Chapter 5: Learning the ropes!
The Academy training grounds were a rectangular dirt field surrounded by wooden practice posts and targets. Kōzaru's enhanced senses immediately catalogued everything—the scent of old sweat and determination that had soaked into the earth over years of use, the sound of birds in the nearby trees, even the subtle differences in heartbeats among his classmates as anxiety mixed with excitement.
This is actually real, he thought to himself, still struggling to process the complete sensory overload. Every breath brought new information, every sound was crystal clear, and he could even detect the faint metallic scent of weapons oil from the equipment shed across the field, proving again just how strong his sense of smell was.
Instructor Hayashi positioned himself at the center of the field, his weathered hands clasped behind his back. "Form a line!" he barked, all twenty-three students scrambling to comply. "This evaluation will be simple. One-on-one taijutsu matches. No weapons, no jutsu beyond basic academy techniques. I want to see your fundamentals."
As the students lined up, Kōzaru noticed something flickering in the corner of his vision. Focusing on it, his interface expanded to show a new section he hadn't seen before—a quest log.
ACTIVE QUEST: Academy Evaluation Objective: Win your taijutsu matchReward: 50 EXPStatus: Pending.
His eyes widened. "Guys," he whispered urgently to Tatsuma and Aotaka, "check your quest log."
Both of them took a look, their eyes unfocused slightly as they accessed their interfaces. Tatsuma's face lit up with barely contained excitement. "Holy crap, there's actually a quest system! This is badass!"
"The exp reward..." Aotaka murmured, his mind already working at the possibilities. "If we can level up, our stats will probably increase. This could be how we get stronger in measurable increments."
Suddenly the voice of the sensei got their attention as he announced the first match.
"First match," Hayashi announced, consulting a clipboard. "Tatsuma Uzumaki versus Yamamoto Kenji."
"Shit, that's me..." He said, looking at the others before he stepped forward, feeling nervous yet excited.
Tatsuma stepped forward, his crimson hair catching the morning light, Kōzaru could see the slight tremor in his hands—not from fear, but from the overwhelming reality of what was happening. His opponent was a stocky boy with determined eyes but unremarkable chakra signature.
As they faced each other in the makeshift ring, Tatsuma took a deep breath. During his previous life, Tom had practiced martial arts to a high level, already giving him an advantage when it came to hand to hand combat. And now he was ready to put it to the test in his new body.
"Get ready..." The instructor said, watching as both of them faced each other.
"Now, begin!"
The moment the match started, Tatsuma felt something click into place. It was as if his body suddenly remembered training he'd never actually done. When Yamamoto charged forward with a straight punch, Tatsuma's response was instinctive—a fluid sidestep that positioned him perfectly for a counter-attack.
But what shocked him most was the understanding that came with it. His Taijutsu level wasn't just about physical capability; it was knowledge, muscle memory, tactical awareness all rolled into one. He could see the openings in Yamamoto's stance, predict where the next attack would come from, understand the flow of combat in a way that felt both foreign and completely natural to him, as if mixing his years of training from both worlds into one.
Yamamoto threw a wild hook, and Tatsuma didn't just dodge—he redirected the boy's momentum, using a technique he knew. His enhanced Uzumaki constitution made the movements feel effortless, his stamina barely touched even as he danced around his opponent's increasingly desperate attacks, not struggling for breath once.
"This is incredible," he breathed, ducking under another swing and dodging a kick aimed at his chest. The world seemed to slow down slightly, knowing it was time for him to go on the offensive, excited to test out some moves.
Tatsuma charged forward, throwing a round house kick to the body with his opponent blocking it with his arm, taking the force well. Tatsuma dropped his leg back to the ground as he threw a left and then a right hand, hitting the boys hand away with the first left and then in the face with his right straight, breaking through his defence with the attack and dropping him to his back on the ground with ease.
The match ended with Yamamoto flat on his back, breathing hard while Tatsuma stood over him, barely winded. But what made Tatsuma's heart race wasn't the victory alone, it was the notification that appeared in his vision.
QUEST COMPLETE: Academy Evaluation complete, you have gained 50 exp!
Tatsuma could see that he had received the 50 exp, leaving only another 50 to go until he reached the next level, causing a burst of almost uncontrollable excitement to over take him.
"Winner: Tatsuma Uzumaki," Hayashi noted, his eyes sharpening with interest. "Excellent body control and a mean right hand. That was a good sparring match boys." The instructor said before he told them to make the seal of reconciliation, showing respect towards one another.
The other students in the class had also been watching their match, with most of them seeming impressed by his skill, and others showing more emotion toward it than some.
"Next— Aotaka Senju versus Yuki Nakamura." The instructor shouted, causing the rest of the class to go quiet again as they watched.
Aotaka stepped forward, his mind racing at the thought of fighting, that and the fact his opponent was a girl, one with fierce eyes and a confident stance to boot. As they faced each other, Aotaka became acutely aware of his transformed body. His shoulders were broader, his stance more stable, and there was a sense of contained power in his muscles that he'd never experienced before, feeling stronger than he had ever before in his previous life.
"Begin!"
Yuki came at him immediately with a series of quick jabs, putting Aotaka on his back foot as he wasn't sure how to react.
"Is that all a member of the Senju clan has!" The girl shouted in a cocky confidance before she threw a round house kick at his leg, aiming for the top of the thigh to do maximum damage. Aotaka couldn't move quick enough to do anything about it and instead watched as the kick made contact with his leg. Yet, instead of feeling a burning pain as he was expecting, he felt hardly anything at all.
Suddenly, Aotaka's understanding kicked in. His Taijutsu knowledge coming to life as his mind began to race with all of the training this body had done, how defend, how to dodge and how to attack, especially since he had never even had to throw a punch before.
Yuki was clearly angry that her kick had done little damage and quickly responded with a strong kick toward Aotaka's head. However, this time Aotaka raised his arm to block her strike, the impact barely registered. The Senju bloodline enhancement wasn't just about raw strength; it was about physical resilience, bone density, muscle fibre efficiency. What should have been a solid hit felt like a light tap as it bounced away from his arm.
This is insane, he thought, smoothly transitioning from a block into a grappling attempt. I can actually feel the difference in our physical capabilities. Its amazing!
Yuki as skilled as she was for her age tried her best, but unfortunately for her she was fighting against someone whose body was fundamentally stronger. When she tried to break his grip, she found his hold unshakeable. When she attempted to overpower him, his strength was simply on another level entirely.
But what impressed the watching instructor most was Aotaka's restraint. Despite his overwhelming physical advantage, he was careful not to hurt his opponent. Each technique was controlled, precise, designed to subdue rather than damage, due to Aotaka not wanting to hit a girl.
The match lasted nearly two minutes—long enough for Yuki to showcase her skills, but ultimately she found herself pinned to the ground by an opponent who seemed unmovable as a mountain.
"Winner: Aotaka Senju. Impressive physical control and tactical awareness," Hayashi announced as he made a note on his clipboard.
QUEST COMPLETE: Academy Evaluation Reward: 50 EXP gained Status: Complete
Aotaka helped Yuki up, offering her a respectful bow. "Good match," he said, meaning it. Despite his advantages, she had pushed him to use and see his ability.
"That was amazing..." Aotaka said as he joined the others back in line.
"Isn't it just." Tatsuma also said, feeling his skills and abilities manifest within his mind, excited to put himself to the test more.
"You beat her with such ease... I guess those Senju buffs are no joke, make me want to fight you and test my strength." Tatsuma said as he crossed his arms, wearing an excited smile.
"Looks like it will be your turn next, Frank, I mean Kōzaru." Aotaka said with a smile, excited to see what he could do too, given the clan he had chosen compared to himself and Tatsuma.
Kōzaru nodded in agreement, having watched both of his friends matches now, impressed with their current abilities. Now all that was left was to test his own, feeling the adreniline course through his body at the thought of letting loose.
The matches continued, and with each one, Kōzaru studied the other students with growing fascination. Asuma Sarutobi moved with inherited confidence, his techniques bearing the polish of high-level training. Kurenai Yuhi demonstrated surprising tactical intelligence, using misdirection and timing to overcome physically stronger opponents. And Guy... Guy was pure determination made manifest, his enthusiasm infectious even when his technique was rough around the edges.
These are the people who will become legends, Kōzaru thought, watching Guy execute a perfectly timed counter-attack. And I'm going to train alongside them.
"Kōzaru Inuzuka versus Hiroshi Tanaka."
"Looks like its my turn." Kōzaru said as he stepped into the ring.
his mind was churning with questions and excitement. Taijutsu level 5—that's the highest among the three of us. Enhanced senses from the Inuzuka bloodline. This should be...
The quest notification popped up, identical to his friends', and suddenly the reality hit him again. This wasn't a dream or a simulation. This was real combat, with real stakes, in a real world where people lived and died by their ninja skills.
His opponent, Hiroshi, was taller and looked nervous, his elevated heartbeat audible to Kōzaru's enhanced hearing. The boy's breathing was shallow, his stance uncertain—details that Kōzaru's heightened senses provided in overwhelming clarity.
"Ready...Begin!" The instructor yelled, giving them the signal to begin the match.
The first thing Kōzaru noticed was how different his body felt in motion. As Frank had been large in size and slower to move when fighting, relying on his size and strength during fist fights.
However, Kōzaru moved with liquid grace. His balance was perfect, his reflexes lightning-fast, and his spatial awareness extended far beyond normal human limits.
When Hiroshi threw his first punch—a wild haymaker telegraphed by his entire body language—Kōzaru didn't just see it coming. He could smell the adrenaline spike, hear the shift in breathing, even detect the minute changes in muscle tension that preceded the attack.
This is what having a Taijutsu level of 5 means, he realized as he smoothly sidestepped the attack. It's not just physical ability—it's understanding. I can read him.
Rather than end the fight immediately, Kōzaru found himself experimenting with his new capabilities. When Hiroshi stumbled from his missed punch, Kōzaru guided him into a recovery instead of capitalizing on the opening. When the boy tried a leg sweep, Kōzaru demonstrated perfect timing by leaping over it and landing in a textbook defensive stance.
"You're holding back," Hiroshi panted, frustration evident in his voice. With the other academy students watching too.
Kōzaru nodded his head as he then decided to demonstrate what he was capable of.
No more playing around then.
The next exchange lasted only seconds. Hiroshi came forward with a combination of punches, and Kōzaru flowed around them to fast for him react. A precise trip sent the boy off-balance, and a controlled push guided him to the ground, before the boy knew it, Kōzaru was standing over him with his hand extended as he stopped the punch an inch away from his face.
"Winner: Inuzuka. Impressive tactical control and technical precision," Hayashi announced, his approval evident.
QUEST COMPLETE: Academy Evaluation Reward: 50 EXP gained Status: Complete
As Kōzaru helped Hiroshi up, he was struck by how real the boy's disappointment felt. These weren't NPCs or background characters—they were real people with their own hopes, dreams, and struggles.
After the last match concluded, the three friends regrouped while Instructor Hayashi tallied his notes. The excitement was barely contained between them.
"Did you guys see that?" Tatsuma whispered, his eyes bright with amazement. "The quest system actually works! And the fighting... I knew techniques I'd never learned, understood strategies I'd never studied." He said, amazed at his ability and clearly happy with his choice.
"The level of detail is incredible," Aotaka agreed, flexing his hands unconsciously. "I could feel the difference the Senju bloodline made in every movement. And the understanding that came with Taijutsu... it's like having years of experience downloaded directly into my brain. I can only imagine what it could be like if I had put more points into it."
"My senses are off the charts," Kōzaru added quietly. "I could hear heartbeats, smell emotional changes, detect movements before they happened. It's like having built-in combat analysis." Kōzaru said, also impressed with his abilities. He had never given it much thought on what it might be like to be a member of the Inuzuka clan before, but now he knew.
"Alright class listen up!" Instructor Hayashi announced.
Based on today's evaluation I'm dividing you into three groups. Group A will receive advanced training immediately and will likely graduate within the next six months. Group B will continue with accelerated curriculum. Group C will receive additional remedial training to bring them up to minimum standards."
He began reading names with all three friends making Group A, along with Asuma, Kurenai, Guy, and three other students. Only nine out of twenty-three had made the advanced group.
"Group A students, report to Training Ground 7 tomorrow at six AM for your first advanced session. Bring your ninja tools and be prepared for practical field exercises." Hayashi's expression grew serious. "The village needs capable ninja now more than ever. We're accelerating your training because the world won't wait for you to be ready."
As the class was dismissed, the three friends walked together toward the Academy exit, each processing the magnitude of what had just happened.
"I keep expecting to wake up," Tatsuma said quietly. "But every detail is perfect. The way the dirt felt under my feet during the fight, the sound of impact, its more real than real."
"The quest system changes everything," Aotaka observed, his mind already working through the implications. "If we can gain experience and level up, we need to figure out how the progression system works. Are there skill trees? Attribute increases? Unlockable abilities?"
"I wonder what kind of advanced training they'll put us through," Kōzaru mused, still processing the sensory overload of his enhanced abilities. "If they're fast-tracking us because of the war situation, tomorrow is going to be intense."
"The question is whether we're ready for that," Tatsuma added, his earlier excitement now tempered with genuine concern. "We've got these enhanced abilities, but we're still eight-year-olds with academy-level experience. What happens when they push us into real combat scenarios?"
Kōzaru nodded, touching his clan markings thoughtfully. "We'll have to be careful not to stand out too much. Our abilities are impressive, but we can't let anyone get suspicious about how we developed them so quickly."
"Good point," Aotaka agreed. "We need to act like prodigies, not like we have knowledge from another world."
As they walked toward the Academy exit, each looked at the other, knowing their own way home, each to different parts of the village.
"So what now?" Aotaka asked, wondering weather they should head home or do something else.
"I think we should head back to our new homes, we should standout from the norm just yet." Kōzaru said, getting a nod of agreement from the others.
"Alright, lets meet back here in the morning, and we will go from there. Try not to get into any trouble before then." Kōzaru said, looking mainly at Tatsuma.
"Alright, see you guys tomorrow." Aotaka said, turning and leaving as he gave them a wave, walking off through the village.
"I'm gonna explore for a little while, I don't have anyone at home waiting for me anyhow, seems I'm an orphan in this world." Tatsuma said as he put his hands behind his head.
Kōzaru hadn't thought about that. With picking Uzumaki, he was most likely one of the last surviving members of the clan, and had been orphaned just like Naruto would be.
"Dont worry about me though, I'll see you tomorrow!" He suddenly yelled before he ran off, with Kōzaru being able to smell the excitement coming from him as he did.
"Hmm, see you tomorrow." Kōzaru said before he turned around and took the sight of the village hidden in the leaves in.
"Our new life is just beginning!"