Another thing that I really tried to elude in the past two years was the topic on whether this Naruto-verse was an alternate one. Of course, I’m perfectly aware that it’s already diverged from canon; either on the moment I regained my memory, the moment I was born, or even the moment I was “made”. *wink* *wink*
But what about before that? Are there anything different before I was born compared to the show? Did Nobu Takeshi even exist on the show’s universe to begin with?
See? That’s the kind of rabbit hole which I rather avoid. Any time lost on such existential crisis was time that could be used for training. Besides, I don’t have much to compare anyway. It’s not like I have eidetic memory of the whole show and wiki in the first place.
I still pay attention to certain event or outcome that I still remember though. I’m not gonna abandon any meta knowledge advantage that I still have. That’s as stupid as desperately clinging to it in hope everything will go according to canon.
With that contemplation out of the way, I continue to chat and relax while waiting for the break to end.
.
.
.
Weekend passed…
Or more like, Sunday passed.
Yeah, school was from Monday to Saturday. Six days in a week. Yeesh.
On that precious one day break, I did my grocery run while also catching up with some acquaintances I passed by along the way. Of course, I also did train in the morning and evening.
The afternoon, however, was spent by touring the village, courtesy of Kiba and Choji. They both invited the lunch group at the end of school day. Every boy agrees to join, though both Hinata and Aki didn’t.
Hinata was the first to reluctantly decline the invitation, probably due to her clan’s strict policy. And I guess Aki was uncomfortable to be the only girls in the outing, so she declined right after Hinata.
It was a fun afternoon, to be honest. Choji pointing which place have good food, Kiba showing which playground is good for running around, Shikamaru occasionally grumbles “what a drag”, then me and Sora acting as a good listener to Kiba and Choji.
Shino, though, was different breed. He gave the group several jumpscares by appearing unexpectedly every time he started talking. Again, pretty stealthy, isn’t he?
Honestly, the outing made me feel quite nostalgic, because it reminds me of my childhood from the previous life. Y’know, when times were simple? Or at least I was fortunate enough to be able to feel that way at that time.
Then teen arrived and life came crashing.
Hashtag “Story of My Life”.
But I digressed
The second week marked the start of outdoor classes, just like Shino said.
Not sparring lesson, by the way. Not even taijutsu lesson. It was more like a P.E. back on earth. There was running and exercises, including, but not limited to, all-kind-of-“ups” exercises.
Oh, and games. Lots of games that masqueraded physical and tactical training underneath it. Honestly, it is kinda fun. Even for me who realized the rather grim truth underneath it.
I have also started my Earth’s nature transformation’s training on the second day of this second week. I brought some leaves from the bundle that I’ve been saving, took one, and did the training under the table.
Shino did give me a look, even Hinata was glancing at me from time to time after I started the training. Thankfully, they didn’t inquire further when I said that it was a training.
I mean, aside from doing it under the table, the process itself was also pretty subtle. Unlike water and fire which produce very noticeable trace, the goal was simply to make the leaf harden, which I could rely on touch alone to gauge the progress.
Well, Hinata’s Byakugan should let her figure out what I was doing. That is, if she knew about what I was doing in the first place. Even so, given Hinata’s personality, which matches how I remember her from the shows, she shouldn’t be poking into my business.
Get it? Poking? Because of Gent… Anyway.
Thankfully, the lesson given thus far has been very easy that I could afford to divide my attention between listening to Iruka, taking notes, and doing earth’s training.
My life then slowly falls into rhythm from that point onward. Doing training, especially the “Daily” in the morning before school, having some fun in outdoor classes, having lunch together with my group of friends, and sneaking earth’s training in theoretical class.
It is also become a routine to do an outing every other Sunday or at least once a month with the boys of the group. An activity that I greatly enjoy and cherish.
Then 3 months passed in such fashion.
I attended a wedding, turned 7, and managed to get in the top 5 for every game and exercise. I’ve crept into top 3 several times, and even get a top spot couple of times.
Pretty high profile, isn’t it?
Well, considering the identity of several kids in the group that I hung out with, staying super low profile was no longer viable. Pretty sure I have been on the radar of Konoha’s higher-ups. Get faster updates on novelping dot com.
That, in turn, I think made holding back on those practical lesson counter-productive as I’m sure that anyone watching would notice. Heck, even I’m sure Iruka would notice.
So I simply give my best on every practical lesson. Though because of the training that I did before school, that “best” are not exactly my 100%.
Speaking of best…
Everyone from the class, including me, were currently standing at the front of a bulletin board with our class ranking of this term written on it.
A ranking which I happen to place first.
Shikamaru whistled “First place, huh?”
Choji nodded while eating his chip “That’s amazing, Takeshi!”
Kiba clicked his tongue “Bookworm.”
Shino then filled in “You managed a perfect score in written test.”
Sora added “Congrats, Takeshi!”
I snapped from my daze and let out a smile. “Thanks, guys.”
“You didn’t seem all that happy, huh?”
Damn sharp, Shikamaru.
“I’m just surprised, that’s all. Though, I’m not exactly happy with the glare and stares.” I then turned toward certain someone which has been glaring at me for the past minute or so. Shikamaru and the others also followed my gaze.
On the receiving end of our collective gaze was Uchiha Sasuke, who placed second. Around him was several girls whom each sending me disbelieving stares.
“Hmph!” So he spoketh, and he left. The girls around him looked confused for a moment before they choose to disperse as well.
“The heck was his deal?!”
I looked at Kiba. “Normally I would just mind my own business, but now I have to agree.” Then I looked at Shikamaru and Shino. “What’s wrong with him?”
Shino adjusted his sunglasses. “He’s an Uchiha.”
I nodded. “So I heard.”
Shino continued. “It is a clan that was famous for producing geniuses. If you asked why, I heard that whenever there’s an Uchiha in the classroom, they are always the one who got first place.”
Shikamaru added, “I mean, it is a drag, but kids from clan are kinda expected to do better. That must’ve been worse in case of Sasuke.”
He looked around and then whispered. “Besides the fact that he’s the son of Uchiha’s clan head, I also heard that he has an older brother that was a super prodigy or something. And I’m sure he was often compared against.”
I nodded hearing this explanation. “I see... Thanks Shino, Shikamaru.”
Again, I am perfectly aware of this, but Nobu Takeshi weren’t supposed to. Another mind game success. But then I paused and looked at the boys, especially the 4 clan heirs.
“Um… I , uh, I didn’t get you guys in trouble, right?”
“You got it fair and square, Takeshi. It will be okay. If you asked why-“
“Tch. He said it right. My mom’s will definitely increase my training. But that’s not your fault.”
“Yeah. My mum also will probably nag later, which is a massive drag, but don’t dwell on it.”
“When my parents heard that there’s a lot of clan kids in my class, they have said not to worry about ranking and to just give my best. So I won’t have problem.”
“*munch* There’s also no problem on my side. *munch*”
“Hey, you better not hold back later on because of this. You hear me?!”
“Wouldn’t think of it ,Kiba.”
We smiled at each other and was about to left the school when Iruka called.
“Takeshi, could you please stay for a while?”
The boys looked at me, so I nodded at them. “You guys go ahead. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
.
.
.
After I was separated from my friends, I was led by Iruka to what seemed like a small meeting room near the staff’s room. I was then seated in front of Iruka, with a desk separating us.
Iruka started with a smile. “Takeshi, congratulations on getting the first place.”
I smiled and nodded in return. “Thank you very much, Iruka-sensei.”
Iruka’s smile widened. “Now, for the main topic.” Then he picked up a small box and put it on the table. “The reward for achieving first place.”
So there are reward for top ranking. My brows went up involuntarily while I tried my best to hold a smile forming and instead went to make a confused face.
He was about to open the box, but paused when he looked at me. His smile then turned the tiniest bit more awkward. “Well, it’s not often the school gives out a reward for the top ranking in a term.”
Huh? So why gave me, then? Is this related to my parents? My background?
Probably because he saw me getting more confused, he hurriedly opened the box and showed me it’s content. "Here’s your reward; a pass card for the library and a set of coupons for eating at a certain establishment! " He exclaimed as he handed me a card and an envelope.
"Library?" I asked confusingly while receiving the reward. Neither because I don't know nor pretending to not know the meaning of the word. I was simply a bit surprised by it's existence.
Based on my observation, I've initially concluded that no library publicly exists in this rendition of Konoha. And no, I have not and do not dare to use my telescopic vision to scour around. After all, Konoha have the Hyugas, surely they have countermeasures against their (superior) long range vision, right?
So, three months into the school, and I can only begrudgingly accept that I won’t be able to get jutsus as easily as some fanfic protag did. That’s partly why I decided to go balls to the walls and aims for top ranking in hope to get some sort of reward.
The gamble paid off. Even better, I actually got access to the library.
“Yes. Usually, one can only access a library based on merit. Even then, they will also be limited by their ranks. You still remember the 3 main ranks of a ninja, right?”
“Genin, Chunin, and Jonin.”
“That’s correct. That card will apply the restriction that’s lower than that of a Genin. You should ask the personnel at the library for more details later.”
I nodded then stood up and bowed to Iruka. “Thank you very much, Sensei.”
“You’re welcome, Takeshi. You’ve earned it. Make sure to keep it up.” He said encouragingly.
I sat back down again. “I will, Sensei.”
“Now that the main business is out of the way. Do you have anything you want to ask, Takeshi?”
… Should I ask for that?
Note
Don’t get your hopes up that the first term done quickly. The meat of the Academy arc’s story will be in the second year, around after the Uchiha Downfall.
Credit where credit’s due, for the curriculum I used an answer from a Reddit's thread as reference. The thread was “Academy Curriculum” in r/NarutoFanfiction.
To clear out confusion about the school's term just search “Japanese school year”.