The day for practicals started of like any other.
Kushina barging into Akira’s room to wake him up, Akira groaning and trying to go back to sleep, only for the bedsheets to be pulled from under him.
After a nice morning breakfast with Mito and Nawaki, they both left for the academy.
Meeting Hana and Mikoto asking the way, Kushina started to get visibly excited.
“Ready for physical training today, you guys? Well finally be able to show the class we’re not just bookworms.” She said.
During the month of theory lessons at the academy, most of the questions asked in the class were answered by both Hana and Mikoto’s shadow clones, the picture of perfect students.
Akira’s clone was too lazy to raise his hand and Kushina’s was too busy whispering to him, though they both answered correctly if they were called on.
During breaks, their clones kept up the act, with Hana and Mikoto’s just turning around to talk, while Kushina’s clone lead most of the conversations.
Unfortunately as discrimination was basically engraved onto the citizens of Konoha, alot of students, out of jealousy, started talking behind their backs.
Even some of the bolder students, namely the Uchiha, taunted them outright to their faces.
A fact they all rolled their eyes at whenever they received their clones memories, especially after they always won the verbal spat between them.
Though they didn’t much care for the taunts, getting a chance to show that they were more than just know it alls, and rub it in to their faces did put a smile on their faces.
Almost reaching the school, they were met with the usual Uchiha group from their class.
The five boys were leaning against a wall, trying to stick a pose.
Before they could say anything, Akira beat them to it.
“Do you guys actually think you look cool like that?” He asked, with an eyebrow raised.
‘Even I’m getting goosebumps from the second hand embarrassment.’
The boys face flushed.
Trying to regain their dignity, they stood up straight, and the leader cleared his throat.
“Ahem, are you guys ready to bested by the mighty Uchiha clan!?” He asked, puffing out his chest.
Akira physically cringed.
“Did you guys seriously forget what happened last time?” Mikoto asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
“Or is it that we hit you too hard in the head, maybe even helping you awaken the sharingan, filling you with all that false bravado?” Akira added mercilessly.
The boys faces flushed even further crimson.
“Don’t underestimate us! You’ll regret this!” The leader said, turning on his heel and practically fleeing from embarrassment.
Akira couldn’t help but wonder if the leader of the Uchiha pack ever got a glimpse of the dynamic between the Third and Danzo, where Danzo would often say,” You’ll regret this, Hiruzen!” and the Third would reply,” I’m the Hokage!” that was popular in fanfics from his previous life.
After talking roll call, Daiki-sensei stood up and addressed the class.
“Ok students, today is the start of our physical training. We’ll start out small, with just a light run, some side jumps, push-ups and pull-ups.” He said.
“We will also be handling wooden kunai and shurikens. But, and I cannot stress this enough, do not throw them at your fellow classmates. Today is only about seeing your limits and getting a feel for how physical training would be like in the future.” Daiki continued strictly.
Leading all the students outside, he then separated them into batches of five ordered alphabetically according to their first names.
This also meant Akira and the girls were separated, with only Kushina and Mikito barely managing to be on the same group.
“Alright, the first group step up to the line please.” Daiki said, holding a whistle in his mouth, a stopwatch in one hand, and a clipboard in the other.
Akira, being apart of the first team, stepped up to the line.
After scanning his competition, he realized the leader of the Uchiha was also in his group, staring at him triumphantly.
“Hmph, get ready to eat my dust, Akira.” He announced.
“Um, what’s your name again?” Akira asked.
To be honest, Akira really didn’t care to remember the name of a small time bully like him, but seeing as he was in the same grouping, it looked like his first name was started with a pretty high letter from the alphabet.
The boy’s face went red, partly from embarrassment and partly from anger.
Realizing that Akira didn’t even remember his name, stung more than he cared to admit.
‘It’s Arata!
Uchiha Arata!
Remember it!” He practically screamed.
“Alright guys, when I blow the whistle you’ll start, but remember this isn’t a competition.” Daiki said.
Akira pondered how fast he should go.
Even with the grav seals, his body that was of pure bloodline, combined with his constant breathing technique, gave him a very unfair advantage against these kids.
Eventually, he settled for being slightly faster than Arata.
From the memories of a bragging Arata that he received from his shadow clone, Akira realized that Arata was somewhat of a prodigy among the Uchiha. This chapter was copied from novelping dot com without permission.
Probably not on the level of Shisui, Itachi or even Sasuke, but still.
Upon hearing the whistle, Arata took off.
He sprinted with all his might, confident that no one could surpass him.
Seeing that there was nobody in front him he smiled triumphantly.
Wanting to see how far Akira was behind him, he turned, only for him to be shocked.Akira was right beside him, keeping up, and even worse, not looking the least bit winded.
Outraged, Arata tried to gather his remaining strength, for one last burst of speed to cross the finish line.
Unfortunately, a few meters before the line, Akira pulled just a bit ahead, coming in first.
Arata’s face turned to one of despair.
He was supposed to be a genius of the Uchiha clan.
He had special training and the clan’s support.
Akira’s first victory against them was supposed to be a fluke, but now, he was starting to realize that maybe, it wasn’t.
After the race, Akira made his way back to the girls, pretending to be out of breath.
‘Give me an award for all this acting I’m doing.’ He thought.
Even though Akira didn’t want to play ‘pig to eat a tiger’, he understood the value of surprise attacks.
Even Madara, arguable the most powerful villain in the anime, got killed by a surprise attack, from someone with almost no combat abilities.
‘No wait, this ain’t playing pig to eat the tiger, this is playing tiger to eat a dragon…or something.’
Seeing Akira come back winded, Kushina grew confused.
“What happened? You usually do more training than this right?” She asked.
“Yeah, it’s just, the nail that stands out gets hammered, if you know what I mean.” Akira replied, giving them a not so subtle wink.
‘Good lord, maybe I did read too many Chinese novels, I’m dropping quotes like I’m some kind of young master.’ Akira thought, upon a bit of reflection.
Thankfully the girls got the gist and didn’t question what his ridiculous quote meant.