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Chapter 11: Strength Unveiled
A few days had passed since I returned from Tsunade's house, and things between us had only grown closer. We started spending even more time together, talking after classes, walking around the village, and sometimes even training together. She was the same Tsunade—brash, confident, and headstrong—but there was a softness in her that I hadn't noticed before. Sometimes, when we were together, I'd catch her glancing at me, and she'd quickly turn away with a slight blush. I wasn't entirely sure what it meant, but I couldn't deny the warmth it brought.
That warmth had started pushing me to train even harder, to catch up with her. Our friendship was important to me, but my goals were clear. I needed to be strong, not just for myself, but for the future I wanted in this world.
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Current Stats:
Strength: 16
Agility: 17
Defense: 15
Physique: 30
Mental Strength: 28
Chakra: 580 (Chūnin level: 500–2000)
Remarks: A very talented kid with a good body and mind, also highly skilled.
Remaining Points: 0
Skills:
Taijutsu: Level 6
Shurikenjutsu: Level 5
Hand Signs: Level 5 (5 seals per second)
Chakra Purification Technique: (8% purer chakra, requires 8% less chakra for the same work)
By focusing on my physique and mental strength, I had boosted my chakra control and durability significantly. It was strange to think about it—I was still a first-year at the Academy, but my chakra reserves were already at the level of an average chūnin. That was no small achievement, and it gave me an edge in a world where chakra dictated nearly everything.
But the truth was, I lacked jutsu to harness it properly. My taijutsu and shurikenjutsu were top-tier for our class, but without any actual ninjutsu to back me up, I could only push my raw physical abilities so far. I'd need more than just strength to keep up with some of the top students here—like Tsunade or Hana Uchiha.
We were sitting in class, going over some dull theoretical ninja studies, when the instructor walked in with an unusual spring in his step. He scanned the room with a grin, clearly excited about something.
"Alright, class, I hope you're all ready for something a little different today," he announced, causing heads to turn. "We've covered enough theory for now, and I think it's time you put your skills to the test. We're having sparring matches."
A ripple of excitement passed through the room. This was what we had been waiting for. Real sparring matches were the truest way to see where you stood among your peers. It was one thing to practice forms and techniques, but fighting someone who was actively trying to beat you? That was something else.
Tsunade leaned over, her usual cocky grin on her face. "I hope you've been keeping up with your training. Don't want to get embarrassed in front of everyone, do you?"
I chuckled. "I should be the one saying that to you. You know I've been working hard."
She laughed and gave me a playful punch on the arm. "We'll see about that."
The instructor laid out the rules—simple, no jutsu above basic academy-level techniques, no life-threatening moves, and no excessive force. The goal was to test our abilities, not injure anyone. After a quick rundown of the pairs, the first match began.
I had my first match against Daichi, a decent student, but nowhere near my level. The match was quick. Daichi charged in with a sloppy punch, which I dodged easily, side-stepping him and landing a kick to his back that sent him sprawling. He tried to get up, but I was already on him, sweeping his legs out from under him and delivering the final blow to his chest. The match was over in less than a minute.
"Winner: Akira!" the instructor called out, though there wasn't much surprise in his voice. I'd been expecting a quick victory, and Daichi didn't stand much of a chance.
As the matches continued, I kept an eye on the others. There were a few students who stood out—Tsunade, of course, was a powerhouse, her punches strong enough to send her opponents flying. Hana Uchiha was quick and precise, using basic fire jutsu to overwhelm her opponents while staying on the move. Both of them were dangerous in different ways, and I knew if I faced either of them, it would be a real challenge.
Then there was Orochimaru.
From the moment his matches started, I could tell there was something different about him. Orochimaru wasn't just a normal Academy student. He was… slippery. His movements were fluid, almost snake-like, and he had a way of outsmarting his opponents. While most of us relied on strength or speed, Orochimaru relied on strategy. He waited for his opponents to make the first move, and then he'd counter with ruthless precision.
It wasn't long before the semi-finals were set. Four students remained: Tsunade, Hana Uchiha, Orochimaru, and me.
My next match was against Orochimaru.
As I stepped into the ring, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. This was it. I had watched him win match after match, and now I had the chance to face him head-on.
Orochimaru stood across from me, his eyes cold and calculating. He didn't say anything, but there was a faint smirk on his face, as if he already knew how this was going to end.
The instructor raised his hand, signaling for the match to begin.
"Begin!"
Orochimaru moved first, faster than I expected. He closed the distance between us in a flash, throwing a quick jab at my ribs. I barely managed to block it, but his follow-up strike to my head caught me off guard. I stumbled back, shaking off the impact.
He's fast.
But I was faster.
I regained my balance and immediately countered, launching a flurry of punches at Orochimaru's chest and face. He dodged most of them, his body moving like liquid as he twisted and turned, but I could see he wasn't invincible. A few of my strikes grazed him, and I could tell he wasn't as physically strong as I was.
Orochimaru slipped out of my range, circling me like a predator, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're strong," he said, his voice calm. "But strength isn't everything."
Before I could respond, he dashed in again, aiming a low kick at my legs. I jumped over it, but Orochimaru was already moving, twisting his body mid-air to kick me in the side. The impact was sharp, but I rolled with the blow, coming up on my feet.
I needed to end this quickly. Orochimaru was good—really good—but I couldn't let him keep wearing me down. I charged at him with full force, my fists flying faster than ever. He blocked the first few, but I could see he was starting to slow down. His reactions weren't as sharp.
Then, I saw my opening.
Orochimaru dodged left, expecting me to follow, but instead, I feinted right, catching him off guard. With a powerful roundhouse kick, I knocked him off his feet, sending him crashing to the ground. He tried to get up, but I was already there, pinning him down with a final punch.
"Winner: Akira!"
I stood there, panting, as the crowd cheered. Orochimaru got up slowly, dusting himself off. He didn't look angry or disappointed, just thoughtful. He gave me a brief nod before walking off, leaving me to savor my victory.
But I knew this wasn't the end. I still had one more match to go—the final. And whoever my opponent was, it wouldn't be easy.
As I stepped out of the ring, I glanced over at the next match about to begin. Tsunade versus Hana Uchiha. It would be an intense fight, no doubt.
And after that, whoever won… I would face them in the finals.
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