[1st POV]
(1 week later)
The Transformation Jutsu.
I was already proficient in the Transformation Jutsu, but I perfected it on my first night. The jutsu was an E-Rank technique that required three hand signs: Dog–Boar–Ram.
But I was able to perfect it to a point where I only needed one hand sign. I practiced transforming into non-sentient objects, like how Naruto could transform into ninja tools. Contrary to my expectations, this proved to be much harder than transforming into other humans.
Transforming into people took my own body as a base model, so that made it easier. But transforming into other objects, especially those that were smaller and could function as proper equipment, was a tad bit trickier and required much more chakra to shapeshift.
Transforming into animals, although harder than humans, was still easier than turning into objects. But I was able to get the hang of all transformations after a few more dedicated practice sessions.
I would confidently say I have mastered this jutsu.
...
The Clone Jutsu.
The Clone Jutsu is an E-Rank technique with the standard three hand signs for an E-Rank: Ram–Snake–Tiger.
The Clone Jutsu is all about external chakra maintenance, the complete opposite of the Transformation Jutsu, which was all about internal chakra. The jutsu demands adequate chakra control, especially if you want to make multiple clones. It also required much more chakra to perform, which could be lessened by greater chakra control.
The main mechanics, on the other hand, were much like Transformation Jutsu, and it was easier to perform a transformation on the clone than on a person. But the jutsu creates only illusory clones, making it easy to tell upon closer look.
The clone could look transparent with inadequate chakra. Since they were not solid, they made no sounds, did not kick up dust, and felt like air; they did not have the presence that people do.
I found this jutsu easier to master than even the Transformation Jutsu. I guess the teachers are doing us a favor by making this the final graduation test.
...
The Substitution Jutsu.
The Substitution Jutsu combined the two earlier basic jutsu. It is an E-Rank jutsu, but with its complicated mechanics, it should honestly be a C-Rank. The only reason it was classified as E-Rank is because of its effectiveness in saving lives and its low chakra requirement and lack of offensive capability.
The Substitution Jutsu could be considered a form of teleportation. It works by replacing an object on which you've placed your chakra and performed the hand signs beforehand with your own body.
So contrary to most belief, you cannot magically pull off the Substitution Jutsu. You need to prepare and set everything up beforehand, and the jutsu activates the moment you need it. It summons your pre-planned object to your location and teleports you to where you placed the object.
Some ninja often bring living animals to replace themselves, making it easier to trick enemies during stealth missions. But substituting with living beings is much more complicated and costs more chakra. The range at which you place the object also depends on how much chakra you are willing to spend.
Overall, it is a very useful jutsu but demands careful preparation. It is suitable only when you are the one who controls the fight. For example, if you go on the offense while keeping this jutsu active, you could get substituted automatically after taking the smallest of hits.
So you need to be in control of the fight and know exactly when to use this technique. It is also stated that the Substitution Jutsu works best with the Shadow Clone Jutsu, as you could switch positions with any of your clones. I guess that was how Naruto always magically became the last clone surviving.
It was not a very difficult jutsu to master, but using it in real combat would require much work. I would say I mastered the jutsu, but not its use.
...
Chakra Control.
I trained chakra control heavily during the past week. I began with the usual basic chakra control exercise of sticking a leaf on your body. It was something most of us learned in the Academy as first years.
But I went beyond that, constantly sticking many leaves on my body. I also found a way to train chakra control by making clothes stick to my body so they wouldn't flutter when I moved at high speeds.
I trained walking up vertical walls too. It took me about an hour before I got the hang of it. It was simply a higher use of the leaf-sticking exercise.
I also trained walking on water and was able to achieve results quicker than expected. The training grounds had ponds where you could practice chakra control by walking on water, so I used those, mostly training during the night when the ground was empty.
After a week of practice, I could effortlessly scale any terrain, be it upside down, vertical, or on water. I went even further and made myself able to walk on trees. Not on the branches of trees but literally on the roof of trees with small leaves.
I did this by spreading my chakra on the soles of my feet and balancing my weight. I could run on top of trees now, although staying there was physically impossible.
I made groundbreaking progress in chakra control alone. My talent truly shone here as I always exceeded my own expectations.
...
Physical Training.
Physical training was a constant in my routine. It was my least favorite thing to train. I realized that I had an advantage over others when it came to training chakra or jutsu.
It was simply very cool to me, in a way that no one born into this world would find it cool. Training chakra was effortlessly fun—it never even felt like training, to be honest.
But when it came to physical training, that was where my will came to the test. I had no proper routine but simply pushed my body to the limits every single day. I trained until I collapsed most of the time, which was why I trained during the night.
I had also increased the weight of my training. I dropped the vest after fearing that constantly wearing it might stunt my growth somehow. So I shifted more to weighted legwear, the kind Rock Lee had.
The weight was not as ridiculous as his, but it was enough for my current physical prowess. I wear it every day now, sometimes not even strapping them on, but keeping them stuck to my body to train chakra control at the same time.
It was my least favourite training.
...
The Body Flicker Jutsu.
The Body Flicker Jutsu was my one and only D-Rank jutsu. It had only one hand sign, which was the Tiger seal.
The jutsu did not require much practice on its own as my chakra control and physical control carried it to new heights. It was a simple jutsu where you covered your whole body with chakra, mostly the legs, and expelled it in the form of physical force.
The Body Flicker Jutsu also put strain on the body. Traveling at speeds your own body is incapable of on its own through a jutsu was bound to have some drawbacks.
I practiced this jutsu quite a bit, mainly while moving from one place to another. I mostly used it to move around these days—from home to the Academy, or from home to the training grounds and such.
I was also getting used to the speed. I did not know what "speed talent" would translate as in real life, but after a week, I was starting to understand it. It was quite simple, actually. I immediately thought of Shisui and Minato. Perhaps one day I could reach their level too.
...
The Shuriken.
Shuriken and kunai were some of the main shinobi tools. They were the bread and butter of being a shinobi. Not knowing how to use them properly was unacceptable.
I practiced my shuriken throwing in the backyard and a few times in the training ground. I found no trouble in making progress. After one week of training, I could hit any target with pinpoint accuracy from a 20-meter distance.
I had not practiced with moving targets or doing acrobatics while throwing the shuriken like Itachi because I had found no reason to. In the final exam, we were going to throw the shuriken from 20 meters at an unmoving target, so I should get a perfect score.
When I trained, I still focused more on my goal of getting the number 1 rank in the final exams. I thought it was better to use my limited time sharpening other skills than trying to make more progress in shuriken throwing.
...
The Susanoo.
My golden finger, the Susanoo. I did not need to train this ability of mine as it came to me as second nature. The only thing I needed was actual combat experience to see how well I could add it into my combat style.
I was thinking about how to do that, but for the moment I shelved such training—just like how I shelved skills like taijutsu or kenjutsu practice. I had no one to teach me and I could not practice those on my own. I thought it would be better to wait until I had a jonin sensei to guide me.
...
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[1st POV]
"Naruto!!!"
"Hmm?" I stopped running on the roof and paused when I heard the voice of adults calling out Naruto's name.
I stood on top of a water tank and looked around to see what was going on. It was easy enough to spot the blur of orange, followed by two other blurs chasing after it.
"Get back here, Naruto!!" Two shinobi chased after Naruto, and much to my surprise, the kid was running circles around the two fully-fledged shinobi.
They moved at incredible speed, bouncing around houses and roofs. Naruto had a shit-eating smile on his face and was carrying an empty paint bucket and a brush with him.
Although the three were moving in a blur to the naked eye, I could still see them. They were fast, but I could move faster.
I wasn't surprised by the speed of the shinobi, but what surprised me was Naruto's speed. Although portrayed as a loser and untalented at the beginning of the series, Naruto had proved time and time again that he was a prodigy.
The Uzumaki physique was not to be underestimated. Coupled with his father's genes—the fastest ninja—and throwing in the Kyuubi's chakra, Naruto was effortlessly gifted. He was able to run away from shinobi whom I suspected were chunin or maybe experienced genin.
Whatever the case, the feat was impressive. I suppose I would need to use the Body Flicker Jutsu if I wanted to catch Naruto quickly.
Naruto's laugh echoed as he ran from one corner to another. I decided to follow after them, keeping an ample distance.
I saw Naruto make a tight turn at the corner by pushing himself off a fence. I did the same, making a sudden turn by pushing myself off a pole.
I saw in time how Naruto slid to a stop before he took out a cloth painted like the fence. He stood with his face on the fence and camouflaged himself with the cloth.
The two shinobi chasing after him came out of the corner but lost sight of Naruto. They simply continued to burst forward, thinking that Naruto had made another turn at the far corner.
"Are they even really shinobi?" I asked, dumbfounded while standing sideways on a building.
After they left, I turned my focus on Naruto, who was hiding on the fence. I pushed myself off with a leap and landed on the fence. I balanced myself on the small edge and walked toward Naruto.
From my angle, his camouflage was obvious.
"Good morning, Naruto," I said, much to the surprise of the yellow-haired kid.
He turned to me, paused, before a bright smile took over his face.
"Good morning, Suyou," he greeted back.
"I see that you've committed another prank. Mind telling me what it was?" I asked, stopping when I was beside him on top of the fence.
"Oh, you haven't seen?" he said with a shit-eating grin.
He pulled off his camouflage and pointed up at the mountains. I followed his finger and was taken aback when I saw graffiti on the Hokage Mountains in the distance. Huge kanji were painted over the faces, saying "loser" or "stupid-looking."
He also made some modifications on the stone faces—giving a falling snot to Hashirama, a broken spectacle to Tobirama, and huge lips on his father, the Fourth Hokage. He left Hiruzen's face mostly untouched for some reason though.
"Nice," I commented with a smile.
"Right?! They look much better like that," Naruto said and laughed.
"Are you coming to the Academy? You do know that we have the written exams today, right?" I asked, and he completely froze.
"Wait, exams?" he said, turning to me like a robot.
"Yes, the graduation exams. You really forgot, huh," I said and folded my arms with a smile. "I knew your sleeping butt wasn't listening to anything."
"Oh man, I didn't study at all!!" Naruto whined and palmed his face. "I'm so screwed!"
"Don't worry, you sit beside me, so I'll tell you the answers," I said with a shrug.
Naruto turned to me with a look like I was Kami himself. His eyes were wide. "Really? You'd do that for me?"
"Sure, why not," I shrugged.
"Thank you, Suyou!!" Naruto exclaimed and jumped at me to hug.
I winced before I maneuvered away from him. I stood horizontal on the wall, so Naruto completely missed me and fell on the other side, crashing into a few pots belonging to the owner of the compound.
Immediately there was a lady screaming from the house.
"Oops! Let's run, Suyou!!" Naruto said, and the two of us quickly ran away from the crime scene.
We headed toward the Academy to face our graduation exams.
..
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