The forest behind Ninja School.
Shurikens and kunai were shooting from all directions toward Hakushi.
Hakushi faced this terrifying scene with a calm expression. Holding a kunai in one hand, he twisted his body, and the kunai in both hands swiftly sliced through the air.
The constant clinking sounds filled the air, along with the sparks from metal colliding. All the kunai and shurikens flying toward Hakushi were struck down, scattering at his feet.
Hakushi exhaled slightly, looking at the numerous kunai and shuriken on the ground around him. His expression remained calm, as if achieving this level was nothing extraordinary.
However, managing to deflect such a large number of kunai and shuriken without a scratch is something even a Genin freshly graduated from Ninja School would find difficult to accomplish.
Hakushi's ability to do this was not only due to his diligent efforts but also because of his exceptionally outstanding motor skills and dynamic vision.
This was the great talent that Hakushi possessed inherently.
Moreover, Hakushi further optimized these abilities by training his motor skills and dynamic vision through some scientific methods from his previous life.
Therefore, being able to do this after just two months of systematic learning was not surprising to Hakushi at all.
In his previous life as a senior-level doctor, Hakushi had an exceptional understanding of the human body's structure, and he knew how important motor skills and dynamic vision were to a ninja.
Great dynamic vision allows him to better track the movements and attack trajectories of enemies.
Superior motor skills enable him to react quickly in battle and gain an advantage.
So even though he already had excellent motor skills and dynamic vision, Hakushi still developed a set of training plans that suited his own body conditions, aiming to further enhance his motor skills and dynamic vision and striving for excellence.
Hakushi was very clear that his greatest advantage was not his natural motor skills and dynamic vision, but the vast knowledge of another world stored in his mind.
This was the foundation of his standing.
The power of knowledge is infinite.
Knowledge can enlighten mental ignorance, strengthen one's inner self, and teach how not to be ruled by ignorance.
Knowledge can also heal physical weakness, teaching how to become stronger faster and more effectively.
Collecting all the kunai and shuriken from the ground, even though these ninja tools were damaged, Hakushi's finances were not particularly plentiful. Even a piece of iron needs to be wrung dry of its last bit of value and not wasted.
After all, he's at the age when his body is growing, and he must not skimp on his diet to ensure his body's nutrition is sufficient.
After collecting the ninja tools, Hakushi did not leave but wrapped white bandages around his fists and legs to practice taijutsu against a hard wooden post.
It was already night, and the forest behind Ninja School was silent, with only Hakushi's faint breathing and the sounds of his body colliding with the post, as time slowly passed...
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The next morning.
"Good morning, Ayane."
After two months of getting along, Hakushi had become very familiar with his desk mate, Hyuga Ayane, and his way of addressing her was casual.
"Good morning, Hakushi-kun."
In contrast to Hakushi's casualness, Ayane, as a member of the Hyuga Clan, had to maintain the complex etiquette expected of a prestigious family.
Through these days of getting to know each other, Hakushi learned that Ayane came from the Konoha branch of the prestigious Hyuga Clan, and her uniquely pale eyes were a traditional characteristic of the Hyuga Clan.
This clan's ninjas used a Kekkeigenkai pupil technique known as the 'Byakugan,' which, combined with their family-centered Gentle Fist fighting style, held great renown within the Ninja Realm.
"You too, good morning, Ruri."
Walking to his seat and sitting down, Hakushi greeted another girl with a smile.
Uchiha Ruri just glanced coldly at Hakushi and did not respond, admiring the view outside the window with an air of aloofness, just like usual.
"By the way, did you hear, Hakushi-kun?"
"What is it?"
Ayane's words made Hakushi turn his head in confusion to look at her.
"They say there's going to be a practical combat class today."
"Practical combat class?"
"Yes, it's also a practical course, but it's not shuriken throwing or anything; it's a practice course where students pair up for a match."
Ayane's voice was gentle.
"I see. This might be a bit challenging for me, but for you, Ayane, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Among the three people in Hakushi's row, Hakushi's grades were the most ordinary and unremarkable. Only his theoretical exam scores were considered excellent, while his shuriken throwing and physical tests were just average, ranking as a mediocre student.
Not a poor student, nor an exemplary one.
Of course, this was the result of Hakushi's intentional actions.
In comparison, the cold and aloof Uchiha Ruri, who rarely spoke more than three sentences a day, firmly held the top spot in the class, being first in both theoretical and practical classes.
Meanwhile, Ayane lagged slightly behind but was still in the top five of the class.
Like Ayane, Ruri also hailed from one of Konoha's prestigious clans—Uchiha.
Possessing a Kekkeigenkai pupil technique called the 'Sharingan.'
However, the probability of activating the Sharingan was lower compared to the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, but its power was stronger.
Not only that, but the Uchiha Race's ninjas were also proficient in shuriken and the Fire Style.
These were things Hakushi gradually came to understand.
It made Hakushi sigh with admiration; indeed, coming from a prestigious family puts one ahead at the starting line, incomparable to ordinary folk.
"Let's work hard together, Hakushi-kun."
Ayane encouraged Hakushi.
"Sure, if I end up paired with you, Ayane, remember to go easy on me."
Hakushi did not want to reveal his true abilities, which was why he only achieved average scores on previous tests.
Maintaining an unremarkable position was just right for Hakushi.
Therefore, if he faced Ayane in the match, Hakushi had already considered that the most correct decision would be to persevere for a while then lose the battle.
He was just an ordinary person and shouldn't achieve scores that are too outstanding.
Of course, if he showed his full capabilities now, he might have an even greater chance of losing against Ayane.
After all, she was a member of the prestigious Hyuga Clan and her elders would surely give her extra guidance in her training.
There were massive disparities between ordinary people and ninja from clan systems.
All Hakushi needed to do was maintain the normal standard expected of ordinary civilians.
Though he thought this way, the outcome was always unpredictable.
In the first practical combat class—
As Ayane had mentioned, homeroom teacher Fujimura Daiga organized the first practical combat test for Year 1 Class A, having students pair up and fight. He himself pretended to record something while standing outside the circle with a notebook.
The person paired with Hakushi was not Ayane but his other desk mate, Ruri.
A genius girl from the renowned Konoha clan, the Uchiha Race, famous alongside the Hyuga Clan.
During the practical class, the shurikens provided to students were made of wood, with the sharp parts dulled and the edges rounded so that, even if they hit the body, they would only cause pain without risking any life-threatening injuries.
"This is really boring, to be competing with these toys."
The Uchiha girl standing alongside Hakushi, with an arrogant gaze, scanned the field and looked at the two boys sparring, her expression revealing clear disdain.
"Well, Ruri, isn't that not very nice to say? After all, we're all just first-year students."
Hakushi hesitated a bit, quietly reminding Ruri not to provoke others.
To most students, jumping straight into using real shurikens and kunai could easily lead to bleeding incidents.
"Rather than others, you'd better worry about yourself. When the time comes, I won't be holding back."
Hakushi smiled awkwardly, choosing not to speak anymore.
Time passed quickly, and it was Hakushi's group's turn to take the stage.