Chapter 20: Chapter 20
AN : You can read chapters published ahead on my p@treon account - p@treon.com/noviceauthor777
Near the window, a black-haired boy clad in a dark blue high-necked long-sleeved T-shirt lay still on his desk. The gentle spring sun cast its rays through the tree branches, bathing the figure in golden rays of sunlight.
The sleeper was none other than Toshiro. Despite a two-hour nap earlier, the recent exertion of chakra to create a shadow clone left him feeling drained, as if his very essence had been depleted. With the warm, slightly intoxicating spring sun lulling him, he succumbed to sleep once more shortly after settling in the classroom.
"Boom!" The sliding door was forcefully thrust open, announcing the arrival of Ryosuke Aoyama, the bald-headed teacher dressed in a green shinobi vest reminiscent of Saitama Sensei, as he strode towards the podium.
The commotion in the classroom ceased as some students who were engaged in chatter straightened up, assuming the posture of attentive students.
"Alright, everyone, time to perk up! We're about to commence a basic taijutsu assessment. Those of you dozing off in the back, wake up and pay attention!"
It had been nearly a month since the academy session started this year. Even the children from civilian families had managed to master chakra control to a basic level, while the clan children's chakra control was a forgone conclusion that it would be better than the civilian ones.
Hence, the academy is administering a basic aptitude assessment for these newly enrolled students, covering various aspects such as normal theoretical subjects, handseals, physical prowess, and more. Today, it's time for the taijutsu examination.
Toshiro rose reluctantly from his seat. Rubbing his head with one hand, he gazed dully as Aoyama-sensei stood at the podium, delivering a lengthy discourse on the importance of today's test.
Many students in the class discreetly turned their heads to steal glances at Toshiro, the recent focal point. Apart from a minor incident during the entrance exam, he has kept a remarkably low profile since joining the academy. Each morning, he could be found quietly engrossed in some book borrowed from the library.
The students, who now turned their heads, cast curious and inquisitive looks in his direction.
"That Uchiha guy in our class is a bit strange, way too quiet!"
"Toshiro-kun is so handsome! Even when he's just woken up, he looks adorable! I really want to be friends with him!"
Unperturbed by the boys' scrutiny, he remained indifferent. As for the girls' interest, he regarded it with a detached air. Toshiro had resolved to maintain a detached demeanor within the ninja academy, conserving energy by minimizing unnecessary movements.
"Alright, everyone, follow me to the multipurpose activity room for the assessment!"
The multipurpose activity room resembled the training dojo of Toshiro's family, albeit on a larger scale to accommodate more students.
In the activity room, Aoyama-sensei engaged in conversation with a middle-aged to elderly ninja, sporting gray hair and approximately forty to fifty years of age.
"Alright, this is Teacher Ikeda Yuta, who will be instructing everyone in Taijutsu from now on. Later, I'll call out your names one by one, and you'll step forward to practice with Ikeda-sensei. You'll earn one point for each successful attack and three points for landing a blow on Ikeda-sensei. Understand?"
"Yes!" "Got it!" "Let's begin!"
Hearing the cacophony of responses from the group of students, Mr. Aoyama felt a pang of embarrassment in front of his colleague. With veins bulging on his forehead, he couldn't suppress his angry roar.
"Listen up! The results of this exam will reflect on your score sheet. Clear the center of the open space and sit along the walls!!" An eruption of frustration from Aoyama filled the classroom. Some students standing before Aoyama were even caught off guard, their hair blown back by the force of his outburst.
"Yes!"
Observing the students now settling down, Aoyama nodded in satisfaction. Turning to the ninja beside him, he remarked, "Ikeda-sensei, let's begin!"
It's no wonder he wants us to take this so seriously; the outcome of this examination will be documented in the students' records. These results will be compared comprehensively with their physical and technical performances by the end of the year, along with teacher evaluations, to determine their classifications. If there is no marked improvement in the kids, it would mean that Aoyama is not teaching well.
"The taijutsu assessment will be conducted through ninja sparring. You all know the rules—I'll be your opponent, and each of you will take turns." Mr. Ikeda smiled as he addressed the students, adding a playful remark at the end.
"But I won't let you score on me so easily!"
Ninja Kumite refers to the physical combat techniques of ninjas. Alongside these techniques, the use of ninja skills, ninjutsu, and illusions is prohibited during this practice. It serves as a unique ritual where ninjas establish a seal of confrontation at the start and a seal of reconciliation upon its conclusion.
"Yasushi Doi, step forward for the seal of confrontation!"
At this moment, a young man with short brown hair and an unassuming demeanor rose somewhat bewilderedly and positioned himself opposite Mr. Ikeda.
"Don't fret. Summon all your strength to challenge me."
The first participant to step forward often experiences a moment of apprehension. It appeared that Ryosuke Aoyama sought to reassure the others from a civilian background that it was okay to fight. Yasushi would not have any hesitance since he is from a Shinobi family.
"Now, let the sparring commence!"
In reality, this examination emphasizes the ability to launch effective attacks based on the taijutsu stances and attacks taught over the past month. Points are awarded for maintaining proper posture, with bonus points granted for skilled maneuvers. Occasionally, exceptionally talented individuals get noted in these spars.
Without hesitation, Yasushi Doi swiftly acted upon Aoyama-sensei's directive to commence. He pivoted and lunged forward, delivering a forceful punch to Ikeda's midsection.
"The life of a ninja is indeed unforgiving," ruminated Toshiro, witnessing even a six-year-old child without hesitation and launching a determined attack.
With each name called by Mr. Aoyama, the room stirred with anticipation. Some ninjas remained standing while others kneeled on the floor, their young faces displaying keen interest in the unfolding duel between Ikeda-sensei and their classmates.
Among them was Jiro Inuzuka, renowned for his taijutsu prowess. Nearby, a classmate named Kamano garnered curious glances, prompting speculation.
Toshiro, like his peers, settled beside a window, basking in the sunlight as he leaned against the wall in a cross-legged position. His gaze drifted lazily toward the sparring field.
From his vantage point, he found his peers' skills rather elementary. Despite the presence of clan children from esteemed ninja lineages, their skills appeared underwhelming. Yet, this was to be expected; not every student possessed the prodigious talent of figures like Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi, who famously graduated from Ninja Academy at a tender age.
"Next up, Uchiha Toshiro!"
Sitting cross-legged on the classroom's wooden floor, he had been patiently awaiting his turn. Re-invigorating himself after a half-hour wait. Rising, he made his way to the field.
Feeling the weight of boredom pressing upon him, Ikeda couldn't help but entertain the thought of succumbing to sleepiness. Alas, the name of the next student woke him up.
As Toshiro slowly approached the center, the entire classroom, both students and teachers alike, fixed their gazes on him with intense curiosity. After all, the Uchiha surname carried significance, both among commoners and within the ninja community.
For ordinary civilians, the mere presence of the Uchiha instilled fear, as it often signaled the imminent arrest and punishment of their loved ones, be they relatives, friends, or acquaintances, by the police force.
As for the ninja clans, associating closely with them was considered politically taboo. No respectable ninja family would dare engage in such audacious behavior. Their actions not only reflected upon themselves but also conveyed the stance of their entire clan.
Consequently, the Uchiha appeared aloof and disdainful to outsiders. Despite being fellow ninjas, the Uchiha's attempts at integration were thwarted by an invisible barrier, much to the frustration of both themselves and ordinary civilians, who often regarded them with fearful apprehension.
" With the seal of confrontation, commence the sparring!" announced Aoyama.
Toshiro nodded in acknowledgment. With a surge of power beneath his feet, he propelled forward, his figure blurring as he swiftly closed the distance between himself and Ikeda-sensei, delivering a decisive punch to Ikeda's cheek while mid-air.
Witnessing Toshiro's astounding speed, many students gasped in awe, unable to follow his movements with their eyes.
Despite not utilizing chakra to enhance his explosiveness or being in optimal physical condition due to the shadow clone's exhaustion, Toshiro's speed left even Ikeda momentarily surprised.
However, Ikeda-sensei, a seasoned shinobi with a wealth of combat experience, had encountered ninjas swifter than him before. Though taken aback by Toshiro's sudden burst of speed, it wasn't enough to catch him off guard.
With a subtle movement of his head, Ikeda deftly evaded Toshiro's fist. Before Ikeda could take advantage of his missed strike, he unleashed a flurry of kicks, only to have them effortlessly blocked by Ikeda-sensei's outstretched palm.
As Toshiro landed on the ground, he wasted no time in launching another attack. With a burst of chakra, he maneuvered behind Ikeda-sensei, swiftly squatting down to deliver a sweeping kick.
Ikeda-sensei countered by raising one foot to intercept Toshiro's leg sweep. The force behind the kick surprised him; an ordinary shinobi might have struggled to withstand it. Assessing the situation, Ikeda deemed Toshiro's assault insufficient to unsettle him. Seizing the opening created by Toshiro's attack, he retaliated with a swift kick aimed at Toshiro's head. Despite Toshiro's attempt to block with his arms, the force of the blow sent him flying a few meters away.
"My arms are tingling from the impact!" thought Toshiro, somewhat taken aback. He realized that Ikeda-sensei had likely held back in fear of injuring him, yet the strength behind the blow was still formidable, almost overwhelming him.
This encounter revealed the vast gap between him and a true ninja.
"Once again, I'm humiliated as a transmigrator! Other travelers, at the age of six, effortlessly dispatched chunin opponents, akin to slaughtering dogs. Yet, here I am, despite my efforts, still falling short!" Toshiro's expression grew increasingly solemn. Despite the exam's nature, he refused to relent in battle. With each attack, he unleashed his full power, moving around Ikeda-sensei like a ghost in his relentless assault.
The students observed the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding before them with slacked jaws, their fists clenched nervously, and not a single blink dared to interrupt their focus. Toshiro's speed and precision in his attacks were impressive, yet Ikeda-sensei's prowess surpassed even that; effortlessly dodging and blocking each strike left some students breathless, forgetting to breathe until moments later.
Among them, those who previously prided themselves on their skills now felt a twinge of uneasiness. Toshiro's stellar performance threatened to overshadow their own achievements, stirring a hint of reluctance within them. After all, most children relished being in the spotlight.
As Toshiro launched a kick from an unexpected angle, Ikeda-sensei swiftly seized his ankle, effortlessly throwing him to the ground. With a swift tap to Toshiro's neck, the battle concluded. Caught off guard by the suddenness of his defeat, or perhaps due to his limited combat experience, Toshiro felt a momentary blank in his mind.
"Excellent!" Ikeda-sensei offered a brief commendation, refraining from further commentary. It was apparent that, despite Toshiro's lack of experience and finesse, his raw speed and strength were remarkable for his age.
"I never would have imagined that a six-year-old could possess such skillful maneuvers, acute reflexes, and spirit. His physical abilities alone rival those of a low-genin ninja," remarked Ikeda-sensei.
"With him mastering his family ninjutsu, it's unlikely anyone will surpass Toshiro this year," mused one observing Chunin-sensei, impressed by Toshiro's performance.
As the two formed the seal of reconciliation, Toshiro couldn't shake the uneasy feeling under Ikeda-sensei's scrutinizing gaze.
"It appears that Uchiha Toshiro is the top student in the class, and quite possibly, the top student of the year," another observer remarked, noting the potential trajectory of Toshiro's future in the academy.
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