It's June now, a month since Shinobi Academy life started. This month I discovered the curriculum we’d be having.
Shinobi Conduct - The rules any shinobi must follow if they want to survive in the field. Life skills like sewing, cooking, washing clothes, etc.
Shinobi Tools Handling - The learning on how to handle shinobi tools like kunai, explosive tags, and shurikens.
Chakra Conditioning - Training of one’s chakra either in control or enlarging of the chakra pool.
Physical Conditioning - Training of the physical body.
Jutsu - The learning of the basic releases, hand seals, and jutsus.
Civilian - Covers topics ranging from biology, algebra, to writing. That is taught in regular civilian school.
Not surprisingly I scored full marks in the written exam, close to the top in physicals, and chakra test wasn't revealed but I believe close to the top if not first. That Jonin-level chakra is coming in steadily.
I was placed in the special class 1-A where all of the highest potential students in the batch are. There are only fifteen people in and two of those fifteen are Gasu and Kotai, the two boys that kept on going in the running exam.
Unlike what their appearance might suggest both Gasu Kaji and Kotai Kaji are related and so they're actually twins to be exact fraternal twins. Kotai has a more bronze tone compared to Gasu’s paler skin and also Gasu inherited his father’s curly black hair and Kotai inherited his mother’s straight brown hair.
They are at it again. Watching from my spit in the back of the class I watch as Gasu and Kotai start to bicker. Even though they are related they act like cats and dogs.
Any minute now… here it is. I thought as the two started to throw hands after a heated arguments
“KOTAI! GASU! What the do think you're doing get back to your seats.” screamed the teacher for Tool Handling.
“I just went out to take a leak and I see you two fighting again.” Pinching the bridge of his nose Makato stared at the two troubles before sighing.
“Psst hey.” Whispered Ekitai from his right.
“What?” I asked, whispering.
“I am gonna miss Saturday my family going out to visit relatives in Konoha.”
“Konoha? Lucky I’d also want to go but mom won't take me while the war is still happening, have a nice trip.”
And so the day went I walked toward the residential district before arriving at my house. Yelling to make my presence known I entered the house and was greeted by the ka-kaw of Tsutaka.
“Hello to Tsutaka.” I greeted giving him scratches and the customary snack.
I was greeted by a deep hug from my mother. Releasing me from the hug, wet patches could now be seen on my clothes that weren't there earlier.
“Oh sorry dear I forgot that this would happen. It might be better if you change clothes.” Saying that my mother or at least her clone ambled inside.
The person in front of me is a water clone, a C-rank jutsu. Creating a clone from water reduces the cost of a clone but with larger restrictions like they are only able to perform water jutsus which isn't a problem as mom is a water-style shinobis and the last con was that compared a regular shadow clone jutsus you won't be able to obtain the memories of the clone.
My mom has become more comfortable with leaving me alone since I entered the Academy, only leaving Tsutaka and a clan with me. Joining back to Dad’s team, however, she only takes missions that last for at most two days or she’d just stay behind.
Finishing my second lunch I went to the back of the house which served as my training ground. For me to practice my jutsu, recalling the jutsus I learned from the library.
Water Pellet Jutsu
A basic foundational jutsus that serves as a beginning to many different water jutsus like Water Release: Gunshot, Water Release: Bullet, Water Release Missile, and Water Dragon Bullet.
Performing the six needed hand seals I created a bubble of water in my mouth before firing it out like a turret. Impacting a rock it scraped out a small layer of the rock.
Both of my parents had Suiton/Water affinity so I expected to also have and when I tested my affinity with chakra conductive paper it went as expected turning camp in the sign of a suit on affinity.
Unfortunately, that's all it did to tell you what element you had the highest affinity to and not the level of your other affinities. You have to figure the other ones out with trial and error.
I need to practice more if I want to be able to lower the amount of hand signs needed for it to be even viable in combat.
Soon an hour passed and the rock from earlier had been turned to dust. Calling me in Mother asked me how the day went I told her how my day went, the lessons, and that Kotai and Gasu are up with their antics again.
A month later and I've mastered the Water Pellet Jutsu enough so that I could perform it in a single-hand sign and I am now comfortable enough with the jutsus that I am able to increase or decrease the power of the jutsu with how much chakra I pour in.
I've also mastered another jutsus in the month Mist Creation Jutsu, a jutsu used to create a mist in your surroundings. The radius it covers depends on the amount of chakra dedicated to it. As for now I am learning the Hiding in Mist Jutsu a perfect match with Mist Creation Jutsu it allows the user to blend and hide himself in the mist. I also plan to learn the other two hiding in water jutsus.
Back in the academy, I practiced my water jutsus by shaping water created from chakra to form complex shapes under the table while maintaining it.
From the door entered Mexico Seiichi, our Shinobi Conduct instructor. Hastily the former chaotic room of unsupervised children has quieted down even though the two trouble makers sat on their seat backs ramrod straight.
Dispelling my jutsu I focused my attention to Mr. Seiichi. It was supposed to be Civilian class now but if he came something must have happened.
Putting his hand behind his back he gave the class a stern stare before nodding then he spoke.
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“You all have been in the academy for two months and the higher-ups have decided that we allow you to choose a specialty in your shinobi career may it be as a sensor nin, medic-nin, assault nin, or even as a fuinjutsu master we’ll help you to the best of our abilities.”
Upon those words, the classroom was filled with agitation from the announcement.
They really are putting a lot of resources into this batch of students. I remember Mom saying that they hadn't even had free kunai to train with and there were only two teachers in the academy.
Is this because of the war? Are they trying to fill up the power left by the other villages' loss of manpower?
Shaking my head I distance myself from those questions. I should make full use of this opportunity. This place wouldn't be so pro shinobi in a few years.
Calling us in the order of our last names. We formed a line, near the front I waited as the two in front of me and one being interviewed by Mr. Sheiichi.
When it was finally my turn he asked me a few questions before we got to the crux of the matter.
“You are a talented shinobi Tadao-Kun and that's been shown in your scores but being talented isn't all it is in being a great shinobi you are expected to fill a role and what role would you believe you should or what should you specialize in?”
I beat around the bush instead, I explained to him what I wanted. A fuinjutsu master, I heard him say that fuinjutsu brought to mind the many underutilized elements of Naruto.
It would have been satisfying to see Naruto learn of his heritage and what it meant to be an Uzumaki, the clan that was so feared and most of the major villages had to band together to defeat them.
“Sensei-dama, I have decided I want to specialize in fuinjutsu. I shall bring honor to the village and protect it with my life, if I have to. The village raised so will I give back.” said bowing my head in an imploring manner and channeling all my inner Hiruzen out.
“Stand up Tadao-Kun, you have great students. We are glad to see such passion. I could feel the passion of youth coming out of you. It would be an honor for me to be able to raise such a shinobi.” he said, his eyes brimming with pride.
I had to step a bit from the sheer emotion he was giving off. Is this guy related to Guy? I wouldn't have thought someone like Mr. Seiichi would have this side to him.
We didn't attend our next but instead, we were brought to our respected instructors. Along with me, two others from my class followed the orange-haired instructor.
Leaving the first floor of the library that was dedicated to D-rank, very weak C-rank jutsus, and basic village history.
This was the first time I had set foot on the second floor, its use was restricted to a genin or higher rank shinobis and people permitted by the village higher-ups.
Proceeding to the fuinjutsu we were able to see obvious differences with the other sections. The others had bookshelves filled with their respective subjects and the ninjutsu shelf had only two books.
Furrowing his brows, the fuinjutsu master looked at the shelves before looking at us. “I guess someone had already borrowed the other copy. I'll issue a request to get a copy but for the time being one of you will have to go without.”
Seeing where this was going I touched my nose and said. “Not it.”
Just a second after me the other kid also repeated what I did. The one who didn't look at us before slumping. Patting his shoulder the instructor comforted the boy.
“You’ll get it next time and it will at most take two days to make a copy just be patient.”
Looking to change the subject and get the most out of the situation I asked the instructor. “Sensei can check the books on the second floor.” understanding what I was trying, the other two also gazed at the instructor with the best puppy dog eyes we could muster.
Unable to resist our persuasion he agreed to let us roam on the floor after he gave us some ground rules we had to follow.
Heading in the direction of the ninjutsu section: water-style. I skimmed through the books till I found what I was searching for.
C-rank jutsu Water Release: Water Wave. the precursor of the B-rank jutsu Water Release: Water Colliding Wave.
It requires the use of ten different hand signs, a much more complicated jutsu than anything that I've learned till now but it will be a great use for deflecting weapons and putting your opponents off their feet.
Now I just need to learn it and have enough chakra to perform the jutsu without passing out.
I read and reread the book to ingrain the explanation and necessary hand seals to perform the jutsu in mind. Well most likely not come back here for a long time
When we finally left the library instructor Tezuka -the name we got after overhearing him converse with the library clerk- gave us a stack of paper and ink and told us to practice our penmanship if we wanted to be successful at seal masters.
* ••
In the backyard again I slowly performed the hand seals of Water Release: Water Wave jutsu. Visibly sagging I could feel my chakra stores almost go out. Am still not ready for this level of jutsu yet it has probably been a better idea to get Dad to monitor me. No harm done I just ask him next time. Shrugging mentally I watched my creation.
For my effort, a small not even foot-high wave appeared before pouring on the hapless ground and wetting my boots.
I could create the same effect if I were to spill all the water from those kiddie pools. Shaking my head I sat in a meditation position on the scarce few patches of dirt that were affected by my jutsu.
I felt my chakra regenerate to full in half an hour much faster than if I were to let it recover naturally. Padding my pants I went inside and practiced my handwriting on the paper given.
When the clock struck seven I left my room to venture to the dining room. Greeting me in the room were my parents freshly off a mission and what seemed to be fish on the table.
Speaking first Father commented on my new jutsu. “A C-rank jutsu already? Did something happen in the academy?”
I explained what happened and how u choose to specialize in fuinjutsu.
A look of envy coming into his face dad spoke “Honey there adding all the good stuff. First it was the field, next the free training equipment, and now tutelage in whatever field you want? Where was all this when we were in the academy.” dad huffed
Smiling in exasperation, mom responded. “Huh dear I am sure if the academy had all of that in our time you’ll surely train everyday and not slack off.”
“Of course I would.” He said in mock offense. “All I am saying is that the younger generation got it good.”
Looking over at me, mom turned her usual soft into a serious one. “Tadao all of this is a privilege make sure you make use of this opportunity and not squander it.”
Nodding feverishly I agreed with the sentiment. The only thing worse than roaches on pizza is wasted potential.
“Now it’s time to partake in the meal.”
While munching on her food mom spoke,“And Tadao we got more water balloons for you.”
“Ah yes, thanks.” Scratching the back of my.
“What do you even use them for? It’s not like you have any friends.” Interjected dad.
“Ow! What was that for?” Dad said indignantly and held the spot where mom hit him.
Not daunting his question with a response she continued her meal.
Feeling the need to back myself. “I do have a friend, dad, you know Ekitai.”
“Ekitai Ekitai Ekitai.” Putting his hand on his chin and scrunching his eyebrows before his eye lit up. “Oh you mean the girl that scored the same as you in the written exam.”
A hint of mischief crept into his tone when he next spoke. “What do you think about the girl, son? Have you been going out with or have you already reached first base?”
“I would never.” Stopping that ship from even setting course. She’s not even my type and she’s too young. I am like quintuple her age if I include this life as well. That’s just borderline pedo and grooming behavior if I were to do that.
“We just study together.”
“Alright son I believe you.” He said while winking