Naruto: The Beast Within

Next Day

The morning is still and soft, as if the world itself is waiting for something to happen. Raimu stirs awake in his empty clan house, the usual silence surrounding him like a thick blanket. His golden eyes blink open lazily, and for a moment, he just lies there, feeling the pull of sleep lingering in his body.

By the time he arrives at the academy, the morning bell rings. Students start gathering around the entrance, and Suzume, their Ninja teacher, has been getting them ready for the graduation exam, tring to help with their skills, in genjutsu, hand seals, and other types of arts

Suzume waves the students inside. "Alright, everyone, time for some practical training. Today's session is all about hand-to-hand combat. We'll be doing one-on-one matches, so I hope you've all been working on your taijutsu."

Raimu drifts to his usual spot in the back, barely paying attention to the usual banter going on between the other students. He's not one for needless chatter, especially when his mind is already thinking about the night before—his chakra beasts and the quiet satisfaction of their training. Today, though, he's not focusing on that. Today, it's about getting through a simple, straightforward class without drawing too much attention to himself.

Suzume begins to assign pairs, and Raimu watches as Takuma is called up first to fight, always eager to get a fight in, and from the looks of it, he's ready to show off.

Takuma doesn't even notice Raimu looking—he's too busy bouncing on his feet in excitement.

"Raimu, you'll be fighting Haruto," Suzume calls. "No one's sitting this one out."

Raimu glances toward Haruto, a tall, slightly serious-looking guy with dark hair and sharp eyes. They don't interact much, but Raimu knows he's strong. Haruto nods, his gaze fixed on Raimu, and the two meet at the center of the training mat.

There's no buildup, no grandiose speech or dramatic stare-down. Just a quiet, unspoken understanding. They're here to train, and that's all there is to it.

Suzume calls for the match to begin, and Haruto wastes no time, charging forward with a swift kick aimed directly at Raimu's midsection. It's a good move—quick and clean—but Raimu doesn't flinch. With a lazy but fluid motion, he steps to the side, dodging it without breaking a sweat.

The class watches, intrigued by the way Raimu's body moves so effortlessly, like he's already anticipated the strike before it even happens. Haruto doesn't seem to mind, however. He's not deterred by the miss and quickly follows up with a series of punches aimed at Raimu's face.

Raimu, still unbothered, tilts his head, his golden eyes gleaming with a faint amusement. His movements are slow, almost casual, as he dodges each punch with minimal effort.

"I don't know why I even bother," Haruto mutters, frustration creeping into his voice.

Raimu finally speaks up, his voice soft but with an underlying calmness. "I don't know what you mean." He grins, half-lidded eyes giving off the usual sleepy vibe, as if he's not even fully awake.

Haruto pauses, taking a step back. He's clearly frustrated. He breathes deeply, shaking off the tension in his body, and then charges again, this time more measured. This time, it's not about speed; it's about precision.

Raimu watches him closely, his golden eyes narrowing as he waits for the right moment. The next series of strikes are slower, more deliberate, as Haruto focuses on aiming with precision. Raimu finally moves, his body flowing seamlessly around Haruto's attacks, his reactions sharp, but never hurried.

With one swift movement, he sidesteps a punch and brings Haruto's arm into a controlled lock. He doesn't hurt him, but he holds him in place for a second, a calm smile on his face as Haruto struggles, trying to free himself.

"Got ya," Raimu says softly. He releases the lock and steps back, his posture relaxed as always.

Suzume claps her hands. "Alright, that's enough. Haruto, good effort. Raimu, nice work."

Haruto exhales heavily. A bit mad but also a little in awe of Raimu's ability to remain so composed. Raimu simply shrugs, his expression still relaxed, as though he didn't even break a sweat.

He walks off the mat, not paying much attention to the impressed looks from the other students.

The day continues in a similar rhythm. There are more matches, some more intense than others, but Raimu doesn't put much effort into any of them. It's not that he's overconfident; it's just that he's already learned the lesson. Taijutsu is about control, and today, it's clear that many of his classmates still have a lot to learn about that.

By the end of the class, as the students are starting to file out, Suzume catches up with Raimu. "Good job today," she says, her voice softer now. "You could've easily finished that match in a second, but you didn't. That's impressive."

Raimu gives her a lazy smile. "I don't like to rush things," he replies simply, shrugging as he gathers his things.

Suzume raises an eyebrow. "You know, Raimu, you're capable of more than you let on. Don't forget that. I'm sure we'll see your full potential soon enough."

Raimu just smiles and nods, his eyes flickering to the ceiling for a moment before looking back at Suzume. "We'll see. No rush, right?"

The rest of the day passes by in a haze of normalcy. Raimu doesn't feel the weight of his power pressing against him. It's almost as if the world moves in slow motion around him. His classmates, still buzzing with the excitement of the upcoming exams, can't help but steal glances at him every now and then. They don't know what to make of him, and perhaps, Raimu doesn't care to show them.

He heads home after class, walking the quiet streets in the soft glow of the evening. There's no one to talk to when he gets there, no loud voices filling the air. It's just him and the silence. He lays down on his bed, his blanket wrapped tightly around him, and looks up at the ceiling.

For a moment, the weight of everything—the exams, his training, his power—feels distant, almost unreal. But the world is still out there, waiting for him to take that next step. Tomorrow, it will all get closer. But for tonight, it's just Raimu, alone with his thoughts, under the quiet sky.