Akira quickly found something worthwhile to do.
He found the Ninja Academy library.
Most people assumed the Academy library existed for students.
It didn’t.
What six- to twelve-year-old children willingly spent their free time studying in a library?
The library was actually intended for the teachers to research and improve themselves.
Students weren’t allowed inside.
That wasn’t much of an obstacle for Akira.
After simply speaking with Sato-sensei, he was granted permission to use it.
It couldn’t be helped.
In just one month, Akira had already established himself as the Academy’s model student.
And model students…
Could get away with almost anything.
The Ninja Academy had been founded by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Naturally, the library’s collection largely came from Tobirama’s personal archives.
Although the books placed in the Academy had already been carefully filtered, traces of Tobirama’s influence could still be found everywhere.
The Mysteries of Space-Time Ninjutsu.
Methods of Stimulating Limb Regeneration.
Countermeasures Against Dōjutsu.
The Possibility of Kekkei Genkai Transplantation.
The Uses of Yang Release Chakra.
After skimming only a few titles, Akira could practically picture Tobirama conducting human experiments in some dark laboratory.
An unfortunate shinobi lay strapped to an operating table.
His crimson eyes…
Were unmistakably the Sharingan.
The library contained information on every imaginable subject.
The largest collection, however, focused on biology and medical research.
Akira even discovered early works on soft-body modification, the very technology Orochimaru would later perfect.
He decided then and there…
He would read every single book in the library.
He had a feeling that the future achievements of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and even Hiruko all stemmed, in one way or another, from the knowledge hidden within these shelves.
Previously, when he had nothing better to do, Akira didn’t mind playing childish shinobi games with his classmates.
But now that he had found something meaningful…
There was no way he would waste time on those games anymore.
As a result…
Tsunade became anxious.
Seriously.
How was anyone supposed to enjoy themselves when your deskmate was secretly spending all his free time reading and studying?
Before long, Tsunade also began borrowing books on biology and medical sciences.
Soon afterward, Hiruko requested library access from Sato-sensei as well.
Just like that…
An academic arms race had begun.
Sato couldn’t have been happier.
He didn’t teach only Akira’s class.
He was responsible for two other classes as well.
Now that he had Akira, Tsunade, and Hiruko as shining examples, the students in his other classes suddenly looked far less impressive.
Before long, he couldn’t stop bringing them up.
“Look at Princess Tsunade from Class A!
Even she’s studying this hard.
What’s your excuse?” “And Akira!
He’s working tirelessly toward his dream of becoming Hokage.
What about your dreams?” “And Hiruko!
He comes from an ordinary civilian family, studies alongside two incredible geniuses every day, and never once gives up.
Why should any of you give up?” Sato’s speeches were passionate and convincing.
The three of them quickly became…
Someone else’s perfect children.
Gradually, they found themselves being isolated, not just by their own class, but by much of the entire grade.
Hiruko was the first to realize something was wrong.
He immediately changed strategies.
He stayed up studying by lamplight every night, but during the day he put away the books and blended in with his classmates.
Only Tsunade and Akira remained completely unchanged.
Neither cared in the slightest what anyone else thought.
No one dared provoke the Senju Clan’s princess.
As a result…
Everyone’s resentment landed squarely on Akira.
Akira couldn’t have cared less.
Lately, his name was constantly being mentioned by classmates, teachers, and parents alike.
His Reputation was soaring.
He was enjoying every second of it.
Besides…
What kind of trouble could a bunch of little kids really cause?
If anything…
He found himself looking forward to it.
Sure enough…
After finishing in the restroom one day, Akira stepped outside and found four boys blocking his path.
He glanced around and recognized one of them immediately.
“Oh.” “Number 207.” “What’s this supposed to be?” The boy instantly exploded.
“Akira!” “Quit looking down on people!” “We’ve been classmates for so long, and you still don’t remember my name!” “You only remember exam rankings!” “That’s seriously rude!” “Oh, sorry.” “My bad.” “I only remembered your ranking on the monthly exam.” “If you’re not in the top five of the grade…” “There’s really no reason for me to remember your name.” Akira shrugged innocently.
In reality…
He absolutely remembered the boy’s name.
He was simply saying it on purpose.
There was only one reason.
He wanted people to hate him.
The more resentment they felt…
The more Reputation he earned.
Among all human emotions…
Hatred lasted the longest.
People rarely spent years loving someone.
But they could spend decades hating someone.
As long as they hated him, they’d keep thinking about him.
As long as they kept thinking about him…
He’d keep gaining Reputation.
It was simple math.
Number 207 trembled with rage.
Pointing at Akira with a shaking finger, he shouted, “Get him!” His three lackeys rushed forward immediately.
Children fought without any technique whatsoever.
They simply threw wild punches and charged.
Akira answered with a front kick.
The boy in the middle was sent sprawling onto the floor.
Without pausing, Akira swung both hands.
Smack.
Smack.
Each of the other two received a solid slap across the face.
They burst into tears on the spot.
The boy who had been kicked down looked at the situation and hesitated.
Should he get back up and keep fighting?
…
No.
He really didn’t want to get slapped.
After only a moment’s consideration, he decisively clutched his stomach, lay back down, and groaned dramatically as though he had suffered life-threatening injuries.
Watching his three followers get crushed so effortlessly, Number 207 froze.
Akira calmly walked toward him.
The closer Akira came…
The farther the boy retreated.
Eventually, his back hit the wall.
Stopping in front of him, Akira saw that the boy was on the verge of tears despite trying desperately to appear brave.
He suddenly raised his hand.
Number 207 thought he was about to be punched.
His body shuddered violently.
He squeezed his eyes shut…
And burst into loud sobs.
Instead…
Akira merely scratched his own head.
“Tch.” “How boring.” With his hands behind his back, he casually walked past the crying boy, washed his hands at the sink, and leisurely left the restroom.
People always claimed children in the Ninja World matured early.
From what Akira had seen…
They weren’t all that mature.
When he returned to the classroom, Hiruko immediately leaned over.
“Akira.” “I heard they were planning to ambush you in the restroom.” “You should be careful.” Akira flashed him a bright smile.
“You heard too late.” “I already dealt with it.” Hiruko blinked in surprise.
Giving him a thumbs-up, he whispered, “Awesome.” Akira instantly felt as refreshed as eating ice cream in the middle of summer.
For boys…
There was no greater compliment than hearing someone say: “Awesome.” “Quiet.” Without even looking at them, Tsunade shot the pair a glance before returning her attention to the book in her hands.
The more she studied biology and medicine…
The more fascinated she became.
Recently, she had been so absorbed in her reading that she hadn’t even had time to play cards with Mito-obasan.
Akira shrugged and likewise returned to his own book.
Study mode…
Activated.
Watching the two of them immediately dive back into their books, Hiruko shifted uneasily in his seat.
Studying secretly every night…
Really couldn’t compete with studying both day and night.