Second School Year Begins, Shuriken Throwing Class

The holiday passed quickly, and the second school year began. Throughout the holiday, Jiogan-kun had spent his time in self-discipline, and his Chakra Amount had increased significantly, now reaching the level where he could perform C-rank Ninjutsu three times.

His Taijutsu level was definitely at the top of the class, not weaker than an ordinary Genin, which was the result of training with Might Duy. However, he was still some distance away from opening the Second Gate of the Eight Inner Gates Technique. Might Duy could already open the Third Gate, and his Taijutsu was extremely outstanding in the class. It was truly a case of comparing people to death. Might Duy had already attracted the attention of the school's higher-ups and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Although the third school year was when the class would have combat classes, he and Might Duy had been training together all along, and they often sparred. In the beginning, it was pure Taijutsu combat. Later, Jiogan-kun was no match for Might Guy Emperor's father, so they started using all-around means of combat, including Shuriken Throwing Technique, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu. All the means they could use were employed, and their combat experience grew rapidly, as did Might Duy's.

Might Duy was in his final year and had combat classes every week. With his absolute advantage in Taijutsu and his sparring experience with Jiogan-kun, he had never lost in class. Because Jiogan-kun's mastery of the Three Body Techniques was very high, and he knew Water Release Ninjutsu, there were very few people in the school stronger than Jiogan-kun.

The school was a stage for building foundations. Being strong now indicated a good foundation and sufficient effort. However, after truly becoming a ninja, as age increased, strength would enter an explosive period. Being strong in the early stages did not necessarily mean achieving great success in the end.

Konohagakure was a place that produced many underachievers in the early stages who became powerhouses later on. Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, and Obito Uchiha were all typical examples.

One day, Jiogan-kun's class had a practical throwing lesson. Jiogan-kun had been practicing Shuriken Throwing Technique privately. Due to his strong soul, his skill quickly progressed from average to mastery. He was confident that he was not weaker than the Uchiha students in his class, but he was still a notch below the Uchiha Itachi from the anime timeline. Uchiha Itachi's Shuriken Throwing Technique could be said to have reached an artistic level. In the entire Naruto anime, no one more skilled than him was seen.

"Inuzuka Yoru, hit 9 rings twice, 8 rings three times, 7 rings five times. Final score: B-." In the throwing class, each person threw ten shuriken, and their scores were graded based on the total rings. Inuzuka Yoru had just finished, and the class teacher, Kiyokatsu Sarutobi, immediately gave the score.

"Aoba Yamashiro, hit 8 rings three times, 7 rings five times, 6 rings twice. Final score: C."

"Shikajiro Nara, hit 9 rings once, 8 rings twice, 7 rings four times, 6 rings three times. Final score: C."

"Taku Kimura, hit 8 rings once, 7 rings twice, 6 rings three times, 5 rings three times, missed the target twice. Final score: D."

"Nawa Uchiha, hit 10 rings twice, 9 rings seven times, 8 rings once. Final score: A-."

As expected, the Uchiha Clan had a high level of Shuriken Throwing Technique. Two more people were about to throw, and then it would be Jiogan-kun's turn. Jiogan-kun wondered if he should perform outstandingly or be mediocre.

Let's be average, not too bad, and don't stand out. The ninja world is not safe right now, and there have been cases of geniuses from various villages being assassinated. Geniuses from ninja clans have the protection of their clans, but no one will protect me, a civilian. It's better to keep a low profile.

Finally, it was Jiogan-kun's turn. He adjusted his mindset, and ten shuriken flew out one after another with a 'swoosh'.

"Jiogan-kun, hit 9 rings twice, 8 rings four times, 7 rings four times. Final score: B."

This score was already good in the class, but still far from excellent, and it didn't attract much attention.

It's only the second school year now. Keeping a low profile is more beneficial than harmful and safer. However, I can't be too mediocre. I should maintain a level within the top fifteen. When it's the third school year and the graduation class, I'll have to compete. By then, my survival ability will have improved, and I'll have to fight for the resources I deserve. If nothing else, getting strong teammates during team assignments will increase my chances of survival. Jiogan-kun walked off the field, contemplating.

"Jiogan-kun is amazing. He got a B on his first throwing lesson," Kurama Feiyun said to Jiogan-kun with a smile.

"Although it's the first throwing lesson, I also practiced throwing techniques during the holiday, so I have some insights. However, I'm still far from Nawa Uchiha's level," Jiogan-kun replied humbly.

"Hmph! How dare a mere civilian compare himself to my Uchiha Clan!" Jiogan-kun hadn't lowered his voice, and Nawa Uchiha heard him. The Uchiha Clan's bad habit immediately kicked in, and he spoke with arrogance and disdain.

"You!" Kurama Feiyun was unhappy upon hearing this and wanted to argue with Nawa Uchiha, but Jiogan-kun stopped her.

Jiogan-kun was too familiar with the Uchiha Clan's bad habits. Most of them were arrogant and looked down on others, considering themselves the most powerful clan in Konoha. People like Kagami Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, and Shisui Uchiha, who had gentle personalities, were very rare. There was no need to quibble over such a small matter.

Since Jiogan-kun transmigrated to the ninja world, the people he least wanted to interact with were members of the Uchiha Clan. In his heart, he wanted to stay away because he knew that the ninja world was very deep, but the Uchiha were even deeper.

Soon, it was Kurama Feiyun's turn to perform.

"Feiyun, keep it up!" Jiogan-kun encouraged with a smile.

"Mhm, Jiogan-kun, you should see my training results too!" Kurama Feiyun turned and stepped onto the stage.

"Kurama Feiyun, 1 bullseye, 4 nines, 5 eights. Final score: B+." Kiyokatsu Sarutobi announced the rating immediately after Kurama Feiyun finished.

"Feiyun, that was great! You're already in the top five of the class! You must have been training really hard!" Jiogan-kun congratulated her.

Normally, a throwing technique rated B or above was the average level for graduating students. Many Genin and even Chunin had similar throwing skills. After becoming Chunin, most ninjas began to focus on advanced Ninjutsu, rarely dedicating time to Shuriken Throwing Technique. Powerful Ninjutsu was what required focused study.

But Jiogan-kun didn't think so. In this ninja world where offense was strong and defense was weak, stray arrows and hidden projectiles were the easiest to overlook, yet the most deadly. How many ninjas had he seen killed by Fire Release? However, even someone as strong as Sunagakure's Pakura was killed by shuriken and kunai.

"Thank you for your encouragement, I'll keep working hard!" Kurama Feiyun's eyes curved into Crescent Moons.

Soon, all 50 students in the class finished their throwing lesson. Most of them had missed the target, with less than 15 students scoring B or above. Only Nawa Uchiha received an A, while a few other Uchihas scored B+.

"Class, today's throwing lesson is over. Everyone should learn from the students who received high ratings. Practice more after class. Throwing technique is the simplest attack method, and also the most effective. If you throw more accurately than your enemy, the final outcome might be you alive and the enemy dead, or vice versa." Kiyokatsu Sarutobi concluded, then announced the end of the school day.

The students scattered like birds and beasts, each heading home.

After bidding farewell to Kurama Feiyun, Jiogan-kun also headed towards his family's Fruit Shop. He still had to work part-time doing Delivery. "Class is over, school is out, time to burn with youthful passion!"

Unknowingly, Jiogan-kun had been influenced by Might Duy, and "burning with youthful passion" had become his catchphrase.