"Ugh…"
Eiji woke with a dull headache and the uncomfortable realization that he was not in his bed.
Cold bark pressed against his back. The smell of dirt and leaves filled his nose. Above him, the sky had shifted into a soft gradient dark blue with pale blue bleeding in, it was right before dawn.
He blinked once.
Then twice.
"…I passed out."
He sat up instinctively.
Too fast.
"Whoah"
The ground sunk faintly beneath his palm as he pushed himself upright. The feeling was subtle, Eiji froze immediately, eyes panning downward.
His hand was pressed into the dirt.
Not resting on it, but in it.
His fingers had sunk several centimeters into the soil, compacting it unnaturally. The indentation was clean, defined, as if pressed by a stamp.
Eiji stared at his fingers.
"…That shouldn't happen, the ground shouldn't be that soft."
His headache pulsed once, then faded, leaving his thoughts sharp and uncomfortably clear. He flexed his hand gently this time, paying attention to every movement.
"Weird… the pain is completely gone now."
He rose to his feet carefully.
This time, he adjusted.
He distributed his weight consciously, lowered his center of gravity, softened his joints.
He could feel the difference, he required more restraint just to move normally.
"Okay," he muttered. "It looks like I fell unconscious last night."
He tried to recall the moment it happened.
The system message.
Meditation.
The warmth sinking deeper into every corner of his body.
Strengthening him.
Healing him.
Eiji exhaled slowly and brushed the dirt from his clothes, cracking his joints as he realized how stiff his body felt.
"…And I slept outside."
The matron would not be happy.
*Gurgl.* His stomach rumbled as he became acutely aware of how hungry he was.
"I must've used a lot of energy for whatever happened last night. Explains why I fell unconscious" as he rubbed his stomach.
He turned toward the orphanage and began walking.
Each step felt lighter and faster than normal.
He reached the back entrance just as the first sounds of morning stirred inside.
Good.
Maybe he could slip in unnoticed.
He reached for the door handle.
*Crack*
"Damnit," Eiji winced.
He loosened his grip before turning it.
The handle was bent slightly.
His grip caused the handle to loosen from the door a little.
He eased the door open as quietly as possible and slipped inside.
One step.
Two.
The floorboard creaked.
He froze.
"Eiji."
He flinched.
The matron stood in the hallway, arms crossed, eyes sharp despite the early hour.
"…Good morning, Matron," he said carefully.
She looked him up and down.
Slowly.
Her gaze paused on the dirt on his clothes. The faint scuff marks on his hands. His posture a bit stiff.
"…Where were you last night?"
"I couldn't sleep," he replied without hesitation. "So I went outside to think."
She narrowed her eyes.
"And you decided to sleep under a tree."
"…I must have dozed off."
"...dozed off," she repeated.
Her gaze dropped to his shoulder.
She stepped closer before he could react.
"Turn around."
Eiji obeyed.
She pulled the edge of the bandages aside slightly, inspecting his injuries.
Then she paused.
Her fingers pressed lightly against the edge of the wrapping.
"…Your injuries should have taken a few more weeks or months to heal this much."
Eiji stiffened.
She prodded once more, firmer this time.
He barely reacted.
Her expression shifted.
Subtle.
"How long were you outside? What were you doing?" she asked.
"I don't know, I was just meditating," he said honestly.
"Meditating huh," she eyed him suspiciously.
She studied him for a long moment, then sighed.
"…Everyone depends on you and thinks you're very mature, Eiji, but sometimes I worry about you more than the other kids."
Eiji blinked. "You do?"
"Yes," she said. "Because while others are playing, you train too hard, work too hard, or get hurt fighting a boar. The other kids come home with a scrapped knee, you come home with blood all over your body. "
Eiji just looked down, a bit guilty.
"Sigh… and the worst part is, apparently you heal fast too, so I can't say whatever you are doing is wrong and not worth it, or even force you to rest longer"
His ear perked up slightly.
"Does that mean I can go back to training and foraging, Matron?" He looked at her hopefully.
"I hope that I won't regret this… Yes Eiji, you have my permission"
"Thank you so much Matron!" Eiji bowed deeply.
"Enough bowing Eiji, give me a hug if you are really thankful" She teased
Eiji was a little surprised, but hugged her nonetheless.
She pulled back first, clearing her throat.
"Alright," the matron said, turning away. "Go wash up. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Eiji nodded. "Yes, Matron."
As he moved past her, she paused once more.
"…Eiji."
He stopped.
"Don't mistake my permission for recklessness," she said quietly. "The world is cruel and you must be strong, yes. But that is also exactly why you must be careful with yourself."
"I understand Matron," he replied seriously.
She studied his face for a moment longer, then waved him off. "Go."
The moment he stepped into the washroom, the first thing he noticed was his reflection.
At a glance nothing changed, it was still his face.
"Wait, I think I grew a little taller," he said as he also realized his face seemed a little thinner.
"I guess that's a nice bonus"
He turned the tap.
*Creakk..*
The faucet bent a little as he grabbed it.
"…Right," he muttered, easing his grip immediately.
"I have learn to control myself quickly"
When he stepped into the common room, the kids were already stirring.
"Eiji-nii!"
Mizu was the first to notice him. She hurried over, eyes bright.
"Where did you go last night?" she asked immediately. "Kota said you were kidnapped."
"I wasn't kidnapped," Eiji replied calmly. "I just… couldn't sleep."
Kota yawned loudly from the table. "Maybe this isn't the real Eiji, maybe he was eaten by the boar's family"
"Good morning to you too, Kota."
A few of the younger kids gathered around him, poking his arm, his side, his bandaged hand.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Did you bring another boar come back?"
"Are you gonna fight another one?"
"No," Eiji said firmly. "And no fighting."
He gently but firmly moved them away, careful not to grip too hard.
The matron watched from the kitchen, arms folded. Her eyes never left him.
As everyone began to eat, something unusual happened.
"Matron, can I have some more?" Eiji requested after finishing his first bowl.
"Are you sure Eiji? Don't get too full okay" She said as she scooped another bowl and added more boar meat for Eiji.
"It's okay Matron, I'm just feeling a bit hungry right now."
This kept on happening a few more times before Eiji was satisfied.
"Whoah, How can you eat so much more than me, Eiji?" Kota asked.
"Probably because I'm growing faster and taller than you," Eiji smirked.
"HEY! I'm also growing fast, "Kota yelled and everyone laughed.
After breakfast and chores, during which Eiji was constantly holding back, increasingly aware of his strength, he approached the matron again.
"Matron, I'm going to the library," he said.
She looked at him, then nodded. "Be back before dusk."
"Okay."
Eiji slipped on his sandals and stepped back outside.
As he was walking to the library, he could feel the himself breathing air in abundance as his lungs felt stronger than before, refreshing him as he moved faster than ever. Focusing on his feet, he felt like he was gliding, his feet barely making contact to the ground as he slowly started to run.
"Whoah," he exclaimed as finally reached infront the library, slowing down to a stop, nearly tripping.
"Note to self, walk slower"
He reached for the handle out of habit.
*Thud*
The wooden door rattled in its frame, the sound echoing down the quiet street.
Eiji froze.
"…Oops. I forgot it's still early in the day."
He immediately loosened his grip, checking the handle. The wood had a faint crack running near the edge, but it hadn't broken. He let out a slow breath and stepped back, hands behind his back like a scolded child.
'I hope no one notices, I can't pay for the repairs'
The door opened from the inside.
The librarian peered out at him over the rim of her glasses.
"You're early," she said, "You usually come around lunch."
"Yeah…" Eiji replied. "Woke up too early today," making an excuse.
Her eyes flicked to the doorframe, then back to him.
'Please don't notice' Eiji sweatdropped.
"..." She didn't comment and turned around.
"Phew" He unconsciously sighed.
She walked to the shelves and pulled down two books, placing them on the counter.
"These are about physical conditioning," she said. "Read them."
"Okay, thank you for the pointers Miko-san," Eiji gave a small bow.
Miko-san, just waved him away.
He took the books to his usual table and opened the first.
It was technical. Filled with diagrams, not only showing the muscles, but also how each interact with certain movements, pressure distribution, and so on. It also highlighted how to train each one, and the effects if applied incorrectly. It was similar to a book he read previously, but this one was way more detailed, and not only focusedon increasing strength.
Each time he read a diagram, he also flexed the same part of his body, trying it real-time and making sure to remember and understand each part, over and over again.
The creak of the library door echoed faintly, but he didn't lift his gaze. Focusing more on his small training session.
*Creaakkkk*
A chair was pulled across from him, the sound cutting through the silence
From the corner of his vision, a shadow stretched across the table, settling opposite him.
Eiji looked up and saw a blonde boy around his age sitting in front of him without any books, just watching him.
"…Can I help you?" Eiji asked.
The boy tilted his head slightly. "You were moving while reading. Your hands. Your shoulders."
Eiji paused. "Is that weird?"
"A little," the boy said. "Most people just read."
Eiji closed the book halfway. "Then why are you watching me?"
The boy leaned back in the chair and smiled brightly. "Because you're the one who goes into the forest alone. Toward the river side."
Eiji's eyes narrowed just a bit. "So you were the one watching me."
"Sometimes," the boy admitted easily, shrugging. "Not in a creepy way though. I just train out there. I kept seeing you coming back alone, so I got curious."
"…You're from a clan," Eiji said after a moment. It wasn't a question.
The boy blinked surprised. "How did you know? Well, mostly just a small family."
"You seem like someone properly trained, which is not normal for civilian kids, and based on your clothes, you don't seem lacking in money," Eiji replied.
"You also don't seem normal, but you are a civilian," The boy smiled.
"Fair, but I train alone, that's why i'm here at the public library."
"Hahahaha, I guess you're right. Nice to meet you, I'm Minato Namikaze."
"Eijiro, but people usually call me Eiji."
Minato tapped the edge of the book. "That's not a beginner's manual."
"Yeah, I'm training my body now since I can't train any ninjutsu yet, and I've been breaking a few things recently, so I'm learning to control myself."
"Wow, you must be super strong then, to accidentally break stuff."
"Yeah, you can say that"
"You should train with someone, I usually train with my dad, but I also train alone if he's on a mission, it was how I noticed you and followed you alone heheheh," Minato scratched the back of his head a little embarrassed.
"Where do you usually train?" Eiji asked.
"Well, if it's with dad or grandpa, I usually train at home. But when I'm alone, I go to this spot I found near your orphanage, actu—" He stopped mid-sentence, eyes lighting up as if something clicked.
"Wait! We should train together. The place I use isn't far from you. It's perfect, wide and open, solid stones for practicing footing, trees you can use for throwing practice. Basically everything you'd need for training. And I can bring some old training gear from back home."
"That… actually sounds good," Eiji replied.
"Great, meet me at the training ground tomorrow, be there at three in the afternoon," Minato said after explaining where the spot was.
"Okay, I'll meet you there tomorrow."
"Nice, see you tomorrow," Minato stood up to leave with a big grin plastered on his face.
"What a weird and happy kid," Eiji whispered as Minato left the library and the door closed behind him, a small smile unknowingly crept onto his face.
(To Be Continued)
A/N
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