Akemi-sensei closed her notebook and looked at the class with a serious expression, but at the same time, with a certain expectation.
— Let's start with the basics — she said, her authoritative voice filling the room. — Today, we will cover three fundamental areas for any ninja: Taijutsu, hand-to-hand combat; weapon throwing; and group combat.
She paused, observing the students' reactions. Some were visibly anxious, while others seemed apprehensive about stepping out of their comfort zones. Zack felt a growing pressure, but he tried to stay focused.
— Taijutsu is the foundation for all hand-to-hand fights. If you don't know how to defend or attack with your own body, how will you use the tools at your disposal? — Akemi-sensei began, quickly analyzing the class with her gaze. — Hand-to-hand combat requires discipline, control, and a good understanding of your own limits. Here, you will learn the essential techniques for any physical confrontation.
She positioned herself at the center of the room, her feet firmly planted on the ground, and the students immediately concentrated on her.
— Let's begin with the fundamentals — she continued, gesturing for everyone to take their positions. — Stand up. First thing: posture. The ninja must be agile but also stable. Your fighting stance should be firm but flexible. Don't let yourselves be off-balance.
Zack, feeling the weight of her words, quickly got up and tried to imitate the teacher's posture, placing his feet a bit apart, knees slightly bent, and hands ready for any movement. He forced himself to maintain calm and concentration, despite still feeling a bit nervous.
Akemi-sensei made an agile move, delivering a strike that seemed simple but well-executed, and turned to the class.
— Now, let's move on to defense. When your opponent advances towards you, you must be capable of dodging and quickly counterattacking. But first, try to block the basic attacks. The way you defend yourself can be the key to victory.
She demonstrated a defensive move: blocking with the palm of her hand, using the force to redirect the strike, and then counterattacking with a punch. She showed a few variations of this movement with the speed of an experienced ninja, making the students watch attentively.
— Now, let's split the class into pairs — said Akemi-sensei, her tone lighter but still imposing. — Practice your blocks and counterattacks. Remember, the key is agility. If someone can't keep up, don't worry; just do your best.
Zack was assigned to train with a boy with short hair and narrow eyes. The boy didn't seem very interested, but accepted without complaint. Zack focused on the task, trying to block the quick, unpredictable strikes from his partner. Although it was his first real encounter with Taijutsu, he felt more confident as he practiced the movements.
— Very well, now that everyone has had time to practice blocking and counterattacks, let's move on to the next stage — Akemi-sensei continued, observing attentively. — Weapon throwing. Shurikens, kunais, and senbons are the most common tools, and you must be able to use them with precision.
She picked up a kunai and demonstrated the perfect motion for a throw. The blade sliced through the air with precision and struck the target on the wall in the distance. Akemi-sensei smiled, satisfied with the result, and turned to the students.
— Now, it's time for you to try. Split into pairs again and get ready to throw weapons. Remember: precision is more important than strength. Work on your aim, not brute force.
Zack picked up a kunai for the first time and, with his eyes fixed on the target, focused. He tried to imitate the teacher's movement, but his first attempt was disastrous, with the kunai falling a few meters short of the target. The boy he was training with laughed a little, but Zack didn't let it shake him. He picked up another kunai and tried again, more focused this time. This time, the kunai flew a bit closer to the target, although it still didn't hit the center.
Akemi-sensei walked among the groups, observing and correcting the students' movements.
— Remember, the most important thing is not strength, but precision and control. Try to find the right distance and the ideal angle.
The final aspect of the training was group combat. Akemi-sensei explained that while teamwork was an essential skill, it also involved strategies and mutual trust.
— Group combat requires you to communicate without words — she said. — Knowing when to support your teammate, when to act in a coordinated manner. A cohesive team can defeat a much stronger opponent if they know how to use their abilities together.
For the group combat exercise, Akemi-sensei set up a scenario in which the students would be divided into three teams. Each team had to formulate a simple strategy for attack and defense in a simulated scenario. Zack, along with his training partner, had to cooperate to attack another pair while the others tried to defend.
During the exercises, Zack realized how crucial cooperation was. The simple exchange of glances and silent gestures with his partner became a powerful tool, and he was able to act more effectively in the training field.
Akemi-sensei observed everyone's progress, and at the end, she made a brief comment.
— Very well. Everyone has much to learn, but today you showed some progress. Remember: every little movement counts. Each training day is a chance to improve your skills. Now, prepare for the next exercise.
Zack, tired but satisfied with his performance, leaned back in his chair, absorbing every word from the teacher.
— Now that you have an understanding of physical combat, let's take a step further — Akemi-sensei began, her voice firm but educational. — Chakra control is essential for any ninja. Chakra is the vital energy that circulates throughout your body and must be mastered if you wish to perform jutsus and, more importantly, survive in a battlefield.
She paused to ensure everyone was paying attention.
— Chakra flows through pathways called tenketsus, which are energy points scattered throughout the body. These points are fundamental to channeling chakra effectively. The flow of chakra cannot be forced; it needs to be controlled and learned with care.
Akemi-sensei quickly drew a simple diagram on the board. She pointed to the drawing, showing the main tenketsus located in the body's meridians.
— Each of you has different flow points that, if well controlled, allow you to use chakra effectively. A ninja without chakra control is like a river lacking direction: the water may be powerful, but it doesn't know where to go.
She glanced around the room, checking if the students were grasping the theory behind chakra.
— Today, we will focus on sensing these points and how they connect. Practice will come later, but for now, the important thing is to learn to perceive the chakra in your bodies.
Akemi-sensei gestured with her hand, signaling everyone to sit comfortably.
— Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Report any sensations you feel, whether it be warmth, tingling, or something else — she instructed.
Zack followed the guidance, closing his eyes and trying to feel something, anything. He felt his breath, but beyond that, there wasn't much more. He tried to focus on Akemi-sensei's instructions, thinking about the chakra flow points. Gradually, he began to sense a slight tingling in his abdomen, as if something was there, but he didn't know what it was.
— Concentrate on the areas of your body where you feel the most intense sensations. Those who can sense a flow point, follow that sensation — explained Akemi-sensei, walking slowly between the students, observing their progress.
After a few minutes, she asked the students to open their eyes and stand up.
— Very well. Now that you have an idea of where chakra flows, let's move on to hand seals. They are the key to the coordination needed to execute jutsus.
Akemi-sensei made a gesture with her hand and quickly formed the Tiger seal, her fingers interlacing skillfully.
— These seals are important because they help mold the chakra flow and direct it in the right way. We won't perform any jutsu just yet, but we will learn the necessary coordination. Today's focus is simply learning to form the seals correctly.
She formed the Snake seal and then the Goat seal, explaining the importance of each.
— Each of these seals can affect chakra differently. Some of you will find one seal easier than another. The important thing is to practice the coordination and fluency between the seals. Let's all practice now.
The students began forming the seals while Akemi-sensei walked through the room, correcting gestures and offering tips. Zack struggled to follow the movements, but he realized it wasn't as easy as it seemed. His fingers were a bit uncoordinated, and he felt a little frustrated.
— Remember, each movement should be fluid — Akemi-sensei calmly commented, noticing Zack's difficulty. — Don't worry about getting it right on the first try. It's a process. Over time, the seals will become natural.
After a few minutes, the teacher signaled for everyone to stop.
— That's enough for today. Each of you showed commitment, which is what matters most. Over the next few months, we will dive deeper into chakra control, seals, and eventually, we will begin working with real jutsus.
She looked at the class, her eyes scanning the tired but determined faces.
— This semester, our focus will be on improving these basic points: chakra control, seals, and awareness of tenketsus. Then, we will move on to the next subjects, where you will be able to put everything you've learned into practice. Don't forget, everything you do now is a building block for what's to come.
Akemi-sensei paused, looking at each student before concluding the lesson.
— That's all for today. Practice what you've learned here, and see you in the next class.
Zack felt a slight discomfort as he listened to his classmates chatting among themselves. He heard comments about the tingling sensation and some kids' easier grasp of Taijutsu, which made him question his own difficulties. Deep down, he knew that lack of aptitude shouldn't be an obstacle. He had to give his best and learn in any way possible. But he needed to make sure: did he really have no talent? Or was he just taking longer to perceive things?
He looked around, trying to find someone to talk to or ask questions. But most of the students were already dispersing, chatting animatedly about the lesson. He sought out an instructor, someone who could provide more information, and eventually spotted the same instructor as before, who had a serious look on his face while watching the students disperse.
Feeling a bit hesitant, Zack decided to approach the instructor. He didn't want to seem overly anxious, but he knew that if he didn't seek answers, he would end up falling behind. So, he walked up to him, trying not to appear nervous.
— Excuse me, sir... — he started, a little unsure.
The instructor looked at Zack with a stern expression, waiting for him to get straight to the point.
— I was wondering... about chakra control and hand seals. I couldn't feel much of the tingling, and I also wasn't very good with the Taijutsu movements. Do I really have no aptitude for this, or is it something I can improve over time? Can I learn more about it?
The instructor took a deep breath, seeming a bit irritated by the question. He turned to Zack, his gaze direct and cutting.
— If you want to know something, kid, go to the academy library. There you'll find all the books and materials you need to study more. Now, class time is over, so you'd better not waste any more time.
Zack felt a bit discouraged by the curt response, but at the same time, he understood that he needed to act on his own, as always. He knew the journey would be difficult and that others might have an easier time, but that didn't mean he couldn't achieve his goals. Determination grew within him. Even with a short and brusque answer, the instructor had given him direction.
Zack thanked him simply, without bothering to argue, and headed to the library. He knew he needed to learn as much as he could, and he wouldn't let a lack of talent stop him from continuing his journey. He needed to train, study, and push himself harder than the others. If necessary, he would do it all alone.
As he walked to the library, Zack felt determined to discover more about chakra and the seals, as well as to improve his Taijutsu. He knew the journey was long and that it wouldn't be easy, but the important thing was not to give up.
When he arrived at the library, he went straight to the section that talked about chakra and Taijutsu. He knew that the path was just beginning, but he was ready to learn.