Chapter 30: The Second Stage of Training.

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Early chapters: patreon.com/Reborn_noob

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As Jiro led his opponent to within two meters of the woods, the shadow clone suddenly sensed a discrepancy: the number of opponents and their fighting style felt off.

A closer look confirmed the suspicion—a faint presence lurked within the trees.

Yuto moved! A burst of chakra erupted, instantly shattering the shadow clone.

With their opponents neutralized, Jiro and Yuto immediately rushed towards Nawaki and Ganta, recognizing their dire situation.

Nawaki had been struck early in the engagement, severely hindering his mobility. He was now struggling to defend himself.

Ganta was in even worse shape, the larger shadow clone having delivered a brutal beating that left him barely able to stand. The size difference had proven too significant.

"Huh!" Jiro inhaled sharply, tightening his grip on his katana as he positioned himself protectively in front of Ganta. "Idiot! Didn't Dad tell us to prioritize survival and not charge in recklessly? Were you in a hurry to get yourself killed?"

Jiro stood guard, scolding Ganta, who lay on the ground, without even turning his head.

Hearing his brother's reprimand, Ganta blinked, confusion clouding his features. "Huh? Did Dad say that? I don't remember."

Witnessing his elder brother's obliviousness, Jiro's composure cracked. "Do you ever listen carefully in class?"

"Hey, isn't that what we have you for? Besides, Dad teaches us so much, who can remember everything? It's good enough that we remember the fighting techniques; how can we have room for other stuff?"

Jiro was speechless. 

With all opponents finally defeated, Nawaki and his team were disheveled and exhausted.

"Thump, thump!" Footsteps approached from behind. Nawaki and the others, still reeling from the battle, instantly sprang to their feet, weapons raised, their eyes darting towards the sound.

"Good alertness!"

Seeing Yuta's amused expression, Nawaki's face flushed with embarrassment. 'This is humiliating. Jiro and Yuto handled their opponents easily. Ganta and I are the oldest, yet we needed their help. My efforts clearly aren't enough.'

Ganta, oblivious, grinned smugly at Yuta. "See? Dad, we took care of our guy."

Jiro felt a wave of mortification wash over him. 'If you don't know what to say, don't say anything! Didn't you see Dad's face?'

Yuto carefully observed Yuta's expression. Seeing his father's brow furrow, he quickly tugged on his still-smirking elder brother.

"If this wasn't an exercise and if Jiro and Yuto hadn't intervened, you would have been dead." Yuta said to the complacent Ganta, his voice low and stern.

Seeing Yuta's displeasure, Ganta's temper flared, his neck stiffening. "But we're a team, and we won in the end."

Looking at Ganta's stubborn defiance and then at Nawaki, who seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation, Yuta felt a surge of frustration.

'I finally managed to temper Nawaki's impulsiveness, and now I have a blockhead for a son.'

Yuta realized it was time for them to confront the harsh realities of the ninja world.

Suppressing his anger, Yuta forced a smile. "Alright, since you're so confident in your current abilities, we'll discontinue basic training. Tomorrow, we begin the next phase at our home training grounds. Be there on time tomorrow afternoon. Tardiness will be penalized."

For some reason, Ganta felt a deeper sense of unease from his father's forced smile than he had from his outright anger.

…

The next afternoon, at the Yuta family training ground.

"Stand still. From today onward, this is your training area. I will arrange everything, and I don't want to hear any unnecessary sounds." Yuta surveyed the four small figures lined up before him, a smile playing on his lips.

"Hey! Jiro, do you feel a chill down your back?" No sooner had Yuta spoken than Ganta nudged Jiro. He was already regretting his behavior from the previous day.

"Very good. I'm also pleased that none of you were late today." Yuta nodded in satisfaction. "Today marks the beginning of this stage, and the initial task is simple. Run fifty laps around the training ground. Rest will follow completion. Exceed forty minutes, and you'll run an additional five laps. Any questions?"

"But we're just kids!" Yuto blurted out. Usually the quietest of the group, he was accustomed to morning runs, but another session felt excessive.

"Stepping onto this ground means you are already ninjas. Don't equate the academy's ninja games with this place. This place will show you the true meaning of hardship."

Yuta's smile remained, but Nawaki and the others could practically visualize a two-horned demon materializing behind him.

"Yuto has raised a question. Does anyone object to adding five more laps?"

"You were the one who asked if we had any questions!?" Ganta muttered under his breath.

Yuta's ears twitched almost imperceptibly. "Excellent, Ganta has voiced an objection. Yuto adds five laps, Ganta adds five laps. Any further objections?"

The four youngsters exchanged wary glances at Yuta's smile and remained silent.

"Since there are no objections, what are you waiting for? Run!"

Yuta's expression turned serious as he issued the command.

The children began their laps around the training ground.

"Sorry, Yuto. I didn't think Dad's hearing was so sharp. I got you extra laps." Ganta trailed behind Yuto, apologizing as they ran.

"It's okay, it's not that bad. We can all handle this. Just running laps shouldn't be too difficult." Yuto offered a small, somewhat forced smile.

"Boys, it's far too early for such pride." Yuta chuckled, subtly flicking his fingers. Instantly, a viscous swamp appeared on the path ahead, directly in the children's way.

"Earth Release: Yellow Springs Swamp!"

"Boys, the first lesson of this stage is successfully traversing the Yellow Springs Swamp. Gather chakra at the soles of your feet to walk on the surface. As for when and how much chakra to use? That's for you to figure out. Hurry now, exceed forty minutes, and it's a five-lap penalty!"

The four children halted before the expanse of the murky yellow swamp. Moments earlier, Nawaki had attempted to cross, only to sink waist-deep, requiring a collective effort to pull him out.

None of them knew the true depth of this treacherous swamp, laid by their unscrupulous father (teacher).

Yuto stepped forward. "Brothers, I'll try first. Pull me out if anything goes wrong!" Yuto possessed the most refined chakra control among them, a fact no one disputed.

Yuto leapt onto the swampy surface. His body sank slightly before stabilizing. The others offered a small cheer. If one of them succeeded, they could all learn from the experience. 

Yuto took two steps, turned back to speak, and then slowly began to sink again.

Panic flared. They rushed to pull him out. Yuto sank a little further, then regained his footing. 

He cautiously walked back. "Walking on this swamp is very strange. You have to constantly adjust your chakra because the surface is fluid and always shifting! It's like there are also whirlpools and undercurrents below."

"I knew it wouldn't be that easy!" Nawaki grumbled.