In the woods behind the Ninja Academy.
Shurikens and kunai rained down from all directions, aimed at Shiraishi.
Shiraishi faced the terrifying scene with a calm expression, gripping a kunai in each hand, his body twisting as the kunai in his hands sliced through the air.
The incessant clanging sounds, along with sparks of metal colliding, filled the air. All the flying kunai and shurikens were knocked down by Shiraishi, scattering at his feet.
Shiraishi let out a slight breath, looking at the dense array of kunai and shurikens on the ground around him, his expression still calm, as if achieving such a feat was nothing out of the ordinary.
However, deflecting such a large quantity of kunai and shurikens without a single scratch, not even a genin who had officially graduated from the Ninja Academy would find it easy.
Shiraishi was able to do this not only because of his diligent efforts but also because he possessed exceptionally superior athletic abilities and dynamic vision that surpassed ordinary people.
This was Shiraishi's inherent powerful talent.
Furthermore, Shiraishi had optimized his athletic abilities and dynamic vision by applying some scientific training methods from his previous life.
Therefore, Shiraishi wasn't surprised that he could achieve this after only two months of systematic study.
In his previous life, as a senior doctor, he had an exceptional understanding of human anatomy and was well aware of the importance of athletic abilities and dynamic vision for a ninja.
Powerful dynamic vision allowed him to better track the enemy's movements and attack trajectories.
Exceptional athletic abilities allowed him to react quickly in battle and gain an advantage.
Therefore, even though he already possessed excellent athletic abilities and dynamic vision, Shiraishi still compiled a training plan tailored to his physical condition to further enhance them, striving for perfection.
Shiraishi was well aware that his greatest advantage wasn't his true athletic abilities and dynamic vision, but the vast knowledge from another world stored in his mind.
This was the foundation of his existence.
The power of knowledge is infinite.
Knowledge can not only cure mental ignorance and strengthen one's inner self, teaching how not to be dominated by ignorance.
Knowledge can also cure physical weakness, teaching how to utilize and strengthen oneself more quickly and effectively.
He gathered all the kunai and shurikens from the ground. Although these ninja tools were damaged, Shiraishi's finances were not particularly ample, so even a piece of iron had to be squeezed for its last bit of value and not wasted.
After all, he was in his growth spurt, and he couldn't neglect his diet, ensuring sufficient nutrition for his body.
After collecting the ninja tools, Shiraishi didn't leave. Instead, he wrapped white bandages around his fists and legs and practiced taijutsu against a sturdy wooden stake.
It was already night, and the woods behind the Ninja Academy were quiet, with only Shiraishi's faint breathing and the sounds of his body colliding with the wooden stake. Time slowly passed...
The next morning.
"Good morning, Ayane."
After two months of interaction, Shiraishi and his deskmate, Hyuga Ayane, were already very familiar with each other, and his way of addressing her was casual.
"Good morning, Shiraishi-kun."
In contrast to Shiraishi's casualness, Ayane, as a member of the Hyuga clan, maintained the various intricate courtesies expected of a prestigious family.
Through these days of interaction, Shiraishi also learned that Ayane came from the branch family of the Hyuga clan, a prominent family in Konoha, and that their 'cataract' eyes were a traditional characteristic of the Hyuga clan.
The ninjas of this clan used a kekkei genkai dōjutsu called 'Byakugan,' which they combined with their family's gentle fist fighting style, earning them a formidable reputation in the ninja world.
"You too, good morning, Ruri-san."
Shiraishi walked to his seat and sat down, smiling as he greeted the girl on the other side.
Uchiha Ruri merely gave Shiraishi a cold glance, not answering, as if she were aloof, watching the playground outside the window as usual.
"By the way, have you heard, Shiraishi-kun?"
"What?"
Ayane spoke from her side, making Shiraishi turn his head to look at her questioningly.
"Apparently, we'll have a practical combat class today."
"Practical combat class?"
"Yes, it's also a type of practical class, but it's not like throwing shurikens. It's a practical lesson where we spar in pairs."
Ayane's voice was gentle.
"I see. For me, that's a bit difficult, but for you, Ayane, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Among the three in Shiraishi's row, Shiraishi's grades were the most ordinary and unremarkable. Only his theoretical exam was considered excellent, while both shuriken throwing and physical tests placed him as an average student, neither outstanding nor poor.
He wasn't a bad student, nor was he an excellent student.
Of course, this was Shiraishi's deliberate choice.
In contrast, Uchiha Ruri, who was aloof and spoke no more than three sentences a day, consistently held the top position in the class, achieving first place in both theoretical and practical classes.
Ayane was slightly behind but still among the top five in the class.
Like Ayane, Ruri also came from a prominent Konoha family—the Uchiha clan.
They possessed a kekkei genkai dōjutsu called 'Sharingan.'
However, the probability of awakening the Sharingan was lower than that of the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, but its power was greater than the Byakugan.
Not only that, but Uchiha clan ninjas were proficient in shurikens and Fire Style jutsu.
Shiraishi gradually learned these things.
It made Shiraishi sigh, thinking that being from a prestigious family meant they started on a completely different level than commoners.
"Let's work hard together, Shiraishi-kun."
Ayane encouraged Shiraishi.
"Alright, if we're paired up, remember to go easy on me."
Shiraishi didn't want to reveal his true strength, which was why he had deliberately scored average grades in all previous tests.
An average position was just right for Shiraishi.
Therefore, if he were to face Ayane, Shiraishi had already decided that losing the battle after gritting his teeth and holding on for a while would be the most correct judgment.
He was just an ordinary person and couldn't achieve overly brilliant results.
Of course, if he were to use all his current strength to fight Ayane, it was still more likely that he would lose.
After all, she was a member of the prestigious Hyuga clan, and her elders would surely provide her with extra tutoring.
There was, after all, a huge gap between commoners and ninjas from established families.
He just needed to maintain the normal standards expected of a commoner.
That being said, outcomes are always unpredictable.
During the first practical combat class—
As Ayane had said, homeroom teacher Fujimura Taiga organized the first practical combat test for Class 1-A. Students would spar in pairs, while he himself stood outside the circle with a notebook, looking as if he was about to record something.
And Shiraishi's partner wasn't Ayane, but his other deskmate, Ruri.
A genius girl from the Uchiha clan, a prominent Konoha family as renowned as the Hyuga clan.
For the practical combat class, the shurikens given to the students were all made of wood, with their sharp parts blunted and edges rounded. Even if they hit someone, they would only cause pain, not life-threatening injuries.
"How boring, to spar with these toys."
The Uchiha girl, standing alongside Shiraishi, scanned the two boys sparring in the field with an arrogant gaze, a clear look of disdain on her face.
"Um, Ruri-san, isn't that a bit harsh? We're all still first-year students."
Shiraishi hesitated, then softly reminded Ruri not to provoke everyone's anger.
For most students, immediately using real shurikens and kunai would easily lead to bloodshed.
"You'd best worry about yourself rather than others. I won't go easy on you when it's our turn."
Shiraishi gave an awkward laugh and said nothing more.
Time passed quickly, and it was Shiraishi's group's turn to enter the arena.