The Academy Plan

Haruto sat cross-legged on the floor of his small apartment, his back pressed against the wall as the fading afternoon light streamed through the window. The room was quiet, save for the rustle of papers as he leafed through the documents the Academy had provided. Spread out in front of him were the details of the class syllabus, the schedule for the coming year, and the general expectations for all students.

He would start classes next week. Until then, the Academy had given him a full rundown of what to expect, and Haruto, ever the planner, was already breaking everything down in his mind. If he wanted to achieve his goal of becoming a powerful shinobi, he would need to use every bit of information he could gather. He wasn't here to waste time.

The Academy Schedule

The structure of the Academy was far more rigorous than Haruto had anticipated, though he welcomed the challenge. Classes were scheduled for five months, followed by a one-month break, and then another five months of instruction before another month-long break. It wasn't the year-round schooling he had imagined, but the breaks made sense. Shinobi needed time to recover, both mentally and physically.

Classes were held six days a week, with Sundays off. Each day consisted of six hours of instruction, split between classroom lectures, practical exercises, and group training. It was a tight schedule, and Haruto could already tell that the Academy would be demanding. But that didn't worry him. What concerned him was the expectation placed on students outside of class.

Physical fitness, it seemed, was not something the Academy would focus on during the six hours of formal instruction. Sure, there would be basic training and practice, but students were expected to maintain and improve their fitness outside of class on their own time. The Academy had a dedicated training area on the grounds that students could use anytime, and Haruto made a mental note to check it out as soon as possible.

Six hours a day in class, and the rest is up to me, he thought. That suited him just fine. He preferred being able to control his own schedule, and the open access to the training grounds meant that he could push himself far beyond what the Academy expected.

The Library

The Academy's library was another resource that caught Haruto's attention. There were five levels to the library, each with more advanced and restricted content. However, first-year students like Haruto only had access to Level 1, which contained basic shinobi history, general knowledge on jutsu, and rudimentary tactics.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Haruto could already feel his mind racing, plotting how best to use the library's resources. He knew that as a first-year student, his access would be limited, but even the basics could help him build a solid foundation. He would need to read up on every subject available, even the ones that seemed mundane. Knowledge was power, and he intended to absorb as much of it as possible.

Making a Plan

With the information laid out before him, Haruto began to form a plan in his mind. He wasn't going to just go through the motions at the Academy. He was going to use every resource they provided to get ahead, to push himself beyond what was expected of a first-year student.

He picked up the syllabus, reading through it carefully. The first year would focus on the following subjects:

• Basic Ninjutsu: Learning the essential hand seals, chakra control exercises, and beginner techniques like the Clone Jutsu.

• Taijutsu: Basic unarmed combat skills, focusing on form and physical conditioning.

• Genjutsu Awareness: Recognizing and breaking out of simple illusions, with an emphasis on mental fortitude.

• Shinobi History and Theory: Learning about the past wars, famous battles, and the tactics employed by Konoha's greatest shinobi.

• Survival Tactics: Basics of survival in hostile environments, including tracking, foraging, and basic field medical skills.

Haruto felt a sense of anticipation build as he read through the descriptions. Each subject seemed important in its own right, but it was clear that the Academy was starting with the basics. Haruto had already pushed himself in chakra control, and he would continue to practice that on his own. But his weaknesses, like Genjutsu and Taijutsu, would need special attention.

The Plan for Year One

After hours of careful consideration, Haruto drafted his personal plan for his first year at the Academy.

1. Focus on Chakra Control: This was his strength, and he would continue to push it further. Haruto would dedicate at least an hour every evening to refining his chakra control beyond what the Academy would teach, working on more advanced exercises as soon as he was able.

2. Maximize Library Access: Even though he only had access to Level 1 of the library, Haruto would spend every spare moment studying its contents. History, jutsu theory, survival tactics—he would devour the knowledge, filling in the gaps in his understanding and preparing himself for future lessons.

3. Utilize the Training Grounds: The Academy expected students to train on their own time, and Haruto intended to push himself harder than anyone else. His fitness would be his priority outside of class. Every morning before lessons, he would start his day with a rigorous workout—running, strength training, and flexibility exercises. In the evenings, he would focus on Taijutsu, practicing forms and sparring with anyone willing.

4. Learn from Observation: He knew that kids from prominent clans would likely be ahead of him in terms of raw skill, especially in specialized areas like Taijutsu or Genjutsu. But Haruto wasn't one to let that intimidate him. He would observe those stronger than him, learn their techniques, and figure out how to apply what they did to his own training.

5. Master the Basics: Although the first year would focus on basic techniques, Haruto would treat each one as if it were the most advanced skill in the world. The Clone Jutsu, for example, might seem simple, but Haruto would practice it relentlessly until it was second nature. Mastering the fundamentals would give him a solid foundation to build on in later years.

Goals for the Year

Haruto's mind whirled as he finalized his goals for the first year:

• Master Chakra Control: He would strive to perfect his chakra control to the point where even the instructors took notice.

• Improve Taijutsu: Haruto knew he wasn't the strongest in hand-to-hand combat, but by the end of the year, he aimed to be one of the best in his class.

• Become Genjutsu-Proof: While not a primary focus, Haruto wanted to be capable of recognizing and breaking out of basic Genjutsu without hesitation.

• Excel in Theory and History: Knowledge was as important as physical strength. He intended to stand out academically, learning the history of the shinobi world and applying its lessons to his own tactics.

• Test His Limits: Fitness wasn't just a requirement—it was a weapon. Haruto would push his body to its absolute limits, training morning and night to ensure he was physically ready for anything.

A Week to Prepare

With classes still a week away, Haruto knew he had time to familiarize himself with the Academy grounds. He would explore the training areas, take a first look at the library, and make sure his apartment was set up in a way that supported his routine. There was no time to waste.

As he packed away the papers and stood up, Haruto glanced out the window. The village was quiet, the sun beginning to set. Soon, the real work would begin, and Haruto was ready.

"This is my chance to get ahead," he thought, determination hardening within him. "I'll surpass them all."

With his plan set, Haruto went to bed early that night, his mind already focused on the challenges and opportunities the coming weeks would bring.Chapter 24: The Academy Plan