Guy, with a wide smile, stepped forward, his energy was palpable even from a distance. Raido took a step toward him, hands at the ready, his gaze focused. They made the hand seals for reconciliation, and the teacher sharply waved his hand.
— Start!
I watched them from the edge of the training field. Guy almost vanished from his spot, his speed was staggering.
— Fast… — a thought flashed in my mind.
Raido barely had time to react — he raised his arms in a defensive stance, but Guy was already there, his fist swiftly flying forward. The blow hit the block, but even through the defense, Raido staggered backward, leaving marks on the ground.
— If he just keeps defending, he'll get overwhelmed… — I noted to myself.
Suddenly, Raido changed his tactics. He loosened his stance, as if losing balance, giving the impression that he was tangled up in his movement.
— Is this a trick? — I thought, squinting slightly.
Guy, without hesitation, charged forward, aiming to land a finishing blow. At that moment, Raido suddenly swayed to the side and threw his elbow, aiming for Guy's side.
— Did he hit?
But Guy… was smiling.
— He was waiting for that!
Taking the hit, he unexpectedly spun around, his leg shot down with incredible speed — Leaf Hurricane!
I barely managed to follow the movement, and Raido had already crashed to the ground, unable to group himself. Dust swirled in the air as he fell, breathing heavily.
— Stop! Guy wins! — the teacher's voice rang out.
The following...
The next battles went one after another, classmates switching out until the list of students came to an end. Some won, others lost, but for everyone, it was a valuable experience.
When the last fight ended, the teacher gave us all a stern look and said:
— Remember — today was only sparring. If you lost, don't hang your head. This is not the end, it's just the beginning. In the future, you'll face real dangers, and that's when your current mistakes will become your experience.
He paused, giving us time to reflect on his words, and then continued:
— And if you won today — don't get complacent. It's just a small victory on a long road. You still don't have the right to relax.
— That's all for today's training, — the teacher finally said.
Classes were over, which meant it was time to go eat, — I thought, getting up from the ground and brushing off my clothes. All this time, I had been sitting and watching the duels, closely observing how my classmates acted in different situations.
Sometimes I noticed their mistakes — slow punches, failed dodges, poor stance. But there were other moments too. Thinking about what I would do in their place, I caught myself thinking that I would have fallen for the same tricks they did.
— I need to come up with something… — I whispered to myself, looking at the sky.
I need an ace. Something unexpected, something I can use at the most crucial moment...
Six months later
The meeting was a general one. Everyone was gathered in the square in front of the Academy — students from all years, from the youngest to those already preparing for graduation exams. This rarely happened, and the very fact that we were all called here made many exchange uneasy glances.
I stood in the crowd, among my classmates, watching the Third Hokage, who appeared on the roof of the Academy building.
— Listen to me carefully! — he began, looking down at us as if he saw each of us separately. — The Great War has flared up with new force. The Hidden Leaf Village is once again drawn into battle against hostile villages. Fights are already underway on the borders of the Land of Fire.
— We, shinobi, have always lived in a world full of battles. But now the time is much more dangerous. Therefore, after long discussions with the Council, we have made a difficult decision. The Academy will start graduating the most prepared students early to strengthen our ranks.
A murmur ran through the crowd. I felt my heart sink.
— Those who show readiness and skill will become genin in the coming months and receive their headbands. I know this decision is difficult. But the village needs you! — The Hokage's gaze swept over all of us. — We have no choice.
People around exchanged glances, some lowered their heads, others clenched their fists. Personally, I felt a chill inside.
— That means I have almost no time left... — flashed in my mind.
I knew that mobilization was already underway, and there were reasons for it...
The Third Shinobi World War began unexpectedly but swiftly. Initially, the Land of Fire was not actively involved in the conflict — only a few minor skirmishes over patches of land on its borderlands. It seemed insignificant, and the local clashes didn't attract much attention. However, as each month passed, the situation became more tense.
Everything changed when other great nations began to pull their forces into the war. The Stone, Cloud, and Mist countries began expanding their territorial ambitions, and the war spread rapidly.
All this news had been coming in for a couple of months, and I couldn't help but notice how quickly the situation was escalating. Based on my knowledge of current events and analyzing the happenings in the world of shinobi, I predicted that the war was only a matter of time. The countries were actively mobilizing their forces, and each new report of attacks and losses only confirmed my fears.
For me, this meant that the time for final preparation had come. I was close to finishing everything I had planned, and I was preparing for the inevitable. The only thing I lacked was money. I had almost spent all my savings on necessary supplies and equipment, and there wasn't much left to feel confident about the upcoming events. But despite that, I was better equipped and prepared than ever.
At the same time, I was able to improve my skills. I kept training and perfecting my techniques, receiving rare help from my sensei, who was disappearing more and more each month. If I used to see him every day at the academy, now I could only meet him once a month. These rare encounters became even more valuable to me. But even without him, I had to learn a lot on my own.
Kotetsu Hagane
Strength: 69
Speed: 74
Chakra: 81
Chakra Control: 101
Genin: 100
Techniques:
• Body Replacement Technique
• Clone Technique
• Transformation Technique