The moonlight was dim, casting only faint streaks through the high windows of the darkened chamber. The Spiritual King stood before three shadowed figures, the air heavy with tension.
"You may stand up," one of the elders ordered.
He obeyed.
"Hello, Three Elders," the Spiritual King greeted, his voice even.
"What's going on?" asked the First Elder.
"An unknown person infiltrated the village," the Spiritual King replied.
"Have you captured him yet?" the Second Elder asked.
"Not yet. I've sent out elite ninjas to search for anyone suspicious—specifically, someone in a black hood."
"You don't even have a face?" the Third Elder asked.
"No," he admitted.
"What about Okata?" asked the First Elder.
"He couldn't identify the intruder either."
The room fell silent for a moment, the tension building.
"So you have no idea what the intruder even looks like. Wonderful," the Second Elder muttered.
"I plan to restart the third challenge in two days—"
"No," the Third Elder interrupted.
The Spiritual King froze. "What?!"
"The third challenge was a distraction. That's how the intruder got in," the First Elder said.
"We all agree. No more of that foolishness," added the Second Elder.
"From now on, some of our strongest will observe the results of the second challenge and decide which teams move forward. That's final," the Third Elder concluded.
The Spiritual King clenched his fists but bowed his head. "Understood."
He exited the dark chamber, the guards outside standing at attention. The torchlight flickered across the stone walls as he passed them.
He muttered under his breath, "One day, I'm going to kill all three of them…"
"Huh?" one guard asked, but the Spiritual King didn't answer.
Later – The Spiritual King's Office
He entered with stiff shoulders, face hard as stone. Okata and Kaji turned as he stepped in.
"What happened?" Okata asked.
The Spiritual King sank into his chair with a sigh.
"I've been thinking about the third challenge and—"
"Don't. The elders made their decision. The third challenge is officially canceled."
"What?!" Kaji shouted.
"Didn't expect that..." Okata murmured.
"Then how are we choosing who becomes a ninja?" Kaji asked.
"The elders want our strongest elites to review the second challenge and select seven teams to pass."
"Smart. The third challenge was a distraction anyway," Okata said.
"Exactly what they said," the Spiritual King agreed.
"Man, sometimes those three old balls get on my nerves," Kaji muttered.
"Doesn't matter. Orders are orders. Prepare an announcement. Posters go up first thing in the morning."
The Next Morning
Sunlight crept through the windows of Ryju's room.
Ryju yawned and stretched in bed. "Man, I had a good sleep."
Suddenly, Renji burst in. "Let's go!"
"What do you mean?"
"You're coming with me to the Ninja Academy!"
Ryju blinked, then grinned. "Okay! Let me get ready!"
"Don't take too long now," Renji warned.
In a flash, Ryju jumped out of bed, took a thirty-second shower, brushed his teeth for twenty seconds, and got dressed in ten.
"I'm done!" he said, bouncing with excitement.
"How did you even get dressed that quick?" Renji asked, stunned.
"Come on!"
Downstairs, Rika handed them food.
"Here's your breakfast. Enjoy it."
"Fried chicken!" Ryju exclaimed.
"Ramen. Perfect," Renji said.
"Bye, Mom!" they both shouted, dashing out the door.
Rika smiled as she watched them go. "Look how far you both have come..."
On the Way to the Academy
"So, do we walk there?" Ryju asked.
"Walk?" Renji scoffed.
The two launched into the air, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
"This is so fun!" Ryju yelled.
"I love moving fast like this!" Renji replied. "We're kinda late though, so let's pick up the pace!"
"Got you!"
At the Ninja Academy
"Where is Ryju?" Rei asked, scanning the area.
"I have no idea," Shun replied.
Kuroyami stood nearby, silent and disappointed.
"We're here!" Renji called out.
Ryju and Renji landed smoothly. Renji vanished in a blur, teleporting to the Spiritual King's side.
"There he is!" Rei said. "What took you so long?"
"My bad," Ryju shrugged.
"So careless," Kenshiro muttered.
"Like you're any better," Ryju shot back.
The Spiritual King stepped forward.
"What took you so long?" he asked Renji.
"Sorry," Renji said.
Kurosaki looked disappointed. Renji noticed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Renji asked.
The Spiritual King raised his voice. "Now we begin. You're probably wondering why the third challenge has been stopped. An intruder entered the village."
Gasps echoed. One student stood up.
"Is the third challenge still happening?!"
"Good question. No. After speaking to higher authorities, we've decided not to proceed. Instead, only seven teams will pass."
"But I thought you said no eliminations!" someone shouted.
"Yeah! You did say that!"
"Well, things have changed. Tomorrow, you'll find out if you're a ninja or if you'll have to wait another year. That is all."
The crowd erupted in mutters. The Spiritual King, Renji, and Kurosaki vanished.
Among the Students
"So tomorrow, huh..." Misa whispered.
"Yeah. We passed. No doubt about it," Azar said.
"Looks like we're ninjas," Zanden added.
Kaien nodded silently.
"Told you!" Jett cheered.
"Man, I wanted to fight," Taro complained.
"Let's go," Uzuki said.
"K," Daigo agreed.
"Alright," Hana nodded.
"Yes sir!" Jake grinned.
"Okay," Tetsuya said.
"Okay," Naomi echoed.
Elsewhere in the Academy
"We passed. So, we're officially ninjas," Kenji said with pride.
"Now I can share my art with the world!" Apollo declared.
"I'll freeze them all," Hiroto added ominously.
"I'm gonna be a blast!" Akari said.
"Weirdos," Helia mumbled.
"My head hurts..." Mika sighed.
Ryju's Group
"I hope we make it," Ryju said quietly.
"We are," Shun said confidently. "We did good in the second challenge."
"Yeah, we actually did good," Kenshiro agreed.
"Thanks to Shun," Rei added.
Ryju looked down, thinking to himself. I hope you're all right, Kuroyami...
Somewhere in a Tree, Hidden in Shadow
"Thank god I moved quick when that stupid alarm went off... But it looks like everything went to plan. They stopped the third challenge. Now, when the new ninjas are elected, I can finally make my move..."
To Be Continued...