NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: 5 Graduation Day
A week and a half had passed since Takama Yuichi left the hospital. During that time, he focused on intensive training to improve his skills, especially since he had used up his monthly simulation in the system. He knew drawing attention could be dangerous, potentially catching the eye of figures like the Third Hokage or, worse, Shimura Danzo, who was always on the lookout for new talents to recruit into his secretive Root organization. So, Yuichi chose secluded training spots in Konoha's forests to stay under the radar.
He worked on enhancing his chakra control with advanced techniques. Instead of tree-climbing or water-walking, he practiced chakra rotation, distributing chakra evenly throughout his body to improve stability during combat. He also honed his taijutsu, aiming to increase his speed and precision in hand-to-hand strikes. Occasionally, he used his new chakra sensing ability to ensure no one was watching him during training. The ability was incredibly useful but required intense focus, leaving him exhausted at times.
On the morning of the graduation exam, Yuichi woke up early, his heart pounding with excitement and nerves. This was the day he'd been waiting for: the day he'd graduate from the Ninja Academy. He ate a hearty breakfast of rice and grilled fish, then put on his ninja clothes, which he'd carefully cleaned the night before. Standing in front of the mirror, he looked at himself and muttered, "Today, I'll finally become a Genin."
Yuichi arrived at the academy on time, finding the classroom buzzing with nervous students. He noticed Naruto Uzumaki talking loudly, trying to mask his anxiety with jokes, while Sasuke Uchiha sat quietly in a corner, seemingly unbothered. Sakura Haruno was trying to get closer to Sasuke, while Ino Yamanaka competed for his attention. Yuichi smiled faintly, recalling these moments from the anime.
Iruka-sensei entered the room and explained the exam's details. The test required mastering the Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique), with each student needing to create at least two clones. When Yuichi's turn came, he stepped to the center of the room and performed the technique flawlessly, producing two perfect clones. Iruka nodded approvingly and said, "Good work, Yuichi. You've passed."
Yuichi received Konoha's headband, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride as he held it. He noticed that Naruto, as in the anime, failed the exam, sparking whispers among the students afterward. Yuichi approached Kenta, his old friend who had also passed, and they exchanged enthusiastic congratulations.
"Finally, we're Genin!" Kenta said, raising his headband in the air.
"Yeah, but this is just the beginning," Yuichi replied with a smile. "Now the real missions start."
He spotted Hinata standing at a distance, holding her headband and looking shy as usual. He remembered saving her from bullies years ago and wondered if he should talk to her. But he decided to hold off, especially after catching Mizuki-sensei's strange tone while talking to Naruto. Yuichi knew what was coming: Mizuki's plan to trick Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
After leaving the academy, Yuichi tied the headband to his forehead, feeling the weight of his new responsibility. He decided to head to the market to buy some basic ninja tools: kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags. The market was crowded, with merchants calling out to sell their wares. Yuichi stopped at a shop run by an old man, purchasing a set of tools at a reasonable price.
As he walked home, his mind was preoccupied with the upcoming events. He knew that tonight, Naruto would fall into Mizuki's trap and steal the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage's office. But he was convinced it wasn't mere coincidence. "Naruto is really lucky," Yuichi thought. "It's logically impossible for a kid like him to steal that scroll alone. It's obvious the Third Hokage planned this to trap Mizuki, and maybe to test Naruto's intentions and loyalty to the village."
Yuichi paused, looking up at the starry sky. He knew these events would lead to Naruto learning the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, marking the start of his journey as a hero. But he wondered about his own role in this world. Would he remain a bystander, or would the system give him a chance to shape events?
When he reached his apartment, he placed his new tools on the table and sat on his bed. He opened the system to check his status, noting that the next simulation wouldn't be available for another two weeks. "That's fine," he thought. "I have chakra sensing now, and I'm an official Genin. I need to prepare for the team I'll join."
He lay down, thinking about tomorrow, when the teams would be announced. He wondered if he'd join a strong team or face unexpected challenges. With these thoughts, he drifted into a deep sleep, ready for what the future held.
-------------
Do you prefer that Takama join Team 7 instead of Sakura to participate in the main events, or is it better for him to join another team and forge his own path?