Chapter 15: C-Rank Jutsu

[Shinji's Perspective]

After the exams ended, almost three months passed, and still, our mornings were dedicated to self-study and doubt sessions. At this point, I was beginning to think Shinzo-sensei would never actually teach a class.

But today…

Today was different.

For the first time since the Academy started, Shinzo-sensei walked in without his usual lazy demeanor. Instead of his typical half-asleep expression, he looked completely awake, a scroll in his hand, radiating actual energy.

'I guess he finally got serious about teaching.'

"Starting today, you'll begin learning ninjutsu. The three basic jutsu—Transformation, Substitution, and Clone—will be your first lessons. Once you master them, you'll be allowed to train in any jutsu below C-rank from the library. Since all of you come from clans with special techniques, you'll also be judged on those during graduation, so practice them properly as well. Any questions?"

As he finished his explanation, a realization hit me.

'Wait. They're only teaching these now?'

"Sensei, don't they already know the basic jutsu?" I asked, genuinely confused. I had assumed every clan at least taught their kids these before sending them to the Academy.

Shinzo-sensei smirked. "Did Lord Jiraiya teach them to you?"

I blinked. "…I understand."

Shigeo snickered from beside me. "Didn't you say 'the basics are more important than flashy jutsu'? Guess it's coming back to bite you."

I ignored him, processing this new information. So, they don't teach kids jutsu before the Academy? Is this their way of measuring talent—seeing how fast students learn the three basic techniques?

'That would explain a lot. But still, someone could have told me this sooner.'

Shinzo-sensei continued, "From now until the end of your first year, morning classes will focus on ninjutsu training, while afternoons will be taijutsu practice. Theory classes will continue on alternate days. Additionally, those who performed exceptionally in the written exams won't need to attend theory classes for the rest of the year."

At this, some students groaned in despair, while others grinned.

Akane smirked. "So this was his plan. Those of us who studied hard during the first three months now get to skip theory classes entirely."

Our entire group, minus one person, exchanged smug looks.

Akira, whose expression had completely fallen, sighed in misery. "I should have studied when I had the chance..."

Akane patted his shoulder. "I told you so."

We all laughed at his suffering as I picked up the scrolls containing the three jutsu we needed to master.

A thought crossed my mind.

"Sensei, if I master all three jutsu in three months, can I gain access to the restricted section of the library?"

Shinzo-sensei pondered my request for a moment before answering, "I'll allow you to learn one C-rank jutsu. If you master that within six months, you can access any C-rank jutsu in the library."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You know after six months, I'll graduate and won't even need this permission. Stop being so cheap, Sensei."

He smirked, knowing I had caught onto his scam. "Fine. Two C-rank jutsu. No more."

"Deal."

Truthfully, I could master all three jutsu in a month, but that would cut into my already packed schedule. Three months was manageable.

[Training Progress]

By now, I had mastered:

Rasengan – No seals required.

Shadow Clone Jutsu – One seal.

Body Flicker Jutsu – No seals required.

Water Style: Water Shuriken Jutsu – Can also form senbon.

Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu – Almost mastered.

Next on my list was Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu—a B-rank jutsu that required more than 40 hand seals. Who even designed this? A sadist?

'I swear, whoever made this jutsu just wanted to torture the next generation.'

Over the next few months, training remained the same, filled with intense practice, theory lessons (for some), and constant annoyances—primarily from Kuruto, who seemed hell-bent on beating me in taijutsu. To his credit, his improvements were real. Sparring against both me and Akira had refined his technique, but he completely ignored ninjutsu training.

'If he keeps this up, he's going to fail again.'

Before I knew it, three months had passed, and it was time to claim my reward.

[Shinzo's Perspective]

Shinji walked into my office with pure confidence, arms crossed, smirking like he already knew the outcome.

"Sensei, I've mastered all three of them."

I leaned back. "Show me."

He raised a single hand and, with one seal, transformed into Jiraiya, striking a dramatic pose.

"I am the great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya!" he declared.

I sighed. 'Dear Kami, please don't let him pick up his bad habits.'

"Acceptable. Substitution Jutsu next."

In a blink, he vanished, replaced by a wooden log that dropped to the ground.

No hand seals.

'That's High-level technique…'

I barely hid my surprise. "Finally, Clone Jutsu."

He grinned and formed ten clones.

Not just clones—Shadow Clones.

I blurted out before I could stop myself, "Who taught you that?!"

"Jiraiya-sensei."

Of course.

"Come with me." Without another word, I led him to the restricted section of the library. "Choose any two C-rank jutsu."

For two hours, he browsed through countless scrolls. Finally, he emerged with two selections.

I glanced at them and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? There are many others inside."

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "These are the ones I want."

I handed my ID to the librarian, allowing his access. "Your choice."

As he left, I stared after him, thinking about the jutsu he had selected.

'Maybe… the village will get another figure like the Fourth Hokage.'

[Shinji's Perspective]

Choosing only two jutsu was painful. So many useful techniques stared at me from the scrolls.

'Calm down, you will get a lot of chances to acquire powerful jutsu in the future with curse clone and Jiraya-Sensei you will have more jutsu you can master'.

In the end, I chose the two I found most valuable at the moment.

Lightning Style: Lightning Dragon Jutsu

Five-Seal Barrier

I grinned as I pocketed the scrolls.

'Perfect setup to capture an electrifying chicken.'

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Give me more stones...please...