Scheming

Name: Higashino Shinichi

Occupation: Swordsman/Ninja Academy Student

Talents: Genius (Blue), Spiritual Sense (Green), Good Omen (Green), Big Eater (Green), Diligence Compensates (Green), Quick Wit (Green), Natural Strength (Green), Thick Skin (Green), Swift as a Hare (Green), Sword Proficiency (Green), Affinity (White), Calmness (White), Wind Release Basics (White), Taijutsu Basics (White), Fire Release Basics (White).

As he walked along the path home, the setting sun stretched his shadow out behind him. As was his habit, Shinichi sank his mind deep into his consciousness and summoned the Personal Panel that only he could see.

The panel had changed considerably over the past two years. [Thick Skin (Green)] had replaced the [Tenacious (White)] he once had, while [Swift as a Hare (Green)] had evolved from [Agile (White)], [Big Eater (Green)] had come from [Foodie (White)], and [Spiritual Sense (Green)] had come from [Perception (White)].

There was also a brand-new white Trait on the panel:

[Fire Release Basics (White): You have a keen perception of Fire Nature Chakra and can control it more smoothly. Your efficiency and success rate increase slightly when learning and performing basic Fire Release Ninjutsu.]

This Trait had a similar quality to [Wind Release Basics (White)], which he had drawn years ago, except it corresponded to Fire Nature.

Shinichi had initially been a little surprised when it appeared. He had intended to develop a more comprehensive Trait, such as [Ninjutsu Basics].

But on closer thought, perhaps the reason was that over the past two years, Fire Release Ninjutsu had been the techniques he used most often and performed best with in the Academy's tests and matches.

Among his classmates and teachers, the impression that Higashino Shinichi was strong at Fire Release was probably more specific and deeply ingrained than the broader notion that he was strong at ninjutsu. Once again, the Trait system had demonstrated that it generated Traits based on specific perceptions.

Another thing that puzzled him was that even though he had never slacked off in demonstrating or improving his taijutsu over the past two years, [Taijutsu Basics (White)] still hadn't advanced to green.

He could only conclude that the effect of his battle against Kakashi back then—when his swordsmanship had directly defeated White Fang Sword Style, using the globally renowned White Fang of Konoha as a stepping stone—had been even greater and more lasting than he had imagined.

The brilliance of his swordsmanship in that fight had even somewhat overshadowed his solid taijutsu skills.

People might praise his taijutsu as having a good foundation and great strength, but their deeper admiration and the label they associated with him were drawn more to his swordsmanship.

It wasn't that he didn't want to develop a Genjutsu Trait. It was just that there was a girl in his year named Kurenai Yuhi, who not only had a talent for Genjutsu but also had a Jonin father who specialized in it.

Shinichi couldn't think of any way to outshine this Genjutsu prodigy, especially since his initial focus had been on developing Traits related to his physical abilities.

After Uchiha Shisui entered the Academy, Shinichi was even less inclined to build a reputation as a Genjutsu talent.

Shinichi drew his gaze away from the Personal Panel.

After more than two years of steadily cultivating how others perceived him and refining that image, he knew very well that the Traits on his panel were still far from numerous or perfect.

Given enough time, he could have generated more white Traits as if carving jade, gradually nurtured each one until it turned green, and even tried to reach the higher blue tier, building an unshakable foundation.

But there wasn't much time left.

Based on the scraps of information from the original story and the typical graduation age for his year, he estimated that the Shinobi World's current fragile peace would be shattered in a little over a year.

That was the fundamental reason he had decided to graduate early. His original plan had been to strengthen his foundation further before graduating.

But, as he'd said, there wasn't much time left.

First step: graduate early and become a Genin.

By then, the [Ninja Academy Student] Occupation Trait would naturally advance to [Genin]. An increase in Occupation rank would inevitably bring more significant, all-around improvements to his ninja-related abilities.

Also, going by the pattern so far, a promotion in Occupation almost always came with a chance to draw a Trait. He could immediately strengthen his abilities with a brand-new green Trait.

Second step: advance to Chunin as quickly as possible.

This plan was more aggressive. He intended to find a way to take the Chunin Ninja Exams—or pursue another viable route—and become a Chunin as quickly as possible, all in the same year he graduated as a Genin.

If he succeeded, the [Genin] Trait would upgrade to [Chunin]. That would not only bring another leap in the benefits of his Occupation, but, more importantly, starting at Chunin rank, he might have a chance to trigger a higher-tier draw—a chance to obtain a blue Trait.

If everything went smoothly, then a little over a year from now, when the Shinobi World's situation truly began to grow unstable, he would have:

Stronger benefits from the [Chunin] Occupation Trait.

A new green Trait gained from advancing from Genin.

A possible new blue Trait gained from advancing to Chunin.

Together, these would bring a considerable leap in strength, giving him greater confidence and power to face the trials of blood and fire ahead, and better means of protecting himself in the early days of the turmoil.

Then the next Trait should be the last one I generate during my time at the Academy.

Shinichi gathered his thoughts and looked down at his hands.

At that moment, he was slowly rolling two solid black iron balls around in his palms. It was a habit he had suddenly picked up more than a year ago.

To others, it was merely a way to train: rotating and rubbing the iron balls exercised the joints and muscles in his fingers, palms, wrists, and elbows, improving their flexibility and strength, which in turn helped him form Hand Seals faster—a skill of vital importance to a ninja.

That explanation was certainly valid, but Shinichi's purpose went far beyond that.

His deeper aim was to pull off something that would rock all of Konoha and, through it, generate a comprehensive Ninjutsu Trait.

Though he had only generated a specialized Trait like [Fire Release Basics], rather than the broader, more comprehensive kind he had hoped for, and thus felt his plan hadn't gone entirely as intended, he hadn't lost heart.

In fact, he had already devised a plan to shape and eventually generate a powerful, comprehensive Ninjutsu Trait. The plan could be traced back to shortly after he first entered the Ninja Academy.

It was a long-term plan that required extensive study and would be set off at just the right moment.

And that moment would come at the new school year's opening ceremony, just a few days away.

If everything went smoothly and his plan succeeded, the Trait he generated then would likely be neither white nor even green.

It would be a blue-tier comprehensive Ninjutsu Trait!

This would be the last Trait he carefully cultivated during his time at the Academy, and the most momentous parting gift he could offer before graduating early.