"Seiji, you're from the Uchiha clan, and you haven't learned any ninjutsu?"
Rin Nohara asked curiously.
Although Seiji came from the Land of Lightning, he bore the name "Uchiha."
The Uchiha were one of Konoha's most powerful clans. They even held exclusive control over the Konoha Police Force—undoubtedly one of the village's elite families.
"It's not that simple, even for an Uchiha,"
Obito interjected, rushing over upon seeing Rin talking to Seiji after class.
"To prevent abuse and avoid chasing unrealistic strength, all ninjutsu must first be approved by senior clan members before being taught,"
Obito explained confidently.
Otherwise, everyone would just go straight for the strongest jutsus.
"I see,"
Rin nodded. Her short black hair swayed slightly, and a few strands brushed the purple markings on her cheeks.
She was born a civilian and wasn't familiar with such clan protocols.
"So, Rin Nohara… could you teach me?"
Seiji asked, his dark eyes fixed on hers.
His pupils clearly reflected Rin's image. Perhaps because autumn was approaching, she was bundled up in warmer clothes.
Seiji saw value in Rin. Asking her for guidance was a calculated move to grow stronger faster.
After all, Rin was a medical genius. The fact that a mere chunin like her had already mastered the Mystical Palm Technique said everything.
What level was that jutsu?
An A-rank technique—only one step below S-rank.
Medical ninjutsu was even more difficult to learn than regular jutsu, requiring extremely refined chakra control. A slight error could mean failure.
This alone showed how gifted Rin was. And A-rank techniques weren't easily handed out.
Tsunade had only recently proposed incorporating medical ninjas into field teams and building training frameworks for them during the Second Great Ninja War.
It had only been a few years since that war ended. Everything was still in the process of being established.
Clearly, Rin's talents had caught the attention of Konoha's medical corps, which is how she gained access to such advanced techniques so early.
If not for her untimely death, she might have become as renowned as Tsunade or Sakura.
"Mm… Sure,"
Rin agreed after a moment's thought.
"But at school, we're only taught basic E-rank techniques. That's all I can help with."
"I'd be grateful even for that,"
Seiji said with a soft smile. "You're really helping me a lot."
"It's no trouble at all. We're classmates, after all,"
Rin smiled back.
Off to the side, Obito felt like he'd just shot himself in the foot.
If he'd known this would happen, he wouldn't have said anything to Rin in the first place!
"Rin, teach me too!"
Obito pleaded, unwilling to let her focus solely on Seiji.
But the bell had already rung. Obito had no choice but to return to his seat.
As the chalkboard filled up with dense notes, Obito twirled his pen and let his mind wander.
"Heh… Just wait. Once Rin starts training me too, I'll blow that smug Kakashi out of the water."
Obito drifted into a pleasant daydream, casting glances at both Kakashi and Rin.
Meanwhile, Seiji continued studying.
The materials may be basic, but they were invaluable to him.
In the Uchiha clan, he was still an outsider.
He had no idea if someone would be sent to guide him—or to what extent they'd actually help.
He couldn't rely on the faint hope that the clan would assign him a strong mentor.
He knew his place well:
A mixed-blood Uchiha brought back from afar.
If he garnered attention, it would only be out of concern that there might be others like him out there.
And since he'd only awakened a single Sharingan, others might simply see him as some "imported junk" from the Land of Lightning.
Asking Rin for help wasn't random—he had his reasons.
There was another genius in class: Kakashi Hatake.
Seiji glanced ahead at the white-haired boy in a black mask.
But Kakashi wouldn't be nearly as approachable as Rin.
Soon, Sakumo Hatake's death would change Kakashi completely—making him cold, indifferent, and obsessed with graduating early.
Kakashi would embody the concept of a ninja as a tool, through and through.
Seiji pondered this briefly and refocused on his studies.
No matter what, personal strength was the only path forward.
The day quickly passed.
Seiji gradually began adjusting to his new life here.
---
The curriculum at the ninja academy could be divided into five general categories:
Theory, Physical Training, History, Field Tactics, and Combat Practice.
In simpler terms:
Theory covered hand seals, basic ninjutsu, and academic knowledge like math and physics.
Training focused on physical fitness and beginner-level taijutsu.
History taught the legacy of Konoha and renowned figures of the ninja world.
Tactics included reconnaissance, assassination, codes, espionage, and—for kunoichi—specialized female-ninja skills.
Practice was for live combat drills and sparring sessions.
But there was one crucial element missing:
Ethics and ideology.
The academy's primary goal was to churn out capable ninja. Enlightening young minds wasn't part of the plan.
A glaring example? The Daimyo system.
In a world where individual ninja could wipe out cities, those same ninja still had to bow to ordinary feudal lords.
Even in Boruto, the Seventh Hokage Naruto still had to submit to the Daimyo's authority. When Konoha's funding was slashed, all he could do was grit his teeth and endure it.
"But that's a worry for the future…"
Alone in the now-empty classroom, Seiji opened his transparent trait panel.
Based on his tests, no one else could see the panel but him.
Today's lessons had mostly been history and culture—probably tailored for his arrival.
---
[Trait: Absorptive Reading (White)]
Requirement Met: Read 10 articles and complete detailed notes
Progress: 50%
Effect: Slightly increases your reading speed and comprehension. You understand written content 10% faster than average.
Note: Can be upgraded in the future.
---
[Trait: Basic Memory (White)]
Requirement Met: Memorize 5 historical biographies from the ninja world
Progress: 40%
Effect: Slightly improves short-term memory. You retain vocabulary and phrases 5% more efficiently.
Note: Can be upgraded in the future.
---
"Looks like cultural classes will be much easier from now on,"
Seiji thought.
This was just the beginning. "White" was likely the lowest grade—also the easiest to earn.
So far, every trait he'd unlocked was marked with "Upgradeable," meaning they might evolve after meeting certain conditions.
Traits like Basic Memory and Absorptive Reading were exactly what Seiji needed.
To become a skilled medical ninja, he would have to memorize an immense amount of knowledge.
---
"Seiji."
As Seiji closed the panel and packed up his things, a voice called from the doorway.
"Why are you still here?"
Rin poked her head in, her eyes filled with curiosity.
---
(End of Chapter)