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The following days passed in a steady routine: training in the morning, classes in the afternoon, and evening training sessions with Yuhi Shinku instructing both Yuki Yuichi and Kurenai alone.
Three months went by in the blink of an eye. Watching the progress of his well-trained students, Umino Iruka showed a satisfied smile. In these three months, they had covered the material for the entire first-year curriculum. The classes for the first-year students mainly focused on teaching them how to read, write, and refine chakra.
"Kanban Ichino, Yamamoto Senhito, you two have to work hard!" Umino Iruka addressed the two students seated in the front row with a serious look. "The rest of the class has completed their basics, but you two still haven't managed to refine chakra."
"If you can't refine chakra within the next two months…" Umino trailed off, his voice leaving the rest unspoken. According to the academy's rules, students who fail to refine chakra within six months will have no choice but to drop out. It essentially means they lack the talent to become ninjas.
"But don't worry too much. If you're struggling, you can come to my house or find me in the office," he offered, looking at them with a hint of sympathy. Yet, deep down, he knew that four months without refining chakra was a serious indication that these students weren't suited to become shinobi.
Usually, the academy's entrance exam assessed physical fitness, ninja tool handling, and other basic indicators to filter potential students, but it was not uncommon for a handful to struggle with chakra refinement. In fact, every year, more than a dozen students would be removed in the first six months.
"Teacher, we'll do our best!" Kanban and Yamamoto replied, clenching their fists with determination.
Umino Iruka nodded and said, "Before class, I have some good news."
He smiled with pride. "Since most of you have already learned reading and chakra basics, the Hokage has given me permission to start teaching you the second-year curriculum."
The classroom erupted with excitement.
"Yes!"
"Finally! I was getting tired of all this basic stuff!"
"Teacher, can we learn ninjutsu now?" someone asked eagerly.
Yuki Yuichi listened to the chatter with a bored expression. "Ninjutsu? Wishful thinking," he muttered to himself. He knew that, at the academy, students would only learn the Three Basic Jutsu. Actual combat techniques, like Taijutsu and other ninja knowledge, made up most of the curriculum.
The ninja academy allowed civilians to become shinobi, but no one was going to teach them advanced jutsu for free. Even if clans could accept civilians as fellow ninja, they would not approve of spreading their specialized jutsu. Usually, after becoming genin, if a team leader were particularly kind, they might teach a few simple C-rank techniques. Otherwise, acquiring jutsu involved completing missions to earn the points required for redemption.
The mission level you completed determined the level of ninjutsu you could redeem, making task difficulty and rewards inherently tied to a ninja's growth.
"We'll start the second-year curriculum tomorrow," Iruka continued, "but this afternoon, I'll introduce you to the world of shinobi."
Hearing this, Yuki Yuichi perked up, his expression turning serious. He knew a little about the ninja world from his past life, but that was surface knowledge at best. Yuhi Shinku had only given warnings, not an in-depth discussion. The rest of the class also listened intently, including the clan children in the back row. After all, most parents didn't discuss the world of shinobi with their young children, so they knew little beyond their physical conditioning and chakra training.
Clearing his throat, Umino Iruka looked around, pleased by the students' focus. "Can anyone tell me which notable clans exist in our shinobi world?" he asked.
The room filled with chatter.
"I know! The Uchiha and the Hyuga clans!"
"And the Kurama and Aburame!"
"Sarutobi!"
"Inuzuka, Moonlight!"
As her classmates listed clans, Yuhi Kurenai turned to Yuki Yuichi. "Yuichi, didn't your dad say you're part Uzumaki and part Uchiha?"
"Yeah, that's right," Yuichi nodded.
"But why haven't I heard of the Uzumaki clan in Konoha?" she asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Well…" Kurenai's question left Yuichi momentarily speechless. He couldn't exactly tell her they were nearly wiped out. After a pause, he replied, "I'm not sure. Maybe it's because the Uzumaki clan isn't based in Konoha."
"Kushina-san told me that she and I are the only Uzumaki here."
Kurenai nodded thoughtfully, then her face flushed as she whispered shyly, "Then there'll be more Uzumaki in Konoha in the future…"
"Huh?"
"What?!" Yuichi looked at her in surprise, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. Isn't Kurenai a little… ahead of her age? He was only six, and she was only seven! And here she was, talking about having kids!
Naruto World really is something else, he thought to himself.
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