Ren Kurosawa continued observing the Ninja Academy, but now his attention was divided. It was not enough to understand the village's political and social system; he needed to grasp **how learning was limited by physical practice**.
He studied the children attempting hand seals. Each gesture seemed simple to those already skilled, but for Ren, each seal was an enigma. He knew the theory—he knew that the Tiger Hand released chakra in rapid attacks, the Snake Hand concentrated it for precision techniques, and the Rat Hand was necessary for initial sealing. Each seal had a purpose, an effect, a logic that his mind absorbed easily.
And yet, his fingers refused to cooperate.
Frustration was constant.
His muscles did not respond with precision.
His wrists trembled.
Each attempt to reproduce the seals resulted in minor failures, just enough to prevent proper chakra flow.
Ren breathed deeply, closed his eyes, and repeated the pattern mentally.
He understood clearly **why** each seal worked—the sequence, the energy needed, the focus point—but **execution required physical coordination** he did not yet possess.
It was the first major difference between him and native shinobi.
Theory was not enough. The body, however trainable, still needed to reach a minimum level of dexterity that Ren had not yet achieved.
As he observed, he began to notice **structural flaws in ninja education** that unsettled him.
1. **Rigid, early starting age:** children began intense training at six, without proper fundamental education, either physical or mental.
2. **Limited curriculum:** they learned only basic jutsu and superficial chakra theory, without advanced practice or strategic concepts.
3. **Neglected essential techniques:** basic skills like walking on water, scaling walls, or flexible chakra control were not taught.
4. **Lack of adaptive teaching:** every student followed the same pace, ignoring individual talents or physical capacities. Those not naturally fast, strong, or coordinated fell behind.
5. **Focus on obedience and control:** creativity or experimentation was less important than following orders and replicating patterns without question.
Ren began imagining how he could improve the system if given the opportunity:
* An **expanded ninja curriculum**, equivalent to a fundamental education, teaching not just jutsu but also chakra logic, physical resistance, coordination, and combat strategy.
* Gradual introduction of advanced techniques, like walking on water or complex chakra manipulation for seals, adapted to each child's age.
* Exercises that trained mind and body in parallel, allowing theory and practice to evolve together.
* Personalized evaluations, letting each student explore natural talents without being penalized for temporary physical limitations.
While walking, observing every student and instructor, Ren realized the practical consequence of deficient education. Children who could have become prodigies were limited. Those with natural physical talent learned quickly, but without theoretical control. And those with theoretical understanding, like him, suffered because their bodies could not keep up.
He began mentally organizing his **own training plan**, divided into three pillars:
1. **Theory:** study the seals, techniques, and jutsu mentally. Understand patterns, chakra flows, and possible combinations, without relying on the body.
2. **Physical training:** exercises for motor coordination, strengthening arms, fingers, and wrists, running, and endurance. Make the body capable of executing what the mind understands.
3. **Gradual practice:** perform the seals slowly, testing each sequence, adjusting movements until the chakra flowed, even if only in small amounts.
He began mentally recording every mistake. Each failed seal was not just frustration; it was **data for future correction**. He realized that patience was as essential as natural talent—and that the Academy system did not teach this, preferring failures to be ignored or eliminated.
Ren also reflected on the history of hand seals.
Indra, the creator of ninjutsu, developed them so any shinobi could control chakra precisely. He, his brother, and his natural father—more evolved beings—did not need them. But Indra standardized them so that less evolved beings could perform complex techniques.
Now Ren saw the logic: if he could master the seals, even with an initially limited body, he would have an enormous advantage over any ordinary ninja. The **mind** could overcome the **body** if he planned carefully.
As he walked through the training areas, observing students, his thoughts guided him:
* How to optimize each movement.
* How to break learning into minimal steps.
* How to avoid fatigue and chakra waste.
* How to accelerate progress without drawing attention from instructors or powerful clans.
He also reflected on the clans and internal politics. Observing the Hyūga and Uchiha train allowed him to notice patterns of discipline, favoritism, and rivalry that would shape the entire life of the village. Every detail was valuable information, a data point no teacher would formally provide.
At the end of the day, Ren sat alone in a corner, breathing deeply, physically exhausted but mentally active. His muscles ached, his fingers were heavy, but his mind buzzed with calculations, strategies, and plans.
Even with a limited body, he thought positively:
> "My body is not perfect yet. I still cannot execute everything with precision. But that does not mean I cannot succeed in the future. With patience, planning, and training, I will overcome my limitations. The system does not offer shortcuts—but it also cannot stop me from learning."
He smiled slightly.
The Academy taught soldiers, but Ren Kurosawa would learn to **understand and master the entire system**, starting with his own body.
And so, learning continued.
Slowly.
Methodically.
Patiently.
True ninja training did not start with chakra or jutsu alone… it began with **mind, observation, and planning**.
And Ren was only beginning.
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