In my 17 years of life in my previous world, I had mastered one particular skill: ignoring the stares and comments people threw my way.
It was a talent honed from years of dealing with judgment and whispers, and surprisingly, it turned out to be invaluable in my second life. After all, living in a ninja world was a far cry from the mundane existence of my modern past.
Adjusting to this new life wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible either. My schedule became a constant routine, a foundation I built upon for the year leading up to graduation.
Every morning began with muscle-strengthening exercises, a discipline I had to adopt rigorously to stand a chance in this unforgiving world. After training, I would head to the academy, which ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. As final-year students, we were given extra time to prepare for the challenges that awaited us as genin, thus making the academy time only 6 hrs long.
Though for me even this much was way too long. After all, basically most of the learning part went above my head and in comparison to other aspiring shinobis my concentration level was literally zero.
Once the academy ended, my next destination was almost always the library.
My thirst for knowledge was unrelenting, derived from my fear of dying once again without knowing how.
I was painfully aware of the gaps in my understanding of this world thus books were the key to fill those holes.
So, hours were spent poring over books, filling my mind with theories, strategies, and histories that I hoped would bridge my deficiencies.
My evenings were divided between another training session and practicing hand signs for the five basic jutsu required for graduation.
Taijutsu and shuriken throwing, however, were my Achilles' heel. While theory and chakra control came to me naturally, mastering the physical aspects demanded relentless practice and a level of muscle development I didn't yet possess.
Each failure reminded me of my shortcomings, but I pushed through, knowing that weakness wasn't an option in a world teetering on the brink of war.
As the months passed, I began noticing subtle changes in myself. The most significant was the awakening of my "Six Eyes."
Though I couldn't yet confirm it fully, sensing chakra had become a second nature. I could effortlessly perceive the flow of chakra within my body and in the surrounding air, though the chakra inside other living beings still eluded me.
Albeit It was progress, slow but steady, and it kept me motivated to push harder every day.
In the meantime, two major events unfolded during that year, leaving a lasting impact on both the academy and the village.
The first was Kakashi Hatake's early graduation. He was only in our class for six months, the longest he had stayed in any class, as he often skipped through grades in mere days. The boy was a prodigy, and his departure was a stark reminder of the absurdly high bar set by some in this world and the plot moving forward without any disturbances.
Kakashi's swift progression was due, in part, to the regulations introduced during the Second Shinobi War. In an effort to bolster their ranks, Konoha had lowered the admission and graduation ages to five and ten, respectively. Also due to this early graduates were now easily allowed. Thus, Kakashi being the exceptionally talented individual, graduated at the mere age of six after just 1.5 years in the academy, setting a new record in his name.
His achievements became an aspiration for hundred others to push themselves, but I didn't let myself dwell on these. My focus remained on survival.
The second event was far graver. While the Second Shinobi War had officially ended, the reality on the ground painted a different picture.
Skirmishes at the borders of the Land of Fire were increasing in frequency and intensity, passing each month.
Tensions were palpable, and whispers of another great war loomed over the village like a dark cloud. The so-called peace was fragile at best, and the sparks of the Third Shinobi War were already smoldering beneath the surface.
The geopolitical situation was difficult to unravel, but bits of overheard conversations and observations helped me piece together the larger picture.
Border conflicts were becoming graveyards for shinobi, particularly those from the great clans. The policy requiring clans to maintain specific posts had drawn widespread resentment, especially as more shinobi from these powerful families fell in battle.
This policy formed by the third Hokage was becoming the source of their hate for the Hiruzen. And among those people, Senjus were clearly at front due to the heavy loss they got due to them being targeted.
Anger boiled over in hushed conversations, and in their frustration, people often revealed more than they intended. It was from these moments of candor that I gleaned a deeper understanding of the precarious state of the world.
The year slipped by in a blur of training, studying, and preparation. Every day was a step toward the impending graduation exam, a mix of written tests and practical demonstrations.
The stakes couldn't have been higher. Failure wasn't an option. If I didn't pass, I'd be left behind as cannon fodder in a world where survival was reserved for the strong and the prepared.
As I sharpened my skills and deepened my knowledge, I couldn't help but feel the weight of what lay ahead.
The specter of war loomed larger with each passing day, its shadow touching every aspect of life in the village. And yet, amidst the uncertainty and despair, I resolved to forge my own path.
This world was cruel, but clenching my fists I decided I wouldn't allow it to break me.