Chapter 17: Feeling like a NINJA
"With jutsu classes, we will also begin your shuriken throwing lectures now. You can collect your practice weapons from the weapon department on the fourth floor. That's it for today; we will begin practice tomorrow," Kenji said and dismissed the class.
Kaida decided to go to the library since they were now allowed to access the D section, which stored D-rank jutsu. However, his purpose for visiting was not for the jutsu but for something else.
Yomi decided to go home as she was not a big fan of reading. Kaida told her before heading to the library,
"Don't practice any jutsu alone when I'm not there. You can continue with the leaf concentration until I come back, and then we'll practice those jutsus together."
Yomi nodded and went back home while Kaida made his way to the library.
Upon entering the library, he showed his ID to the librarian, an old man with a long beard and some white hair. A wise look was always on his face.
Seeing Kaida's ID card, the librarian allowed him access to the D section but warned that if he tried to sneak into any other area, he would be banned from the library for a year and a complaint would be registered at the Hokage's office.
Kaida went straight to the D section but didn't pick up any scrolls. Instead, he went to the books section and started reading the book "Hand Sign Real Meaning."
After reading the book, he concluded, "So I was correct. Hand signs are not essential for performing any jutsu. They just help in molding chakra forcefully. But if we can mold our chakra on our own, we don't have to use hand signs.
Hand signs are one of the biggest weaknesses of any jutsu because they tell the opponent which move you're going to use next. One can eliminate the hand sign process with good chakra control and enough knowledge and experience with the jutsu.
This means every jutsu that may be valuable in the future has to be practiced thoroughly so that I can use it without hand signs.
Since chakra control is also important, let's search for some chakra control exercises since the leaf concentration has become stale and super easy for both of us."
Kaida began searching for chakra control exercises, and after going through all the books in the D section, he found three exercises:
1. Tree Climbing Practice: This training method helps improve chakra control by focusing a fixed amount of chakra on the bottom of one's feet to climb a tree without using hands.
2. Water Walking: Similar to tree climbing, this exercise involves using chakra on the feet in a controlled manner to walk on water.
3. Leaf Floating Exercise: In this exercise, a person must maintain a leaf above their palm with a constant release of chakra.
Satisfied with his findings, Kaida went back home. It was already 5 PM. He told Yomi about everything he found in the library.
They decided to switch from the leaf concentration exercise to the leaf floating exercise and practice tree climbing and water walking during their morning training.
Finally, they began training the jutsu they were taught that day, starting with the Substitution Jutsu. Since it was the easiest, they focused on moving at high speed and using chakra to swap something with themselves.
Initially, it was messy; sometimes the object they tried to swap with didn't move, and sometimes they were too slow, making their movements easily detectable.
Kaida performed a little better than Yomi due to his superior chakra control and higher chakra reserves.
After an hour, Yomi stopped practicing as her chakra was nearly depleted. She was able to perform the Substitution Jutsu to some extent but needed to improve her timing.
Kaida continued practicing until his chakra was almost empty, then meditated with Yomi for four hours. When their chakra reserves were replenished, they went to the Kakariki restaurant near their house for dinner. They greeted the owner, who greeted them back and confirmed their regular order. After eating, they went back home.
Suddenly, Yomi said, "Kaida, don't you think we're training a little too much? We haven't gone outside aside from eating since we became academy students.
I know training is important, but let's take some breaks too. As the old man said, breaks are also part of the training."
That's when it clicked for Kaida. He had never considered Yomi's feelings when planning everything.
He forgot that Yomi was still just a child who sometimes wanted to play like other children. He thought she would also enjoy getting stronger like him, but now he realized his mistake.
Seeing him silent for some time, Yomi thought he was angry after hearing her request, so she said, "On second thought, we don't need a break. Don't be angry; we can continue our training as usual."
Hearing this increased Kaida's guilt. He said, "I'm sorry, Yomi. I'm not angry, and you're right. I was too focused on training and forgot how important breaks are and how much you like to go outside. But it's never too late.
Starting today, we won't train on our weekly holiday and will do all the things you want. Okay?"
"Yes, let's have a tour of the village this time!"
Kaida nodded, and they started discussing all the things they would do on their holiday. After discussing for 15 minutes, they went back home.
Kaida decided to practice the leaf floating exercise. After trying it for the first time, he was shocked by his findings.
The leaf floating exercise required more than five times the chakra of the leaf concentration exercise. If he tried to rotate the leaf, the chakra consumption increased to six times. According to his calculations,
he could do the exercise for a maximum of one hour with his full chakra reserves. Since he was not in optimal condition, he decided to meditate and replenish his chakra reserves. After four hours, he started the leaf floating exercise again.
Unlike the leaf concentration exercise, it was mentally taxing. After completing the exercise, Kaida decided to get a full night's sleep.
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**Next Chapter: First Outing Preparation**
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