Scheming

Name: Higashino Shinichi

Occupation: Swordsman / Ninja Academy Student

Talents: Genius (Blue), Spiritual Awareness (Green), Good Omen (Green), Big Eater (Green), Diligence Compensates for Weakness (Green), Quick Wit (Green), Natural Strength (Green), Thick-Skinned (Green), Swift as a Rabbit (Green), Sword Proficiency (Green), Affinity (White), Calm (White), Wind Release Basics (White), Taijutsu Basics (White), Fire Release Basics (White).

Walking along the path home, the setting sun stretched his shadow long behind him. Shinichi habitually sank his mind into the depths of his consciousness and summoned the personal panel that only he could see.

Compared to two years ago, the panel had changed considerably. [Thick-Skinned (Green)] had replaced the former [Tenacious (White)], [Swift as a Rabbit (Green)] was an upgrade from [Agile (White)], [Big Eater (Green)] originated from [Foodie (White)], and [Spiritual Awareness (Green)] came from [Perception (White)].

Additionally, a brand-new white trait had appeared on the panel:

[Fire Release Basics (White): Your perception of Fire Nature Chakra is sharper, and your control over it is smoother. When learning and performing basic Fire Release Ninjutsu, your efficiency and success rate are slightly increased.]

The nature of this trait was similar to the [Wind Release Basics (White)] he had drawn early on, except it corresponded to the Fire Nature.

Shinichi had been somewhat surprised by its generation at first. His original intention had been to foster a more comprehensive trait like [Ninjutsu Basics].

But thinking it over carefully, the reason might be this: over the past two years, in the various sparring matches and assessments at the academy, the ninjutsu he used most frequently and performed most prominently with was always Fire Release Ninjutsu.

In the eyes of his classmates and teachers, the impression that Higashino Shinichi's Fire Release was strong was likely more concrete and profound than the broader perception that his ninjutsu was strong in general. The trait system once again demonstrated its logic of generation based on specific recognition.

Another phenomenon that made him ponder was the [Taijutsu Basics (White)] trait. Over these two years, even though he had never slackened in demonstrating and refining his taijutsu, it still had not upgraded to green.

The only explanation was that the effect from his battle with Kakashi back then—where he had used his swordsmanship to break through the White Fang Sword Style head-on, borrowing the world-renowned reputation of the White Fang of Konoha as a stepping stone—had been far greater and more enduring than he had imagined.

In that battle, the brilliance of his swordsmanship had, to some extent, overshadowed his solid foundation in taijutsu.

When people mentioned his taijutsu, they might praise his good fundamentals and great strength, but the deeper awe and labels were more drawn to his swordsmanship.

As for Genjutsu-related traits, it wasn't that he didn't want to build them, but there was a girl named Kurenai Yuhi in his grade. Not only did she have a high talent for genjutsu, but her father was also a genjutsu jonin.

Shinichi simply couldn't think of any way to outshine this genjutsu prodigy. Coupled with the fact that his initial focus had been on building physical traits, and later, after Uchiha Shisui enrolled, he had even less interest in crafting a persona of genjutsu talent.

Shinichi withdrew his gaze from the personal panel.

Through over two years of continuous cognitive management and refinement, he was well aware that the traits on his panel were still far from abundant or perfect.

If time were plentiful, he could, like carving a piece of jade, generate more white traits, slowly nurture each one to green, and even attempt to touch the higher blue realm, solidifying his foundation to an unassailable degree.

But time was running out.

Based on his fragmented knowledge of the original story and the general graduation age of his cohort, he estimated that there was still a little over a year before the existing, fragile peace of the ninja world was completely shattered.

This was the fundamental reason he had decided to graduate early. Originally, he had planned to solidify his foundation even more before graduating.

But again, time was running out.

Step one: Graduate early and become a genin.

At that point, the occupation trait [Ninja Academy Student] would naturally advance to [Genin]. A promotion in occupation level would inevitably bring more significant, all-around boosts related to ninja talent.

Furthermore, following previous patterns, an occupation promotion almost always came with a drawing opportunity. A brand-new green trait, obtainable directly, could immediately reinforce his ability system.

Step two: Rapid promotion to chunin.

This plan was more aggressive. He intended to participate in the Chunin Exams within the same year he graduated as a genin, or find other feasible means, to strive for the fastest possible promotion to chunin.

If successful, the [Genin] trait would upgrade again to [Chunin]. This not only meant another leap in the relevant boosts from the occupation, but more critically, starting from chunin, there might be a chance to trigger a higher-level draw—a blue trait draw opportunity.

With this plan in place, if everything went smoothly, by the time the ninja world truly began to stir a little over a year from now, he would possess:

A stronger [Chunin] occupation trait boost.

A new green trait obtained from the genin promotion.

A possible new blue trait obtained from the chunin promotion.

The power leap from stacking these three would allow him to face the coming trials of blood and fire with greater confidence and strength, granting him a stronger ability to protect himself in the early stages of the upheaval.

"So, the next trait should be the last one I generate during my time at the Ninja Academy."

Shinichi withdrew his thoughts and turned his gaze to his hands.

In his palms, he was slowly rolling two pitch-black solid iron balls. This was a habit he had developed a little over a year ago.

To outsiders, this was merely a form of training—using the rotation and friction of the iron balls to exercise the joints and muscles of his fingers, palms, wrists, and elbows, enhancing their flexibility and strength, which in turn would benefit the hand seal speed so crucial to a ninja.

This reasoning was valid, but Shinichi's goal went far beyond that.

His deeper intention was to accomplish something that would shake the entire village of Konoha, thereby generating a comprehensive ninjutsu-type trait.

Although he had only generated attribute-specific traits like [Fire Release Basics] so far, rather than the broader, comprehensive trait he had hoped for, which made him feel his plan hadn't fully succeeded, he was not discouraged.

In fact, regarding how to shape and ultimately generate a powerful comprehensive ninjutsu trait, he had long had a plan. This scheme could even be traced back to shortly after he first entered the Ninja Academy.

It was a long-term plan that required extended study and a specific trigger point to detonate.

And that trigger point would be the opening ceremony of the new semester, just a few days away.

If everything went smoothly and his scheme came to fruition, then the trait generated at that time would likely not be white, nor even green.

But a blue-grade comprehensive ninjutsu trait!

This would be the last trait he meticulously crafted during his academy career, and it would also be the most substantial farewell gift he could offer for his early graduation.