My Techniques are a bit off

"Huff… huff… huff…"

Having just finished a lap running around the Konohagakure, Link slowed to a walk, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.

His lungs worked overtime, forcing oxygen into his heart, which pumped blood swiftly through his body. Sweat poured out of his pores, dripping down his face.

"Ten minutes of rest, then the next lap," he decided after catching his breath.

Before refining chakra and discovering his cheat ability, he had never trained this hard.

He used to have low expectations for himself. Without any unique abilities, he knew that even if he became a ninja, he wouldn't have much influence in this world.

But now, with his cheat ability, he had ambition. He had motivation.

Link didn't stop. His muscles, sore and fatigued, warned him that if he rested now, he wouldn't have the strength to move again for a while. Instead, he continued walking along the street.

The human body in the Naruto world was remarkable. Compared to the 40 to 60 trillion cells in an average human on Earth, the people here had over 130 trillion cells. Their endurance and physical capabilities far surpassed those of Earthlings.

Link understood how slow the benefits of training were in his previous life. Comparing that with his progress in this world, he had a much clearer grasp of how quickly he was improving.

From being a sickly three-year-old to now being able to refine chakra and run for hours without stopping, the results of his effort were undeniable.

Success breeds motivation, forming a positive cycle of hard work and rewards.

Though Link's small body housed the soul of an adult, and he wasn't immune to moments of laziness or negativity, he still did the right thing: cultivating a habit of disciplined training.

Hard work couldn't compete with talent, bloodlines, or destiny. But if he didn't work hard, he wouldn't achieve anything at all.

His cheat ability made his ninjutsu incredibly powerful, but it didn't enhance his physical abilities. In fact, his physical fitness determined how effectively he could use his cheat ability.

With this in mind, how could he justify not working hard?

Ten minutes passed. Though his body still felt heavy, as though weighed down by armor, he straightened up and took off running again.

"Inhale… exhale…" Link felt fatigue set in even faster than during the previous laps, but he controlled his breathing, inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth, maintaining a steady rhythm.

Although people in the Naruto world were almost superhuman, their training methods were surprisingly simple: pushing themselves to the limit, depleting their stamina, and unlocking the potential of their cells.

Everything else depended on talent and bloodlines.

Link didn't believe he could revolutionize training techniques, so he focused on the simplest method: effort.

"At the very least, in something as basic as effort, I can't lose to a kid!"

Thinking of the hardworking genius Rock Lee, Link gritted his teeth and maintained a steady pace despite the exhaustion clawing at him.

Effort!

…

What's the point of effort?

Mizuki sneered inwardly at the word.

If effort mattered, he wouldn't still be an ordinary, mediocre chunin.

"Such laughable effort!" he thought as he watched Link tirelessly train in the distance, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips.

Yet, for some reason, there was a tinge of jealousy in his expression.

Was it jealousy over not having been this diligent in his youth, or envy of the boy's mastery of a secret technique?

Mizuki couldn't quite tell, but it didn't matter. His objective was simply to observe and uncover the boy's secret technique.

As an examiner, Mizuki knew all about Link's background: the child of two fallen ninjas, now a mere orphan with no connections and no special bloodline.

If this boy truly could detach his head at will, such a secret technique was worth investigating.

However, much to Mizuki's frustration, Link spent days doing nothing but relentless training. Mizuki learned nothing.

While he had considered capturing Link to interrogate him, the boy never left the village center, where sharp-eyed ninjas and patrolling Anbu were everywhere. Attempting a covert abduction was almost impossible.

"Damn it. Why would someone with such a secret technique waste time on basic training?"

Mizuki fumed silently. He had been tailing Link for five days now. Tomorrow, the Ninja Academy term would start. Once Link enrolled, taking any overt action would become much riskier. Ninja Academy students were highly valued by the village, and a sudden disappearance would trigger an exhaustive Anbu investigation.

Despite his inner turmoil, Mizuki maintained a calm exterior. Watching Link finish another day of training and head into Ichiraku Ramen, Mizuki made a calculated decision.

"It's no use. The direct approach has failed."

Standing across the street from Ichiraku, Mizuki acknowledged his failure. Anger wouldn't change anything. It was time for a new plan.

Plastering a friendly smile on his face, Mizuki adjusted his green vest and stepped into Ichiraku Ramen.

He rarely ate here.

"Tch. That fox brat is here too…"

His gaze briefly lingered on an orange-clad figure devouring ramen in the corner. He quickly looked away. While certain plans brewed in his mind, now was not the time.

Feigning coincidence, Mizuki sat next to Link, who had just placed his order. Smiling, he said, "What a coincidence, Link."

"?"

Exhausted and starving, Link was momentarily confused by the sudden interaction. He glanced up, saw the familiar green vest and face, and recognized Mizuki from the exam.

"Hello, Examiner," he greeted politely.

"You can call me Mizuki," Mizuki replied, introducing himself. He noticed the brief flicker of unease on Link's face.

Why?

Mizuki's mind raced with possibilities, but his expression remained composed as he casually ordered a bowl of ramen.

Link's expression quickly returned to calm politeness. "Mizuki-sensei," he replied, then focused on eating as soon as his ramen arrived.

After finishing, Link stood up and reached for his nearly empty wallet to pay. Mizuki stepped in, paying for both meals with a magnanimous smile.

"Since you're calling me 'sensei,' let me treat you."

"Thank you." Link didn't refuse, bowing politely before saying, "Excuse me."

He turned and left, leaving Mizuki to finish his meal alone, lost in thought.