Chapter 30: Shocking Lack of Options

Days passed, and Academy life went on. I was actually starting to respect Daiken. After evaluating the students' physical performance, he began speaking individually with each student, customizing training routines tailored to their specific needs. Once a student grew comfortable or their progress slowed, he adjusted their routines, continually pushing them forward. Even though there weren't many students in the advanced class, keeping track of every individual's progress wasn't an easy task, yet Daiken did it effortlessly, like it was nothing at all.

When it came to me, though, he was extra strict. Although I was pleased with my physical growth. After all, I was quickly becoming the tallest and strongest kid in class. He constantly increased the difficulty of my workouts. I sometimes wondered, "Damn, is Konoha trying to turn me into a monster or something?" Not that I really minded. Knowing how cruel and unforgiving this world could be to the weak, I didn't complain. Honestly, I didn't even have anything else to do, or the money to do it if I had.

I made sure to continuously enhance my chakra circulation, pushing it further and further each day. The improvements were tiny, but hey, small drops eventually form an ocean… or something poetic like that.

After two months of grueling physical training at the Academy and relentless Flicker Step practice in the woods, I was pretty happy with my progress. Physically, I was doing great. I could now chain multiple short lightning flickers or perform a single longer one before needing to pause and recover.

I was finally confident enough in my lightning chakra control to move onto two important goals. First, learning a new lightning ninjutsu, and second, and more importantly, finally beginning my long-awaited project: converting the normal chakra circulating within me into lightning chakra permanently, making it instinctual.

I hadn't attempted it earlier because my lightning chakra had still been too weak, and my control wasn't quite there yet. Now, though, the time felt right. I'd implement this change Alongside learning my second ninjutsu.

After class, I stood with Shizuru, who'd practically glued herself to me and had become significantly chattier since my visit to her home. I had a feeling her parents noticed my positive influence and subtly encouraged her to get closer to me, maybe my greatness would rub off on her even more, Muwahahaha!. A suggestion she accepted then subtly and gradually implemented it. Seriously impressive for a kid her age. I couldn't have managed something like that. She was honestly too smart for a kid her age.

I sighed, catching Shizuru's attention immediately.

"What is it this time? Didn't you eat your fifth meal of the day yet?" she teased.

I chuckled. Truth was, I spent most of my money on food. My chakra circulation in its current state was intense, demanding a lot of energy. Eating well helped my physical growth, which in turn improved my chakra capacity. A positive feedback loop, really.

I looked at her seriously. "Well, you've reached your current limit physically, given your body's state. You can't increase the intensity of your exercises further. Right now, you have two options." I raised two fingers. "The first is to start taking your training seriously, eating significantly more and exercising even harder to break through your current limit."

I paused, allowing her to digest the information. She analyzed it in an instant, looking at me expectantly. I shook my head and continued, "Or you can keep doing what you're doing without increasing the difficulty. You'll eventually reach an acceptable physical level, but you won't be anything special."

She didn't hesitate for a second before practically shouting, "The second one!"

I sighed in resignation as she puffed her cheeks defensively, "I'm a Nara. We have our own method of fighting."

My mind flashed briefly to the Shadow Imitation Technique, the trademark jutsu of the Nara clan. It required significant chakra reserves, which Shizuru surprisingly possessed, and excellent chakra control, another thing I sensed she had in spades. Of course, I couldn't outright tell her I knew about her clan's secret techniques. I was just an orphan, after all, and shouldn't have that kind of information at this age.

Instead, I just sighed again. "You really should focus on physical training. A stronger body means more chakra."

She puffed her cheeks even more, starting to look like a blowfish. "I'm fine."

I stopped nagging. She knew what was best for her, and pushing further would only make things worse.

Before I could say another word, the world suddenly darkened around me.

"Is there an eclipse happening?" I mumbled, looking up to find Daiken's mountainous body looming directly overhead. He was so close that when he spoke, his deep, resonating voice rattled me slightly.

"I'm impressed with your performance, Noa. Keep up the good work."

He then turned to Shizuru, who visibly shrank, anticipating a reprimand.

"You're doing well too, Shizuru. Keep improving and don't stagnate."

Her eyes widened in shock. If she could read his mind, she'd realize he was genuinely impressed that a Nara clan kid had achieved such a solid physical foundation. Something practically unheard of. Then she'd probably get angry realizing he credited much of her progress to Noa's influence.

Daiken vanished instantly, leaving me to wonder if he'd actually been there at all.

Before she could say a word, I left Shizuru in the dust, sprinting towards the library. Upon arrival, I nodded to the ancient librarian who, at this point, felt more like a permanent fixture than a human being, always in the same position, holding a book older than herself, if such a thing were even possible.

I hurried straight to the ninjutsu section, shooting a pitiful glance at the small selection of lightning techniques available. My hand quickly reached for the scroll containing the next jutsu I'd learn:

Lightning Release: Static Field Technique

I am building towards having my domain ................................. expansion.