As many months had passed, the three-year exam was just around the corner. The atmosphere in the academy was intense, especially for the elite class. For the promising students in their third year, this exam wasn't just another test—it was a crucial moment. They were given the unique choice to tackle the graduation exam. If they passed, they would graduate early, officially becoming Genin and be assigned a Jounin sensei to guide them on the path to becoming stronger, more skilled shinobi.
For me, the decision was clear. I felt like I had already absorbed everything the academy had to offer. The academy, while instrumental in shaping my foundation, no longer seemed challenging enough. So, I decided to take the graduation exam. It was a big step, but I was ready. The thought of being assigned a Jounin sensei and training alongside a real team excited me. This was what I had been working toward all along.
At the same time, Monu and Akira were preparing for their first-year exams. Though their journey had just begun, the importance of this exam wasn't lost on them. The academy always conduct all the exams in the same month, so the pressure was on for every student, regardless of their year. For Monu and Akira, this was their first real taste of what it meant to be evaluated as future shinobi, and I could sense their nerves mixed with excitement.
The academy grounds were bustling with activity. Older students were practicing their jutsu, sharpening their kunai, and reviewing scrolls, while younger students like Monu and Akira did their best to stay focused and calm amidst the chaos. Every corner of the academy buzzed with the energy of students preparing to prove themselves.
I made sure to check in on Monu and Akira from time to time. They had worked incredibly hard throughout the year, pushing their limits and growing stronger with each passing day. Though this was only their first-year exam, it was a significant milestone in their development, and I knew they felt the weight of it. Seeing them reminded me of how far I had come and how much further they still had to go. But I believed in them. They had proven time and again that they were capable of great things, and I knew they would excel.
Time had flown by quicker than I expected, and in that time, I had pushed myself to new limits in both my physical and mental training.
As for my progress, I had already mastered the Body Flicker Jutsu to the point where I could perform it without needing hand signs. It was a skill I had spent countless hours refining. The Clone Jutsu, which was taught to us in the academy a few months ago, was surprisingly easy for me to master as well. I had expected it to be more challenging, but within a few weeks, I could create clones effortlessly, much to the amazement of my classmates.
During this time, I had also mastered other E-rank jutsu to the point where I could perform them without hand signs. Since they were mostly E-rank, it was possible. As for D-rank jutsu, I was getting close to mastering them too, with the only exception being the C-rank Mirror World jutsu, which remained a challenge.
But now, my sights were set on learning higher-level ninjutsu. The only problem was that there was no one available to teach me such techniques at this point in my training. Without a Jonin sensei to guide me, I realized I'd have to be patient. The advanced jutsu I craved would have to wait until I was officially assigned a mentor. In the meantime, I directed my focus toward improving my physical abilities—strengthening my body and increasing my speed.
I wanted to use weights to enhance my training, but unfortunately, I couldn't afford them. Instead, I focused on running faster and training for longer periods to compensate. Each day, I pushed myself harder, determined to improve without the tools that others might have access to.
Aside from physical training, I had made remarkable progress in advanced Fuinjutsu as well. According to one of my mom's friends, who was an expert in the art, I was only about a month away from being able to start imprinting seals on surfaces other than chakra paper. It was exciting to know I was approaching a new level in my Fuinjutsu studies, and I eagerly awaited the day when I could imprint seals on various objects.
When I finally started my imprinting lessons, I learned so many fascinating things. For instance, once a seal is imprinted, it becomes permanent. It can only be removed using specialized Fuinjutsu techniques, but otherwise, it remains in place indefinitely. However, if the surface where the seal is placed is destroyed, the seal becomes useless. Another interesting thing was that once a seal is imprinted, it can be shrunken or even hidden, making it incredibly versatile.
As a result, I shifted most of my focus toward mastering Fuinjutsu in the time I wasn't training my body. The intricacies of sealing jutsu fascinated me, and the more I learned, the more I realized just how powerful these techniques could be.
Additionally, my mom had taught me how to release myself from Genjutsu. It wasn't an easy process—breaking free from illusion techniques required intense concentration and control over one's chakra. It took me about two months to fully grasp the technique, but according to my mom, my progress was actually quite decent for someone my age. The ability to break out of Genjutsu was a critical skill for any ninja, and I felt a deep sense of pride in having added it to my growing arsenal of abilities.