The next morning...
Before the sun had risen...
Ryuu was already standing in the dojo.
His grandfather's katana rested at his waist.
His mother entered a few moments later.
"You arrived early."
Ryuu nodded.
"I didn't want to waste any time."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"A good habit."
"But today's training isn't about your sword."
Ryuu looked at her curiously.
"Then what is it about?"
She walked past him toward the center of the dojo.
"Your senses."
...
Without another word...
She placed a black cloth in his hands.
"Tie this over your eyes."
Ryuu did as instructed.
Darkness consumed his vision.
His mother's voice echoed through the dojo.
"Tell me where I am."
Ryuu listened carefully.
Silence.
He couldn't hear her footsteps.
"...To my left?"
"No."
Her voice suddenly came from behind him.
Ryuu was slightly surprised.
He hadn't heard her move.
She removed the blindfold.
"As a swordsman..."
"You won't always be able to rely on your eyes."
"Smoke."
"Darkness."
"Blinding attacks."
"All of them can take away your sight."
She picked up a wooden sword and tossed another to Ryuu.
"If your eyes fail..."
"What remains?"
Ryuu tightened his grip.
"My other senses."
She nodded.
"Exactly."
"Again."
...
The blindfold returned.
This time...
His mother slowly circled him.
Ryuu focused entirely on listening.
The sound of cloth brushing against the air.
The faint creak of the wooden floor.
Her breathing.
Suddenly—
Tap!
A wooden sword lightly struck his shoulder.
"You reacted too slowly."
Ryuu lowered his head.
"I understand."
Again.
Again.
Again.
Each attempt ended with another light strike.
His arm.
His shoulder.
His back.
His mother never used enough strength to hurt him.
Only enough to point out his mistakes.
By the end of the session...
Sweat covered Ryuu's forehead.
His breathing had become heavier.
His mother removed the blindfold.
"Better."
"But still far from enough."
Ryuu nodded.
"I'll improve."
"I know."
...
Later that morning...
Ryuu arrived at the Academy.
Jiraiya immediately waved.
"Ryuu!"
"You look tired."
"I trained before coming."
Jiraiya stared.
"You train before the Academy..."
"And after the Academy?"
"Yes."
Jiraiya scratched his head.
"When do you play?"
Ryuu thought for a moment.
"I train."
Jiraiya let out a dramatic sigh.
"You're impossible."
Nearby...
Tsunade overheard the conversation.
"No wonder he's always so calm."
She crossed her arms.
"He's practically living in a dojo."
Ryuu didn't deny it.
Because she wasn't wrong.
...
The morning lesson focused on teamwork.
Instructor Hiroshi looked around the classroom.
"A shinobi rarely fights alone."
"Today you'll work in groups of four."
The class quickly formed teams.
Ryuu found himself grouped with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
Jiraiya laughed loudly.
"This is perfect!"
"We're definitely the strongest team!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"You haven't even started."
Orochimaru quietly looked at the training field.
"We should first understand the exercise."
Instructor Hiroshi smiled.
"Good."
"Your task is simple."
"Retrieve the bell hanging from the center post."
"But there's one condition."
"No fighting your teammates."
The four exchanged glances.
Jiraiya immediately rushed forward.
"I'll grab it!"
Before he reached the post...
A hidden rope tightened around his ankle.
Whoosh!
He was lifted upside down into the air.
"HEY!"
The entire class burst into laughter.
Even Ryuu smiled faintly.
Tsunade covered her face.
"What an idiot."
Orochimaru calmly walked over.
"He ignored the surroundings."
"The trap was obvious."
Jiraiya groaned.
"Thanks for the encouragement..."
Ryuu stepped toward the center of the field.
Instead of charging...
He observed.
The ground.
The ropes.
The footprints.
The placement of the traps.
"Sensei wants us to think first."
He quietly pointed toward a safe path.
"This way."
The others followed.
Working together...
They reached the post without triggering another trap.
Tsunade leaped upward and grabbed the bell.
Ring!
Instructor Hiroshi nodded with approval.
"Excellent."
"You succeeded because you trusted one another."
Jiraiya laughed after being lowered from the tree.
"I helped too!"
Tsunade smirked.
"You showed us what not to do."
The class laughed once more.
Even Jiraiya couldn't help joining in.
...
That evening...
After returning home...
Ryuu resumed his blindfolded training.
The darkness no longer felt as unfamiliar.
For brief moments...
He could sense his mother's movements before she struck.
Only slightly.
But it was progress.
His mother lowered her wooden sword.
"Good."
"The first step has been taken."
Ryuu removed the blindfold.
"What comes next?"
She looked toward the setting sun.
"When the time is right..."
"I'll teach you how to feel the presence of a blade."
Ryuu's eyes lit up with anticipation.
Another lesson.
Another step toward mastering the sword.
He quietly looked at the katana in his hand.
One day...
He would understand it completely.
But that day...
Had not yet arrived.
End of Chapter 25