The air around Shin'ō Academy had cooled with the onset of evening, the fading light casting long shadows across the sprawling campus. Shiro stood silently at the edge of the academy courtyard, his breath slow and measured as he glanced at the horizon, where the first stars began to appear in the sky. His body, though battered and bruised from the trials of the day, was recovering. The calm, cool air helped, though his mind raced.
The memory of the Hollow from the second trial still lingered in his thoughts. Its vicious speed, the power it exuded, had shaken him to his core. Even with his Sharingan activated, he had barely managed to survive. That alone spoke volumes about how much farther he still had to go. But there was no time to dwell on failure. The next trial was just around the corner, and if he wanted to secure his place in the academy, he couldn't afford to falter.
The sound of footsteps breaking the silence made Shiro turn his head. Aizen stood nearby, his ever-composed demeanor unchanged despite the intensity of the trials. His glasses glinted in the dim light, and Shiro couldn't help but wonder how much Aizen had seen during the tests, and how much he knew.
Aizen's voice was soft but carried an undercurrent of curiosity. "Still focused on the future, I see. I admire that. Not many students here are as disciplined as you."
Shiro didn't respond immediately. Aizen's words were often laced with deeper meaning, but Shiro had learned not to read too much into them. He'd befriend Aizen, of course. Keeping an eye on him was crucial, especially after the strange feeling he had gotten from the older student's presence. But for now, he had to focus on his own path.
"I'm just trying to stay ready for whatever comes next," Shiro said quietly.
Aizen observed him for a moment before nodding. "You'll need that focus. Not just for the trials, but for the long journey ahead."
Before Shiro could reply, the instructor's voice echoed across the courtyard, signaling the start of the next phase of the trials. Students began to gather around, the air growing thick with anticipation.
"Gather 'round, students. Your next trial begins now."
Shiro turned his attention back to the instructor, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline flood his veins. He had survived the last trial, but that didn't guarantee success this time.
The Second Trial: Spiritual Overload
The forest surrounding Shin'ō Academy was even darker than usual, the dense trees blocking out most of the light. The students were guided into the heart of the forest, where the oppressive spiritual energy seemed to thrum in the air. This place felt alive, charged with an eerie sense of foreboding.
The instructor's voice rang out, cutting through the tension in the air. "This is your second trial: Spiritual Overload. You must harness your Reiatsu and control it without losing control. Fail to do so, and you will be eliminated."
Shiro's hands tightened around the hilt of his sword. Spiritual control was something he had been focusing on during his training, but the pressure of the trial was unlike anything he had experienced. He had to concentrate, to suppress his rising Reiatsu, to keep it from breaking free. If he allowed his emotions to cloud his judgment, the results would be disastrous.
The instructor's words echoed again, this time signaling the beginning of the test. "Begin."
Without hesitation, Shiro centered himself, focusing on the flow of his spiritual energy. His Sharingan activated, giving him a sharper awareness of his own energy, and his surroundings. He could feel it—his Reiatsu was building inside of him, pushing against the limits of his control.
But as he attempted to channel his energy, something strange happened. The air around him began to shift, and the ground rumbled beneath his feet. In an instant, the trees around him erupted with movement, and monstrous figures emerged from the shadows.
Hollows.
Several of them, their grotesque, mask-covered faces twisted with malice. These weren't the ordinary Hollows he had encountered before. They were faster, more vicious, with bodies that rippled with dark energy.
One of the Hollows lunged at him with blinding speed. Shiro reacted instinctively, his Sharingan allowing him to track its movements and dodge its claws just in time. He could feel the weight of his Reiatsu pressing down on him, trying to break free. He needed to keep it under control, or he'd risk losing himself in the process.
The fight was brutal. The Hollows were relentless, and though he was able to predict their movements with his Sharingan, it wasn't enough to keep them at bay forever. He needed to think quickly. Shiro channeled his Reiatsu into his sword, feeling the familiar surge of power flow through him. With a powerful slash, he cut down one Hollow, but as the creature disintegrated into dust, another took its place.
It was then that Shiro realized the true nature of the trial. It wasn't just a test of his ability to control his energy—it was a test of his willpower, his ability to focus when everything around him was chaos.
He dodged and weaved between the Hollows, slashing with his sword, each strike carefully calculated. His body was growing tired, but he couldn't afford to stop. He had to keep moving, keep fighting.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the last of the Hollows fell. The air was thick with the remnants of Reiatsu, and Shiro could feel his own energy beginning to stabilize. His breathing was heavy, and his body ached, but he had survived.
As the last Hollow disintegrated into nothingness, Shiro's mind cleared. He had passed the second trial, though not without difficulty. His Sharingan had given him an edge, but it had also been a double-edged sword—his Reiatsu had nearly overwhelmed him at one point.
The instructor's voice rang out once more. "Well done. You have completed the Spiritual Overload Trial. For those who succeeded, the next trial will be more difficult. Stay focused."
Shiro took a deep breath, his body still shaking from the exertion. The weight of his progress hit him as he realized how close he was to reaching 5%—the milestone that would allow him to spin for a C-rank ninjutsu scroll. He couldn't afford to lose sight of that now.
As Shiro stood amidst the remnants of the trial, the familiar sensation of the System's presence washed over him. A new message appeared before him:
[New Quest Available]
Complete the next set of trials in the academy exam.
Reward: 1% progress
Failure: Points deduction and disqualification from ranking.
Shiro's heart raced as he saw the new notification. He had to succeed. There was no turning back now. He focused on the task at hand, but his thoughts lingered on what came next.
Finally, the message he had been waiting for appeared:
[Quest Completed: 5% Progress Achieved!]
You have unlocked a chance to spin for a C-rank Random Ninjutsu Scroll!
Shiro's heart pounded as he stood in the clearing. He had made it to 5%. His progress had been slow, but each trial, each test had brought him closer to his goal. Now, the moment had come. With the System's notification, Shiro felt a pull—like a spinning wheel of possibilities. He closed his eyes for a moment, calming his breathing before confirming the spin.
Spinning...
The world around him seemed to slow for just a moment. When he opened his eyes again, a C-rank ninjutsu scroll materialized in his hand. It was wrapped tightly in a crimson cloth, the seal glinting faintly in the moonlight.
Shiro unwrapped it carefully, his fingers trembling slightly as he read the contents.
[Scroll Unlocked: Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu]
[Technique Added]
Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu
Rank: C
A technique that traps the target inside a sphere of water, restricting their movements and preventing escape. The water pressure inside the prison increases with the user's chakra, suffocating the trapped target if the technique is held long enough. This jutsu can be used both for containment and as a method of interrogation or incapacitation.
Shiro's mind raced as he read through the scroll's contents. The description made the technique sound both practical and versatile—perfect for a variety of situations. He could see how useful it would be for holding off powerful opponents or even gaining leverage in a standoff. The thought of using it against a Hollow or any opponent in the academy trials had Shiro's pulse quickening.
He took a deep breath, focusing on the intricacies of the jutsu and how he would incorporate it into his battle strategy. The ability to trap an opponent in a watery sphere, suffocating them as the pressure increased—it felt like the perfect complement to his current abilities.
End of Chapter Stats
[System Status]
Template: Madara Uchiha (5.45% progress)
[Attributes]
Strength: 26 (+2)
Endurance: 25 (+2)
Speed: 27 (+2)
Reiatsu Control: 23 (+2)
Intelligence: 20 (+3)
Battle Instinct: 22 (+2)
[Abilities]
Sharingan (1st Tomoe): Improved tracking of fast movements, slight slowing effect on opponent's attacks.
Hollow Detection - Ability to sense the presence of Hollows in the area.
[Techniques Unlocked]
Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu
C-rank Ninjutsu
A technique that traps the target inside a sphere of water, restricting their movements and preventing escape. The water pressure inside the prison increases with the user's chakra, suffocating the trapped target if the technique is held long enough. This jutsu can be used both for containment and as a method of interrogation or incapacitation.
[Quests Completed]
Spiritual Overload Trial: +1% Progress
Spin for C-rank Scroll: Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu Unlocked!