fist. Kenji stood there. He did nothing. Was he crazy?!?!, thought his classmates. Hansuke cocked back with all his strength and let his fist fly. Inches before impact, the audience noticed a glimmer towards the base of the water. Kenji balled his hand into a fist and pulled with all his might. A wet kunai emerged from the depths attached to ninja wire from Kenji's wrist. Kenji caught the knife with ease and proceeded to gut Hansuke. Hansuke couldn't stop his momentum. He was going to die.

Hansuke closed his eyes, hoping it would be quick. He hope Kenji wouldn't forget him. He hoped his defeat wouldn't be for nothing.

On the other hand, Kenji wanted to cry. He was going to kill someone. He was five years old.

"Stop!"

Before the kids could react, Mr. Yuto held Kenji's arm and Hansuke's fist.

Everyone looked at Yagura. He cracked a devilish smile, lowered his eyebrows, and squinted his eyes, "You two are perfect."