In this world...
Even though the number of civilian-born ninja was already considerable, and they were gradually carving out a place for themselves in the major hidden villages, the stage ultimately still belonged to the elite ninja clans. Things might have been relatively better in Konohagakure, thanks to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, sparing no effort to push forward the relevant policies. But in other hidden villages, especially here in Kirigakure, the status of the elite ninja clans was absolutely beyond anything civilians could shake!
The Yuki Clan children striding down the main road, only five or six years old, likewise looked down on their civilian-born peers. In their eyes, their only competitors were their own clansmen and members of other elite ninja clans, such as the Hozuki Clan and Kaguya!
They did not think these civilians were qualified to compare themselves to them.
Still, this is pretty common. After all, the gap is right there in plain sight. It's just that obvious...
Kei silently thought to himself, his expression calm.
This could practically be called a common failing of all the elite ninja clans.
The only difference lay in its degree.
And in whether they displayed it openly or kept it more restrained. The Yuki Clan was already among the very restrained ones. It was just that certain things had long since been etched deep into their bones and could not easily be changed!
The closer they came to the Ninja Academy, the more Kirigakure residents and their children they saw gathering there. All these people stopped at the academy's main entrance, where they had to form separate lines to undergo assessments by the academy teachers. Only those who passed could enter the academy.
Of course, this was merely the first hurdle. Passing only proved that you had the potential to become a ninja. If, during your future studies, you still failed to extract chakra within the allotted time!
You would most certainly be expelled!
Anyone who could extract chakra before enrollment definitely had a ninja among their parents or immediate relatives. They also needed considerable talent themselves, and at the very least, they had to possess a steady temperament!
Otherwise, did you think mental and physical energy were that easy to combine!?
For a three- or four-year-old child to accomplish this, even if he truly had the potential, it would still be very difficult unless he could settle down and focus!
Members of elite ninja clans could often extract chakra at three or four because of their overall environment, as well as the urging and supervision of their clansmen. The vast majority of civilian-born children could only accomplish this after entering the Ninja Academy!
This was a gap that showed itself right from the start!
Thus, while those civilian-born children still had to undergo assessments one after another in the area between the main entrance and the training ground...
Kei and his group had already gone straight into the academy's interior.
Children from elite ninja clans who were brought to enroll at the academy had, at the very least, already extracted chakra. In a broad sense, they could already be considered ninja!
Naturally, the academy administrators would not make the unnecessary effort of arranging for these clan children to take the assessments!
They simply assigned them to classes.
The dozen or so Yuki Clan children were evenly distributed among six classes.
After they quickly finished the series of enrollment formalities...
"The Ninja Academy is different from the clan. Elder Sogen already gave you instructions before we left. You must keep them firmly in mind. Understood!?"
"Yes!"
After delivering those words, Minazuki Satoru, who was responsible for leading the group, left ahead of them on his own.
Only the dozen or so young boys and girls of the Yuki Clan remained, and they then headed to their classrooms under the guidance of their respective teachers.
Two clansmen had been assigned to the same classroom as Kei, both little boys.
One was named Kazayasu Minazuki, and the other Minazuki Shinya. Unlike Kei, both were descendants of the clan's main line-in other words, descendants of the clan head or elders. Although the Yuki Clan did not divide itself as strictly into a Main Family and Branch Family as the Hyuga Clan did, there was still a tacit distinction between the main and branch lines. The difference was whether you had a badass elder holding great power within the clan!
Of these two boys, one was the direct grandson of Elder Sogen, mentioned earlier, while the other was the nephew of the current Yuki Clan head.
Their status was not something Kei could compare with.
They also held the highest status among the dozen or so Yuki Clan children who had come to enroll at the academy this time.
Thus, neither could hide the air of pride that radiated from him.
In their eyes, they had every right and qualification to act that way.
These two were also the most "hostile" toward each other among the dozen or so children, and were currently recognized as the most talented members of the Yuki Clan's next generation!
That was right. Kei had not truly displayed his talent within the clan, merely performing at an upper-middle level. Although this might very well have been needless worrying on his part, his current circumstances forced him to exercise some caution!
The tree that rose above the forest would be battered by the wind!
Who knew whether performing too outstandingly would put others on high alert, or even make them hostile toward him!?
Many events throughout the history of his previous life had offered bloody lessons time and again.
In any case, until he possessed the bare minimum of strength to protect himself, Kei absolutely would not stick his neck out.
Of course, he could not appear too mediocre either. In an elite ninja clan, your talent determined how much attention you received and how many resources were directed your way!
The principle that "the poor pursue scholarship, while the rich practice martial arts" was demonstrated even more vividly in the ninja world. Without a supply of resources, growing stronger might not be a pipe dream, but it would certainly be fraught with difficulties!
Thus, Kei had to let those in power within the clan see his strengths. During his future studies at the academy, he also had to let the village see his potential.
He was a genius worth nurturing.
Not cannon fodder to be squandered at will.
Yet he could not truly become the very best either. This was a balance Kei himself had to maintain!
Naturally, the two little fellows, Kazeki and Shinya, could not possibly know what Kei was thinking.
Both boys genuinely believed themselves to be the most outstanding of the clan's next generation, and while competing with each other...
"Hehe, we'll be studying together for the next few years. I look forward to learning with you, Kei!"
"Yes, Kei, make sure you come to us if you run into any trouble! We're all from the same clan, after all!"
Neither forgot to smile and try to win Kei over.
It had to be said that, in this respect, both had received a very good upbringing.
Although this was also a standard trait of those born into elite ninja clans.
That's why I say you little fellows are way too precocious...
Still, Kei could not help grumbling inwardly.
"Mm, thank you, Brother Kazeki and Brother Shinya!"
On the surface, however, Kei answered with an exceedingly modest, gentle smile.
Kei's attitude brought very pleased expressions to both Kazeki's and Shinya's faces. After all, if you wanted to rise in an elite ninja clan, you needed not only strength of your own, but also the support of many others!
Kei had already displayed considerable talent in the clan's previous internal assessments, and he was also an orphan. In Kazeki's and Shinya's eyes, he was someone very much worth winning over!