The city is laid out as a town around Shinwa Castle, which is positioned at the tip of Mushashino terrace. The cove filled with water facing the castle, the river diverted and several protective moats and logistical canols are dug limiting the risk of flooding. East of the river a massive network of canols are dug out.
Temples and shrines occupie roughly a quarter of the surface of the city, equivalent to the living areas of the towns people. The temples and shrines are spread out over the city.
The bustling with variety of establishments including teahouse, restaurants, boathouse, theaters etc are lined up. The smell of unagi enriching the streets and the sound of exciting music filling the streets. Some men and women wearing keamons while they traverse the street of this city.
Sadly for them a boy with a height of 149cm, half black half white messy hair with piercing black eyes and brownish skin color bump into them. Though he apologize to them with a smile, while continuing to run in the streets.
His heart throbbing with joy and his mind wistfully thinking about his academy life. The notice aside from the towns people their are a few people who seem to be wearing the same attire.
They are wearing a long-sleeved grey military vest, forearm guards, black cargo pants and military boots.
He decide to ignore their presences increasing his speed to reach faster to his destination, as well as the getting back home to eat his sister's food.
***
Now standing in front of him is a door twice his size. He calmly inhales and exhales before opening the door. Like millions of knives are stabbed right through his soul.
The room is filled with a lot of children who seem to be his age glaring at him. The room also has adults that are wearing the same clothes as those other men in the streets.
One of the adults cough to grab the attention of children.
"Since we have a new participate I shall repeat what I said." The adults words infuriate some of the children as they look at the boy with anger.
"All of you present in this room have decided to become ninjas. That would mean first entering the academy." He adds. "However before entering the academy you have to pass the entrance exam."
"The entrance exam consists of 3 parts. (1) The writing exam, (2) The physical exam and (3) The survival exam."
"Now with all that done head to the next room and sit according to your badge number." The administrator leaves the room with is colleagues.
The boy head to the next room and sit on his place where finds a paper on his table. The administrator informs each children that they should write their name and age.
The boys name is Kazuki Emori age 14.
***
With the completion of their two exam the children stand outside face a forest that smells like hell, but it seems there is a fence that allows both entry and exit.
*Clap* The administrator draws their attention once again.
"Listen up children. What your seeing here is called the Forest Of Truth.". Curiosity fill up the children of why it was given this name.
"In order to pass this exam you are required to collect either a earth scroll or a heaven scroll. To make this even more challenging there are 14 of each scroll, which doesn't fair well with your numbers." The administrator says.
Kazuki looks around seeing that the administrator is right, though he catches a sight of a boy with textured fringe hairstyle, amber eyes and light skin glare at him. He thumbs up to the boy to proceed to listening to the administrator.
"After collecting the scroll you are to head to the tower in the western north of the forest. You are required to finish this exam in seven days time or else you can try again next year."
As soon as the administrator finish he walks off leaving his colleagues to line up the children so they can pick their weapon of choice for the exam.
A kunai, a shuriken, a tantō and a kusari-fundo are the only weapons placed on the table for the children to choose.
The administrator notice that some children are hesitant in choose their weapon. They decide to tell the children they have a hour to select what weapon they want for now they should rest.
Kazuki feels relive leaving the line to head ya shaded tree. He sit down placing his katana on his lap.
Just as he is about to close his eyes the boy who was staring at him stand in front of him.
"Isn't that sword to big for you. My name is Reiji Kōshin by the way."
Kazuki looks at him to answer. "This belonged to my father, so whenever I hold it in my hands I sorter remember him. Oh, and mines Kazuki!"
"..."
"Anyways is becoming a ninja one of your dream as well?" Reiji ask Kazuki.
"No." Kazukis head tilting downwards.
"Then why you participating in the entrance exam?"
"I wanna be strong so I can protect my little sister!" His head still tilted downwards.
Reiji wishes to know more about Kazuki, although he can sense Kazuki is not going to open up. He comes down sitting next to Kazuki leaning onto the tree.
"Kazuki doesn't it bother you that even though we are young ninjas they are giving us weapons to kill. More suspicious they are not telling us the rules only the goal of this exam." Reiji scanning each administrator.
"Your the type to think to much aren't cha." With a smile on his face he further say. "Also none of us here have asked for the rules."
Reiji stare at Kazuki for a few seconds and laughs make Kazuki to beg the question of why his laughing all of a sudden.
"Woah... My bad." He slowly stops laughing, but that still leaves the question of he was laughing for Kazuki to imagine.
However his mind is filled with questions of what this exam is about, why there is a seven day completion period, why is it happening in a forest and why do they need weapons.
"Kazuki. You mentioned that you had a little sister." Trying to change the topic.
"Yep!" His smile brightening his face. "She's threes years younger than me and am the only family member for her."
"You must be a good brother to her then." Kazuki clench his sword, but still keeps the smile on his face.
Reiji feels a tense atmosphere from what he just said to Kazuki. The atmosphere brings silence to the two boys for a while.
Reiji decide to break the silence by informing Kazuki about himself.
He start by saying that he is the second son of the famous Kōshin clan. A clan that has been inhibiting exceptional ninjas for the past centuries. Not only that but his father is the second strongest ninja in the SHINWA STATE.
These words spark excitement in Kazuki's eyes. Reiji also adds that someday he wishes to a ninja like his dad.
"Don't worry Reiji you will definitely become a ninja stronger than your dad!" These words and smile give Reiji hope .
"Then why don't we team up for this exam?" Reaching out his hand before saying."So we can pass together.
"Is that possible?"
"We we'll know in a hour and if so how about it." Without a second thought Kazuki grabs Reiji's hand and the two boys shake hands.
*Whistle*
The two boys stand up from the tree and head to stand in the line.
"I hope you have decided your choice. Now choose your weapon while I explain the rules." The children begin to choose their weapon, but Kazuki moves out of the line.
"First know that you this exam is a survival one, second we administrator's will not be accompany you, third anything that goes on inside the forest stays in the forest and lastly there will be some monsters in this forest so get ready to fight until your dead."
At the corner of Kazuki's eyes a boy raises his hand.
"Excuse me, my name is Ion. I have a question, when you say nothing leaves the forest are you giving us permission to kill one another if we want?"
The administrator calmly stares at at Ion know the type of person he is.
"You are correct. We are not liable for your safety in this exam." The administrator smiles to continue. "Blame your parents for allowing you to participate in this exam, but you also have the right to not go through with it. So I'll give you a extra five minutes to decide."
'Now I understand. They are testing us if we are willing to kill another human in order to get what we want.' Reiji thinking to himself as well as scratch his head. 'Its just like big bro said.'
Meanwhile Kazuki's eyes are fixed on the entrance way of the forest with his eyes having no hint of fear.
He clench his sword walking to the gate. This act catch Reiji, the other children and the administrator's off guard.
"Number 456 ther is still 4 minutes left." His hand placed firmly on Kazuki's shoulder.
He looks at the administrator with a smile telling him that a ninja does not run away from a challenge.
His words fill the other children with courage and the administrator's with curiosity of what will happen now.
"Time's up! Those who wish to participate come and enter the forest." His colleagues open the gate. To their surprise all the children dash right past the gate leaving only Kazuki and Reiji.
"That was a nice quote." Reiji speak.
"You think so!" Kazuki's cheeks turn red.
"I wanna know will you be going with that sword inside the forest?" Looking down at Kazuki sword.
"Ya it's the only weapon I need! How 'bout' you?" Notice Reiji looks unarmed.
"Don't worry I got my kunai right inside my vest."
Their smile intersecting. The two boys fist pump ready for what this Forest of Truth has for them. As they step foot in it.
TBC.
Next Chapter: 14 April.