Biwa Funato (1)

"This is an explosive tag. As you can see, special materials were used so that when the seal is activated, chakra bursts, creating a small explosion. Depending on the quality of materials and craftsmanship, the explosion power would vary a lot...", the academy teacher Gecko taught

After what seemed to be an eternity, the class ended.

However, there was no break, and all students would have to attend the next class.

Despite being a ninjutsu specialist, Takeshi still learned the Hidden Mist Kenjutsu sword art. And the main reason behind it was the strong focus that the teachers and courses put on Kenjutsu. Most hidden villages would only teach taijutsu, but there was a strong legacy of swordsmanship in the bloody mist. 

After all, the strongest symbol of the village was represented by the seven legendary swordsmen that paved the way for the village's supremacy and survival, though this would change a lot with their defeat againt Might Duy, something that would happen in a couple of years.

Biwa was a genius in Kenjutsu, and it really showed.

[Biwa - Lv. 22 Academy Student]

This was the level of a full-fledged elite genin, not that of a regular academy student. His arms were very muscular, and even his size made him stand out among the crowd of children. His gaze, though, looked very simple-minded and the few interactions Takeshi had with him allowed a friendship to be built.

"Takeshi", the latter engaged the conversation

"Please", Takeshi quickly answered, not needing this kind of formality.

Because of Biwa's strength, he was very feared in the class, and none would willingly spar with such a montrous existence. Even Arya, a descendant of the prestigious Yuki clan, did not dare to spar with Biwa who was seen as the second coming of Kisame.

However, Takeshi never once refused Biwa's duels.

One of the reasons stemmed from the friendship they had. 

Takeshi saw it as an opportunity to grow stronger, and for Biwa, it was a way to train against someone freely.

However, it was also due to risk and rewards.

Risk was essentially null, and the rewards enormous.

[Duel - C-rank Optional Mission

Biwa Funato, the genius of your class, has challenged you to a spar.

Task: Land 5 blows on Biwa

Rewards: 500 EXP, 2 Attribute points]

'More than a whole level in terms of experience and 2 attribute points, huh...', Takeshi looked expectant.

However, despite months of training, he had never once succeeded in this task. 

As he grew stronger, Takeshi naturally noticed the growth of his classmates. And Biwa was the most surprising of all. Every time Takeshi levelled up, Biwa seemed to match his progress. Everyone had their own strength, and just like Takeshi could never hope to match Biwa in swordsmanship regularly, Biwa had his own limitations in term of ninjutsu, which fueled him to train even harder.

Rather than a friendship, maybe it would be more accurate to decribe their relationship as a rivalry, one that Takeshi appreciated much greatly.

"Today is the day", Takeshi muttered with a smile.

For some reason, Biwa felt a chill, seeing the resolution in the red eyes of his opponent. A crowd naturally gathered. Although they were just academy students, their strength had already surpassed it and their classmates were always in awe whenever they would fight.