In fact, it was an anime he had watched previously in his first life and continued with the manga series after the anime ended.
The story revolves around Kenichi Shirahama, a weak boy who is bullied at school. His life changes completely when he meets Miu Furinji, who encourages him to join a martial arts school.
Kenichi begins his rigorous training under various instructors, such as Sakaki Shio and Akatsuki Shio, where he learns how to use "ki" to enhance his abilities.
He faces numerous challenges, including battles with stronger fighters, but remains determined to improve himself. Over time, Kenichi transforms from a weak boy into a formidable fighter.
Isamu recalls that "Chikage Kushinada" was a member of the Yomi organization, one of the characters Kenichi will encounter on his journey. The idea that this small girl is the very character he had read about left confusion on his face.
"Wait, I shouldn't rush to judgment. There are many people with the same name. I don't even know what time I've transitioned to. It could just be a case of name similarity."
But he couldn't ignore the strange feeling that began to creep inside him. That girl, despite her innocent appearance, had something strange surrounding her. He decided to proceed with greater caution.
"It's better to improve my image and gain her trust to obtain more information without raising suspicions." He then took a deep breath and gathered his confidence.
"Yes, even though my body is small now, I am still an adult in spirit. It shouldn't be hard to gain the trust of a little girl."
With a warm smile, he said gently, "My name is Isamu Uchiha, and you seem younger than me. You can call me big brother Isamu." He tried to appear more friendly and kind as he spoke to her, watching every move she made.
However, the girl's eyes, which were filled with mystery and darkness moments ago, suddenly returned to their childish expressions.
She smiled for a brief moment before any expression disappeared from her face, then turned and quietly left the room without saying a word.
Isamu stared at the door that closed behind her.
"Damn... what was that? Why didn't she respond to me? Did I scare her? Was my act bad?" he wondered to himself, uncertain whether he had raised her suspicions or if something else was happening behind the scenes.
He couldn't ignore the tension he felt. That girl was mysterious in an unsettling way. Even when her childish features returned to her face, there was something hidden, something he couldn't grasp yet.
He remembered the moment her expressions suddenly changed, that sharp and mysterious look that filled her eyes for a moment, as if she had turned into a completely different person.
"Is she really...?" Isamu wondered as he looked at the spot where she had stood.
"It seems things didn't go as planned. It's better to rest now and focus on healing my wounds..." Isamu murmured to himself in a low voice.
As he tried to calm himself, he began to remember the power system in this world.
In the world of The Strongest Disciple Kenichi, power levels are distributed across four main stages that reflect the evolution of fighters from beginners to grandmasters.
These stages begin with the Disciple classification, which is equivalent to the Academy Student level in Naruto. At this stage, fighters start learning the basics, such as fundamental combat techniques and physical strength.
This is exemplified by Kenichi Shirahama at the beginning of the series, as he becomes acquainted with martial arts and acquires the initial skills necessary for his growth.
Power then progresses to the second level, Expert, where fighters begin to refine their skills.
This stage can be compared to the Genin level in Naruto, where fighters master advanced techniques and start facing stronger opponents. Here, characters like Naijima and Siegfried emerge, showcasing strong combat abilities and versatility in martial arts.
Next, fighters reach the Master level, where they gain full control over martial arts and chi. This reflects a level of combat maturity, as seen in characters like Akisame and Shiousai.
This stage is characterized by intensive training that combines physical and spiritual aspects, where fighters focus on breathing and meditation, enhancing their strength, speed, and endurance in battles.
Finally, some fighters transcend human limits to reach the Grandmaster level, such as Hayato Furinji. These fighters master chi to a supernatural degree, allowing them to utilize techniques that exceed normal capabilities.
This level aligns somewhat with the Chunin level in Naruto, where fighters display extraordinary strength and distinctive combat skills that reflect their deep mastery of their techniques and energies.
It can be said that the power system in Kenichi closely resembles the taijutsu system in Naruto. For instance, Rock Lee represents a fighter who relies on physical strength and manual skills. In this context, the eight gates in Naruto can be compared to the power levels in Kenichi:
The First Gate (Gate of Opening) is equivalent to Disciple, where the fighter acquires the basics. This level can be likened to Kenichi Shirahama in his early stages, learning how to effectively utilize basic physical power.
The Second Gate (Gate of Healing) represents Expert, where the fighter gains more skills and recovers faster. This can be compared to the level of Sakai Shio or Hayato Furinji in their advanced stages.
The Third Gate (Gate of Life) reflects Master, where the fighter possesses significant strength and powerful combat techniques. For example, this can be compared to Akisame Kōitsugi at his peak, where he demonstrates immense power and the ability to use impressive combat techniques.
The Fourth Gate (Gate of Pain) resembles Grandmaster, where the fighter can easily defeat formidable opponents, aligning with Hayato Furinji's style, which surpasses the limits of physical strength.
As Isamu contemplated all these comparisons, he began to wonder about the overall impact of this system on Naruto fighters.
It seems that Chunin cannot keep up with masters in close combat, as they heavily rely on chakra techniques, which may put them in unfavorable positions when their energy runs out.
Despite their inherent physical fitness, the combat skills in the world of Kenichi have evolved significantly and surpassed them.
Of course, Isamu knows that these are merely his thoughts after watching both series. He fully realizes that he needs to verify them, as these worlds have become more than just images displayed on a screen; they have transformed into vibrant realms with their unique civilizations and developments.