The Amegakure was situated in a large lake surrounded by bodies of water with sturdy metal gates and continuous fumes of smoke rising through the towering pipes, depicting its gloomy futuristic steampunk vibe.
"Get out!" A shinobi yelled, banging each cart violently with his hand.
As the children came out of the carts, the colossal buildings and shadowy clouds soon overshadowed their fragile bodies, soaking them once more in the piercing chilly dews.
"Get inside, you will know your next trial after this test is concluded..." The shinobi glinted with his disdain before he departed.
'Perhaps that guy is one of the shinobi who protested against these trials... His contempt was extremely obvious.'
Children fell in line without any problems. When the first line went inside, they were seemingly excited after they left the building, glimmering with anticipation and thrill.
"Bro, what did they do to you? What are you so happy about?"
"No... Some shinobi extracted some blood from my body. Maybe they are looking for somebody who has a Kekkai Genkai! I hope that my ancestors bless me with this chance!"
"Wait, really? Kekkai Genkai are very rare, no?"
Once Yoichi heard the extraction from their conversations, his eyes went cold. His Sharingan which he carefully conceals might be revealed with this mandatory test.
'Shit! This is gonna be a disaster. I couldn't run or hide from this anymore... I should try to fish out information from this shinobi's mouth!'
He thought. Unrecorded Uchiha like him were exceedingly irregular as this clan's solidarity towards their precious eyes tends to be sacred and would fight anyone who possessed Sharingan without their strict support.
In other words, he was fucked. Once they understood his bloodline, Yoichi's fate would be a rare specimen for experimentation, becoming a Uchiha sample in a hidden laboratory forever.
"Next!" The shinobi inside the building yelled.
Currently, it was Yoichi's turn. While the child sat down, the shinobi asked, "What's your name, age, and birthday?"
"I'm Yoichi, sir. Nice to meet you!" As Yoichi answered the questions, his eyes shone radiantly with excitement.
"Hah, spare the pleasantries kid. Age and birthday, quickly! I don't have any time to waste on your account!" The shinobi sneered filled with irritation and arrogance on his face.
"I'm four years old and my birthday is on September 18," Yoichi stretched his arm while the shinobi took his blood from the injection.
"Sir, may I know how much time this testing will take? I just wanted to learn if I have a Kekkai Genkai!" With elation written on his face, Yoichi asked the shinobi.
"Where did you get that information?!" The shinobi's eyes exuded intimidation which made Yoichi flinch and panic on his face.
"I-I got them from the children outside..." Yoichi stuttered, "Please, sir! I'm begging you."
Looking at the child's pleading eyes, the shinobi smirked, "Hah, it will take too long to evaluate your useless bloodline! Look at the children around, do you think you are unique than the rest of them?"
"Instead of trying your luck on that one equipment evaluating your worthless blood, it's much better to think about your survival!"
"Get out before I could lose my shred of hesitation!"
After his commotion, Yoichi bowed slightly and said, "I'm very sorry, I won't do it again and I'm thankful for your kind advice, sir!"
"Tch! That's why I hate troublesome kids the most. Next!" The shinobi's anger was slowly diminished before saying an annoyed remark and went back to his work.
Thus, Yoichi left with each phrase gradually resonating in his mind.
'Based on the information, it will take too long since there were too many children around here. Although I don't know the specifics, the kit for estimating their bloodline was only one. I must remove this Curse Seal as soon as possible before these greedy shinobi can have reasons to bite my ass!'
"That was just...acting, right? You are so unusually dramatic at that point." Knowing Yoichi's attitude for too long, Haruhiko tilted his head and looked at his friend.
"But Yoichi, why are you so fixated on this part? Perhaps you are trying to seek your family?" Hikari's remark was quite right but Yoichi shook his head, denying any allegations.
Yoichi replied, "I'm just checking their patience with us. From the looks of it, these merciless shinobi have something in store for us."
'You are far too bold, Yoichi!'
Hikari and Haruhiko thought. Soon, their thoughts were concentrated on Yoichi's keen and observant words.
"Perhaps it should be a part of this trial or maybe we're involved in something..." Hikari said with confusion.
"Yeah... It might be. We can only await further instructions..." Haruhiko mumbled.
Therefore, Yoichi and his party began preparing for the next trial ahead of time with their whole attention focused on relaxation and leisure foremost.
...
In the bustling and moving cart.
"Are you ready to meet your friends once more, Sabito?"
"Yeah... I'm also excited about them. I hope they are really alright... What about you, Masaru?"
On the other hand, Masaru and Sabito were transported into the cart. During the trials, their closeness became stable with their cooperation and unity.
At first, both of them were cautious of each other but each ordeal tested their minds and the likeness towards success became apparent.
Still, this relationship was shallow and paled in comparison to their parties, constantly scheming yet agreeing with the survival plans.
In direct phrase, enemies with benefits.
"Yoichi should be so strong now, no? If I remembered correctly, he was with Hikari..." Masaru smiled.
"Yoichi... Hikari..." At this point, Sabito couldn't help but be jealous of Yoichi's remarkable talents with Hikari on her side.
'If I have Yoichi's talent at the start, perhaps Hikari would also like me!'
Sabito thought as a complicated expression was written on his face. He should be proud of his friend's achievements yet his eyes slowly understood the reality of life.
"Be proud of yourself, Sabito. You survive! Prove to the village that you are one of the best!" Masaru replied with an earnest expression.
"Hmm!" Sabito nodded in agreement.
'Yes, he's right! I can prove to my friends that I'm not a weakling of the past! Genji, Hikari, and Yoichi, I will be seeing you in the trial. Wait for me!'
A surge of competitive spirit rushed into his eyes while Masaru's eyes flickered with a glint of delight.
___________
(Current Progress)
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Great Success) 135/500]
[Goredrinker: 0/100]
[Tickets: 1 Prismatic, 2 Gold, 8 Silver]
___________
I should write Genji's adventure but I decided not to. He is alright and would be in the plot so don't worry. Now that the crisis has emerged once again, the MC would do anything to survive in Amegakure...
Thanks for reading the chapters and bookmarking the novel. See ya! XDD!