MTLNOVEL Chapter 10: Practical Training
The next day, Yoichi entered the classroom a moment before class started.
He approached his seat and sat down next to Shigeru.
An excited voice called out to him:
"Hey, Yoichi! I've got some good news for you."
Yoichi gave him a curious look.
"What is it?"
Shigeru smiled widely.
"I talked to my dad yesterday, and he said that if you want, you can come today and ask him yourself!"
Yoichi furrowed his brow, slightly confused.
"So it's not certain?"
Shigeru answered confidently:
"You might not know this, but usually all it takes is a little alcohol, and my dad will definitely agree. Just buy a bottle for 200 ryō and give it to him, and he should agree. Then we'll practice together."
Yoichi looked at him skeptically.
"So you're saying I have to bribe your father with sake just to get him to teach me?"
Shigeru laughed, waving his hand.
"It's not bribery! If Mom wasn't restricting his drinking right now, he'd agree without it."
Yoichi shook his head and then replied:
"Alright, I'll see what I can do. Where's the best place to buy it?"
Shigeru thought for a moment.
"Hmm… The best spot is a shop on the main street, near the academy. They sell good drinks there, and they're not too expensive."
Before Yoichi could respond, Shougo entered the classroom and looked at the students. He made sure everyone was present, then began the lesson:
"Today we continue the topic of the history of our village. We will now discuss how the sacrifice of the Second Hokage allowed the next generation to survive and ensured the stability of Konohagakure."
Hearing yet another lecture that felt like a 'brainwashing session: Fire Will Edition,' Yoichi started thinking:
"So I have to spend another 200 ryō on sake... I only have 300 ryō left until the end of the month. Luckily, I've already bought everything, because I'll probably spend some more on food, and the rest on ink and special paper for fūinjutsu. I still can't believe a small bottle of ink costs 100 ryō. At least the special paper costs only 50 ryō. I started learning how to make explosive tags. I also thought about storage scrolls, but the cost of trials is much higher.
Yesterday I focused on sensing the chakra levels of people in the class. I have the highest chakra level in the group. Next are the two Uchiha, three Hyūga. Slightly lower levels belong to two Sarutobi, two Shimura, one Mitokado, one Utatane, and strangely enough, all six people from civilian families. After them are two Nara, two Yamanaka, and two Akimichi. The lowest chakra levels belong to three Inuzuka, two Kurama, Kato, and Hatake.
I managed to increase my chakra reserves thanks to intensive use. You could say that chakra development works similarly to muscles. The more you use it and strain your body, the stronger it gets. When I'm at the library, I'll check if there are any other methods to increase chakra.
Now, during class, I'll try to create a passive chakra detection field around myself. If I can master it, I'll be able to react to potential threats more easily and improve my fūinjutsu training.
Initially, I planned to practice my fire affinity, but the smell of burning wood would be too obvious. I didn't want the teacher to think I was setting the Academy on fire non-stop.
I just hope today we do something other than yet another Konoha history lecture."
Hours later, Shougo began talking about chakra and then moved on to forming it using hand seals. Several times he demonstrated basic hand signs and had the students practice them while carefully observing them.
"These twelve seals are the foundation of most jutsu," he said, walking between the rows of students. "You have a month to master them."
The exercises lasted until lunch. Although Yoichi had practiced hand seals earlier, he noticed that his movements were still not smooth enough.
After lunch, the students gathered on the training field. Shougo began showing them how to properly throw kunai and shuriken.
"Throwing technique is just as important as precision," he explained while demonstrating a throw at the target. "It's not just about hitting the mark, but doing so effectively and with the right amount of force."
He then instructed the students to stand in front of wooden targets and begin practicing.
Yoichi grabbed a kunai and took a deep breath. He focused on his target and threw the weapon. He hit close to the center, but not the exact point.
"Not bad, but you need to work on your technique," Shougo commented, observing Yoichi's throw.
Then Uchiha Goro threw his kunai, which embedded itself perfectly in the center of the target. The boy smirked arrogantly and turned to the class, casually adjusting the sleeve of his shirt.
"Hmph. As expected," he said arrogantly. "Not everyone has our natural predispositions. For some, certain things are simply unattainable."
Yoichi heard the teacher mutter under his breath:
"Ever since Itachi Uchiha graduated, the Uchiha have become unbearable..."
After class ended, Yoichi went with Shigeru to buy sake. He thought it would be an easy task, but reality proved otherwise. They visited five stores before finally finding a place where they could buy a bottle.
Yoichi sighed, gripping the bottle of sake.
"I thought I wasn't going to get any..."
Shigeru laughed, patting him on the shoulder.
"Five stores isn't that bad. Sometimes I have to walk through half the village just to buy something."
Yoichi looked at him in surprise.
"How many times have you actually done this?"
Shigeru shrugged with a smile.
"Let's just say enough to know which stores have the best drinks and ask the fewest questions."
Yoichi shook his head, unable to believe how naturally Shigeru handled the whole situation.
"I really hope your father agrees, or else I just wasted 200 ryō."
Shigeru replied with full conviction:
"Relax! It's always worked for me when I wanted something..."
Yoichi sighed, holding the bottle in his hand.
"Alright, let's hope it works this time too. Let's go."