Super Ninja

School started quite calmly and without much fuss. The students, of course, weren’t thrilled about being at the Academy during the cold winter days. However, they quickly adapted, realizing they had no other choice. Skipping classes could lead to problems for them. While the Academy teachers might not have paid much attention to this, the students themselves understood that missing even one day of classes could cost them dearly.

 

All the students were wrapped in warm sweaters, scarves, and long coats, their breath creating small clouds of steam in the air. Many wore hats and knitted gloves, so the cold weather that nipped at their cheeks and turned their noses red didn’t interfere with the learning process. The Academy prided itself on its modern central heating, which emitted pleasant warmth and a noise reminiscent of distant whispers. I didn’t know how this system worked; it was probably based on some local technology or chakra. But I was sure it was something entirely different from the usual radiators and fireplaces in my home world, where heat spread slowly and evenly.

 

The first days at the Academy were filled with lively hustle and tense anticipation. The corridors buzzed with whispers of students discussing upcoming assignments and their expectations. The morning light streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the dust motes in the air and creating an atmosphere of inspiration. These days were dedicated to adapting to the new learning rhythm, which was much more intense than many had expected.

 

The teachers conducted various tests to assess our knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the shinobi arts. These tests included written assignments as well as oral quizzes, where each student had to respond quickly and clearly to complex questions. After all the assessments were completed, our work was thoroughly analyzed, and we were given grades. These grades not only reflected our current level of knowledge but also helped the teachers identify areas that needed more attention in future training.

 

Not particularly surprised by my grade, I eagerly awaited the start of sparring and practical technique lessons. This interested me the most, as I wanted to feel at least a little closer to being a real shinobi, even if it was just at the genin level.

 

“What grades did you get?” Ajonni asked me, looking dissatisfied with his results.

 

“Here,” I showed him my grade.

 

“Tsk,” he clicked his tongue, realizing that my grades were significantly better than his. “How did you achieve such a result?”

 

“I studied a lot,” I replied, shrugging.

 

“Yeah?” he said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. “I don’t quite believe you.”

 

I just shrugged in response, continuing to wait for the lesson to start. There was no point in trying to convince him of anything.

 

Teacher Ichigo entered the classroom and looked at us with an interested gaze. Calmly and slowly, he began walking in front of the board, waiting for the students to take their seats.

 

“Good morning, students,” he said loudly.

 

“Good morning, Ichigo-sensei,” the class replied.

 

“Starting today, you will work on improving your skills in taijutsu, bukijutsu, and ninjutsu,” he began quickly. All the students listened attentively, trying to catch what he would instruct us to do. “Every day we will conduct training and practice different strikes. Additionally, we will work on refining your chakra control so that you can successfully complete your training and become genin.”

 

Three posters, framed by dark wood, appeared on the board, each in bright colors. Each poster represented a detailed study of a specific technique. The top of each poster featured the technique’s name in large, clear handwriting, under which was a schematic illustration of its action. These illustrations were drawn so that even from a distance, one could grasp the basic essence of the technique: swirling lines symbolizing air movement or bright flashes indicating the moment of energy release. Following this, in neat, small handwriting, was a detailed description of the technique, explaining its principles and application features. At the very bottom of each poster were the hand seals, each depicted as a unique symbol. Next to them were instructions on chakra control, with detailed comments on how to properly focus and direct one's energy for the successful application of the technique.

 

“Write these down,” he ordered.

 

The students opened their notebooks and started jotting down the techniques. I did the same. After that, we were supposed to learn and practice them.

 

Once everyone had written down the techniques, Ichigo-sensei began demonstrating each one in turn.

 

Watching the techniques being performed was extremely interesting, almost like witnessing magic in action. There was something hypnotic about it, making you forget everything else. Each hand movement, creating the hand seals, was so precise and graceful that it resembled a complex dance. From his body, like from an ancient source, chakra burst forth momentarily—I can’t describe this energy any other way, it felt like heavy, pulsating growths, sparkling with many shades. Then it enveloped him like a shimmering, glittering blanket of pure energy. In a moment, a completely different person stood before us. At first glance, it was still Ichigo, but his eyes told a different story.

 

This caused a slight dissonance within me. I think it will take some time for me to overcome it. I don’t know about the other students, but for me, seeing this for the first time… it was a strange feeling. And yes, I can easily move a leaf across my body, but for some reason, that didn’t evoke such emotions. Strange.

 

“Just like that,” the sensei said in a completely different voice, slightly lower and more resonant. “But, as you have read, any strong touch and the transformation will dissipate… Poof… and that’s it.”

 

He slapped his palm on the table. With a soft sound, a grayish smoke enveloped him, which quickly dissipated, revealing Ichigo-sensei once again. For now, it’s hard for me to understand how these techniques work, but I think practice will help overcome these strange feelings.

 

After that, we all got the chance to start practicing this technique. Naturally, no one succeeded on the first try, but the stages of failure varied. I felt the movement of chakra, released it, carefully made the hand seals, and instead of creating the technique… nothing happened. The chakra dissipated into the space. Other students had similar experiences, just with different degrees of complexity. Students with poor chakra control couldn’t even release it properly. Meanwhile, those with good chakra control couldn’t create the technique due to a lack of something else.

 

“When performing the technique, you need to picture the person you are going to transform into,” Ichigo-sensei said. “To start, try turning into someone simpler. For example, me. You should have already studied me a bit. Haven’t you?”

 

I wouldn’t say many had memorized him well, not even me. Ichigo-sensei always wore the same uniform, so he was easy to remember. After that, everyone started observing him more closely, wanting to imprint his image in their memory.

 

“It will be better if you try to transform not only into me but also into other people. This will give you a lot of useful experience.”

 

Indeed, why not choose several different images for transformation? This would be beneficial for developing the Transformation Technique and for overall development. We need to learn to quickly notice details of various targets so that this technique works effectively in the future.

 

From then on, the days became like a well-rehearsed ritual: the morning began with meditation and chakra control exercises, where each of us tried to catch the subtlest nuances of our inner energy. Then came the first attempts to create the technique, which reminded me of workshops where craftsmen meticulously hone their skills. After lunch, we had physical training: runs, endurance exercises, and kata practice, where each movement had to be precise and exact, like in a dance. So far, we hadn’t had any sparring sessions, and I suspect this wasn’t only due to the weather. The teacher apparently wanted us to master the basic skills first. In the gym, which was filled with various equipment and training dummies, there wasn’t enough space for everyone to train and spar simultaneously without getting in each other’s way.

 

For me, this was a minor problem. I felt that the skills I had gained from the tutor had stayed with me. To improve and refine them, I continued physical development and kata practice every day after classes. Additionally, I worked on creating and perfecting techniques.

 

The Illusionary Clone Technique came especially easy to me. The thing is, my reserve of spiritual and mental energy, which I will henceforth call yin, was vast. That’s why my illusionary clones worked so well.

 

Of course, they weren’t tangible and would dissipate with any touch, but they could easily deceive if their nature was unknown. Calm training sessions and practicing techniques allowed me to grow and develop.

 

With the arrival of the first warmth, the teachers started taking the students outside for various training: throwing kunai, shuriken, and practicing strikes with different weapons. Many of us might not become masters due to a lack of time or talent. Then the sparring began, which would continue alongside physical development and theoretical lessons until the end of the school year.

 

The first day of sparring this semester started with bright sunshine, heralding the soon arrival of warm weather. Teacher Ichigo didn’t change his clothes; he didn’t need to. The students, however, changed into something lighter, suitable for such weather.

 

“Remember to respect your opponent,” said Teacher Ichigo as we prepared for the sparring. “First up will be Ayame Nara and Suzuki Grandvitara.”

 

I looked at Nara, who shrugged and stepped forward. I also stepped forward and stood opposite her. I think she should have assessed me based on the last sparring sessions before the break.

 

We formed the seals and gave a slight bow. Then we started preparing and waiting for the teacher’s signal.

 

“You may begin,” said the teacher.

 

Nara wasn’t going to attack me first, allowing me to make the first move. I began to slowly circle around her, not rushing to attack. The students and teacher watched us closely, trying to notice something interesting that might be useful to them in future encounters.

 

I took a step forward, then jumped. Ayame reacted instantly, shooting her leg toward my chest. But I was ready for such a move. If I hadn’t dodged, the strike would have knocked me out of the fight. But I didn’t let that happen.

 

Twisting my torso, I dodged her strike and found myself back-to-back with her. Then followed a quick leg sweep and a push downward. Nara flipped into a bridge, landed on her hands, and sprang away, avoiding the fall.

 

“Close,” she muttered to herself.

 

Not giving her time to recover, I launched a series of attacks. She blocked the first strike, took the second on a weak block, and tried to dodge and counter the third.

 

My foot collided with her shoulder, knocking her back a few steps. She hopped a few times, preparing for the next move. With a growl, Nara lunged at me again. Her slap would have been dangerous if I hadn’t dodged.

 

I dodged once, twice, three times, swaying like a pendulum. She swung her arm wide, giving me an advantage. I stepped forward, grabbed her waist with one hand and her fist with the other. Then followed a waltz-like move, from which she tried to break free but couldn’t. I swept her leg and finished the move, twisting her arm behind her back.

 

“I give up,” she said loudly, and I immediately released her arm.

 

“Excellent work, Suzuki-kun,” said Ichigo-sensei with satisfaction. “Next time, Ayame, don’t leave yourself so open.”

 

“Yes, sensei,” she replied, brushing off her clothes. “I’ll try.”

 

“Suzuki, don’t go. I know who it will be useful for you to spar with,” the teacher said, allowing a slight smirk to appear on his face. “Neji, I think this will be beneficial for you as well.”

 

The young boy said nothing, but with a serious face, he came out to meet me and awaited further actions. We bowed to each other, showing respect, and stepped apart.

 

"Begin," Ichigo signaled.

 

Neji quickly swung his arms and took his classic stance. I don’t know if this is his personal stance or that of his clan, but he always strikes hard. I raised my fists and got ready. In the next second, the young Hyuga rushed at me. He moved faster than Nara and with more confidence.

 

A sharp straight strike with his outstretched fingers—I tried to block and intercept his hand. But for him, it was like an invitation. I missed his second hand, which struck me under the ribs. It was unexpected. He tried to continue the attack, but I didn't let him.

 

As far as I know, Neji prefers close combat. This is the specialty of his clan. But, like any other person, when he focuses on one thing, something else escapes his attention. If he loves close combat so much, why not give him full contact.

 

I ignored his blow to the thigh, though it was painful. I also ignored the second jab to the shoulder, but it gave me an opportunity to counterattack. I quickly closed in, spread his arms with mine, and hit him with my chest. If I had the weight of an Akimichi, he would definitely be in trouble. But I am not an Akimichi.

 

Neji was thrown back. He swung his arms and extended a leg to stay upright. I had already moved forward, ready to strike, but he was prepared.

 

The veins around his eyes bulged, giving him a frightening look. With one swift motion, he changed his stance and attacked. This time, his blows were not just painful. They hurt unbearably, and I felt a disruption in my chakra flow, which worried me even more. I had never encountered anything like this before. It seems this is the Hyuga style.

 

Overcoming the pain, which I had learned to endure during training with my tutor, I tried to close in again. Along the way, I took a few more painful blows that I couldn’t avoid, and then suddenly struck with my knee.

 

Neji easily deflected it and then struck himself, knocking the ground out from under my feet. But for me, it was just the beginning. With an especially deft move, he turned and hit me in the side with his elbow. It was quick and harsh.

 

Rolling on the ground, I began to rise, feeling half of my body not responding. Damn, the Hyuga style turned out to be even more dangerous than I had expected. The guy shrugged and returned to the other students. They all watched with interest as I tried to get up.

 

Well, if you want to watch, then watch. Overcoming the pain, I got one knee up and began to rise. At one moment, my legs almost gave out, but through sheer willpower, I managed to stay up. Straightening sharply, I took a deep breath and exhaled. The pain hadn’t gone away, but inside, I felt a strange satisfaction.

 

Mixing a little yin and yang, I felt a surge of chakra into my system, like living water flowing through my body, restoring tone and unblocking the spots hit by Neji’s blows.

 

"Not bad, not bad," the teacher said. "Neji, did you learn anything from this sparring?"

 

"Yes, sensei," the boy nodded.

 

"Excellent," he chuckled. "Suzuki, return to the line. Now, the next sparring."

 

I didn’t particularly follow the other students' scuffles, because few could teach me anything new. That doesn’t mean I considered other students useless. I can still learn something new from them, but it will be difficult without experienced teachers and a solid foundation.

 

When the lessons ended and the students dispersed, I decided to approach Ichigo-sensei about what my tutor had told me.

 

"Ah, Suzuki-kun," he noticed me, hiding some book in his pouch. "You’ve shown excellent growth this year. I can only commend you for that."

 

"Thank you, sensei," I replied with a smile. Praise from the teacher is always nice.

 

"How can I help you?" he inquired.

 

"During the winter break, I was training with a tutor," I began. "He advised me to approach you regarding additional ninjutsu and genjutsu."

 

"Your tutor said that directly?" Ichigo-sensei asked with interest.

 

"He also said I should ask you about taijutsu as well," I added.

 

"Look, I won't be able to teach you anything new if your basic techniques are at an unsatisfactory level," he began. "If you show me your techniques and I'm pleased with the results, then no problem. I'll show you some additional techniques that might prove incredibly useful. As for taijutsu—that's not a problem. I can allocate an hour after lessons for you."

 

"Thank you, teacher," I nodded with a smile. "May I demonstrate a technique I've started to master?"

 

"Why not," he nodded and gestured.

 

"Illusionary Clone Technique," I whispered, forming seals. A burst of chakra, and around me appeared four of the best illusionary clones I've ever created.

 

"Oh," Ichigo-sensei said in surprise. "Not bad, not bad."

 

He got up and began walking around my clones, studying them closely. They mirrored all my actions, allowing him to see that the clones were executed at a high level. Honestly, I didn't think they could turn out this well. I hope he’s impressed.

 

"Very good," the teacher nodded and poked one. It dissipated into a light smoke and dissolved into the air. "Can you demonstrate other techniques?"

 

"I can demonstrate the Transformation Technique," I said after a moment of thought.

 

Forming seals, releasing chakra, and a smoke covered me like a second skin. I tried to replicate how the sensei looked, but a quick glance in a small mirror showed that I was still far from ideal. Everything looked too blurred.

 

Ichigo-sensei walked around me, examining with great interest. At some points, he stopped and chuckled. Then, a kunai appeared in his hand, which he used to prick me. I didn't even have time to react as the technique dispersed.

 

"Could be better," he said. "But for such a short time, it's not bad either. How about the Substitution Technique?"

 

"Sorry, sensei," I shrugged. "I haven't gotten to it yet."

 

"Once you improve your transformation and can perform substitutions, then we'll talk," he said. "And tomorrow after lessons will be the first taijutsu training. Don't go far."

 

"Thank you, Ichigo-sensei," I replied with a slight smile.

 

His promise directly charged me with motivation to learn the Substitution Technique as quickly as possible and perfect my Transformation. I think I'll dedicate the next few days to learning how to perform substitutions.