Half a day passed and the assessment was over. Right now, they just needed to review the result and create balanced teams.
Since this is my first day here, I wanted to walk around personally. I peaked and would occasionally listen to other rooms to see if I could get to take a look at some main characters in this world.
Sure enough, I heard the familiar voice of Iruka. He was asking some questions and the students would recite.
Since this batch is behind my batch by a year, what they were talking about was actually basic stuff. Chakra, Chakra Control, and the Leaf concentration method.
I passed the room and went around the campus. The Hokage Office where some Chunins and Jounins would occasionally walk in and out.
The gym. The "flashback swing" swing that Naruto would always be shown sitting while being discriminated against by the masses.
I could even see some bullying happening at the back of the school. Since it is particularly hidden, one would have to go there to notice.
Of course, I ignored them. Those that are bullied and not know how to fight back do not fit in the Shinobi World. Of course, I also condone bullying, but since the kid beating the shit out of the other kid was alone, the kid that does not learn how to fight back will continue to be bullied.
Only when you are crazier than the bully will the bully stop bullying you... makes sense?
As I strolled down the hallway, I reached the comfort room, I was about to pass by when I saw a kid with a cold expression as if the world was against him.
Uchiha Sasuke.
I just took a glance at him. Meh, he is indeed good looking. I, I mean Neji is also above average, but not as good looking as this feel-cool kid.
Of course, he ignored me. I gotta say, his eyes are completely black, completely opposite with mine. Meh, just ignore him.
Since I am already here, might as well take a leak.
Just as I entered, I saw a kid collapsed, leaning on the wall. I ran to him and fortunately only lost consciousness.
Poor guy, he must have irritated Sasuke to get beaten up like this. The kid is dark after all. Can't blame him though. When your older brother suddenly 'decides' that massacring his own Clan is the only answer to stop a coup, and you are the only one left behind, how can your mentality not turn dark?
No hate, just my opinion... But I don't understand how the Hokage is still allowing Danzo to operate knowing all his-crossing-the-line dark dealings.
I guess that also led to his doom. An old fool who is ruthless but not ruthless enough to kill his own disciple that experimented on kids. In the end, that disciple killed countless innocent and nearly caused the village's destruction. But I guess that's what makes us all humans.
Intelligent we maybe, but we call also be foolish, have conflicting emotions, have favorites and all...
I carried the fainted kid down to the infirmary.
I got asked a lot of questions by the nurse, of course, I answered truthfully.
"I found him fainted in the CR. Thankfully, he was not beaten more ferociously." I answered the nurse.
"Thank you, Neji-kun. You can go now..." The nurse said and I also left. Anyway, it's not really my business about what happens next.
I walked back home. This afternoon, I will probably go sparring with other kids from the Clan. Neji always sparred with Hinata every weekend, beating her all the time.
Since Hiashi also taught Hinata and her younger sister, Hanabi, Neji would observe them. He would commit every move to memory. And now, thanks to the system, I no longer need to peep to learn, because I can now easily access Neji's past memories that even Neji would not remember.
If I wanted to get stronger, I needed to train like Lee and up my physical prowess while also maintaining the gentleness of my attacks. If I could achieve that, then surely, it would make my life a lot easier.
Since I thought about it, I might as well buy a bow and train with it. I got money, money that Hizashi left for Neji before sacrificing himself.
I remember that there should be several Equipment Stores around here. Since Level 1 weapons from the system are pretty much just like normal, I would rather buy using real money.
I took out my wallet, just a little over 3,000 Ryo. It should be more than enough to buy a well made Bow and some Arrows. Of course, this is just what Neji took out from his dad's savings. And Neji also spent frugally.
I remembered that there is an Equipment Shop just ahead that sold all kinds of farming tools and weapons.
As I walked, I saw a hunchbacked old lady carrying a bag that seemed too heavy for her current physique.
I ran to her, full well aware that this could be the time to earn Shop Points.
"Grandma, do you want me to help you carry your bag?" Of course, to not frighten her, I slowly appeared within her vision. Of course, I smiled sincerely in case she might mistake me for a thief.
"Oh, boy..." I saw her smile. "Thank you... can you help me till I reach home?"
Seeing the System's semi-transparent screen appear on its own, I instantly agreed.
Triggered Mission: Help the Grandma carry her bag home!
Difficulty Level: D
Reward: 10 Shop Points
"Of course! You can count on me! Where to, grandma?" I turned off the System Hologram with my thought and toom the grandma's bag.
"Let's just go straight, I'll lead the way. You are a good boy, what is your name, young one?" Her face brightened up with her smile. Although her lips were sunken and his eyes looked almost closed, she still looked adorable in my eyes. I could not help but imagine my childhood if I grew up with a grandma in my previous life.
I smiled and answered, "My name is Neji, I am a student at the Academy. And we just took our test today. Wish me luck, grandma."
I know that I am already breaking my character with how cheerful I talked. But my words came out naturally from my mouth. I felt happy talking to this stranger for some reason.
"Hehe, is that so. Then good luck, young one. I am called Eta, you can call me Grandma Eta." She replied with an even wider smile.
"Then Grandma Eta, why are you carrying such a heavy bag. You should know that it would not be good for your health."
"Ehehe! Don't worry, I still have that much strength... You said before that you are a student from the Academy... tell me, why do you want to become a ninja?"
"Of course, to get stronger!"
"Why do you want to get stronger, though?"
"...To survive?"
"Ah? Quite young, but your thoughts are not... Indeed, the future is quite blurry to this point. Let's hope that calamity won't strike this land in the future. But then again, I probably won't live that long to witness that happen, hehe..."
I noticed a small crease among her wrinkles... Is she sad?
"What's wrong, Grandma Eta? Is something wrong going to happen in the future?" I already knew that many perilous situations would occur in the future. It's just that my inner "knowledge" tingled when I heard her about possibly feeling/predicting the calamities in the future.
"How would I know? Hehe..." I heard her laugh. I also smiled knowing that she could possibly be hiding something.
It was a "thing" that I learned... Some elders are always special.
"We're here, young one. Thanks for carrying my bag." I waved her goodbye as I left her in front of her house. It was a pleasant experience.
The System:s Hologram flashed again.
Mission Complete: Help Grandma Eta carry her bag home.
You have obtained 10 Shop Points!
I turned it off again. I began to think about how I would gather Shop Points as fast as possible. If I am not wrong, missions from the academy would be considered as Triggered Missions.
Main Missions would probably have connections with Naruto.
I know that I would need to learn more Techniques from the main family. Meaning, I would either have to stand out in the Chunin exams or slowly learn by observing the main family train.
By standing out, I mean show off my ability to the Hyuga Clan during the Chunin exams. Right, just like what Neji would've done in the future if I did not take over.
Or slowly learn from observation. This choice has many cons though.
If I mastered the Main Family's techniques without anyone teaching me, I would garner attention and possibly be called a freak. Well, Hiashi might train me after that, but come on, the attention I would get will probably cause me headaches.
Since I don't want attention, I would have to hide the fact that I learned their techniques. Lowkey is the key to becoming an unexpected factor in the upcoming future problems that would face the village.
But then again, what attention could I possibly garner. With Naruto as a shield to my existence, I can probably stay lowkey.
Before I knew it, I was already in front of the Equipment Store. There were many in the display but most of them were purely gardening and carpentry tools. One needed to enter another door to access the Weapons.
"Boss, do you sell bow and arrows here? I'd like to buy a bow and some arrows." I asked politely. The boss was semi bald and was sitting on a rocking chair eating a Dango.
"Of course! Follow me!" He immediately slurped the remaining piece of Dango and opened the door behind him.
I followed him and entered the room. My nose was instantly greeted by the trapped smell of metal and oil.
"Since people who use bow and arrows are rare, I only have three types of bows here. But don't worry, their quality is good. The arrows are not bad. Boy, are you the one using it?" The shop owner asked.
"Yes. What do you recommend?" I asked in reply.
"With your current height and strength, you probably won't be able to pull this guy here to the maximum. So I would recommend the smaller recurve bow. It was designed for shorter users. It is 66 inches long and has a draw weight of a little over 60 pounds(27 kg). The shortest arrows here are also 24 inches, it should match you." The owner introduced enthusiastically.
"Haha, is that so. I don't really know anything about bows and arrows. I just want to play with it. See if I have the talent." I replied.
Since I have practically no knowledge regarding bows and arrows, I might as well get what he recommended. After all, what he said sounded reliable. I tried pulling the bowstring, and I could not pull it to the maximum.
It is quite hard. It should last me some time, I thought. And with my short limbs, I still won't be able to pull it to the maximum. I released the bowstring.
Twang! Sounds powerful! I could feel the thin air, brush through the side of my face.
"How much?"
"460 Ryo!"
"How much for the arrows?"
"A set consisting a dozen is 25! I would also recommend the conical tipped arrowhead if you just want to practice. After all, you are just practicing."
"I understand. We'll do as you say. How about 500 with 2 sets of arrows?" I agreed. I am just a complete newbie, no need to get ahead of myself.
"Alright!"
I walked out of the store with bow and arrows in hand. I thought it would cost me a thousand, but it is actually pretty cheap.
I was excited to try it out. I have not held anything like these in my whole life, so I increased my pace.
...
I entered one of the training ground near the Hyuga Clan compound. It was a small forest that was made to train jungle fighting tactics.
It was basically always empty since only kids would practice here.
With my advanced mastery of Chakra Control, I already learned tree walking and water walking long ago. It is one of the basic requirements to learn the Gentle Fist Art. A precise Chakra Control.
I nailed a small wood slab the size of my palm to a tree trunk and stood 15 meters away.
To make things easier, I tied the arrow container on my back. I pulled and released the bowstring for half a minute to get a feel of it.
Since everything looked simple, I just loaded an arrow, with the help of the arrow rest, I could easily draw it.
I pulled the bowstring as much as I could... damn, barely reached 3/4.
Twang!
I felt the air, brush my cheek again as the arrow went speeding towards the target. In the blink of an eye... I missed. The arrow lodged to another tree just 10 meters away from the target.
It was because I did not properly aim...
The maximum draw length of the bow is longer than my own maximum draw length. So even if I tried, I probably won't draw it to the maximum, unless of course, I grow up. After all, I am still 12 years old.
But with that single test, I was able to get the feel of my capacity.
I loaded another arrow. made sure to put it on the arrow rest as I actually flinched earlier when I felt the tail feathers brush my finger.
I pulled the bowstring to my maximum draw length. I aimed, release!
Twang! Thud!
The arrow was instantly embedded on the tree trunk.
Damn, a little too high.
Although it did not hit the target, it was not that far. I just needed to lower my aim a little.
My excitement did not vanish at all.
I fired another arrow.
Missed.
Twang!
A little low.
Twang!
Missed again.
3 arrows later...
Twang! Bullseye!
"Yeah!" I was ecstatic. The range was short, but nevertheless, it felt satisfying.
It took 9 arrows to hit a target the size of my palm 15 meters away. It was nothing special but not terrible either. So I was pretty satisfied.
It should be not bad, right?
I continued for another hour. I tried every range and got easily humbled.
I finally understood how difficult using a bow was. As you get further, more and more components would be needed to be calculated.
Velocity, gravity, wind, and you know... the physics stuff.
Since our test finished early, I still have not eaten lunch. I could also feel my shoulders hurting a little. My fingers are also beginning to sting so I needed to stop.
I immediately thought of buying or creating some kind of pad that can protect my fingers. It really hurts.
I reached home, ate my meal, and got back to training my Gentle Fist Art while also waiting for the other kids in the Academy to spar with.