Certainly! Here's the expanded version of your chapter with more detail while keeping the events and flow intact:
---
Chapter 2: Dead Calm
The day before I start school…
Tomorrow's the big day. After all this time, I'm finally starting at the Ninja Academy. It's strange how life works out. Due to some injury the original owner of this body sustained during training—something about overexerting his chakra system—I ended up delayed for an entire year. Now, I'm starting in the same class as Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten. Fantastic.
I sighed, leaning back on my bed and staring at the ceiling. Life in this world wasn't bad, but sometimes I felt like it was too much. I wasn't meant to be the protagonist of some epic ninja story.
"Well, no point overthinking. I'll just live an average life, maybe marry a rich woman to take care of me…"
I paused mid-thought. That line sounded eerily familiar. Wasn't it from…Shikamaru? No, no, I can't be that lazy…can I?
Shaking my head, I rolled over and pulled the blanket over myself. The soft, warm fabric was a small comfort in this strange, intense world.
"Enough of that. I'll just let things take their course. Yeah, it's late—I should sleep."
I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the night soothe my nerves. Tomorrow would come whether I was ready or not.
---
Nine Days Later
The academy wasn't quite what I'd imagined. I'd assumed we'd be learning nothing but ninja techniques, maybe the history of the villages or strategies for survival. Instead, the curriculum was surprisingly broad.
We had classes on math, physics, chemistry, and even reading comprehension. While I wasn't bad at these subjects, I didn't expect them to be part of my ninja training. And then there were the physical skills: taijutsu, trap-laying, hidden weapon techniques, and chakra control.
I wasn't a natural prodigy, that much was clear. It took me nine whole days just to master the first chakra control exercise—levitating a single leaf. Nine days! By the end of it, my frustration had reached its peak, though I kept it hidden behind a calm expression. At least I wasn't the only one struggling; some of my classmates were still stuck on the basics too.
Still, I couldn't get discouraged. My real focus wasn't on being the best ninja in class. My goal, the one thing keeping me going, was the Dead Calm Defensive Technique training that the system promised me.
---
The Next Morning
I woke up early, eager to check on the system's progress. After quickly freshening up, I sat cross-legged on the floor, focusing on the interface in my mind.
[Ding!]
[The Dead Calm Defensive Technique training method is ready. Do you wish to receive the training method?]
[Y/N]
Finally. My patience had paid off.
"Yes," I muttered aloud, my voice steady despite the excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
[Ding!]
[Transferring the training method… Successful.]
As the knowledge flowed into my mind, I felt an odd mix of relief and curiosity. The method was detailed and thorough, outlining everything I needed to know to begin. But as I read through it, my excitement quickly turned to frustration.
To even begin training, I needed a real sword made of chakra metal. Without it, I couldn't perform the precise movements or channel my chakra correctly.
"A chakra metal katana?" I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Where am I supposed to find something like that?"
I racked my brain, trying to recall any information about blacksmiths in the village. After a moment, a memory surfaced—a blacksmith shop not too far from here.
"Alright," I decided. "I'll check it out tomorrow."
---
The Blacksmith Shop
The next day, I made my way to the shop, my mind buzzing with questions. How much would a chakra metal katana cost? Could I even afford it? Would the shop even have what I needed?
As I entered the small, modest building, the sound of metal clanging against metal greeted me. The smell of oil and burning coals filled the air, sharp and distinct.
"Welcome!" a cheerful voice called out.
I turned toward the source of the voice and blinked in surprise. A small girl stood behind the counter, her brown hair tied neatly, her eyes bright with curiosity. She had a small button nose and a warm smile, a stark contrast to the gritty surroundings.
"Tenten?" I thought, my eyes widening slightly. It made sense now. She's a ninja who relies heavily on weapons; of course, she'd have connections to a shop like this.
She tilted her head, studying me. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
I nodded. "Yes."
Her brows furrowed, her smile fading slightly as she tried to place me. "Really? Where from?"
"We're in the same class at the academy," I replied.
For a moment, she looked stunned. Her eyes widened as she looked me up and down, her expression a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
"Huh? You're in my class? But…your face is hard to miss…"
I shrugged. "I'm the quiet type. I don't like to stand out."
She seemed embarrassed by her oversight and quickly introduced herself. "My name's Tenten. What about you?"
"Gyu," I replied simply.
Despite my usual aversion to small talk, I found myself speaking more than usual. Tenten was different. In truth, I'd always had a soft spot for her, thanks to the anime. Her determination, her passion for weapons—it was hard not to admire her.
"What brings you here?" she asked, leaning slightly over the counter.
"I need a katana with chakra metal," I explained, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.
Her brow arched. "For you? Are you a swordsman?"
"Not yet. I'm just interested in learning swordplay," I replied honestly.
Tenten looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, chakra metal isn't cheap. Maybe you should start with a regular katana first?"
"No," I said firmly. "If I'm going to practice, I want to do it right. A chakra metal katana is worth the investment."
Eventually, she nodded. "Alright, but you'll have to order it in advance."
I placed an order for a standard-sized katana—two of them, actually—with "Slayer" engraved on the blades. It wasn't cheap, almost wiping out half of my inheritance, but I figured it was worth it.
As I handed over the payment, Tenten gave me a curious look. "You're really serious about this, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I've always admired swordsmanship. It's…important to me."
She smiled, her expression softening. "Well, good luck. It'll take about two weeks for the katanas to be ready. Make sure you're prepared when they arrive."
---
Two Weeks Until the Swords Arrive
As I walked out of the shop, I started planning my next steps.
"It'll take two weeks for the katanas to be ready. Until then, I'll train in basic swordsmanship. No point wasting time," I thought.
The system provided me with a basic swordsmanship manual suited to my style. It wasn't flashy, but it was enough to build a solid foundation. The techniques were simple but effective, focusing on balance, precision, and control.
For the next week, my days would follow a strict routine. I'd wake up early, practice my basic moves, attend the academy, and return home to train more.
"Dead Calm," I muttered under my breath, my gaze steely. "I'll make it mine."
---
Over the next several days, I immersed myself in my training. The wooden practice sword I borrowed from the academy wasn't ideal, but it was enough to get started.
At first, my movements were clumsy and awkward, my strikes lacking power and finesse. But I kept pushing, focusing on each swing, each stance, each step.
"Breathe," I reminded myself constantly. "In and out. Steady."
It wasn't just about swinging a sword. The foundation of the Dead Calm technique was absolute control—of my body, my mind, and my chakra. I needed to be calm, unshakable, like the still surface of a lake.
By the end of the week, I could feel the difference. My strikes were sharper, my stances more stable, my breathing smoother. It wasn't much, but it was progress.
And as I stood in the quiet of my training space, sweat dripping down my face, I allowed myself a small smile.
This was just the beginning.
---
To be continued...