Learning His First Official Ninjutsu (Please Bookmark, Follow, and Vote)

At the Ninja Academy, by the bulletin board.

Everyone had arrived at the bulletin board early in the morning, eager to see yesterday's match results.

Taiichi also came over, but before he could check for himself, the excited Might Guy announced his result.

"Taiichi, congratulations! You came in fourth."

"Oh? What about you, Guy? And who came first?"

"Hehe!" Guy scratched his head and laughed foolishly before saying embarrassedly, "I came third. Kakashi was first, and Asuma was second."

"As expected. Kakashi really was the strongest in our class at this point. But Guy, if it was just taijutsu, you actually weren't second?"

"Ah, I guess Asuma is stronger. He is the Hokage's son, after all."

As they chatted, they entered the classroom and waited for Teacher Yamada to arrive.

They did not have to wait long before Teacher Yamada entered the classroom, and everyone quieted down.

"I'm sure you've all checked your results. Overall, everyone performed quite well and showed their true abilities."

"This match was meant to help you understand your standing within the class. Those ranked highly should maintain their positions, while those ranked lower should work twice as hard."

Just as Teacher Yamada was about to continue his lengthy speech, a shout of "Reporting!" interrupted him.

Everyone in the class turned toward the sound and saw Obito standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"Sorry, Teacher. On my way to school, I saw an old lady who had fallen down. I helped her home before rushing here, so I ended up late."

"U~chi~ha~O~bi~to~!" A roar erupted from the classroom and carried into the distance. The entire academy had probably heard it.

"Last time, it was catching a cat! The time before that, it was helping a child find his mother! Before that, it was helping an old man find his cane! And I won't even mention the ones before that!" Teacher Yamada continued roaring.

"Since school started, what day haven't you been late?!"

"I'm sorry, Teacher." Obito knew he was indeed being ridiculous, but whenever he saw someone in trouble, he could not stop himself from helping. It was difficult for him to restrain himself.

Perhaps that was why Obito would go from not even having awakened his Sharingan to suddenly reaching Mangekyo so quickly once he did. The deepest love brewed the greatest power.

"Go back to your seat." Teacher Yamada calmed himself down. He knew Obito was telling the truth. He had even specifically followed Obito before because of this, only to discover that the boy really had been helping people.

Still, his habit of being late every day was truly infuriating.

"Next, we'll practice the Three Body Technique." Teacher Yamada had originally had plenty more to say, but he was no longer in the mood. He hurriedly assigned them their task and let them practice on their own.

The Three Body Technique had been taught before, but everyone's current abilities were limited. First, their ninjutsu proficiency was insufficient. Second, they lacked chakra. Even though the Three Body Technique consumed very little Chakra Quantity, first-years could only use it a few times, let alone practice it repeatedly. That was why the academy set aside time for the children to practice as much as possible at school.

Of course, Taiichi, Kakashi, and the others were exceptions. Some had already learned it through their family inheritances, while Taiichi's chakra had already reached the minimum Genin level even in his normal state. Besides, he had taught himself the Three Body Technique before the academy had even begun teaching it.

The day passed uneventfully. Today, Taiichi did not train with his friends. Instead, he came alone to the riverbank to try learning the other ninjutsu recorded on the scroll left behind by his parents.

First, he sensed the flow of chakra within his body. Then, he slowly formed hand seals, recalling the notes his father had left on the scroll and imagining a flame burning in his chest.

Snake—Ram—Monkey—Boar—Horse—Yin.

As he completed the final Yin seal, the flame in his chest burst from his mouth. This was Fire Style: Flame Bullet.

Yet on his first attempt, all he spat out was a tiny spark.

Taiichi's face darkened. It was far too discouraging. As he wallowed in self-pity, he had no idea that producing even a tiny spark on his first try would have stunned countless people. Of course, the panel would not lie.

[Congratulations, you have learned Fire Style: Flame Bullet Lv1 (0/100)]

[Congratulations, you have learned Fire Nature Transformation Lv1 (0/100)]

[You practiced Fire Style: Flame Bullet. Experience +1. Fire Nature Transformation +1.]

[You focused on practicing Fire Style: Flame Bullet. Genin profession experience +1.]

Looking at the panel, he realized that he had learned it after all; its power was simply too low. Next came endless practice.

For a time, tiny flames constantly appeared along the riverbank. The flames gradually grew larger and flew farther and farther. By the time his chakra was nearly exhausted, Taiichi's Flame Bullet could finally be considered a genuine Flame Bullet. He had learned this ninjutsu, but merely learning it was still worlds away from being able to use it in actual combat.

After sensing the remaining chakra in his body, Taiichi found that he did not have enough left to do anything else. He sat by the river to rest, picked up the rice ball he had prepared earlier, and began eating while thinking over his plans. Today, he would learn Flame Bullet; tomorrow, Phoenix Sage Fire; the day after, Great Breakthrough. He would strive to learn all three ninjutsu left behind by his parents over the next few days. That way, he would no longer be a blank-slate ninja.

As for Medical Ninjutsu, it was far too profound and could only be learned slowly. Fortunately, he could ask Nonō for guidance on Medical Ninjutsu.

After resting, Taiichi began practicing Basic Taijutsu again.

[You practiced Basic Taijutsu. Related comprehension improved!]

[Your Basic Taijutsu skill has improved. Experience +1.]

[You focused on practicing Basic Taijutsu. Genin profession experience +1.]

[Congratulations, your Constitution +1, Strength +1, Agility +1.]

[Congratulations, your Genin profession level has increased.]

[Attribute Points +1. Skill Points +1.]

Today was truly a lucky day. Not only had his physical attributes improved, but his profession level had also risen. Looking at the panel, which had changed once more, Taiichi could not help falling into thought.

Name: Taichi Matsushita

Profession: Genin Lv4 (1/600)

Talents: Diligence Makes Up for Mediocrity, Academic Overachiever

Age: 6

Constitution: 12

Strength: 13

Agility: 12

Spirit: 19

Chakra: 365 (4800)

Attribute Points: 7

Skill Points: 7

Fire Nature Transformation Lv1 (5/100)

Skills: Basic Taijutsu Lv7 (753/1200), Basic Meditation Lv7 (965/1200), Chakra Refinement Technique Lv7 (142/1200), Ninja Tool Throwing Lv5 (697/800), Transformation Technique Lv4 (435/600), Clone Technique Lv5 (364/800), Substitution Technique Lv5 (425/800), Fire Style: Flame Bullet Lv1 (21/100)

Evaluation: Slowly growing cannon fodder was still cannon fodder.

Comparing the experience gained by Nature Transformation and Flame Bullet, it was not difficult to guess how hard Nature Transformation was to train. Those five points had probably come from the insight gained when he had first practiced Fire Style. It seemed that if he wanted to improve quickly, he still needed a reliable teacher. With no one to consult, self-study alone was far too difficult.

Fortunately, Taiichi knew he was only at the starting stage and still had plenty of room to improve. Besides, he had the panel. As long as he practiced, he could keep improving and would not encounter bottlenecks. His progress might simply slow down later. He would think of a solution after learning everything he could learn for now.

After finishing his taijutsu training, it was time for Basic Meditation. The place Taiichi had chosen was quiet and secluded, making it an excellent spot for meditation. As he would need to practice ninjutsu in the future, training at home was no longer convenient. That was why he had found this place, far from people and beside a river. It was absolutely perfect for private training.

[You practiced Basic Meditation. Related comprehension improved!]

[Your Basic Meditation skill has improved. Experience +1.]

[Your Chakra Refinement Technique skill has improved. Experience +1.]

[You focused on practicing Basic Meditation. Genin profession experience +1.]

Looking at the prompt, Taiichi realized that practicing Basic Meditation could also improve his Chakra Refinement Technique. Thinking about it, that made sense. The Chakra Refinement Technique did indeed contain some aspects of meditation. No wonder both skills had improved relatively quickly lately. It turned out they reinforced each other.

Looking at it this way, many skills were interconnected. The simplest example was that practicing Fire Style would inevitably train and improve Fire Nature Transformation as well. Likewise, Basic Taijutsu training would benefit Ninja Tool Throwing and even the series of taijutsu techniques he would learn in the future.

That was more in line with reality. After all, both the human body and everything a person learned formed a complete system. Improvement in one aspect would drive improvement in related aspects as well. It was not like a machine, where strengthening one component only strengthened that component itself.

With those thoughts in mind, Taiichi completed his day of training and went to bed to rest.