The library visit didn't go the way I expected.
I spent hours flipping through pages, analyzing and comparing every little bit of history I could find. There were some esoteric things that popped up, stuff that I never knew from just watching the series.
For instance, did you know that there used to be cultists that worshiped the tailed beast? Crazy right?
Apparently, a year or so after the God of Shinobi sealed them all away and handed them out to the other villages like chips in a casino, the cultist took that personally.
They tried to stage an attack on the leaf village.
...Hey, I never said these cultists were smart.
I mean, who the hell goes after the dude who just beat up and sealed away their 'Gods'?
Of course, this was the newly formed leaf village that had Hashirama, Tobirama, and Madara at the time.
Well, I'm sure you can guess the result.
Now this information wasn't anything life changing or anything, ultimately it didn't really matter in the large scheme of things, but it was fascinating. It was something I'd never actually learned from the series, and proved to me that there was plenty more that I should be paying attention to than just canon events.
If they even stayed canon. With me here the butterfly effect was more than likely in play.
Anyways, after I peeled my attention from interesting tidbits like that cult, I focused on general history, things I've heard about or known of from the series.
Madara's betrayal, the death of the first and second Hokage, the rise of the third Hokage along with the Sannin. Then the blazing star that was the 'Yellow Flash' during the third shinobi war and his short rule as the fourth Hokage.
From there I went over the Ninetails attack, death of the fourth Hokage and the reinstatement of the third, the most recent major events being Orochimaru's defection and the Uchiha massacre.
Of course this was a public library, so all of the information was light on details and heavy on the romanticism of ninja life.
But nothing was different, nothing that I could spot anyway.
It was only when the sun went down that I chose to leave.
Frustrated at my lack of findings I decided to postpone it for now.
I had to focus on more important things.
Like training my body up and working on my chakra.
It was a long walk back, I ended up having to retrace my steps back to the academy before I was able to recognize my surroundings enough to get home.
I entered the apartment with slumped shoulders. Taking a quick shower and eating a meal helped me feel better though.
Since I was so torn up from yesterday's workout, I decided to take it easy and just work on chakra control for the moment.
I got in a lotus position at the foot of my bed and activated my chakra, the pins and needles sensation hit and I knew it was coming so I was able to brace myself beforehand.
This time I circulated it slowly.
While I wanted to dig into that odd 'ability' from last time, I didn't want to end up as chakra exhausted as yesterday.
And that was what happened yesterday, chakra exhaustion, if only on a minor scale.
The past me had never known what it felt like due to never circulating his chakra that fast but I'd figured it out rather quickly.
It wasn't that hard to connect the dots.
Still circulating, I understood that as long as I didn't move the chakra at a certain speed, then said ability wouldn't 'activate' so to speak.
This time, I lasted much longer than two minutes, a full eight going by before I began to feel that familiar tiredness.
Hastily I stopped using it.
"Hell yeah" I cheered at the progress.
The rules as far as I could tell were simple.
When I circulated my chakra at a slower speed I used less of it at a slower rate, therefore allowing me to continue to use it for longer.
My capacity definitely increased from yesterday, probably about one tenth. That seems like a lot but I'm also taking into account that my reserves are abysmally small to begin with.
I wasn't expecting this kind of growth to be a thing when my capacity actually reached the level of a genin.
A bit disheartening maybe, and I could be wrong in the long run…but I wasn't gonna keep my hopes up on that front.
What I could count on though was that I could slowly improve upon it until I reached my theoretical limit.
What did that limit look like? I had no idea, but I'll work with what I got.
It's all I have after all.
With that settled, I did some light exercises, nothing too strenuous, as yesterday really did make every muscle I had ache like no other.
At the end I had just enough strength to crawl into bed.
Then I conked out like a light.
(Scene Change)
I was up bright and early the next day. Having actually rested I felt refreshed, the tension of the past two days not as heavy on my shoulders.
It's amazing what a good night's sleep can do.
When I got into class only Sasuke and Choji were there.
"Sup Kitsuji." Choji commented as I walked in. He looked quite cosy in his green overalls and scarf, the swirl marks on his cheeks stretching as he smiled. "Never seen you this early before."
"Hey Choji" I greeted with a small wave. "Better get used to it, I'm planning on showing up early from now on."
"Oh?" The larger boy shot me a searching look. "Finally taking things seriously? That's new."
"Something like that." I agreed.
Sasuke, in his usual spot, scoffed.
I turned to him.
This was the first time I actually got to communicate with the guy, considering he usually did his best to mind his business.
Sure 'past me' had talked to him before but it was usually short and generally an acknowledgement of each other's existence, than anything else.
He was dressed like I remember from the series. White shorts and blue high collared shirt with the iconic Uchiha symbol on the back, onyx eyes currently giving me an unimpressed look.
"Got something to say?"
"You're telling me after years of playing around you're gonna start trying now? I'll believe it when I see it."
He was pretty blunt.
However, that wasn't something I particularly hated.
"You're right." I bobbed my head.
He raised an eyebrow.
"I've kinda been fucking around these past six years, realistically 'cause I thought I'd get away with it. Realized I can't recently, so…now I gotta take this seriously."
I admitted it with no shame. After all, that was the past me. Current me isn't him. Even if we are of the same mind now.
"What changed?" Choji asked with a curious look, digging in his bag before pulling out a bag of chips.
"Not much, just realized If I stayed stagnant for longer I was eventually gonna die."
Choji, who was just about to eat his first chip, stopped mid-bite, giving me a disturbed look while Sasuke actually tilted his head in consideration.
"What's with those reactions? Don't look at me like I'm crazy or something guys."
"Dude," The larger boy's eyebrows furrowed. "That's kind of morbid."
"Am I wrong though?" I asked. "We all know with my grades, if I ever actually become a genin I'll probably get offed on a mission somewhere."
Sasuke didn't comment, only raising an eyebrow, while Choji shuffled in his chair uncomfortably.
Their silence spoke for itself.
"Exactly," I deadpanned, "It probably sounds like a joke to you two after all these years, but I do wanna at least live to my fifties."
I ran a hand through my hair, "which means I gotta improve, which also means showing up to class early and stuff like that. I'm sure you get it."
"Err…" Choji seemed a bit stunned.
Maybe it was the way I said it?
Sasuke gave me a look I couldn't decipher, before leaning back in his chair. "You're not wrong, but like I said, I'll believe it when I see it."
"Well, keep your eyes open I guess?" I shrugged. "Fuck if I care."
My actions will speak for me well enough.
"Hn."
Oh?! He did it! He did the thing!
There was a ruckus that grabbed our attention as a female voice talked loudly with another, their words indistinct before the door opened and Sakura along with Ino walked in.
Whatever they were talking about went out the window the second their eyes locked in on the resident Uchiha.
"Hi Sasuke~!"
"Good morning Sasuke~!"
With their entrance I watched a transformation unfold in real time as whatever interest the 'Avenger' had in our conversation was ruthlessly smothered with cold precision. The interest in his eyes disappeared as his lips formed a thin line, giving both of them a single nod before glancing out the window.
I'm surprised he even gave them that much.
They both burst into giggles.
I rolled my eyes.
"Welp there he goes," I quipped to Choji tilting my head in Sasuke's direction. "We won't see him again until Iruka sensei walks in."
He took it good naturedly and chuckled, the awkwardness of our previous line of conversation having passed.
As everyone else slowly piled in I got comfortable.
(Scene Change)
"Kitsuji? It's the middle of the day in a crowded town, your target is easily recognizable, but not alone. The parameters are such. You must eliminate the target without being noticed, you must complete the objective within a period of thirty minutes. With the target are armed guards, none genin level, but each able to use chakra enhancement, civilians cannot be injured. What's your plan of action?"
It was moments like these that really cemented to me the kind of world I now lived in.
Iruka liked to throw these kinds of theoretical scenarios at us.
'Past me' would always give such noncommittal answers that Iruka had stopped calling on him altogether, but I guess my efforts these past few days were starting to show as he actually called on me.
Noone in the class was surprised at the question, only interested in my answer.
This really was a school for ninja.
"Let me think." I ran a hand through my hair. "Well, I have some questions."
"Go on?" he beckoned.
"Am I within the land of fire?"
"Yes."
"Is the target in an area like a street? Or are they in a building?"
"Building" He then answered my next question before I could ask it. "Let's say a restaurant."
"Does the target know they're being targeted?"
"No."
"Alright." I paused to gather my thoughts and Iruka didn't take offense, just calmly waited.
I could tell the others in the room were surprised that I was actually participating so forwardly but I didn't pay it any mind.
"Last question."
"Go on."
"How long has the target been at the restaurant?"
"They just got there," He said before narrowing his eyes a bit and rubbing his chin. "The guards are inside with them though."
"Ok" I nodded, before taking a second. "I think…I'd try to poison their food."
He hummed, not outright denying my proposal. "And how would you go about it?"
"Transformation Jutsu into one of the servers." I began. "No need to deal with their guards if I'm someone they won't expect to attack. Since you said none of them are actually ninja, just chakra enhanced, I doubt any of them will suspect a thing. On top of that, it makes sure no civilians get caught in the crossfire."
I explained but blinked as I remembered something.
"Of course it would have to be a slow acting poison, can't have them just drop dead immediately after taking a bite or i'll end up being the prime suspect."
"You believe you'd have slow acting poison on hand already?" My teacher questioned with an interested voice.
"Of course," I nodded, "I don't have the money for it now but when I'm genin I hope to be prepared for most things. I'll have a whole kit of stuff ready and sealed away in a scroll by that point."
"What's a sealing scroll?" I heard Naruto mutter to himself.
Ignoring him I then crossed my arms. "The way you put it forth, I'd have time to prepare for that mission beforehand, so it's not outside the scope for me to carry something like that."
Iruka nodded, willing to go along with it. "A simple enough solution. Though the simplest things are generally the most effective."
He then raised a finger, 'However, what happens if plans go awry? For instance, what if the target reacts quicker to the poison then you expect and your bad case scenario becomes reality?"
I scratched my head for a moment. "Then I adapt."
Someone behind me snickered, I'm pretty sure it was Kiba but I put it out of my mind the same way I did Naruto.
Sensei was obviously waiting for more so I continued.
"I throw a couple smoke bombs down to distract them, trust me I'll have some, then transform into one of the guards."
I mimed reaching into a bag before releasing invisible bombs on the floor.
"With the confusion, I should be able to escape relatively unscathed. Best case, the transformation actually tricks them and they're dumb enough to think one of their own betrayed their employer. Worst case, an unknown nin managed to assassinate their boss and got away with it."
"It kind of goes against the parameters of not being noticed but if the original plan failed as extremely as you put it, then I was going to be noticed regardless, so at least then I could say that I completed the mission with as many of the parameters and conditions intact as I could."
I then raised three fingers before slowly counting them down as I finished up; "They won't know who to attack, civilians still aren't harmed and no one will be able to identify me because I'll have been disguised the whole time, that's three out of four as far as I can see."
I could see Shino out of the corner of my eye nodding along during certain parts of my little speech, so I figured I couldn't have answered too badly.
Iruka gave me a long look before smiling.
"Not bad," He praised. "Rather rudimentary, but at least it's the best answer I've gotten out of you to date. Overall, you gave a decently thought out plan of action to the scenario. Well done."
I gave him a peace sign.
"Just trying to improve sensei."
Iruka looked amused, "Let's hope you keep that enthusiasm."
(Scene change)
I spent the rest of my time in school following the same pattern as yesterday.
Studying diligently and staying focused.
Doing my best to get along with everyone but not really going out of my way to chat with them.
Gotta make sure I don't get too distracted.
When I got home I practiced exercising with my chakra again.
As the familiar pins and needles came over me I let it flow at a decent speed.
I spent a minute or two like this before trying what I didn't dare the day before.
I circulated it faster.
That sensation came upon me again, every piece of my body coming to my awareness.
Well except for my brain, that place was still a no go zone.
Still, It was awesome.
Exploring more, I could feel the tears in my muscles from my workout.
It gave me an intrinsic understanding of what muscles needed rest and which ones I could start working on again.
I very quickly started to feel the drain on my chakra though so I slowed the circulation, my awareness slowly limited as I went back to 'normal.'
Satisfied with today's results, I got up and did some light stretching before stepping into the living room.
There was plenty of space here. In my hand I gripped my father's sword, my sword now.
I unsheathed it and again was amazed at the craftsmanship. Its simple design didn't detract from how well it was made. With a brown hilt, and bronze tsuba in a circular shape leading to a dark grey steel blade, the katana just felt 'good' in my hands.
Even if it was a bit long for me.
I palmed it in a tight grip before attempting to get into a stance.
But nothing felt 'right' if that makes sense. I must've spent ten minutes holding the weapon in different poses before I settled on one I'd seen in videos with my sword held above my head, the tip pointing back, blade facing up.
Then I slashed downwards. "Hup!"
When the movement finished I paused, then frowned.
That didn't feel right.
I tried again a few more times, each attempt giving me the nagging feeling that I was doing something wrong.
Not completely exhausted just yet I decided to try another approach, I circulated my chakra.
I hadn't really noticed it before because I always meditated when practicing chakra control, but while performing this physical activity with it 'on' the effects were rather obvious.
I could tell the difference immediately, my blade wasn't as heavy, my grip on the hilt tighter.I also felt a bit more sure of my footing as the mystical energy enhanced my capabilities.
It was absolutely amazing in every sense of the word.
But, knowing I had a limited amount, I forced myself not to get too distracted with the sensation.
I got into the same stance and slashed again.
The katana whistled through the air this time, its movement much faster than before.
I didn't focus on it, something still wasn't right.
Yes I had more force behind the blow, but that wasn't particularly my end goal here.
I moved my chakra even faster, expending it at a quicker rate.
My 'ability' activated and instantly I could feel all of the muscles and tendons in my body. It was incredibly insightful. With my 'ability' on I could tell which muscles were being overextended and which ones were off balance based on my footing and the way I held my sword.
It took a few more slashes, me adjusting my posture with each one and almost exhausting myself, before something finally changed when I tilted my sword at just the right angle as I swung.
My katana sang.
*Woosh*
There was a small gust of air, nothing crazy, but definitely notable in my still living room.
I blinked, looking down at my sword hand in amazement.
That one felt right.
Excited but not willing to face chakra exhaustion for a second time I slowed the circulation, the 'ability' deactivating.
Speaking of, I really needed to name it something other than 'ability.'... maybe call it 'insight' or something?
Thoughts for later..
I could feel the sweat on my neck from using my chakra, I was almost out actually, so I let it go back to its resting state, the pins and needles fading away.
It was disappointing, but not unexpected.
Either way, I made sure to keep in mind the feeling I had when I swung in that certain motion.
I then spent the next couple hours swinging my sword in that exact same motion. Doing my best to replicate the stance.
As Bruce Lee said, I fear not the man who's mastered a thousand punches, but rather the man who's mastered a single punch a thousand times.
And that's what I was attempting to do. Mastering a single movement.
As I swung again, sweat dripping down my brow, A moment of fatigue hit me and I stumbled almost falling on my very sharp sword before I caught myself.
I grimaced. "That was way too close."
Welp, it seems my body was requesting me to rest.
Better listen to it before I pass out or something.
After a quick meal I quickly got in bed, exhausted but happy nonetheless that some progress was made.
I spent the next two days following that routine.
Mainly keeping to myself at the academy and diligently training when I got home, whether it be my body, chakra, or swordplay.
Until finally, it was the day before the weekend.
(Scene Change)
Today was physical practice. In other words, P.E.
*Thunk* *Thunk* *Thunk*.
Hitting three out of ten bullseyes with a kunai would probably be impressive to most people, but for ninja it was pretty abysmal. Everyone else in class got a six and above.
Well, besides Naruto, but even he got five out of ten.
Needless to say I wasn't happy with the result. But past me could barely hit one bullseye let alone two so I figured it was an improvement.
"Better" Iruka sensei remarked behind me, hand writing something on his clipboard before he clapped his hands.
"Right then. Onto taijutsu practice."
Everyone's heads shot up, some excited like Kiba and Sasuke, while others didn't seem too happy, like the girls and Shikamaru.
I was included in the latter opinion.
In my past life, the only 'battles' I'd ever been in were dumb bar fights after work. I wasn't a professional by any means.
'Past me.' maybe had one saving grace in that he could beat Sakura and Ino consistently, but it wasn't due to any technique. Sadly they were better in that regard.
But he'd been stronger and faster, so it allowed 'past me' to get the upper hand against them.
Not really a high bar to surpass though.
"Kitsuji." I heard my name get called and I froze, my face blank.
"You're up first, let's see if all that enthusiasm you've kept this week wasn't just a joke. Naruto, I'm tagging you in with him."
The blonde gave a happy cheer before practically bouncing up to the sparring area.
I took one look at the happy go lucky MC, his orange jacket reflecting the light as he did some light stretching before I sighed.
This is gonna hurt isn't it?
CHAPTER END.