I took off my scarf and hood, letting the cool air touch my flushed face. My heart was still pounding in my chest after the chase, but at last, I could catch my breath. Sitting on a sturdy branch, I tried to steady my breathing while watching the forest below. The chase hadn't lasted long, but it had drained too much of my energy.
My muscles burned from the strain, especially my legs—they felt like they were made of lead. Every breath came with a slight tingling in my chest, and my skin stung from the scratches left by branches and bushes. Small cuts covered my hands, and parts of my clothes were torn. I carefully touched my cheek, feeling a thin cut beneath my fingers. Damn, I hadn't even noticed when I got it.
I knew I couldn't waste time. I had to check what exactly I had taken from that guy. In my haste, I grabbed everything I could without really paying attention. Digging into my pocket, I started laying out the loot on the wide branch in front of me.
Five shuriken. Three kunai.
I picked up one of the shuriken and examined it closely. The steel was strong, free of nicks, and perfectly balanced. These were definitely of higher quality than mine—sharp, well-maintained, and likely either brand new or carefully looked after.
The kunai was just as impressive: a sharp edge, a comfortable grip, no signs of rust. Maybe they had ventured deeper into the forest to gather better equipment, or perhaps they had just recently received new gear.
I started to think. If they carried weapons, they were probably students at the Academy. Maybe they were still new, given how uncoordinated their actions had been. Though… their leader seemed more experienced.
If they had been there for at least six months, they had likely learned quite a bit. But the fact that they didn't use anything advanced meant either they couldn't or they didn't want to. Either way, I couldn't afford to take any risks. Better to be cautious.
I ran a hand over my clothes. The torn fabric and signs of struggle could give me away if any of them decided to look for me later. I needed to change for now. I was too noticeable like this.
About half an hour passed. The forest slowly returned to its normal state. The sounds of rustling, shouting, and heavy footsteps had all faded into the night. I couldn't hear their voices anymore, nor see any movement among the trees. They were gone.
Only then did I allow myself to relax slightly.
Home. I needed to get home.
I scanned the area one last time, making sure no one was lurking below, then carefully started climbing down from the tree.
Taking the same route back would be too foolish. There was a good chance they had left someone behind to keep watch nearby. It was safer to take a detour. It would take longer, but at least I wouldn't risk being spotted again.
I couldn't tell the exact time, but judging by the sun, it was around five in the evening, which meant I had to hurry. Darkness would fall soon...
I don't remember how I got home or when I fell asleep.
The Next Day
I woke up as usual. My routine was already ingrained, and sometimes I would wake up even before my alarm. But not today.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Reaching blindly for the alarm clock on the shelf, I tried to turn it off. No luck. I had to get up. Blinking my eyes open, I sat up, feeling a slight sting on my face from yesterday's branches whipping against my skin.
Standing in front of the mirror while brushing my teeth, I finally realized—I was still in my dirty, torn clothes. Damn. I didn't have many spare outfits to begin with. My jacket was badly ripped, and my pants had a few small holes.
I opened my closet and started searching. I had a darker jacket, nearly identical to this one—I'd take that. As for pants, I didn't have much choice. Grabbing a pair of brown ones, I decided they'd do.
As I pulled off my pants, I heard the clatter of metal hitting the floor.
I had slept with my gear on all night.
How lucky that I didn't roll over onto it. I needed to get a proper storage bag for my equipment.
Gathering my weapons, I stuffed them into my pocket. There wasn't much time. After a quick breakfast, I rushed off to the Academy.
I had to train more, close the gap. Training during lessons was one of the few opportunities I had to improve.
I started thinking about how I could make the most of my time at the Academy. Chakra control—it was the best way not only to enhance my combat skills but also to strengthen my body.
Focusing chakra in my limbs was a technique I had already attempted, but I knew my progress was too slow. Due to my lack of control and time, I couldn't do it efficiently. But maybe that was exactly what I needed. I knew that by channeling chakra into my hands and feet, I could increase my strength and speed. But it wasn't as simple as it sounded.
At first glance, the exercise seemed easy, but in battle, when there's no time to close your eyes and focus, you have to be able to do it instantly, without preparation.
Maybe I needed to rely more on my internal senses, heightening my awareness of chakra flow. Chakra control was key. If I could improve it during lessons, I could increase my chances of passing the exam—and, more importantly, become stronger.
I considered reducing my dependence on hand seals, but that would require far more practice than I could afford in the classroom. So, I decided to start with basic methods and gradually increase the difficulty.
It felt strange to train in class, but I had no choice. In the world of shinobi, every little detail mattered. Every tiny improvement could be the difference between life and death.
During Lessons
Classes went by as usual, except for my attempts to direct chakra through my body. I tried to concentrate, to feel the energy flowing within me, but the process was slow and required intense focus.
When the bell rang for break, I decided to get away from the noise and headed upstairs. The Academy had three floors, each serving a different purpose.
The first floor was for newcomers like me. It was where students who hadn't passed the placement exam studied. Lessons here were mostly theoretical, focusing on basic knowledge.
The second floor was where those who had already passed the exam trained. This was where real preparation for becoming a genin began. Their training was more intense, and their skills were on a different level.
The third floor was reserved for teachers. It housed important documents, teaching materials, and, most importantly, the library, which only full-fledged Academy students could access. They said it contained scrolls with various techniques and books that could help improve chakra control. For now, access was off-limits to me, but I knew that one day I would get inside.
And finally, the rooftop. It was a place where students often spent their breaks or lunch. There were only a few benches, and shade was scarce, but that was the whole point—the roof wasn't meant for anything special. It was just a small escape from the Academy's daily hustle. Many came here to be alone, to take a break from studying, or to think about their future.
I stepped onto the rooftop, enjoying the cool breeze that felt refreshing after the stuffy classroom. I needed to figure out my next steps—how to improve my chakra control and prepare for the exam.
Time was running out. I couldn't afford to fall behind the clan kids.