Hokage's Personal Tutelage

Attacking so soon? It seems this kid doesn't want to give me a chance to use ninjutsu, so I'll spar with him in taijutsu instead.

Although my current chakra is enough to use the Great Fireball Technique twice more, how am I supposed to earn Calamity Points without getting a little hurt?

Uchiha Isho pondered silently, quickly and skillfully drawing two shuriken from the ninja tool pouch behind him.

"Whoosh."

A piercing sound rang out as the two shuriken flew with precision toward the chest of the Jingchuan Lirang on the left and in the center.

"Clang."

The central Jingchuan Lirang instantly blocked with a kunai, sending the shuriken ricocheting away, while the figure on the left dissipated into white mist.

Just then, Jingchuan Lirang had already lunged to within two steps of Uchiha Isho. The figure on the right leaped forward, a sharp kunai aimed straight at Uchiha Isho's throat.

Uchiha Isho's eyes flashed. Even though he knew this figure was a clone, he dared not be careless. He jerked his head back while kicking out with his right foot; the figure dissipated instantly upon being struck in the abdomen.

The moment the clone vanished, Jingchuan Lirang seized the opportunity, his right leg whipping toward Uchiha Isho's left leg.

With a "thwack," Uchiha Isho felt a powerful force pull at him, and he lost his balance, falling backward. As if he had anticipated this, he steadied himself with one hand on the ground, then used the leverage to launch both legs toward Jingchuan Lirang's chest.

Seeing this, Jingchuan Lirang crossed his arms in front of his chest to defend.

"Thud, thud." Jingchuan Lirang stumbled back two steps. Uchiha Isho used the gap to scramble to his feet. No sooner had they steadied themselves than they both gripped their kunai and lunged at each other again.

"Bang, clang." The two traded blows, both using the same style of taijutsu, but everyone present could clearly see that Uchiha Isho was on the back foot. Jingchuan Lirang's attacks were more ferocious, forcing Uchiha Isho to merely parry and dodge.

Time slipped away bit by bit. About a quarter of an hour later.

Uchiha Isho's voice echoed in everyone's ears, "Teacher, I concede."

Jingchuan Lirang's vigilant expression turned to one of surprise. He then looked up to see Uchiha Isho sheathing his kunai and tidying his wounds and clothing.

Uchiha Isho looked somewhat disheveled; his clothes were torn in several places, a few small cuts were oozing blood, and his face was covered in beads of sweat.

Jingchuan Lirang looked slightly better than Uchiha Isho, with his wounds and clothing in better condition.

"Very well. Jingchuan Lirang takes first place in this assessment.

Rest for the afternoon. Dismissed." After the Exam Proctor finished speaking, he was the first to stride away.

"I won. I actually got first place this time.

But it was just my luck. Uchiha Isho clearly had a chance to use ninjutsu earlier but didn't; he must have been low on chakra."

Jingchuan Lirang muttered to himself, a smile appearing on his face. Luck is part of strength, too, he thought, but I need to work harder. I won't have this kind of luck next time.

The Exam Proctor soon announced the dismissal. Uchiha Isho walked toward one of the better-looking female medical ninjas. "I should probably get these wounds bandaged."

The fight was so intense this time, I should have earned a decent amount of Calamity Points. Still, my explosive power and taijutsu are quite weak. I really need to train more. Uchiha Isho calculated his gains.

"Isho, why don't you look more excited? Are you regretting losing to Jingchuan at the end? If you ask me, you definitely could have won if you'd used that level of ninjutsu one more time."

Tiancheng Changmu, a handsome boy with short hair, came jogging over with Akiyo behind him.

"That's for sure, but second place isn't bad either. At least the two of us barely managed not to be at the bottom," Akiyo added carelessly from the side.

Uchiha Isho turned his head and smiled at his two friends.

"I was just reviewing my combat experience, but I'm actually thrilled inside. Want to celebrate? My treat for ramen."

"That's a great idea. Since we have the afternoon off, I'll treat you next time once I save up enough money," Akiyo replied.

"Me too," Changmu nodded, his eyes full of anticipation.

The three chatted for a while, agreed on a time, and then went their separate ways.

Evening, inside Uchiha Isho's residence.

Ring-ring, ring-ring. "Slap." Uchiha Isho skillfully turned off the alarm and slowly rolled over to sit up.

He splashed some water on his face, feeling a wave of coolness that shook off his drowsiness.

"I came home, collapsed, and fell asleep. I completely forgot to check my Calamity Points." Uchiha Isho scratched his head and then spoke:

"System, display personal page."

[Ding! Host: Uchiha Isho]
[Ninjutsu: Three Basic Techniques, Great Fireball Technique, Shadow Clone Technique]

What he was most proud of was that, thanks to the Naruto Experience Card he used last time, Uchiha Isho clearly understood the hand seals and mastery method for the Shadow Clone Technique. By studying and reflecting on it in his spare time, he had mastered it after a few extra practice sessions.

As for the Rasengan, he had just passed the stage of bursting the balloon.

Speaking of which, Uchiha Isho seemed to remember something and shook his head helplessly.

"This Calamity Point system only grants points when I'm injured against my will. Who designed this broken system? Are they afraid the host will self-harm, or do they just want to watch the host suffer and get hurt?"

Uchiha Isho figured the latter was more likely. He could only adjust his mindset to accept that having something was better than nothing.

It seems I should use the Ninja Experience Cards less often. Otherwise, as I get stronger, I'll have to take even heavier beatings just to earn Calamity Points.

Yi Xiang quickly changed into fresh clothes, wearing long sleeves to cover the bandages wrapped around his arms, retrieved some money from a hidden spot, and then stepped out of his house, heading toward Ichiraku Ramen with practiced ease.

Before long, Yi Xiang spotted Changmu already waiting on the other side of the street and waved with a smile:

"Changmu, you're here early. Are you that impatient for ramen?"

"Yi Xiang, don't you know my house is close by? Besides, I really am starving, and I'm still waiting for you guys, aren't I?"

"I know, I just wanted to see if you were hungry. If you are, let's go order."

Hearing this, Changmu shook his head and said, "Akiyo should be here soon. His place is the furthest, but he usually arrives early, so he should be here any minute now."

Yi Xiang looked toward the other end of the street, but after a few seconds of searching without seeing Akiyo, he found a clean spot to sit and wait.

"Yi Xiang, Changmu, sorry I'm late!"

Before he even arrived, Akiyo's booming voice caused passersby to turn and stare.

Yi Xiang waved him over, and once Akiyo reached them, he said helplessly, "Alright, keep it down. We're just here for ramen, no need to draw so much attention."

Akiyo scratched the back of his head, showing not a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"Let's go, order whatever you want." Glancing at the two of them, Yi Xiang led the way into the shop.

The shop was relatively empty at this hour, and three large, steaming bowls were soon placed in front of them.

Savoring every bite of noodles and meat, they found the noodles firm and chewy with a smooth texture, and the three of them ate with great relish.

I never get tired of this ramen. The hygiene and ingredients are top-notch. In my past life, a chain like this could have opened all over the world, Yi Xiang thought as he ate.

Before long, all three bowls were empty.

Yi Xiang stood up to pay, and the three of them headed home, rubbing their satisfied bellies.