My Experience in Konoha
Chapter 2 - A Small Goal
"Nobuyuki, time for school!"
Early in the morning, half a month after the start of the Ninja Academy, Tsuruma Nobuyuki's mother, a gentle and kind housewife, called out to him from the kitchen.
After a quick wash and breakfast, Nobuyuki jogged towards the academy, his body already accustomed to this daily routine.
While running, he instinctively pulled up his system panel, glancing at the progress he had made.
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[System Panel]
Chakra Refinement Technique - EXP +20
Other Skills - No Progress
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Nobuyuki sighed. Aside from the slow accumulation of experience in chakra refinement, everything else had remained stagnant.
It wasn't due to a lack of effort. The Ninja Academy had been focusing on fundamental subjects like literacy and arithmetic—important, but utterly useless in his quest to survive in a world constantly at war.
The only ninja-related skill they had been taught so far was the Chakra Refinement Technique, which he had already mastered before even enrolling.
For Nobuyuki, who had been grinding hard since his reincarnation to avoid becoming cannon fodder in the Fourth Great Ninja War, this was frustrating beyond words.
He was trapped in a six-year-old's fragile body, unable to extract chakra frequently without harming himself. The lack of new techniques to train was an enormous waste of time.
But today was different.
According to the syllabus, today was the first day of practical combat lessons.
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A Familiar Voice
After half an hour, Nobuyuki arrived at the school gates.
Just as he was about to enter, a familiar cheerful voice called out from behind.
"Good morning, Tsuruma-kun! You're jogging again today?"
He didn't even need to turn around to recognize the voice—Yamanaka Ino.
Sure enough, when he looked back, the blonde-haired girl was approaching, surrounded by a few of her friends, a bright smile on her face.
Nobuyuki slowed his pace slightly, nodding in greeting.
"Good morning, Yamanaka-san."
Ino effortlessly quickened her steps, walking alongside him with ease. She tilted her head slightly, her blue-green eyes filled with curiosity.
"Tsuruma-kun, are you training so hard because you want to compete with Sasuke-kun?"
Nobuyuki raised an eyebrow.
It seemed that, at this point in time, Ino hadn't yet developed her obsession with Uchiha Sasuke.
At least, not to the degree she would later, after clashing with Haruno Sakura over him.
Still, it was obvious that Sasuke—with his noble Uchiha heritage and naturally handsome features—was already seen as special among the boys in their class.
The difference was evident in how she addressed them.
Sasuke-kun—a term of endearment, showing admiration.
Tsuruma-kun—polite, but distant.
Nobuyuki mentally sighed at the precocious nature of children in this world.
Then again, given how many shinobi died young, it wasn't surprising that kids here matured quickly.
As he pondered, Ino studied him closely, her head tilted slightly.
Her Yamanaka Clan training in Yin Release techniques gave her an unusual sensitivity to the mental and emotional states of others.
To her, every person gave off a different "feeling" beyond just their looks.
That was why she had befriended Haruno Sakura, whose split personality fascinated her.
And Nobuyuki, with his adult mentality hidden inside a child's body, was just as intriguing.
However, despite his uniqueness, Ino made a rather blunt judgment in her head:
"Tsuruma-kun isn't as handsome as Sasuke-kun!"
She stifled a giggle.
Nobuyuki, unaware of Ino's silent critique, continued walking, unaware he had just been labeled "not good-looking enough" by a six-year-old girl obsessed with appearances.
But even if he knew, he wouldn't have cared.
Looks?
Who needed those?
If he could trade his face for the Sharingan, he would do it in a heartbeat.
Hell, if he could gain Indra's chakra, he wouldn't even hesitate.
Unfortunately, those were just fantasies.
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Speak of the Devil
As if summoned by their thoughts, Uchiha Sasuke walked into the academy, his expression sour.
And the reason for his foul mood?
None other than Tsuruma Nobuyuki.
The previous night, Uchiha Fugaku, Sasuke's father, had—after half a month—finally asked about his son's progress in the academy.
To Sasuke's horror, his father's expression darkened upon hearing the report.
His grades weren't the best.
That title belonged to Tsuruma Nobuyuki—an unknown civilian-born student.
Fugaku's disappointment was summed up in just a few words:
"After all, you are not Itachi."
That single sentence had shattered Sasuke's pride.
And the one responsible for his humiliation?
The boy standing before him.
So, the moment Sasuke spotted Nobuyuki, he stomped over, arms crossed, nostrils flaring, mimicking the Uchiha Police Force's "intimidation stance."
"Tsuruma Nobuyuki!" Sasuke declared, voice brimming with childish bravado.
"Don't you dare run away during today's combat lesson!"
But Sasuke, who had yet to experience true tragedy, hadn't yet mastered the Uchiha cold demeanor.
Halfway through his speech, his face turned red, and, flustered, he turned and stormed off toward the classroom.
As Nobuyuki took his seat, he could feel Sasuke stealing glances at him, trying to appear indifferent.
Each time their eyes met, Sasuke would quickly "hmph" and look away.
Nobuyuki struggled to keep a straight face.
Sasuke was just a brat.
But he wouldn't be for long.
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The First Duel
Luckily, he didn't have to endure Sasuke's sulking for long.
The second period began—the practical combat lesson.
Umino Iruka, their instructor, stood before the class, explaining the fundamentals of combat techniques.
Sasuke, restless, impatiently tapped his fingers against the desk as Iruka droned on.
Finally, Iruka announced:
"Alright, that concludes the basics. Now, we'll move on to two-on-two combat drills."
Before Iruka could assign the pairs, Sasuke jumped up, stepping directly in front of Nobuyuki.
With his head held high, he smirked.
"Do you want some extra time to practice?" he sneered.
"My older brother taught me all of this already. If you're scared, I can wait."
Nobuyuki's expression remained neutral.
But he did notice something interesting.
Sasuke's voice rose slightly when mentioning his brother—a hint of pride and longing.
Iruka frowned.
"Sasuke-kun, you have to follow the pairing list. You can't just pick your own opponent."
But Sasuke ignored him, staring straight at Nobuyuki, eyes full of determination.
A slow smile spread across Nobuyuki's face.
He turned to Iruka.
"Sensei, let Sasuke and me have the first match."
Iruka hesitated.
But before he could refuse, Nobuyuki added:
"I have a small goal."
Everyone turned toward him, curious.
"To become the number one student in the academy."
He turned back to Sasuke.
"And Sasuke is the perfect first step toward that goal."
The challenge had been set.
The first true battle of Nobuyuki's ninja career was about to begin.