Naruto: The Azure Ghost of Konoha

10 months later

Leaving the orphanage, Yoichi headed towards the forest to meet his roommates, thinking about the words of Mrs. Aiko Tachibana, the director of the orphanage:

"I didn't expect that after including older children in the training, all of them would get into the Academy. The Hokage rewarded the orphanage for this, and a small obstacle course will be built in the forest. He probably wants to motivate more children to train at a low cost, to raise the level at the Academy and encourage clan children to work harder. Additionally, he'll show how the village supports them. Truly worthy of the Hokage."

Mrs. Aiko also seemed happier, and Yoichi noticed that she cared more about the children than before. "She probably got some kind of bonus."

"Later, I'll meet Seiji and the others who took the exam to find out how it went. I wonder what class they got into? Since they passed, I should be able to manage too. If I'm already making such progress now, I should easily get into the elite class next year."

Yoichi began analyzing his development over the past months:

"Ten months of training brought visible results. I can now run almost 95 laps in the forest without much trouble. My daily routine includes 10 sets of push-ups with 15 repetitions, 10 sets of sit-ups with 20 repetitions, and 6 sets of pull-ups with 10 repetitions.

It's much easier to improve physical fitness here compared to my previous world.

As for chakra training, last month, on my birthday, I managed to hold a leaf as long as my chakra level wasn't too low. Now I'm practicing with two leaves, and maybe soon I'll start the Tree Climbing Practice.

Although... maybe I'll try on the walls in my room first instead of on trees right away.. If I fall, I'll land on the bed, not on the ground.

Meanwhile, chakra nature training allowed me to determine my affinity. I performed the leaf-burning exercise fastest and easiest, meaning I have a strong fire affinity. Next, though a bit slower, I managed to produce small sparks between my fingers, indicating lightning as my second element. Crushing stones with chakra took me twice as long as fire exercises, meaning my earth affinity is weaker. As for water, I barely managed to move it for two weeks, and the attempt to cut a leaf with wind ended in complete failure."

Yoichi, reaching his roommates, was just about to consider what they wanted when Hikaru didn't give him a moment to think, interrupting him with a loud shout:

"You're finally here, Yoichi!"

Yoichi didn't even have time to respond when Kaito chimed in excitedly:

"Yoichi, now we'll be able to start training with kunai and shuriken!"

Yoichi looked at them slightly surprised, thinking:

"So that's what this is about. I didn't think they'd remember all this time. But I doubt we'll get weapons right away. After all, I don't know how much money they receive monthly for those who made it into the Academy. I wonder where this certainty comes from?"

"You say we'll be able to train... but where are we supposed to get the weapons?" — Yoichi asked.

Hikaru answered immediately, as if it were obvious:

"Don't joke around! You yourself said we'd be able to practice once the older ones get into the Academy."

Yoichi sighed lightly, crossing his arms:

"Yeah, but we don't know how much money they got and how much they need to spend on food. And kunai and shuriken do cost something."

Kaito shrugged slightly:

"Maybe they won't have to buy food? Since they're in the Academy, they probably get meals. Maybe there'll be enough left for equipment?"

Yoichi looked at him skeptically and replied:

"From what I know, they only get an orphan's scholarship. So we'll probably have to wait until they buy weapons."

Hikaru frowned slightly:

"So they don't get any extra money for equipment?"

Yoichi shook his head:

"I don't think so. The Academy only provides basic tools for classes, but if they want to train after hours, they have to buy their own gear.

Later, I'll meet the people from our orphanage who passed. I'll suggest they pool together for one set of weapons so we can start training now."

Hikaru brightened up upon hearing this:

"That's a great idea! Even if they only lend us one piece from the set, we'll still be able to start practicing. What are you waiting for? Go meet them already! The sooner, the better!"

Yoichi smiled slightly and shook his head, saying:

"I was going to go to them, but you called me, saying it was important."

Without waiting for their response, he headed to meet Seiji, thinking:

"Even though they didn't train as much as me, their progress is noticeable. But I doubt they'll want to train intensively for another year. Probably they'll practice using kunai and shuriken for a while, then decide they have enough skills and want to rest before the Academy starts."

Reaching the park, Yoichi noticed former residents of the orphanage waiting for him.

Seiji was leaning against a tree, and a few other boys nearby were talking about the Academy.

Yoichi approached them and said:

"I hope you didn't have to wait long."

Seiji straightened up and looked at him with a slight smile:

"Not too long. But I started wondering if you'd show up at all."

One of the boys, Takeshi, chuckled:

"We already thought you forgot about us since we're no longer at the orphanage."

Yoichi shrugged and replied:

"I would've been here faster, but Mrs. Aiko announced a reward from the Hokage for the orphanage."

Seiji nodded, remembering earlier information:

"Ah, yeah, something was mentioned about that."

"Alright, let's not keep him waiting. Tell him how the exam went."

Seiji adopted a more serious tone and began to recount:

"First, they make you run 10 laps on a track 500 meters long. If someone doesn't finish the run, they're out. Then everyone keeps running until the examiner decides enough people have dropped out. Next, they ask who has activated chakra. Those who did had to keep running until only thirty remained."

Yoichi nodded and asked:

"Alright, so which class did you get into?"

Seiji exchanged a glance with the other boys, then replied:

"Class B and C. If it weren't for the training we started with you, it might have gone worse, and we could have ended up in Class E.

You were right; Class A is elite. In our Class B, only three teams after graduation will get a sensei, and in Class C only one.

The rest will be sent to the genin corps. Do you have any ideas on how we can get a sensei?"

Yoichi thought for a moment, then replied:

"You can pool money for kunai and shuriken to start practicing throws. But that won't be enough. You also need to train chakra control and regularly spar with each other after school.

And of course, you should start practicing hand signs; it will help you learn techniques later."

Takeshi furrowed his brow and replied:

"If each of us contributes, we should be able to afford a set of shuriken this month, and kunai next month.

Then we can use them alternately after Academy classes. If you want, Yoichi, you can use them too, because if it weren't for you, we probably wouldn't have trained as much."

Yoichi smiled slightly and nodded:

"Sounds like a good plan. Thanks, I'd be happy to train with you guys."

Seiji slapped him on the shoulder with a smile:

"Alright, Yoichi, we'll go buy the gear and see you tomorrow."

Pleased with the meeting, Yoichi returned to the orphanage.