Akio listened intently, a more stern look reappearing on his face as Shusuke explained the more dire implications of life as a shinobi. "We are assassins. We are soldiers. We are tools. Kindness is not going to strengthen your resolve to be able to take the life of an enemy as they spew forth about their family still living in enemy lands... My job isn’t to teach you or to inspire you. My job is to graduate and increase my strength to reach my fullest potential." There was a cold cynicism to the beliefs that Shusuke spoke, even if they belied the true intent to impart a necessary lesson for survival. However, these sentiments weren't new to young Akio.
He'd heard those words before, echoed by his rigid father. 'Shinobi are warriors, spies, assassins, and most of all we exist to serve the village... With our lives if it comes to it.' The words Akio's dad told him echoed in his mind, bringing a disdainful look to the young Senju's face. While Akio didn't agree that kindness couldn't strengthen resolve, or that the elder and more powerful among the shinobi of the village had no responsibility to help those younger and more inexperienced than them, he knew that Shusuke was right about one thing: part of training as a ninja was about reaching your full potential. And if you didn't live long enough to see that happen... Well, that was just part of the cycle of life and death that surrounded the profession they'd all been born into. After all, it wasn't so different than the natural flow of things that existed for every type of living thing. 'Animals, plants, and shinobi too... We don't control the circumstances we live in. We've gotta survive in the forests or the deserts or the mountains or even the ninja villages that we're born into... And in the end, we only survive if we find a way to grow... a way to satisfy the things we truly need.' The thought was one that Akio had pondered more often than any ten-year-old should have to in the days leading up to his entry to the academy.
But that stern look of contemplation was wiped from Akio's face once more and he smiled as Kohara flew up to him, childlike laughter spilling out as the cute little guy nodded to him at eye-level. Maybe he wasn't imagining it when he thought he saw a little ant raising a fist of defiance after all. Shortly thereafter, Kiriyomi raised his own metaphorical fist as he responded to his Yamanaka classmate. "I'm sorry, but I just can't believe any of that is true. Ninja aren't just assassins anymore! They protect one another, that's why the villages were built. Sure, there are a few bad eggs out there, but as far as I can tell most of the villages just keep to themselves and don't have any bad blood between them. If you choose to be a tool, that is your decision. I choose to make friends along the way, and work together to make the lives of everyone in the village better." The Aburame's admirable words gave Akio something to think about, and in his heart he truly hoped that his fellow nature-lover was right.
When Kiriyomi turned to greet Akio, clasping his hand and thanking him for his unexpected intervention, it was made clear that Akio definitely wasn't used to this kind of positive attention, at least from anybody but Grandpa Itsuki. He went a bit red and reached a hand behind his head, bashfully scratching the back of his sandy blonde hair as he smiled and replied, "Good to meetcha Kiriyomi. And you don't gotta thank me. I just did what I thought was right. You needed help, and I was just a few seconds away. Plus, I think you were spot on with what you said: Ninjas protect one another." His own words made him think about what Shusuke said too. "And to tell ya the truth... I think maybe Shusuke was trying to protect us too, in his own way." Akio added, and while he had no way of knowing the Yamanaka's true intentions, he chose to see the best in him. After all, he had learned from his grandfather's words as well. 'When you choose to see the good in others, you end up finding the good within yourself.'
Finally, as Haniki walked up, Akio's contemplation was once again broken by a smile that spread infectiously across his face. He'd seen a look like the young kunoichi was wearing many times before, typically coming from his mother when his father was being too harsh or severe when Akio was a child. "What are you on about, Shusuke?" She asked. Her words were kind, her expression soft, but there was a scolding note to the way she asked her teammate that question that the young Senju found keenly familiar. Akio simply grinned back at the volt-touched kunoichi as she gave he and Kiriyomi a kindhearted nod, his expression saying 'Thanks~' even if his actual voice did not. And Akio leaned over and nudged Kiriyomi, raising his eyebrows and flashing a toothy grin as he leaned towards him and whispered quietly, "This is gonna be fun to see."
The days of classes almost seem like a blur. Shusuke is definitely ready for his graduation that should be coming up any time. The young Yamanaka already mastered the basics to his clan's techniques and has even advanced into his own personal style that allows his Genjutsu to nearly bend reality. The pupilless blue eyes of the blond haired boy starred pass all of the other students in the halls nearly ignoring all of their existences. Stepping out of the building into the back training space, Shusuke stretched his arms up and over his head with a yawn. He was so over all of this. He was clearly better than all of his peers.
A chain could be seen leaving Kiriyomi's heart as Shusuke apparated directly behind him leaning in, closely speaking into his ear. 
