Illumination – A Naruto Fantasy

After waking up the next day from my 'fight' with the Raikage, nee-san smacked me sideways and ranted about me blowing up the backyard. For punishment, I'm being made to spend the majority of my time doing yard work as the days went by. To alleviate my boredom, I called Tai over to give him an analysis about the explosives he gave me. They were originally just an idea he came up with and neither of us had an opportunity to test them, so he was very interested in what I had to say.

After months of training this body is now 5 years old

Our second year had begun a while ago and we're moving with incredible haste as the days fly on by. Osoi moved us into a new room that was more akin to a small gymnasium. There were no desks, boards, or even chairs. With white circles drawn all over the floor and target dummies by the wall, this was a perfect place to train.

"Ok then! Over the last year, apart from some basic exercise, you have spent most of your time in lectures and books. Now it is the time for a more hands on approach!" (Osoi)

About damn time if you ask me

"In this room, you'll be practicing various jutsu at the behest of me, or any other teacher I decide to bring to the classroom. And ONLY when a teacher is present." (Osoi)

Osoi walked towards the center of the room as he gestured to the white circles on the ground

"These white circles are what most of you have already guessed. They're for sparring with your fellow students, however you're only allowed to use Taijutsu! Ninjutsu and Genjutsu¹Illusionary Techniques are not allowed. Anyone who breaks this rule will be severely punished!" (Osoi)

"Sensei!" (???)

"Yes?" (Osoi)

Ah...it's that guy. The one who called to Osoi just now was named Sekiei. The very same kid Suzu bumped into on the first day of school. As I recall, she also kicked his ass in front of everyone too

"You just said we can finally practice jutsu, so why is Taijutsu only allowed?" (Sekiei)

"Taijutsu is only allowed in the sparring circles, you're free to practice jutsu on those training dummies over there. But it's just not safe, or morally acceptable, to allow children as young as yourselves to use jutsu against one another" (Osoi)

That makes sense I guess. Ninjutsu is pretty much a loaded gun given to us by aliens. It's not like you can just take two children and sit back as they fire at each other

"As for the schedule this year, we'll begin with practicing the basic general skills of Ninjutsu like transformation and using chakra to climb surfaces without your hands. These skills will shape the foundation for more advanced techniques and how well you exercise them will determine just how you perform in the future. We'll also be working with ninja tools as well, but as I said, you're only allowed to do this when a teacher is present" (Osoi)

"What if we break something?"

"No need to worry, the entire school was designed for battle. Plus, all damages are covered by Kumogakure so there's no need to hold back!" (Osoi)

The more I hear about this year, the more I wish we had done it sooner

"Now lets start the day with some standard combat. Grab a partner, enter a circle, and start fighting!" (Osoi)

Everyone in class began moving in different spots, hoping to find an opponent that wouldn't be too difficult for them

"Hey Tai..." (Rei)

"Nope" (Tai)

"I didn't say anything yet" (Rei)

"I know what you were gonna say...and the answer is no. I'm trying to pass too remember?" (Tai)

That's fair

"Don't worry, you're the top of class. Someone will find you. I, on the other hand, am going to help myself to some easy competition. Yo! Nemui! Lets goooo!" (Tai)

"Eh?! But Tai... I'm not ready ye-!" (Nemui)

"No time like the present! Come on!" (Tai)

"Nooooooo!" (Nemui)

I was almost flabbergasted at how fast Tai ditched me as he dragged another student away

"Whatever...I'll just wait in this circle for someone to come to me" (Rei)

But to my surprise, no one wanted to approach me.

"...I guess they're worried about looking bad if they lose to me in a fight. I almost forgot that our every move is being monitored to make a better assessment of our abilities" (Rei)

No one wants risk getting their overall score down and derail the chances of graduating

"Guess I'll just practice by myself for-" (Rei)

"I'd like to spar with you" (???)

Oh? Someone has some...balls?

"What?" (???)

To my surprise, it was Suzu. Getting up and taking a fighting stance I happily obliged her

"Let's spar" (Rei)

"..." (Suzu)

 

As he observed them, Osoi began advising each of the students

"Watch your footing! You! Hurry up and get out of that hold! Hey, your movements are too wasteful!" (Osoi)

"Right!"

"Yes sir!"

Hmmm, most of them are pretty average, still...

"Huya!"

"Oomph?!"

...There are a couple of surprises

"Oh! Sorry Tai!" (Nemui)

"Ow! Damn man, when the hell did you get so tough?!" (Tai)

Never would have thought Nemui would be doing better than Tai, who comes from THAT clan. As for over here...

"Hahaha, come on! Can't you do better than that?!" (Sekiei)

"Hah! Bet you wouldn't be taking that tone if you were fighting Suzu!"

"You! That's it! Now you've asked for it!" (Sekiei)

"Oh crap, Gah!"

Haaaah...I wish he would do something about that arrogance of his. That's what happened when you grow up spoiled. But speaking of Suzu, where is she anyway?

"Hm? Oh!" (Osoi)

"Hah!" (Suzu)

"Hmph!" (Rei)

Oh my...wow! These two are wonderful! I already knew Suzu was talented, but considering our first year was mostly spent in front of a blackboard I had yet to confirm Rei's physical skills even when he was at the top of the class

"Huh? Whoa...hey! Check that out!"

"Hm? What the?!"

"Wow"

"And that's exactly why I didn't want to fight either of them" (Tai)

"Cheh! They're not that great!" (Sekiei)

Oh yes...yes they are! But the most surprising thing is Rei. Suzu seems to be going all out but Rei doesn't seem tired at all

Frustrated she wasn't making any progress, Suzu launched a wide roundhouse kick with her left foot, hoping to knock him off balance but...

"Yah!" (Suzu)

"That was a mistake" (Rei)

"...!" (Suzu)

...Rei saw right through her as he dropped down and delivered a low kick to her right ankle, causing her to fall to the ground

"Kuh!" (Suzu)

"Looks like we're done" (Rei)

"Not even close!" (Suzu)

"Tell that to him" (Rei)

"?" (Suzu)

Suzu looked towards the direction Rei was pointing at to see Osoi stopping the ongoing matches

"...Damn" (Suzu)

"Alright! That's enough warm-up for today. Let's move on to practicing new jutsu! Everyone sit down over there and watch as I demonstrate!" (Osoi)

As everyone left the sparring area, Osoi muttered under his breath thinking no one could here him...

"...Rei...to be able to fight at that level despite being the youngest of the class..." (Osoi)

 

"! Any obstacle in my way will be...removed"

...but he was wrong