Early the next morning, everyone was on the yard for a briefing by the Shihan. The Shihan appeared to them as usual with multiple Senseis. "You are the twenty people who have shown worthiness of becoming a Shinobi but before that, you have to indulge in special training, not the one you do in your normal Ziatho classes. In this training, you will know your potential and how to utilise your Ninja techniques. I have already spoken with the Senseis and you've been assigned to different Senseis. We'll start with Hana Ryo, you'll have to train with Mistress Yuki". Hana looked at Mistress Yuki with confidence and smiled at her "Yes Sensei" she said. "Lin Ling and Kagura Namikaze have to train with Mistress Shiori" said Grandmaster Shin. They looked at her but she didn't look at them back, she was just focused on the Shihan and sometimes at Master Hayabusa.
"Denji Sai, Haru Hyuga and Minato Akimitsu will train with Master Sai, Diasuke Fushiguro and Ichigo Haku will train with Master Hayabusa, Akira Ren will train with Master Ryoko, The twins, Aiki and Aoki Satoru will train with Mistress Hanabi. Megumi Yoichi, Yuta Tadashi and Fuji Takashi will train with Master Kaito. Takumi Kaito and John Maxwell will train with Master Showa. Hatake Mako, Inosuke Itadori and Jin Arata will train under Master Yin and finally, because of certain circumstances, Diago Souta will train under Grandmaster Musashi" The Shihan explained with authority. Everyone gasped when they heard about Diago's new Sensei. "Why does he get a Grandmaster? It's unfair" Megumi said. "Do you question your Shihan's authority?" asked Grandmaster Shin. "No, Sorry Sensei" he said and bowed, with fear written across his face. "Your training begins tomorrow. Pack your bags, make sure you have everything you need. Good luck" he said and disappeared. "What on Earth does he mean by pack your bags" echoed from the students. "Just do as you're told. Don't ask unnecessary questions" Mistress Shiori shouted rudely. "Uh! She's so rude" Diago thought to himself.
Early tomorrow morning, before the morning cock crowed, Akira felt a slight knock on his head, "just let me sleep for one more hour, Diago" he said whilst sleeping. He received a heavier knock on his head "What is the big idea, Diago?" he asked as he stood up angrily and realised that it's none other than Master Ryoko. "You are late for training" Master Ryoko said. "No, I'm not. It's still…" Akira tried to explain. "I give you five minutes to freshen up and meet me outside or no training for you" said Master Ryoko and disappeared. After four minutes, Akira came outside with his backpack filled with food, water and a little money Hana and Jin gave to him.
Akira had his pack slung over his shoulder, his dark hair whipped in the early breeze, his eyes bright with anticipation. Master Ryoko, older and calm, carried himself with the composure of a man whose every step was deliberate. His crimson robes swayed lightly as he walked, the faint glimmer of his rank-band marking him as one of the senior Senseis of the academy. "Three days, Sensei? To Mount. Timboku?" Akira asked, glancing at the towering horizon where faint mountain ridges trembled in the heat haze. "Feels like we'll get there by next year." Akira said. Master Ryoko raised a brow. "Only if you spend the whole journey complaining. Then again, your mouth could carry us faster than your legs." Akira chuckled, scratching his head. "Guess I'll talk us there, then." The Sensei's lips curved faintly, and with that exchange, they left the village gates behind. The stone road gave way to rolling dirt paths that wound past fields of golden rice and into the untamed wild.
By mid-morning, they had entered the woods near Red Hollow, a place infamous for highwaymen. The tall cedars leaned inward, their branches knitting the sky into patches of green shade. The silence was heavy, too heavy. Akira's ears twitched. "Sensei… feels like eyes are on us." Ryoko didn't look around. His voice remained calm. "Good. You are learning to sense intent." A rustle, then the whistle of something sharp cutting air, an arrow thudded into the path ahead. From the underbrush stepped three men in tattered armor, each with a crude weapon. Their leader, a scarred brute with a missing ear, sneered. "Well, well, travelers and one's a fancy old man. Hand over your packs." Akira frowned. "Old man? Careful, he's younger than you'll ever be inside and he's not even up to 30." Ryoko simply folded his arms. "Akira, what do we do with weeds that choke the road?" Akira grinned. "We trim them."
Master Ryoko darted forward, hand flashing through seals, suddenly, an explosive clone appeared at his side, sprinting with him. The thieves cursed, raising their weapons. Akira's katana met the leader's rusted blade with a ringing clash. The clone dove into the bandit who had drawn a bow, detonating in a burst of fire and smoke that sent him sprawling. The third thief swung a mace, but Ryoko barely shifted. With one graceful movement, his leg swept the man's legs. The bandit hit the ground before he realized he'd been struck. In seconds, the thieves were disarmed and groaning. Akira made his katana disappear and laughed. "That's it? I was hoping for, I don't know, twenty of them. At least then I could show off." "Your showing off would take twice as long as the fight," Ryoko replied dryly. He glanced at the defeated men. "Go back to your village. Work for your food instead of stealing it. If I see you again, it won't be this merciful." The thieves scrambled off, pale and shaking.
As the forest opened to farmland, they heard shouting. A frantic woman waved from a small hut beside a rice field. "Please! Please, travelers, my child's pet fox has run into the woods! It'll be eaten by wolves!" Akira blinked. "A fox as a pet? That's… bold." Master Ryoko inclined his head. "We will help." The trail was easy enough, little paw prints pressed into soft earth. Akira followed at speed, vaulting over roots until he reached a clearing. There, surrounded by snarling wolves, was a small orange fox with a ribbon tied to its neck. It yipped pitifully. Akira didn't hesitate. He drew his katana from empty space, tighten his cloth and got a grip of his Katana as he often trained. "Alright, furballs. Let's dance." The wolves lunged. Akira moved smoothly, listening to the hiss of their paws and the snap of jaws. His blade flicked and turned, striking the ground beside them, forcing them back with controlled slashes. One wolf pounced, Akira spun, his heel catching its side, sending it rolling away. Ryoko's voice carried from the trees. "Good. Trust your instincts." The wolves, unnerved, retreated into the forest. Akira crouched, scooping the fox into his arms. It licked his chin. "You're lucky you're cute," Akira said with a grin, carrying it back. The villager wept with relief as she embraced her fox. She offered them food, but Ryoko politely declined. Akira muttered, "I wouldn't have minded grilled dumplings…" Ryoko's eyes twinkled. "You already ate four breakfasts."
By noon, the road became harsh under the blazing sun. Their water gourds emptied fast. Ryoko led them off-trail to a shaded stream, where they refilled and rested. But food was necessary. "Sensei" Akira said, crouching, "I'll handle this one. Watch me hunt." He set traps with surprising efficiency, weaving rope snares and camouflaging them. Hours later, they caught two rabbits and a pheasant. Akira proudly presented them. "Not bad, right? I'm basically a survivalist genius." Ryoko inspected the catch. "The traps are decent. Though if you had sat any closer, you'd have caught yourself instead." Akira frowned. "…That happened once." That evening, they roasted the meat over a small fire. Akira devoured his portion eagerly while Ryoko ate in calm silence. The younger ninja leaned back, staring at the stars peeking through the canopy. "Sensei… why Mount Timboku? Why not train here?" Ryoko's gaze shifted to the distant horizon where faint smoke curled skyward. "Timboku is alive. Its fire sleeps and awakens. To master flame, you must understand its patience and its fury. There, you will face both." Akira swallowed his bite, sobered by the weight in Ryoko's voice. He nodded firmly.
They made camp near a ruined shrine on the forest edge. Fireflies drifted in the darkness, sparks against the night. Ryoko sat cross-legged, meditating in silence, while Akira poked the embers of their campfire. "Sensei," Akira said softly, "back there, when we fought those thieves….it's like you knew every step before it happened." Ryoko opened one eye. "Experience is a mirror. When you've seen enough battles, you recognize them before they begin. One day, you will too." Akira smiled faintly, staring into the fire. "Then I'll be the strongest ninja ever." Ryoko's lips curved. "Only if you learn when not to fight." The night deepened, crickets chirping. Akira, exhausted, finally curled into his blanket. The Sensei remained awake a while longer, watching the fire until it died down, eyes thoughtful. Thus ended Day One of their journey.