As I diligently worked through my exercises in the training ground, the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the area. A surge of determination coursed through me; after ten months of hard work, it was time to assess how far I had come. With that in mind, I pulled out my notebook and updated my status. The results were as follows:
Name: Satoshi Kenya
Age: 10 years, 5 months
Chakra Reserves: 26,000
Chakra Control: 55
Strength: 80
Accuracy: 43
Speed: 79
Defense: 70
Stamina: 75
Skills:
Transformation Jutsu (CP cost: 100)
Substitution Jutsu (CP cost: 100)
Clone Jutsu (CP cost: 250)
Body Flicker Jutsu (CP cost: 400)
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique (CP cost: 500)
Storage Scroll (90% success rate, CP cost: 5,000)
Mirror World Illusion (CP cost: 2,500)
Barrier Formation (60% success rate, CP cost: 24,000)
Knowledge:
Sealcraft (Fuinjutsu)
A wave of satisfaction washed over me as I reviewed the results, particularly my chakra reserves, which had nearly tripled since I first started training. It was a remarkable achievement that reflected all the effort I had put in. However, I acknowledged that I hadn't dedicated much time to advancing my Fuinjutsu skills. While I had practiced them occasionally to maintain my levels, I hadn't made any significant progress. At least I had managed to prevent them from deteriorating.
As I updated my stats, Hatoshi-sensei was in the Hokage's office, reporting on our progress. The atmosphere was serious; Hatoshi stood tall, his posture reflecting both confidence and respect, while the Hokage sat behind his desk, poring over the scroll Hatoshi had handed him. This scroll detailed our training, accomplishments, and areas for improvement.
The Hokage muttered, "Satoshi…" and sighed, contemplating the remarkable youth before him. "It's such a shame he wasn't blessed with talent or a powerful bloodline. So much dedication at such a young age; this boy truly reminds me of Minato. If only he had a bit of luck on his side, just imagine what he could achieve." His thoughts lingered on Satoshi's potential, recognizing the significant obstacles I faced on my journey.
Hatoshi, standing firmly by the Hokage's desk, nodded in agreement. "While it's true that he doesn't possess innate talent or the advantages of a bloodline, there's something undeniably special about that boy. He was the first to endure my… unconventional training program. At first, I was skeptical when all of them signed up; I honestly thought it might be too much for them. It was quite rigorous, and both Nora and Baskin eventually gave up. To be honest, I was prepared for Satoshi to throw in the towel any day now. But to my surprise, he persevered against all odds."
Hatoshi paused, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "Sometimes, he reminds me of Guy-san, with that relentless spirit and determination to push through his limits."
Hearing this, the Hokage let out a hearty laugh. "Yes, yes! I remember you're one of the few rare Guy fans." The lighthearted banter made Hatoshi slightly embarrassed. He coughed and said, "No, not really," clearly trying to dismiss the compliment. Yet he continued, "But I must say, Satoshi's influence has really rubbed off on the other boys positively. While they may not have followed the original training plan entirely, both of them have trained harder than any other students I've worked with. It's refreshing to teach kids who aren't doing it out of obligation but rather because they genuinely want to improve. Seeing their dedication is a rewarding experience."
The Hokage listened intently, a pleasant smile on his face, appreciating the changes he was witnessing in this younger generation. "So, will you be offering them the chance to participate in the Chunin Exam?" he asked, curious about Hatoshi's thoughts.
Hatoshi thought for a moment, weighing his words carefully. "They are good kids with immense potential, and I believe they could pass the Chunin Exam, but it would be better for them to continue growing for another year. We haven't even taken a single C-rank mission yet, which would hinder their training rhythm. They still need practical experience. I kindly ask for one more year."
The Hokage nodded, understanding the reasoning behind Hatoshi's request. "I share your thoughts on this matter. It's crucial for these kids to develop into reliable shinobi for the village. I don't like sacrificing a bright future for a hasty promotion. If circumstances were better, we could even consider removing the early graduation policy and allow children to develop more fully. The pressure to promote them too soon can have long-lasting effects on their growth."
He sighed, his gaze distant as he contemplated the village's needs. "At the current pace, in a year, we should be able to recover most of our ninja force lost in the Nine-Tails attack. It's important for potential ninjas to mature further before becoming Chunin so they can handle the challenges that come with the title."
So happily Hokage gave Hatoshi the permission to hold his squad back for upcoming chunin exam.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Hatoshi said, grateful for the understanding and support. He left the office, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and determination to help his students realize their potential.
Meanwhile, in the training ground, after updating my status, I decided to spend the rest of the day with my family. This past year, I had devoted so much time to training that I had barely seen them, and I knew I needed to reconnect. The idea of sharing my progress filled me with warmth. As I made my way home, I felt a mix of anticipation and excitement.