A few months went by in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. Kenshin barely registered them passing as the weather kept somewhat the same, although with a few minor alterations. His schedule changed drastically from what he'd started out with a few weeks back, and kept changing every week, there was so much to learn, so much to explore and discover. But, he kept to the instructions in the book series 'Practical theory of chakra', there was no need to reinvent the wheel, after all. Rather satisfied with his progress, Kenshin had gone about finding out just where in the timeline of Naruto he'd been dropped, a rather daunting task, if he'd say so himself. For although he'd watched some of the series, he was not exactly a fan of it and much of the episodes laid to this day unseen, he cursed himself every single day for not spending a few more hours of his life on television as a kid, and his parents just as much for their strict 'tv schedule. Scratching his leg where he laid reading a book, the sun being filtered by a large tree, the wind lacing through his hair gently was just the icing on the cake to make this moment one of the most cherished ones to date, even though the book in his hands had nothing to do with leisure reading. It seemed, somehow, that reading tomes of knowledge was his new way of leisure reading, somewhat giving him an identify complex. He figured it had something to do with having no internet, in his old life he'd look something up on wikipedia if he wondered about it, here, he had to either ask a busy teacher or read enough about the subject to somehow piece the puzzle together by his lonesome. Ooh, how he missed the convenience of modern technology, but at the same time he recognized how it limited him, gave him an excuse to be lazy when he shouldn't be.
'No matter' he thought while standing up, stretching and hearing his back pop into place. 'I've long since adapted to this lifestyle, and even though I am starting to get somewhat bored, there is really nothing to take my attention off of my goal' he thought with a smile on his face, seeing a buxumous female waking by, staring at her out of sheer habit he finished his thought-chain in an unexpected, but not unwelcome direction '... At least not yet, hue hue'
Smiling to himself, imagining the direction his life would take in the future, he set of for the academy at a run, on the way there he remembers his age and sigh in annoyance at being woken up from his unintentional daydream. 'I've got a long way to go still' he considers, flipping down from a roof, his body having evolved enough to withstand such an impact by now. Nodding to himself and feeling decidedly awesome, he heads toward the academy gatees at a slow pace. He'd already 'finished' the theoretical aspect of the academy, they kept having to move him up in class every other week and decided to let him self-study somewhere along the line, saving themselves the hassle. Now he only had physical classes with his peers and although he weren't anything in particular when it came to sheer strength, nor speed, his stamina outstripped his peers by far already. He liked it this way, gave him an excuse to not graduate too early, something that would give him less time to work on his fundamentals and more serving a village he really had no kinship with. He knew it might be boring, but graduating and having access to better jutsu and more freedom didn't really change his fundamental strength. He thought while scoffing to himself, his expression then changed drastically 'In the first place, when did strength become what i sought to achieve? To the point of willingly giving up my own freedom to achieve it?' Relaxing his expression, he continued this train of thought 'I've never had a purpose before, it is.. Kind of nice' Smiling to himself, he stopped moving 'But, this presents a conundrum of me burning out somewhere along the line, i need to be free to pursue other activities when that day eventually comes' Nodding to himself, he decided to graduate within the year.
At this time he'd already arrived within the academy, a small smile of resolution playing on his face. As he only needed to attend physical classes now, like taijutsu, jutsu, evasion, detection, trapmaking. Anything which had to do with muscle memory or strength in general. It stood to reason that this day were the same, but, not everything follows reason in this world, certainly not this assassination classroom.
Standing at the front, portraying an eager expression while gossiping with Akira and Bakura about certain topics, like Hoshi's balding head, they snickers was heard through an otherwise noisy atmosphere. "Quiet down class!" a dissatisfied expression filled his face as his words were drowned by out by other noises and otherwise completely ignored "QUIET DOWN!" he shouted with a 'big head jutsu'. Yes, it turns out this jutsu weren't exclusive to Iruka, being invented by an annoyed genjutsu master some decades ago to keep the otherwise rowdy and unruly children in line. It worked exceptionally well - that was, until they noticed it were the only thing that worked after a while. Damage already done, they kept the act up until today, becoming a staple in the arsenal of every teacher in Konoha.
Smiling in satisfaction, Hoshi did a head-count before starting the morning warm ups, that done, he adopted an unusually serious expression and the children, perceptive little fuckers as they are immediately picked up on it, mimicking him, it was rather cute.
"Students, you've done admirably so far, but, it's time for your first survival exercise" Murmur and mutterings spread through the crowd, earning another big head jutsu.
"If you've already heard, or knew about this, good!" Some students looked proud "But, shut up while I explain to the rest!" Proud faces turned constipated, earning a chuckle from both Kenshin and Hoshi, something the child-genius earned himself an extra glance for.
"As second years you should have gained reasonable survival skills by now, so it's time for a midterm test to test your capabilities in practice - as well as giving you some well deserved experience." There were some cheers at the survival experience being phrased as a gift, instantly stifled by a sharp look from their teacher "You're that eager, eh? Let's see how long this energy carries over to the actual exercise" Earning some nervous chuckles from the soon to be miserable students.
"Alright! Follow me!" Hoshi shouted then took of at an reasonable phase, reasonable for a ninja, the rest of the class scrambled to catch up, almost tripping over their short legs in the process. After a few minutes of travel they all arrived outside a large forest with crates of different objects. "Alright, you're all probably confused" the class' facial expressions were all the confirmation he needed before he continued his one sided conversation "You will take one of these talismans each" he says while pointing at an crate "This is an free-for-all, the goal is to gain as many talismans as you can manage, at any cost" His gaze travels through the student body, students who were already sizing eachother up, trying to find the weak link. "There are a few rules, however" the students tensed, drinking in the information delivered by their teacher. Hoshi takes a deep breath before holding up a finger "1. No killling - You are all future comrades in arms, there is no reason to go overboard. In fact, if there is any kills today I'll personally hunt the perpetrator down and kill him myself" He says with a glare giving no chance for any opposition, another finger goes up "The same goes for rule number two, no crippling injuries. You take an eye, you lose an eye" The students gulped at the harsh words and tone of their once energetic and bright teacher. "Rule number three -" he says in a fashion remiscient of the last two, stretching another finger towards the class. Kenshin sweatdropped at the serious atmosphere, not expecting this so early into his stay at the academy "No weapon used against your fellow classmates" he says while kicking the lid of a crate, revealing shiny black kunai. "Number 4 - Keep the talisman on you at all times. If you lose it we will know and you will be disqualified"
Hoshi claps his hands together, "Alright! You're going to surivive in the forest for 48 hours, your parents have already been notified." Some children made faces of realization while patting their pouches "The top three in this test will have achieved part of the requirement for early graduation, along with getting some added benefits from us teachers - Like personal instructions or a jutsu outside the academy three" Excited muttering were heard and Hoshi seemed satisfied with the receptions. Kenshin felt cold at how easily these people pitted children against eachother in a mock battle, even with the securities taken along with some excitement at trying himself against others - No matter their age. When the noise mostly died down Hoshi went on to speak again "Any questions?" A bland child by the name of .. Kenshin was not sure, but he knew it started on Ryo.. raised his hand "Speak, Ryoumaru" The bland child, now named Ryoumaru spoke in an equally monotone voice "Are poisons considered weapons?" Hoshi put on an considering expression before deciding that "No, as long as they don't break the first two rules you're fine" He says with a glimmer in his eye. Ryomaru only nods in response. Kenshin felt sweat pour down his back in response to the innocent question, 'It's always the quiet ones' he thinks with a shudder, vowing to to underestimate a single classmate. As altough his ability for abstract thought might be higher, his experience were the same, if not lower than his classmates.
"Alright!" He claps his hands loudly "Any more questions?" meeting complete silence he proceeds "Good! Pick three kunai and a talisman, then stand in a line before the forest, spread yourself as wide as you want. Noone is allowed to attack anyone within the first 10 minutes." Kenshin went over to the crate of kunai, shaking his head when he noticed their bad condition and wondering if they can cut anything at all. Picking three modrately good ones anyways, and a few which could be considered scrap as extras. He had an distinct feeling that Hoshi was aware of him bending the rules a bit, but let it slide for some imperceptible reason. Scrambling over to get a talisman, Kenshin heaved a sigh of relief when Hoshi said nothing about the stolent kunai.
If Hoshi knew what went through Kenshins head he'd laugh himself silly, thinking these kids really saw him as some kind of omniscient god.
Lining up with the other kids in the forest line, he stood out looking a few year younger than the others, making him an easy target. For altough Kenshin had shown great ability in academics and chakra control, his abilites in tailjutsu had always been lacking.
Inspecting the solemn children, looking ready for war, Hoshi let his mouth curve upwards in amusement for the first time that day. Quckly wiping the expression off his face, he saw the last of the bath putting their finishing touches upon their equipment. Folding his hands across his chest he shouted loudly "Ready!" A few crouched low in preparation of jumping off "Set" The excitement in the air was almost tangible "G….! Wait a moment" At least two thirds of the children fell over in literal faceplants as they stumbled over their own feet. Turning around to glare at him balefully, Kenshin included. The teacher couldnt help but chuckle a little at their expressions before unceremoniously shouting "Go!"
And they were off.