Chapter 15: The Sparring Match

Two weeks passed.

The training proceeded smoothly, without any sudden jumps. In the mornings, I attended classes at the Academy, and after that, I trained until evening.

In the first month of my stay here, my motivation was high — I was burning with the desire to get stronger, master techniques, and make real progress. But over time, my enthusiasm began to fade. Too many monotonous training sessions, too few visible results. The only thing that kept me from relaxing was Guy. It seemed like he had no such problem at all. He was always full of energy, charged with enthusiasm, as if fatigue didn't exist for him.

I couldn't understand where all that energy in him came from.

As for the training itself, we hadn't been studying any techniques for two weeks. All we had been doing was physical preparation. Running, push-ups, throwing kunai, practicing stances, and basic strikes. It seemed like no one was in a rush to teach us real ninjutsu techniques.

In the Academy lessons, we finally started discussing the shinobi code and the ranking system. It turned out that, at the moment, there were only three main ninja ranks in Konoha: genin, chunin, and jonin. There was no intermediate rank like "tokubetsu jonin" yet. This fact surprised me, as I was sure such a gradation had always existed.

I also learned more about the structure of Konoha and the distribution of missions. It turned out that it wasn't necessary to go to the Hokage personally to get a mission. The Hokage only handled the highest-level tasks. But missions of ranks D and C could be obtained from the Mission Department, which was located in the Hokage's building. There, specially trained staff selected tasks suitable for the skills and level of ninjas.

An interesting point — the entire payment system in Konoha already worked through a card system. That was a surprise to me. The technological progress here seemed strange and unbalanced. In one aspect, they had reached incredible heights, like in medicine, where they even worked with genetic modifications, yet in another, they still didn't have things like televisions.

"This world definitely develops at its own pace…" I thought, looking at my reflection in the Academy window.

However, there were more important things I needed to think about.

— We've covered the basic hand-to-hand combat methods, — said the teacher, closing the textbook with a dull thud. — Now it's time to apply them in practice. Everyone to the training field!

A murmur of voices spread across the classroom, benches creaked, and students began getting up, excitedly chatting. Unlike theoretical lessons, practical training always generated much more interest among the majority.

— Hey, Kotetsu, get up, or you'll be the last one! — Guy's cheerful voice called out to me.

I blinked, returning from my thoughts.

— Yeah, yeah, coming… — I muttered, getting to my feet.

My body protested with soreness — my muscles still hadn't fully recovered from yesterday's training. Although chakra speeds up regeneration, it doesn't make ninjas invulnerable. If you overtrain, fatigue will accumulate anyway.

We walked out of the classroom in a long line. The teacher walked ahead, and we followed him, chatting excitedly.

— Finally, some practice! — someone said behind me. — I'm tired of just sitting and listening!

— Tired? We can't even sit still for half a day, and you're saying you're tired! — laughed another student.

I half-listened to their conversation, observing what was happening around me. We walked down the Academy hallway, light filtering through the tall windows, illuminating the walls covered with scrolls of shinobi rules and philosophy.

Once we stepped outside, we were greeted by warm wind and the rustling of leaves. The Academy's courtyard was spacious, but the teacher didn't intend to stop there. We continued along the cobblestone path leading to the training field.

— Since we've finished with the basic methods, now we're going to refine them. And as you all know, the best way to refine your skills is?

— Fighting! — we all said in unison. We had heard that many times during our preparations.

— I'll pair you up, and then you'll fight hand-to-hand. No weapons, no techniques allowed.

— We'll start now. Aoi Rokushi vs Ebisu.

This Aoi reminds me of someone, but I can't figure out who. Probably not anyone significant, I haven't noticed anything extraordinary about him during training, it's all the same as usual.

But still, for Ebisu, this will be tough since he's physically quite weak, as I've noticed. I didn't see him during the exam, maybe he took it on a different day or in another group.

— Form the confrontation sign! — the teacher said.

Aoi and Ebisu formed the confrontation sign, and the teacher made a sharp gesture with his hand.

— Begin!

Aoi immediately charged forward, lowering his center of gravity as if preparing to grapple. Ebisu, on the other hand, stepped back, not wanting to engage in direct combat right away.

— Hmm, playing it safe, — I murmured, observing their movements.

Ebisu tried to keep his distance, moving in a circle, but Aoi was faster. He made a feint to the side, then quickly changed direction and attacked. Ebisu didn't manage to react in time, and Aoi knocked him off his feet, hitting him with his shoulder.

— Oh no, Ebisu is in trouble! — Guy chuckled, standing nearby.

— I'd say he's just not used to direct confrontation.

Ebisu quickly rolled backward, trying to get up, but Aoi didn't give him the chance, leaping forward and pinning him to the ground.

— Stop! Victory for Aoi! — the teacher announced.

Ebisu let out a heavy breath and reluctantly got to his feet.

They once again formed the reconciliation hand seals, and the teacher continued:

— Ibiki Morino vs. Kotetsu Hagane.

I thought to myself, Why so soon? I'm almost at the end of the list.

I watched as Ibiki stepped forward. He was two years older than me, which gave him certain advantages physically. Ibiki was taller and more muscular than anyone else in the class. When he stepped onto the field, I immediately understood that this would be a tough fight. But I had my advantages too — speed and the ability to plan my moves.

The teacher made a gesture to begin:

— Start!

Ibiki wasted no time. His steps were confident and powerful, and his physique allowed him to move with great strength and speed. He immediately launched an attack, deciding not to waste time on reconnaissance. I needed to act fast to avoid being caught in his grip.

I need to avoid close combat with him, — I thought, standing in my stance and preparing for his strike.

When Ibiki charged at me, he moved quickly. But I wasn't going to let him take the initiative. I focused chakra in my legs, and as soon as he got close, I used acceleration. My speed surged, and I evaded his strike, jumping to the side.

Ibiki didn't hesitate and tried a side strike, but I again used chakra acceleration to dodge, then immediately shifted to the side, evading and counterattacking with a spin. My knee to Ibiki's stomach caught him off guard, and he staggered back, gasping for breath.

— Hmm, his physical strength gives me no chance in a direct confrontation, but I can use speed and tactics, — the thought flashed through my mind.

Even though I landed a strike, he quickly recovered. I didn't have the power in my hits to seriously damage him, — I thought, watching his movements. Ibiki was tough and stable, and his powerful blows could easily knock me off my feet if I wasn't careful.

Ibiki once again assumed a fighting stance, ready for the next attack. He remained on defense, clearly observing every one of my movements. If I had a weapon, I would throw it to unbalance him, — the thought crossed my mind.

Fifteen seconds passed before Ibiki, evidently tired of waiting in defense, decided to go back on the offensive. He moved forward quickly, and I realized that I had to act fast. I needed to end this, or he would just crush me with his pressure, — I thought, trying to block his strike. My advantage was speed and maneuverability, not physical strength.

It's time to use the plan.

I intentionally loosened my stance slightly, exposing my body, giving Ibiki the false impression that I was vulnerable. He seemed to feel this and decided to attack. I could feel his eyes light up when he saw that I was open to a strike.

When he moved towards me, I took a few of his blows on my guard, letting myself retreat a bit to give him the impression that I had no strength to defend. It was a risky move, but I knew I could use it. Ibiki momentarily relaxed, thinking that I was nearly finished.

But at the moment when he thought he had full control, I stepped back to lure him in even closer. In the final instant, when his fist was almost upon me, I slid sideways, giving him space to attack, and dropped my hand, throwing him off balance.

At that moment, his legs and center of gravity weren't in the right place.

Now was the time to use the low spinning kick, or rather, a sweep. I quickly twisted my body and, at the same time, spun my leg. But instead of striking his torso, I directed one of my legs beneath his knees, aiming for the sweep. Ibiki was too close to notice in time.

Ibiki, not expecting such a maneuver, lost his balance and crashed to the ground with a thud, unable to react.

— Stop! Victory to Kotetsu! — announced the teacher.

Ibiki exhaled heavily and tried to get up, looking at me in surprise.

— You... you purposely let me attack? — he said, getting to his feet, a note of respect in his voice.

I nodded, rising with readiness. It was a trap based on his own confidence in his victory.