Time slowly passed, and it had almost been a year since I joined the academy. In that time, I had gradually improved, moving up from the very last place to around 15th overall in my class. It felt like a significant achievement, especially considering how daunting it had been in the beginning. In shurikenjutsu and chakra control, I managed to maintain that position, which made me proud of the progress I was making. However, I still found myself lingering in 20th place in taijutsu. I believed that physically, I was closer to 10th, but the academy's standard style was noticeably weaker compared to the clan-specific techniques that many of my peers practiced. This disparity made it challenging for me to break into the top ranks.
Despite these obstacles, my sensei and classmates were genuinely impressed with my growth. They acknowledged my hard work and dedication, and hearing their encouraging words felt like a validation of my efforts. It wasn't just about the numbers anymore; I was beginning to carve out a space for myself in a competitive environment. Although I wouldn't exactly call them friends, I had started to engage in conversations with the clan kids in my class. This was a subtle but meaningful shift, as I appreciated the camaraderie that was slowly developing. They were beginning to see me as more than just the underdog, and that acknowledgment gave me a renewed sense of motivation to push myself even further.
In the evenings, I often found myself practicing alone, honing my skills and thinking about my aspirations. I had become more determined to not only keep improving but also to explore the world of fuinjutsu that I was so eager to master. This art seemed to resonate with me on a deeper level, allowing me to see connections between it and my previous life as a programmer. The thought of merging my past knowledge with the new skills I was acquiring motivated me to strive for excellence.
Looking ahead, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. I knew that my journey was far from over and that every day would present new challenges and opportunities.
As the time for the yearly exams approached, I felt a surge of excitement that I hadn't experienced before. In the past, I had consistently ranked at the bottom of my class, but now, I was eager to see how far I had come in my journey. The exams would not only test our physical abilities but also our knowledge and understanding, with a new component introduced: a test of chakra control.
On the day of the exam, my heart raced with anticipation. I entered the training ground, taking a moment to soak in the atmosphere filled with nervous energy and determination.
The exam began with the much-anticipated taijutsu matches, where each student had a chance to showcase their hand-to-hand combat skills. My first match was with a Nara clan kid. While not as physically dominant as the top fighters, I relied on my solid technique and timing. The Nara kid, known for his calm and strategic approach, surprised me by rushing in aggressively. However, I remained composed, dodging his initial flurry of punches. Seizing an opening, I countered with a precise punch to his midsection, following it up with a swift leg sweep that brought him to the ground. The fight ended quickly, with the Nara kid giving up after realizing he couldn't regain his footing.
Next up was Monti's match. He faced off against a Yamanaka clan kid, and as expected, Monti displayed impressive agility, effortlessly darting around the Yamanaka's attempts to land hits. Monti's strategy was clear: destabilize his opponent. He focused on quick, accurate strikes, aiming for the Yamanaka's legs to throw him off balance. After narrowly dodging a heavy punch, Monti retaliated with a spinning kick, striking his opponent in the side. With his balance compromised, the Yamanaka kid stumbled, allowing Monti to finish the match with a clean leg sweep.
As for the Uchiha kids, their superior speed and reflexes were on full display. One Uchiha faced another Nara kid, and although the Nara kid tried to rely on strategy and keep his distance, the Uchiha was relentless. With quick jabs and fast footwork, the Uchiha easily closed the gap. After a series of feints, he delivered a powerful kick to the Nara's torso, forcing him to the ground and securing the victory decisively.
After several matches, it was time for my second-round match. This time, I faced a Hyuga kid, and it was clear that the challenge had risen. The Hyuga's experience with the Byakugan gave him an edge in reading my movements, though his dojutsu wasn't activated due to the taijutsu-only rule. I decided to charge in, using my size to try to overwhelm him, but the Hyuga expertly sidestepped my attacks, landing precise strikes to pressure me. Each blow weakened my movements, and after a well-placed palm strike to my chest, I stumbled back and had no choice but to concede defeat.
The final match of the taijutsu round was between one of the Uchiha and the Hyuga. It was the most anticipated fight of the day. Both fighters were incredibly skilled, and the tension in the air was palpable. The two started cautiously, testing each other's movements. The Uchiha used his speed and agility to dart in and out of the Hyuga's range, landing a few light hits. However, the Hyuga responded with sharp, precise palm strikes, forcing the Uchiha to adjust his tactics. The Uchiha's evasive footwork made him hard to pin down, and in a decisive moment, he feinted a low kick, causing the Hyuga to block. In that split second, the Uchiha delivered a powerful punch to his opponent's midsection, securing the victory and the top spot in the taijutsu rankings.
After the taijutsu matches concluded, we moved on to the shuriken test. As expected, the Uchiha clan students performed impressively, their accuracy and precision standing out. The only one who could match them was the Hyuga kid, whose sharp focus kept him on par with the Uchihas. As for me, while I wasn't able to match their level, I managed to hit six targets from a decent range of 200 meters. It was a respectable performance, though not particularly noteworthy.
Finally, we were taken in for the written exam. It was the last test of the day, and I was determined to ace it. With all the training and preparation, I felt confident in my answers and, as expected, did well, rounding off the exam day on a high note.
As the results were announced, I could hardly believe my ears: I had secured the 10th position overall! My performance on the written exam had pushed me ahead of several classmates, a testament to the hard work I had put into my studies.
While I celebrated my achievement, I noticed Monti, who had struggled throughout the year and placed last again. He seemed unfazed, keeping his distance from me and the others. It was clear that his focus lay solely in taijutsu and physical strength, and even there, he hadn't broken into the top three. I couldn't help but wonder how much potential he had, especially if he had trained with someone who could guide him effectively.
Reflecting on my own journey, I realized that, despite the progress I had made, much of the academy's atmosphere had remained unchanged since my first day. It appeared that many students were simply content to maintain their positions, putting in just enough effort to stay afloat. Monti had moved from 5th to 3rd place, which showed that even small improvements could make a difference, but I sensed that most were not willing to push themselves further.
In contrast, I could clearly see that my dedication to training had set me apart. While Monti's focus was commendable, I believed my broader approach to learning and improving was what had propelled me to this new level. As I looked around at my classmates, I felt a mix of pride and determination. I knew that I was working harder than most of them, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a much larger journey ahead.
In that moment, I promised myself that I wouldn't just settle for this progress. I would continue to train, learn, and grow, striving to become stronger and more skilled than I ever imagined possible. With each passing day, I was not just gaining rank
After I shared my results with my parents, their reactions were nothing short of astonishment. Both of them stared at the scores in disbelief, unable to grasp the fact that I had risen to such a strong position in the academy. It was a moment filled with pride and excitement. My dad's eyes widened as he scanned through my rankings, while my mom's expression transformed from surprise to an approving smile.
"You really did it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine pride. "I always believed you had it in you, but this... this is remarkable!" Her words filled me with warmth, knowing that she had faith in my abilities even when I sometimes doubted myself.
Dad, on the other hand, seemed almost speechless, shaking his head in amazement. "I never imagined you would come this far so quickly," he finally managed to say, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and disbelief. "Your hard work truly paid off."
As I watched their reactions, I felt more motivated than ever to continue striving for excellence.This moment solidified my belief that my growth was just the beginning. I had so much more to learn and achieve.