"So you think you are ready, kukui?" Michiru-sensei asked sternly. Today was the final day of the semester and it was time to see if we had 'mastered' Our weapons to a degree michiru-sensei was happy with.
"I do sensei. I'm ready for the final test" I said, clutching the club. It served me well for the short time I had wielded it. I would be keeping it for sure.
Intermediate bukijutsu lvl 9
Increases skill of weapon user when wielding weaponry
From what I knew I was the best in this class besides tenten... Whom I found out was in my class. The more you know.
"Demonstrate your skill then" Michru sensei challenged. I nodded and unsealed my club. I had asked for a scroll from naruto. Michiru-sensei put a target in front of me. "Aim for the head" She finished
I swung at the head of the target. It turned into a million little splinters. The rest of the body was left untouched.
"Impressive. The only person with that accuracy other than you would be tenten. You pass!" Michiru-sensei exclaimed, handing me the tanto and a book. "Now you earned your second pick. Hopefully I'm as impressed as i am now when your pu through the final test"
I smiled. A genuine happy smile. I had worked hard and managed to do this. "Thank you sensei! I won't disappoint you!" I exclaimed happily and grabbed the tanto's sheath and strapped it to my waist. I was going to train like crazy. I really wanted to make the hinokami kagura myself. It was a dream of mine to do that whilst here in this second mortal coil.
"Ah don't worry you shouldn't with all that training you do. Now go your using time" Michiru sensei ordered. I promptly left the room with my tanto. Luckily I would have plenty of time to practice. We all got 2 months off. Almost been 8 months now since I've been reincarnated
I sat down on my desk in the top left corner. I claimed this spot as my own. I put my pinky finger on the desk and laid my head down/ I was meditating and sensing at the same time. Great exp gains
Sensing has leveled up.
Meditation has leveled up.
'Nice'
"So that kin girl apparently left. I wonder why I looked over and saw mado talking to takeshi again. It had become somewhat of a habit to listen to other people whilst sensing. It was interesting
"I heard a rumor she left for Iwa," Takeshi said, shocking Mado.
"Really? She actually left to go to those stone humpers!" Mado shouted in anger.
Everyone looked over to takeshi and mado. I looked at them as well
"Mado! It was just a rumor, you don't need to get so riled up about it" Takeshi said, shriveling into himself at the attention. Poor kid
"I know but the idea of someone betraying us just makes me so mad," Mado said, calming down.
"It's fine. She probably just went back home" Takeshi said as everyone went back to what they were doing
I went back to grinding. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little sheet of paper. "Early graduation" It read. It had the names of a few students who could possibly graduate early... Mine was top of the list. I almost had a mini heart attack. I
"The students are improving rapidly, even the dead last students aren't as bad as before"
"Indeed. My son is already improving a lot with this new curriculum"
"Yeah, I've read the reports. Even your lazy ass son is doing something"
" Well it is logical as with new standards even the lazy kids have to improve to keep up"
"Do you think they'll surpass us anytime soon?"
"They will. They always would have. They will do that sooner though"
"Now we need to discuss other matters."
"Indeed. The results of the sensor tests, Reopening up the early graduation system, The state of the economy, and our shinobi, And finally budget, and then we have to have the civilian council share their 'Ideas'"
"I thought we wouldn't have to deal with those fuckers for at least another week"
"Me too but sadly those troublesome bastards got the council meeting moved up somehow
"Sometimes I wonder why you haven't disbanded them sandaime-sama"
"Me too but they'd just complain to the daimyo"... "Anyways onto more important matters. We have two sensors this year. Ino Yamanaka and Kukui Tanku. Both look to be talented at the art already but they need a lot of work"
"Of course that kid just has to be a sensor"
"It was expected though. He showed a lot of the signs. He even sensed his upperclassmen during the Placement tests"
"Yes he did. He even used Minato's old trick"
"That was really shocking"
"Then Inoichi's daughter could just sense if she focused. Incredible talent there! Once in a generation kind of stuff"
"I was honestly surprised seeing those results"
"Same"
"Now onto the state of the economy"
"Oh joy!"
"I know right"
"You know you really need to get a haircut sometime" Ino mentioned. We were close to completing the leaf exercise. 5 months after starting it. My hair had been getting long so I tied it into a ponytail. "That just doesn't look that good on you"
"I know. But I don't really feel like it at the moment. I don't have enough time anymore" I said truthfully. Training had been taking a toll on me quickly so I ate and slept a lot more than I used to. I still hung out with my friends and had my free time but I just couldn't go do extra random things anymore. I literally used every second of the day. It sucked sometimes but hey I needed to for now so I was prepared for later. Then I could rest a little bit
"Maybe I can give you a haircut then if you really don't have that much time" Ino suggested sarcastically. Not a bad idea I could still train and she gets a break.
"Sure! You get a break and I get a haircut. Sounds like a deal" I said, handing her a kunai.
"You really expect me to cut your hair with a fucking kunai?" She asked and laughed.
"Yeah. I need one and you're probably better than me" I said truthfully. I breathed in
"Fine," Ino said, grabbing the kunai. She quickly began chopping off my ponytail. "You seem stressed. Nervous, I'm going to stab you or something?" Ino asked. I breathed out.
"Nah. If I was then I would have not asked. I'm just nervous about the academy. There's so much to do and so little time" I said.
"What do you mean?" The platinum blond asked.
"I saw a sheet with early graduation candidates in michiru-sensei's class. I was top of the list" I said nervously.
"Already trying to leave us behind huh?" Ino jokingly asked.
"No... I don't feel like I'm ready though." I nervously said.
Ino stopped cutting my hair. "Don't talk like that. You were the first one to unlock your chakra, learn the three jutsu, AND your top of the class. You should try to graduate early. Think of all you can learn and do!" Ino exclaimed. Ah yes iruka was fucking surprised I unlocked my chakra already. He was even more surprised when I could already do the leaf concentration exercise and that I was a master at it
leaf concentration exercise lvl max
Increases chakra control more every level
Consumption: 1 chakra point per second.
Kawarimi Lvl 5
Replaces user with log or any item within size of user.
Range 5 meters.
Cost: 5 chakra points
Clone jutsu lvl 5
Creates illusionary clone
Clones: varied
Cost: 5 chakra points per clone
Transformation lvl 5
Transforms the user into whatever the user thinks of.
Cost 5 chakra points to varied
She had a point. "Still. We're just eleven. I feel like I'm not ready for the world yet as much as I'd love to graduate early" I said. I was actually 16 at heart... or 17 I really didn't know how that worked. Either way, I still didn't feel ready nor did I want to really abandon naruto or ino. I wanted to be on a team with them. Under tenzo or kakashi.
"I know but this is a great opportunity. But you should do what you think is best" Ino said, going back to cutting my hair. "But personally I'd do this. You can always talk to me, Naruto, Shikamaru, Chouji, and Sasuke-kun if you're feeling down. Plus think of all the cool plants you could come across" Ino said after finishing cutting my hair.
"Thanks... You're right... But I don't really want to be on a team with people I don't know" I sighed.
"No problem... But you should really think about this. No matter what you choose, nobody is going to get pissy or jealous... Except for maybe naruto" Ino said laughing to herself at the end.
"Yeah, he'd whine about me getting closer to my dream or something before him" I laughed as well.
"You know I never asked but what's your dream?" Ino asked after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence
I thought about it... I wanted to be strong, sure... but no specific goal in mind. I wanted to protect my friends. And I wanted to remain unseen. I didn't want more attention than I was already getting. Anbu sounds like a good option. Yeah, it did. "Anbu. I want to join the anbu" I said after a few seconds.
"You know you're just full of surprises right?" Ino asked
"Yep!" I exclaimed
"Man you really are weird," Ino said
"Tell me something I don't know"
"Anyways let's get back to training. I'm getting close to getting the water out of that stupid leaf" Ino said determinedly. I swear she had as much determination as Naruto at times.
"Yeah. I'm getting close myself" I smirked.
"We're not letting Naruto get ahead of us for long!" Ino exclaimed
"Oh hell no" I agreed. Naruto had managed to complete the leaf concentration exercise. Kakashi had volunteered to oversee the next step of wind chakra training personally. Bullshit. Plus he had a full extra 2 months to train like the rest of us so he had more time to surpass us sooner.
"What were you two saying bout' me? And why's kukui's hair shorter than before?" Naruto asked. He had just got back
*Knock, knock, knock" I heard. I sighed. Hiruzen really knew when I made tea didn't he? The third time he'd be visiting would be today.
I opened the door. "Hello hokage-sama. Would you like a cup of tea?" I asked. I always offered someone a cup of tea when they came over
The hokage smiled. "Thank you kukui. I would indeed like a cup of tea, '' Hiruzen said as he entered my apartment. It had changed since the last time he had entered. A lot more random knick-knacks and the walls were blue. I had also bought better furniture. "I see you used your first paycheck nicely" Hiruzen said as I handed him a hot cup of tea
"I did! I still have a bit left over actually" I said, taking a seat as well. "Anyways what are you doing here at such an hour Hokage-sama?" I asked although I had a feeling why. Early graduation.
"Ah yes, good question. Well, I'm here to inform you about early graduation" Hiruzens said seriously.
"I had a feeling you were going to mention that." I sighed.
"So you already know. Well, what would you be deciding?" Hiruzen asked.
"I don't know... I want to be on a team with my friends but yet the idea seems so appealing" I said. I was still indecisive even weeks later.
"You still have a bit of time to think about it. I understand you feel that you're not ready yet" Hiruzen said. Comforting me maybe? No something else.
"How much time is there left anyway?" I asked.
"Only a week. But that should be plenty of time to decide" Hiruzen said. I honestly didn't know his game. What was he doing here? Why was he here?
"Yeah... I think so" I said. Looking down. When I looked up hiruzen was gone.
A note laid there. 'Bye, and thanks for the tea' It said
I sighed. Things like this were going to drive me crazy
I looked up. It was the final spar of the year. Me vs Sasuke.
"So it's a rematch. Who do you thinks' gonna win" Kiba asked from the sidelines.
"Probably kukui. He's far faster and probably stronger now, ``some random kid said.
"But Sasuke's far more skilled. He probably can block kukui no matter what, ``another one said.
"So Sasuke may the best one win," I said, smirking.
The Uchiha smirked back. He was a person of few words I learned.
We both settled into our fighting stances. Sasuke had done a lot of training but so had I. I had trained with might guy and lee. They helped me focus on stamina. My stats proved it!
Kukui tanku
Title: Academy student
Energy points 660/660
chakra points 330/330
Strength: 27
Dexterity: 30
Constitution: 33
Chakra: 33
Chakra control. C]
Ah, dexterity. One of my favorite stats. No perk at level thirty but hey i could punch really really fast still.
Me and Sasuke quickly did the seal of confrontation.
"Are you two ready?" Iruka asked.
We both nodded. We were ready to give everyone a show... Or at least I was. Sasuke just wanted to learn from this battle.
"Good. Now begin" Iruka said as we all jumped back.
Me and Sasuke just stared at each other. Waiting for one to make the first move. 'I have to be careful. I can't just punch him out of the ring like I did with that one poor civilian kid. I need to beat him methodically and quickly. Sasuke is a strong and skilled opponent. He won't go down that easily,' I thought. I didn't have jutsu to help me here nor did I have shadow so I had to brawl.
I looked at Sasuke. "We can do this all day. I won't attack you but you can attack me" I stated narrowing my eyes for emphasis. I wanted to goad him into attacking but that'd be a horrible idea.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as well but he began rushing toward me. I smiled when he sent a fist crashing toward my face. I ducked like it was in slow-mo. Quickly I activated sprinting and punched his sternum. Classic. The Uchiha brooder was sent to the edge of the ring but he stopped mid-air and quickly jumped back at me for a kick. I grabbed his foot. Sasuke spun around and I felt a fist crash into the side of my head.
I let go of Sasuke quickly before more damage could be done and suddenly I was blocking a flurry of punches and kicks. I ducked under his final punch and sweeped his legs out. this time it worked unlike our first spar. Sasuke grabbed onto me so he wouldn't fall. I tried to stop him but he quickly sent a punch to my rib cage and then he kept punching. Eventually, I sent a fist to his face. It connected and then I reactivated sprinting as he was sent flying away once more
"Wow, he's kicking his ass!" I heard Kiba and Naruto exclaim from different parts of the field.
"KICK HIS ASS KUKUI-KUN" I shivered upon hearing those words but I continued to attack my opponent. I was currently dismantling Sasuke's entire defense
I grabbed Sasuke's wrist and began spinning him around.
"You're not going to do that, '' Sasuke muttered. He planted his feet onto the ground and he ran at me
I stuck my foot out. He saw and jumped over it. Next thing he knew a fist was in his face once more, hitting his forehead.
"Look at him, He's kicking his ass!" Naruto exclaimed from the sides once more. He was pointing and laughing. I don't get why to be honest. I could do the same to him. He'd just take oh so much longer to take down. Sasuke was going to give me a run for my money if i gave him adequate time to prepare
I wouldn't let that happen though.
Quickly lunging at Sasuke he barely had any time to set up a quite frankly disappointing defense as I demonstrated all 30 levels of dexterity. He was getting punches and kicks sent to every part of his body left and right. This was chunin-level combat as Iruka put it. At least the last time we sparred. Still disappointing to me though. I still had a lot of room to improve.
Eventually, I drew Sasuke into a corner... Well, not a corner but to the edge of the circle. I punched him one last time and he stepped back
"Winner kukui" Iruka said
I quickly helped Sasuke up.
"Good match," I said cheerfully
"I need to get better... Kukui... could we talk later?" He whispered his question at the end and I just nodded.
"You were pretty damn good though" I pointed out. If I hadn't used sprinting's boosts It'd still have been easy, just more time-consuming. Damn did I love the perks of being a gamer.
I walked back to my friends.
"You really are that far ahead of us aren't you?" Ino said dejectedly.
"Ah don't put yourself down ino. One day we'll kick his ass!" Naruto piped up
"Yeah, you two keep getting closer every day. I think you can '' I said. Iruka quickly finished up the rest of whatever the fuck he was going to say.
"I know but it just seems so far away" Ino whined out.
"Understandable but you can't keep thinking like this. Besides, you have other strengths too. You have practically mastered the mind transfer jutsu. I said. She practiced it on me a few times and thankfully she couldn't see the gamer. It was bound to me and me alone. Although I did have to fight her out of my mind
"I guess you're right. But still" Ino said as naruto put a comforting arm over her.
Somewhere else in the land of rice
"So Orochimaru-sama haven't you heard?" A voice asked his master.
"I'm assuming you're talking about the boy who can beat Sasuke. Of course I have... The boy may be talented but he isn't as talented as Sasuke. My perfect body, '' Orochimaru said. He was holding a cup of red liquid whilst looking over some notes.
"No not about that," The voice said, handing Orochimaru some papers.
"What's this? Those bastards are changing their defenses! This is quite unfortunate. Sarutobi-sensei is finally doing his job then" Orochimaru spat out. He hated his former sensei more than anything in the world. The fact that the old monkey always bent over for Danzo didn't help either.
"Shall I send someone to go get the forbidden scroll? Maybe Dosu or one of the sound four this time" The voice said. He pushed up his glasses.
"I already have one of my pawns ready to steal the scroll. I'm just going to need to move my plans up a bit. Although sending one of the sound four sounds like a good idea. Maybe someone better would fit instead if my current plan doesn't work out" Orochimaru mused. "Kabuto send a letter to mizuki. It's time he becomes useful" Orochimaru said.
"On it, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto said, quickly rushing to send the letter.
"Now back to planning. If only this invasion could plan itself" Orochimaru said before going back to his planning
Chapter end
And so the first big plot actually starts now. Orochimaru is finally starting to get more involved and we're going to be seeing a bit more of him soon. No he wont invade konoha sooner. He's waiting to get the edo tensei scroll first. Now I hoped you liked the chapter. I had a lot of time skips in this. We're now onto the beginning of "Summer" For the academy students and now kukui has to make a choice.
Either become a shinobi sooner and get access to cool jutsu and other things but he has to work with people he doesn't know or wait it out and have less time to prepare for the cluster fuck that is canon. Anyways what do you think will happen next? I have a lot of ideas but I want to hear your guys' opinions first.
Anyways question of the chapter time!
Actually we have two today
First question: I know I probably asked this but what do you think the teams' will be? If he graduates early or not what do you think they'll be?
Second question: Should I have kukui graduate early? I know I did a lot of stuff off-screen so it's going to be harder to decide but kukui is physically A high genin to mid chunin now. I want to know if he should actually graduate early.
Anyways now that that's out of the way tobi-kun out!
Also here's the stat rankings for shits and giggles and extra word count if anyones interested
0-10 civilian - academy student. E chakra control
10 - 20 Academy student to genin. D Chakra control
20 - 30 Genin to chunin. C chakra control
30 - 40 Chunin to high chunin. C chakra control
40 - 50 Chunin to Tokubetsu jonin. B chakra control
50 - 60 Tokubetsu jonin to jonin. A chakra control
60 - 100 jonin to low kage. S chakra control
100 - 125 Low kage to mid kage. S+ Chakra control
125 - 150 Mid kage to high kage. S++ Chakra control
150+ High kage to legend. S+++ chakra control