"This won't work anymore."
Hikaru whispers, gazing at the training plan on his table at home, thinking, 'My original plan was to do it at a normal pace during the time at the academy.'
'I thought I had five to six years to learn, but now I have none.'
Hikaru rewrote and crossed out parts of his original plan; he had to revise it.
He had to improvise.
He had to train five to six times faster to catch up with other students who were about to graduate normally.
Hikaru wasn't sure if the instructor he'd get would be someone like Might Guy, who trained his students seriously and gave them a year before doing an actual mission with high risks. If he got someone like Hatake Kakashi, he would be doomed.
Not only did he not train his students properly, but he also put them through a chūnin exam after only a few months.
In the original training plan he had created, he made sure to train himself as much as possible to lay a solid foundation for the future. He would undoubtedly gain significant benefits from direct instruction from the Jōnin sensei, but he has to be ready to take those benefits too.
However, he does have one option: he can return to the academy if he fails the true exam before joining the Genin team.
It's a bit too shameless, but it works nonetheless.
However, he would not intentionally act foolish in an attempt to fail; instead, he would delegate that responsibility to others within the team.
Hikaru sighed, massaging his forehead lightly and analyzing his situation.
His strength right now is chakra control, and he might have a knack for Taijutsu. He also needs to explore whether he possesses talent in any other area.
Hikaru could defer certain techniques, such as the sensing technique or the wind transformation exercise, until later in his new training plan. Additionally, he can initiate the shape transformation exercise once he has thoroughly completed the water surface walking practice.
Looking at a long list of skills and techniques piling up in his training plan, Hikaru couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache. He doesn't have that much time anymore.
His immediate weaknesses right now are physical strength, endurance, and chakra reserve, for which Hikaru thought of a solution a long time ago.
Weight training.
On his way home from the Ramen ichikaru, he had already checked the store for weight training. The price for a single set of two-kilo weight training was about eight thousand ryo. The cost would be too high for him in the long term if he had to increase the weight each time.
Even though Ayako could help, the expense was too much for the family. Hikaru does not want to create a burden for his sister.
Hikaru was tempted to wait after he had the opportunity to complete a rank D task that would earn him some income. He will then have enough money to purchase weight training for himself.
However, this would mean that his weakness wouldn't go away for an extended period of time.
There is another route that Hikaru has in mind; the original first goal after learning the Fūinjutsu (sealing technique) was to create a weight training seal.
Hikaru can currently perform a basic storage seal, but to create a weight-training seal would present significant challenges. He already has a design in mind and has worked out the sketch, but the difficulty was much higher and required a lot of concentration.
Comparing the difficulty between them was like going from a high school level of difficulty to a university level.
"If only I could sustain my concentration for a longer period of time," Hikaru said quietly as he bit his pencil, thinking of a way to cheat his way through the difficulties if he were to take the sealing route.
If it were indeed impossible, he would take the first route, delaying the training until after he had a chance to complete his mission and earn money.
He spent the entire morning contemplating how to overcome the obstacles, but without any success.
Hikaru decided to take a short break before going out to train and get some inspiration. After having some snacks, drinking a cup of tea, and finishing his business, he came back to his room and prepared his equipment to take them outside.
Hikaru laid all the items he needed on top of the storage seal he had made, one with many ugly-looking inscribes but still working as it should, and then swiftly formed the hand seals required for the technique.
"Fūnyū no Jutsu." (Enclosing Technique)
The sight of all the objects on the ground, miraculously preserved within a storage seal he had created, always captivated him. Hikaru picked up the scroll and walked to the training ground to refresh his mind.
After he had arrived at the Third Training Ground, Hikaru looked around for an available spot under the tree where no one was around and sat down to enjoy the scenery.
After taking a quick nap for fifteen minutes, Hikaru rose to his feet and thought he should at least finish his advanced chakra control training.
When Hikaru checked his chakra, he suddenly shook and exclaimed in surprise, "My chakra level is already two-thirds of that Genin rank!"
He blinks rapidly in confusion at his situation. Somehow, after recovering from the injury, his chakra level increased several times.
Hikaru took a moment to contemplate his situation and finally said, "This...could work!"
"Now, I can attempt to cheat using this technique to help," Hikaru said, quickly trying to recall the technique's content. After recalling everything, he then added, "Hopefully, my required chakra would be enough to pass the threshold requirement."
Hikara knew he was taking a risk, but this was the only way to improve himself faster. Through a hand seal, he slowly builds up the chakra required for the jutsu, molding it as precisely as possible.
"Kage Bushin no Justu." (Shadow Clone Technique)
Viola! Next to him, an identical Hikaru appears. This one has an actual physical body and can do more than just plain misdirection or throw some kunai. Not only does it possess a portion of his chakra, but the clone body has duplicated all of his equipment.
'Amazing,' Hikaru thought as he saw the technique in action. He began to beam at nine clouds, feeling another sense of accomplishment in his life, before becoming exhausted from creating one shadow clone.
"This technique actually left me with only ten percent of my chakra remaining after splitting with the shadow clone; I guess I barely passed the threshold." Hikaru muttered, still feeling a bit exhausted from his chakra depletion, and commanded his clone, "Find a spot near here and do the meditation training."
"Don't stop until I say so."
The clone nodded his head and began performing the Tai Chi exercise nearby.
Looking at his current chakra reserve, Hikaru pursed his lips and said, "It's really too dangerous to use this technique outside."
"My proficiency with the jutsu appears to be somewhat low, as the chakra didn't distribute evenly." Hikaru, lifting his chin, analyzed the weakness of his current technique and concluded, "I should be careful next time."
This jutsu was a Jōnin level after all; he was indeed lucky to have barely enough chakra to perform one shadow clone. This jutsu is still useful for training, but Hikaru could forget about using it during a fight at the moment.
Taking a deep breath to calm his mind, Hikaru started thinking about the second route that he had planned in his mind.
His plan was straightforward: the sealing technique he aimed to develop required intense focus during the brush strokes and the precise application of chakra. Hikaru could sustain himself for a while, but not long enough to complete the whole technique.
Since he could only use one clone, it was better for him to finish the job and let the clone do the grunt work.
After resting for a few moments, Hikaru got up and joined the meditation training for an hour to restore his stamina (chakra reserved) and get to a state of high focus. When he felt his stamina had gradually returned, he stopped at one point, allowing him to start an attempt to create the seal.
Hikaru takes out a sealing scroll, lies it down on the ground, forms his hand seal, and activates it by pushing his hand on the scroll.
"Kaifū no Jutsu." (Unsealing Technique)"
All the equipment inside was then released from the storage seals, as per technique, with a puff of smoke. Hikaru's lips curled into a smile as he examined the item, then spoke.
"Now it's time to see if I can do this."
Hikaru immediately arranged the empty scroll, put his brush on the ink, calmed himself down, and started writing.
Each stroke was carefully written in a slow manner with precise chakra input. The structure of the sealing technique was written from inside toward outside. Each space and gap was accurately calculated so as not to make the seal faulty from the overflow chakra.
As time passes, an image of the sealing technique begins to form inside the scroll. Hikaru put all his dedication into the tasks, as this is the only short cut he could come up with to get himself prepared for what's coming ahead.
Halfway through, Hikaru started to experience fatigue from writing, as each stroke depleted his chakra. He began to lose his focus.
Hikaru then decided that it was time and quickly dispelled the shadow clones. All the fatigue he felt miraculously disappeared, and his chakra reserve was significantly replenished.
"I can do this!" After feeling refreshed, Hikaru spoke out before diligently continuing his task.
After the sun started to set and the time it took to inscribe the technique reached more than an hour, Hikaru looked at the work result for a long while before sighing in disappointment and reflecting.
'I still failed.'
He was so close to the finish line, but fell a little short. The technique was really difficult, but he improved a lot at the same time.
Hikaru looked at all the materials he had, calculated the remaining attempt, and said, "I only have two chances left before I have to restock, which could take a long time."
"But once I solve this, I can move on to other subjects with a free mind," said Hikaru with a pity expression.
Today, his chakra has reached a low point in his body, leaving him unable to do anything anymore. Hikaru decided to pick up everything, put it back in the storage seal, and walk back home.
When he stepped through the door, Ayako was already preparing for dinner, as he could smell the aroma of delicious food.
"O-nee Chan, I'm home!" said Hikaru as he walked slowly to the kitchen.
Ayako responds shortly, acknowledging the news and serving the food on the table. Seeing her brother take his seat, she asked, "Where were you in the evening?"
"Don't tell me you went to training again; you just got out of the hospital."
Seeing her worried expression, Hikaru couldn't help but massage his neck in embarrassment and reply weakly, "I didn't do any physical exercise, so it should be fine."
Ayako shakes her head, as she doesn't agree with his action; then she remembers something and says, "Oh yeah, the circus show is tomorrow; do you still want to go?"
Hikaru first blinks in confusion while chewing his food, recalling that his sister had bought a ticket for the shows two weeks ago and invited him to go with her. His initial reaction was to deny the invitation, but after pondering for a few moments, he swallowed his food and said, "I thought the circus was already over."
Ayako shook her head and said, "No, it's starting tomorrow; I heard it was a delay for a day as there were complications."
"What do you think? still interested?"
"Yes, definitely, I'll go," said Hikaru with a light smile.
No matter what, his family comes first.