Chakra

Chakra was a form of energy produced by the perfect fusion of spiritual energy and physical energy. It was generally used to perform ninjutsu, but it could also be shaped into threads to bind opponents or cut through substances likewise made of chakra.

Simply put, it was the energy required to use ninjutsu.

After enduring a grueling morning, the students who had not been paying attention finally made it to the end of class. The excitement they had felt when school first started had long since been replaced by a longing for dismissal.

By now, none of their initial enthusiasm for starting school remained. All they wanted was for classes to end as soon as possible.

It was already noon when class ended. Most students chose to bring boxed lunches to eat at school, because the lunch break lasted only an hour-too little time to go home, eat, and return.

These youngsters therefore found it very convenient to bring food to school.

Ruri did not go home for lunch that day either. Before he left that morning, Meiling had given him a lunchbox. She had gotten up early specifically to prepare his lunch.

Only a few students left the classroom to eat at home. They lived very close to the school, so they felt they had plenty of time.

Of course, Momokusa Harukawa did not go home for lunch either. She opened the lunchbox she had brought and began eating at her seat.

After finishing lunch, they rested for a while before starting their afternoon lessons. All of that afternoon's classes were practical sessions held at the Training Ground.

"Ruri, did you bring your Ruowu? The teacher told us yesterday to bring them for throwing practice today," Harukawa said quietly as she walked beside him.

"Of course I did. How could I forget? Besides, I carry my Ruowu with me now. I keep them on me every day!" Ruri looked at Harukawa and smiled.

They soon arrived at the Training Ground.

"Before you left yesterday, I told you to bring your Ruowu today. We'll be using them to practice throwing methods and techniques!"

"Today, we'll be practicing at a distance of forty-five meters. That may still be a little difficult for you, but your scores won't improve without practice!"

Asuma Sarutobi took a Ruowu from his belt pouch as he spoke. With a light flick of his wrist, he sent it flying, and it embedded itself in the target forty-five meters away, scoring a perfect ten.

Asuma Sarutobi's hit on the forty-five-meter target drew a chorus of astonishment.

"What's so hard about that? The Kunai Throwing Technique is the Uchiha Clan's specialty!"

Standing nearby, Uchiha Itachi picked up three Ruowu, held them between his fingers, and threw them.

The three Ruowu flew in a triangular formation and struck the forty-five-meter target simultaneously, each scoring a ten.

"Looks like Uchiha Itachi really is strong!"

"Yeah. If I tried throwing them, there's no way I'd score a ten. A five or six at best."

The students at the back exclaimed in amazement, while several girls looked at Uchiha Itachi with admiration.

It was no easy feat for an ordinary elementary school student to do something so astonishing. He must have undergone strict training and practiced exceptionally hard to throw with such precision.

Hearing the astonished reactions from the students behind him, Uchiha Itachi smiled proudly. At least this offered him some consolation after his defeat by Ruri yesterday.

"Ruri, why don't you give it a try? You're very good at throwing Ruowu, but you still shouldn't stop practicing, or you'll get rusty!" Momokusa Harukawa said softly to him, standing nearby with her arm linked through Reika Hyuga's.

Ruri looked at Momokusa Harukawa and smiled. "All right. My current strength still can't compare to those Elite Shinobi, let alone anyone at Kage Level. So don't worry. I won't stop training. I want to grow even stronger. Only then will I be able to protect you properly!"

Momokusa Harukawa blushed again at his words. Beside her, Reika Hyuga said, "Oh, stop flirting here, you two! Go on, Ruri!"

Ruri then walked straight out of the crowd, approached Asuma Sarutobi, and said, "Let me give it a try too!"

Then Ruri took out a Ruowu, slipped its ring over his finger, and spun it twice.

"Look, it's Ruri Hyuga!"

"It really is! He's seriously strong. I wonder if he's gotten any better since he scored full marks in Ruowu throwing last time!"