TPMITWON Chapter 36: Pakura's Concerns

One of the students who seemed silent and contemplative was Souta.

Souta looked at the instructor with an unreadable expression. His heart was racing. Souta did not expect the Academy to have so many subjects and quite intense physical training.

Souta knew that becoming a ninja was not easy, but hearing the long list of lessons and training firsthand made him realize how difficult the journey ahead would be.

However, among all the things explained, there was one thing that immediately caught Souta's attention.

Without thinking twice, Souta raised his right hand.

"Excuse me!" Souta called out, his voice slightly loud.

The other students turned to look at Souta, while Aomi raised an eyebrow before finally directing her gaze at him.

"Yes? What is it?" Aomi asked, her tone slightly confused.

Souta swallowed hard before asking, "Does that mean we have to have our own books?"

The classroom fell silent.

Aomi stared at Souta for a moment before answering with a slow nod. "Of course."

That answer felt like a heavy stone dropping right onto Souta's shoulders.

Souta froze in place, his mind racing.

"Books...? I have to buy books...?"

Souta's blood felt like it froze instantly.

As an orphan living alone in the village, Souta's finances were already very limited. He struggled just to survive day by day, and now he had to buy books and stationery for his studies? That was something Souta had never even considered before.

Souta's fingers clenched tightly around his pants under the desk. He tried to hold back the sudden tightness in his chest.

However, before his anxiety could deepen, Aomi's voice was heard again.

"Don't worry," Aomi said in a softer tone. "For orphans who successfully enter the Ninja Academy, the village has established a rule that they will be provided with books and stationery for free. So, you don't need to worry."

Souta quickly lifted his face.

His eyes widened, staring at Aomi in clear shock.

Free...?

Souta couldn't hide his surprise. Aomi, seeing Souta's reaction, only smiled faintly.

Souta realized he had been staring at his teacher for too long, and his face immediately turned red. He hurriedly looked down and turned away, feeling embarrassed.

"Alright," Aomi said again, looking at all the students in the class. "Are there any other questions?"

No one spoke.

"Then, I will continue explaining the schedule of the Ninja Academy."

...

...

...

*Evening – The Journey Home.*

The sky began to turn orange, signaling that the sun would soon set. The village of Sunagakure looked beautiful in the golden light illuminating its stone and sand buildings. The warm desert wind blew gently, causing fine grains of sand to dance in the village streets.

Souta walked home in silence, his steps relaxed but his mind still filled with thoughts about everything that had happened today.

Beside Souta, a girl with green hair walked calmly. Pakura, Souta's classmate, kept pace beside him without saying much.

However, suddenly, a soft yet clear voice was heard from beside Souta.

"Hey."

Souta turned and saw Pakura looking at him with a slightly hesitant expression.

"What is it?" Souta asked, continuing to walk.

Pakura was silent for a moment, then lowered her head. Her voice was quiet when she finally spoke.

"... Do you think I can become a ninja?"

Souta's steps slowed slightly.

He looked at Pakura with slightly widened eyes, surprised to hear that question.

"Why do you ask that?"

Pakura bit her lip softly. "I don't know," she said in a low voice. "It's just... I feel worried. What if I'm not good enough? What if I fail?"

Souta stared at Pakura in silence.