Even using the least chakra-consuming Transformation Technique, Uchiha Kiyoshi could only practice it six times with his current chakra reserves.
This left Uchiha Kiyoshi quite frustrated. Chakra reserves really did limit far too many things.
After six attempts, Uchiha Kiyoshi could barely control his transformed appearance, though the details were still somewhat blurry.
However, Uchiha Kiyoshi was not discouraged. It was not like he could not learn it; he merely lacked proficiency. As long as he persisted, he would eventually be able to master it perfectly.
Unable to practice the Three Basic Techniques any further, Uchiha Kiyoshi took out Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu and began reading.
With the medical knowledge from his previous life, along with the studies of the past few years, Uchiha Kiyoshi already had a certain understanding of Medical Ninjutsu.
Now, he only needed his chakra reserves to increase before he could begin practicing it.
As for chakra control, Uchiha Kiyoshi had not paid much attention to it since extracting chakra. But according to the book, his chakra control might truly be insufficient.
Yet with so little chakra, he could not carry out training like Tree Climbing and Water Walking.
That sort of training consumed a great deal of chakra. A single session would use up half of his chakra.
Therefore, Uchiha Kiyoshi had never practiced it. Although he had some other ideas, there was still no way around the problem of chakra.
Uchiha Kiyoshi was now genuinely constrained by his chakra and could only hope that it would grow soon.
He also needed to find a method to control Physical Energy as soon as possible. If he could successfully nourish his body, perhaps his physical constitution would improve considerably, which would in turn speed up his chakra growth.
After borrowing the book, Uchiha Kiyoshi no longer needed to go to the Archives every day to read. Once he had used up his chakra, he began studying the contents of Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu.
The next day, Uchiha Kiyoshi got up early. He remembered that there was an exam today.
After making breakfast and setting aside lunch in a bento box, Uchiha Kiyoshi finished eating and headed to the Ninja Academy with the bento.
Did I forget something yesterday? Right, Nawaki. Sitting beside me should draw the Third Hokage's attention. No matter how special the circumstances are, an Uchiha coming into contact with the eldest young master of the Senju Clan would definitely warrant attention. Even if I did not initiate it.
Fortunately, he had not done anything unusual yesterday. It seemed he would need to conduct certain research in secret from now on, at least not directly in the courtyard.
Research that did not require a venue, or was purely theoretical, should be carried out indoors whenever possible. That way, even if someone was watching him, they would not know what he was doing.
It would be best to have an excuse as well. Hmm! Reading was a pretty good reason.
Uchiha Kiyoshi had already decided how he would conceal things in the future.
It was that simple. Only by doing so could he hide under the noses of the other ninja. Otherwise, if he went too far, he would arouse their vigilance.
The Uchiha Clan lived in the bustling central area of the village, so Uchiha Kiyoshi's home was not particularly far from the Ninja Academy. He arrived after walking for around twenty minutes.
Upon entering the classroom, Uchiha Kiyoshi sat in his seat and began thinking about this exam.
So, how much should I reveal in this exam?
Uchiha Kiyoshi thought of another troublesome issue.
After careful consideration, Uchiha Kiyoshi decided that he would reveal what he should in theoretical classes. Of course, he still needed to make careless mistakes and lose a few points each time, giving people the impression that he was rather absentminded.
Once there were practical classes in the future, he would maintain that persona and focus on defensive tactics. If he learned Medical Ninjutsu by then, he would incorporate it into his tactical system as well.
Hmm... I'm tough, and I can heal myself. What do you think? Despair, huh?
Nawaki arrived a little late today, and judging from his appearance, he had probably been beaten up.
How could one tell from his appearance?
Just look at his eyes—they were still swollen! There was also a bruise on his nose, not to mention the way he walked.
Of course, with someone's treatment, his injuries had definitely been stabilized. The pain might still remain, and the outward signs had been left behind as well.
Uchiha Kiyoshi did not know why Nawaki had been beaten, but he could guess that Tsunade was probably responsible. It was best for him not to get involved.
Although they shared the same profession, he was still from the Uchiha Clan, and Tsunade would definitely have opinions about him. Besides, had he not heard it before? People in the same profession were natural rivals.
Uchiha Kiyoshi did not ask, and Nawaki did not say anything. It would be embarrassing to bring it up himself, and Nawaki knew that much.
Whether he was trying to change the subject or had genuinely remembered it, Nawaki looked somewhat worried as he asked Uchiha Kiyoshi.
"What if I do badly on today's exam? I won't get expelled for failing, will I?"
Nawaki seemed to have thought of the punishment he would face if he performed poorly, and his face had gone pale.
Uchiha Kiyoshi casually reassured him, "Not likely. This is only to assess everyone's current level. A poor grade does not mean much. Just do not fail after you have formally learned the material."
Before long, Uemura Naoki entered the classroom, announced the exam rules, and then began the test.
Other than the final question, the test was not particularly difficult. Uchiha Kiyoshi quickly finished it, handed it in early, and left.
Uchiha Kiyoshi took his book outside and sat down to read.
However, to Nawaki, this action was no different from a bolt from the blue.
"I'm not even halfway done, and you already handed yours in? Are we even taking the same test? And as my deskmate, shouldn't you let me copy a little?
I just hadn't decided whether to copy from you yet, and you already denied me the chance?"
Nawaki was practically losing his mind.
Only at that moment did he understand why Uchiha Kiyoshi had called this the best seat.
The guy already knew everything, so of course he would slack off during class. A seat where the teacher would not notice was naturally ideal, and sitting there would not obstruct the teacher either.
Nawaki was on the verge of tears. He had thought Uchiha Kiyoshi simply did not want to study properly!
But it turned out that he was a top student? So I'm the only lousy student here?
Nawaki did not stop to think that Uchiha Kiyoshi was always reading whenever he had free time. How could his grades possibly be bad?
Naturally, Uchiha Kiyoshi did not know what Nawaki was thinking.
At that moment, Uchiha Kiyoshi was concentrating on studying Introduction to Medical Ninjutsu.
However, Uchiha Kiyoshi felt uncomfortable reading the same book all the time. It would be better to alternate between books, so he decided to find time to borrow Introduction to Sealing Jutsu as well.
Unfortunately, that would cost another thousand ryo—the price of a kunai.
He needed to find a chance to make some money. He did not know where he could earn any, but it would be best if it did not interfere with his training.
Soon, the hour and a half allotted for the exam was over. Uemura Naoki collected the papers, left the classroom, and returned to his office to grade them.
There were not many students in the class, so he should be able to finish grading and compile the rankings within an hour.
That hour was rather annoying for Uchiha Kiyoshi.
Yes, annoying.
After returning to his seat, Nawaki kept going on about how Uchiha Kiyoshi had not been loyal enough. Since he had not let him copy, it was apparently all Uchiha Kiyoshi's fault.
Uchiha Kiyoshi was speechless. Nawaki had never said that he wanted to copy before. Besides, copying during the Chunin Ninja Exams was one thing—the test was meant to assess one's ability to gather intelligence, and the questions really were difficult.
But during a normal Ninja Academy exam, if Nawaki copied his answers and got caught, Tsunade would probably beat the hell out of him. Uchiha Kiyoshi himself likely would not have an easy time either.
"Ugh! How did I end up with a deskmate like this?"
Uemura Naoki was quite efficient. Not even an hour later, after only forty minutes, he returned to the classroom and handed out the score sheets.
"This test was out of one hundred points. The highest score was Uchiha Kiyoshi's: ninety-eight points! Everyone should learn from Kiyoshi."
Nawaki was stunned. A big shot had been right beside him all along?
Before, he had still suspected that Uchiha Kiyoshi might not have gotten everything right. But now that he saw this, the guy was definitely a big shot!
"Kiyoshi, how did you score ninety-eight? I only got forty. And it seems you were the only one who got the final big question right. That's incredible!"
Uchiha Kiyoshi calmly began showing off.
"It was nothing. I missed one multiple-choice question and lost two points, so that made ninety-eight."
"Gasp..."
Nawaki sucked in a sharp breath.
So that was how high scores were earned!
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School started today, so I have online classes. I will try to keep updating normally and see whether I can maintain ten thousand words a day.
Hmm! How about some recommendation votes?
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