Chapter 10: Starting Academy Life

[Shinji's Perspective]

Jiraiya-sensei had promised me a gift once I completed water walking. And when I finally mastered it, he revealed the reward—the Rasengan.

He had forbidden me from practicing ninjutsu until my chakra control reached an acceptable level, though he never explained exactly why. Maybe it was because of my unique energy composition, or maybe he wanted me to build a solid foundation before tackling advanced techniques. Either way, after months of rigorous training—chakra control drills, wall climbing, water walking, and refining my cursed energy through my sword trying to learn secrets of black flash—I had finally reached the point where I could learn actual ninjutsu.

And, of course, the first jutsu he chose to teach me was one of the hardest A-rank techniques in existence.

"Why start with something so difficult, Sensei?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jiraiya grinned. "Simple. If you start with something hard, everything else will seem easy afterward. Besides, Rasengan is a pure shape transformation technique. Mastering it will refine both your chakra and cursed energy control."

I nodded. That made sense. The better my control, the stronger my techniques would become. Still, learning this jutsu from the start? It took Naruto a whole month to get it down, and that was with shadow clones.

Jiraiya pulled three rubber balls from his bag, explaining the training method. "You'll go through three steps. First, pop the rubber ball using chakra. Then, rotate your chakra in multiple directions inside a balloon. And finally, condense and stabilize it in your hand without any support."

"So, basically, a swirling ball of chakra." I asked.

"Exactly!" he said cheerfully.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why do you put so much emphasis on my chakra control, though?"

He rubbed his chin, as if deciding how much to tell me. "To learn Sage Jutsu, your control needs to be exceptional. Otherwise, you'll turn to stone."

I paused, processing his words. So that's his plan. Jiraiya had taken me as a student because he believed I could become a perfect sage. Maybe he even thought I was the Child of Prophecy.

Well, he wouldn't be the first to think I was special with all my secrets.

I smirked. "Don't worry about ninjutsu, Sensei. Between my mother's scrolls and the Academy library, I'll have more techniques than I know what to do with."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Cocky little brat. Anyway, did you understand the training method? I came up with this brilliant system myself, you know."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Sensei. You can go on your mission without worrying about me. By the time you get back, I'll have mastered Rasengan."

He gave me a skeptical look but smirked nonetheless. "If you actually manage that, I'll be impressed."

He turned to leave, but before vanishing, I called after him. "Good luck on your mission, Sensei! Be safe."

And just like that, he was gone.

[Jiraiya's Perspective]

As Shinji walked toward the Academy gates, I watched him from afar, knowing I wouldn't be seeing much of him for a while. My focus now had to shift toward Orochimaru. I had been putting off my search for him in order to train Shinji, but it was time to take things seriously.

'I've taught him everything I could for now. He's disciplined enough to train on his own, and its best if he experiences the world himself before I introduce him to Sage Mode.'

Just as I was about to leave, Shinji suddenly turned back to me with a broad grin.

A swirling ball of chakra formed in his hand.

Before I could even react, he tossed the Rasengan into his own shadow. The dark surface rippled for a moment before swallowing the energy entirely. Then, without another word, he turned and ran inside the Academy.

I stood there in stunned silence before shaking my head with a laugh.

'He's going to be dangerous when he grows up.'

With that thought, I turned away, heading toward my next mission.

[Shinji's Perspective]

As I stood there with the Rasengan in my hand, I suddenly realized a major problem.

'Wait… how do I cancel this?'

I had only learned how to form it, not how to disperse it.

I blinked. Then sighed. Then, with a shrug, I did what any reasonable person would do—I shoved it into my shadow and let it explode inside. The dark mass rippled violently before settling back to normal.

'Welp. That works.'

With that problem solved, I ran inside the Academy to find my classroom.

When I entered, the room was filled with kids my age, all dressed in different clan attire. Almost every student had a clan symbol stitched onto their clothing.

I glanced around, taking note of my classmates.

Four UchihaThree HyūgaSix kids from the Ino-Shika-Chō trio (two from each family, as usual)Several other notable clans, bringing the total to twenty students—including me.

'Looks like this is the clan heir class,' I realized. These weren't random civilian kids—this was the batch of students with connections and lineage.

I found an empty seat at the back and took it, scanning my neighbours. To my left, an Uchiha boy sat with unshakable pride, and to my right, a kid was already napping—most likely a Nara.

I was still observing the classroom when the door opened, and a man in a green ninja vest entered, yawning.

"Morning, everyone. I'm Shinzo Nara, a Special Jonin, and your teacher for this year," he said lazily. "Find your seats, open your books to 'Chakra Interpretation,' and read the first chapter. Let me know when you're done."

Then he slumped into his chair as if he was already done with the day.

Some students exchanged nervous glances, while others didn't care whether he actually taught us or not. Shrugging, I opened the book and skimmed through the pages.

Five minutes later, I called out, "I'm done, Sensei."

No response.

I walked up to his desk, leaning in closer. "Oi. Sensei."

Nothing.

I was about to poke him when he suddenly sat up straight, looking me dead in the eye.

"You read twenty pages in five minutes and understood it?" he asked, now fully awake.

I nodded. "No, I already knew it before reading."

He stared at me for a moment before sighing. "Alright. Read the next chapter."

Then he slumped back down and immediately went back to sleep.

I returned to my seat, rubbing my temples. Great. My teacher is going to be so much fun this year.