It had been One year since that arse whooping from the Sage. Me and Hiroki were now 7.

Apparently, this was a 'special' age or some shit for the Sage as he decided to congratulate us on turning 7.

But you know what they say 'If your age is on the clock the Sage wants your coc-'

Just as I was about to finish my thought Hiroki busted down my door almost making it fly off its hinges.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAKAOKI!!!" Hiroki yelled as he tried to hug me.

I dogged the lunatic's Hug attack and he crashed into the wall.

I closed my eyes and massaged my temples.

This was too much to handle. Hiroki was annoyingly happy at the best of times and obnoxiously happy at the best of them, so I can only imagine how cheerful he would be on our joint birthday.

"Why did you do that Takaoki? It's my birthday as well so you have to be nice to me." Hiroki said massaging the lump on his head.

Ignoring Hiroki I held open my door and signaled for him to leave.

"But Takaoki..." Hiroki pleaded using puppy dog eye jutsu.

However, I had predicted his attack and countered with my death glare of epic edginess.

Hiroki fell defeated by my cold heart.

With a slumped back, Hiroki trudged out of my room.

However just as he was about to leave Hiroki turned to me.

"Takaoki... Don't forget the Sage wants to see us later to congratulate us on a year of training." Hiroki said as if only just remembering.

I didn't reply and just nodded and slammed my door on him.

Finally, I really don't have time for Hiroki so early in the morning.

Plus I've got work to do.

I made my way over to the desk which I had requested from the Sage.

I gave him a half-truth saying I was using it to research the ways of Ninshu, when in fact I was going to weaponize them. He bought it, or at least I think he did.

I put the scroll on Ninshu to one side and removed the notebook I had taped to the underside of the desk.

Maybe not the best hiding place but certainly Hiroki proof. Everyone else didn't randomly burst into my room at ungodly times, so I wasn't very worried.

Opening to the last page I read what I had last written.

It was mainly about my newly discovered 'hand signs' which made it easier to channel chakra. There was a seemingly endless combination of hand maneuvers which produced different effects, very interesting.

Another breakthrough I had was in my experiments.

I found out I had a special ability to carve sigils onto things and produce so-called 'curses'.

It had taken a lot of exploding birds to find out the right combination of swirls and lines to produce these curses, but overall worth it.

One bird I had given a curse too had become fireproof in exchange for a chakra drain whilst on fire. A very interesting ability indeed and something I planned to expand upon using a wide variety of animals in the future.

Just as I was about to write an entry on one of my latest experiments I noticed the sun was going down.

Shit! I'm late for the Sage's meeting.

I put my research away and made my way to the training field.

To my surprise, we weren't alone this time.

Of course, Hiroki and the Sage were there but also three other children around our age.

Hiroki, of course, looked excited to make new friends however I was only slightly curious as I moved closer to them

There were two boys and one girl.

The first boy looked nervous and unsure of even the way he stood. Back slightly arched with pale almost white skin. This kid must be permanently inside. The only bit of color on him was his bright orange eyes and short hair. He generally looked weak and unimpressive however who knows he might be a Ninshu powerhouse, but I doubt it.

Next up was an entirely unimpressive girl. To me, she just looked like an average brown haired and eyed little girl, but to the Sage, she probably looked like a fine woman. I unconsciously sent a disgusted glare to the Sage and he looked confused.

Don't play innocent with me you dirty old man.

The final student stood a head above me and I was quite tall for my age.

Everything about him was stoic and solemn. This guy could play Batman for fuck sake, that's how serious he was. His green eyes didn't waver and every movement of his body seemed to be timed and have a clear intention. All in all, he looked like he was smuggling a 10ft rod up his arse at all times. Oh, and he had long black hair in a ponytail and two red dots just above his eyebrows.

"Nice of you to join us young Takaoki." The Sage said like the sarcastic prick he was.

"Who are they?" Hiroki asked bluntly.

"Absolutely no subtly," I said sneering at Hiroki.

If Hiroki had proven anything to me over the last Year it was that he was blunt.

"Well, young Hiroki I have brought you and young Takoki here to congratulate you on passing!" The Sage said in mock excitement.

"What do you mean 'passing' Sage?" I asked unsure of what he meant.

The Sage's shit-eating smirk seemed to widen at that.

"The last year, young Takaoki has been a test of spirit. If you had not passed I would not have carried on your training." The Sage lectured.

"So you would have kicked us out of the sect?" Hiroki asked seemingly hurt at the very proposition.

"Yes. I'm a busy man and world peace can't be put on hold for me to teach dead-end students." The sage said bluntly.

Hiroki seemed to find the idea difficult judging by the completely unrepressed emotions all over his face.

"But you passed! So it doesn't matter. I was almost always kind of certain you would pass as well." The Sage said happily.

"Get on with it Sage," I said not amused at his dead banter.

The Sage feined hurt and turned to the three children.

"These, my precious disciples, are your fellow clansmen. They have been chosen to join you for personal training." The Sage said proudly.

If the Sage is proud of this lot he's more delusional than I thought.

The Sage brought his hand to his beard in a thinking pose.

"How about we introduce ourselves, I'll go first. Hi! I'm the Sage of the six paths. I like my brother and Ninshu. I dislike greed and cruelty. My dream for the future is to bring peace to the world." The Sage said as if he was in some sort of twisted AA meeting

The Sage then signaled for Hiroki to go.

"Hi! I'm Hiroki nice to meet you! I like making new friends and I dislike people who try to hurt them. My dream is to protect my precious people." Hiroki said cheerfully.

Next to go was the scrawny kid.

"Hi...I'm Ken...I like." Ken said looking at the girl longingly.

"I dislike arrogant people and my dream for the future is..." Ken once more looked at the girl.

Fucking disgusting. Lovestruck for some plain girl, really? I mean he's nowhere as good lucking as me, but have some damn self-respect!

The girl went next.

"Hi, I'm Ren Sarutobi. I like learning Ninshu and nice people. I dislike this worlds cruelty and my dream is to heal the world." The girl said in a caring but determined way.

Careful girl, your hitting all the right spots for the Sage. I swear he almost jizzed when she said 'heal the world'.

Next, that snobby prick went.

"I am Noir Kaguya from the noble Kaguya clan," Noir said almost as if he was looking down upon everyone here.

The Sage looked away awkwardly at the display.

"I like succeeding and I dislike failure. My dream is to become a good clan head when I come of Age." Noir said as if challenging anyone to go against him.

What a prick. Can't wait to break him.

After Noir had finished everyone stared at me.

"Names Takaoki no last name. I like fucking with people and I dislike not fucking with people. My dreams to fuck with people." I said relishing in the horror on everyone's face at my choice language.

I just grinned menacingly at everyone.

"Well then, let us continue." The Sage said trying to break the shocked silence.