Chapter 60: The Hidden Paths of Ninja Training

It was the second day of his solo levelling journey, and the young aspiring ninja's eyes gleamed with determination. Today, he was ready to push himself even further than before.

As he began his 10-kilometer run, Ryu felt the familiar burn in his lungs and the strain in his muscles. The holographic screen flickered before his eyes, tracking his progress with each step. The streets of Konoha were still quiet, save for the occasional early riser or shopkeeper preparing for the day ahead.

"Just... a bit... more," Ryu panted, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he rounded the final corner. His legs felt like they were made of lead, each step a monumental effort. With a final burst of energy that seemed to come from the very depths of his being, he crossed his imaginary finish line. He doubled over, hands on his knees, gulping in air as if he'd been underwater for hours.

As the world stopped spinning and his heartbeat began to slow, Ryu straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. It was then that he realised he had no idea where he was. The unfamiliar buildings and streets around him offered no clues, their facades alien and indistinct in the early morning light.

"Wait... where am I?" Ryu muttered, glancing around in confusion. Just as panic began to set in, a tingling sensation at the back of his mind caught his attention. The screen before him shimmered and transformed, resolution into a detailed map of Konoha.

"Whoa," Ryu breathed, his eyes widening in amazement. The map showed not only his current location but also marked important places like the orphanage and Leaf Central Hospital. He could see every street he had ever been on, a glowing maze of pathways outlined like a spider's web.

"This is... incredibly convenient," he said to himself, studying the map with growing interest. "I don't even need to remember consciously where I am anymore with this map feature."

As Ryu began the walk back home, his mind raced with possibilities. The cool morning air felt refreshing against his flushed skin, and he found himself pondering the implications of this new discovery. "It's like my subconscious is gathering data without me even realising it," he mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I wonder what other hidden features this fake system has. And how deep does this go?"

As he entered home, his grandfather Dan's voice called out from the kitchen. "Back so soon, Ryu?"

Ryu smiled, wiping a fresh sheen of sweat from his brow. "I'll continue after lunch and a break," he replied, his stomach rumbling at the enticing smell of food wafting through the air.

Dan nodded approvingly, his weathered face crinkling with a smile. "Good lad. Both eating and resting are important for proper growth and recovery. You're no good to anyone if you burn yourself out before you even begin."

As they sat down to eat, Ryu found himself staring at the simple but nourishing meal before him. The steam rising from the bowl of miso soup seemed to carry with it a question that had been nagging at the back of his mind. Finally, he gathered the courage to voice it.

"Grandfather," he began hesitantly, his chopsticks pausing midway to his mouth. "What happens to those who fail the Ninja Academy test?"

Dan looked up from his bowl, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Ryu quickly added, "I'm not asking because I think I'll fail. I just want to know how many attempts we get within the age limit. You know, to expand my knowledge."

Setting down his chopsticks with a soft click, Dan leaned back, his eyes taking on a distant look as if peering into the past. "Well, Ryu," he began, his voice carrying the weight of years of experience, "the academy isn't the only path to becoming a ninja. In fact, the world of Shinobi is far more complex than most people realise."

Ryu's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his food momentarily forgotten. "It's not? But I thought—"

Dan held up a hand, chuckling softly. "Let me explain. The academy is just a couple of classrooms, really. They only take in about 200 to 300 children each year. And of those, most don't pass the Genin exam on their first try. Even fewer—less than 10%—make it to Chunin on their first attempt."

Ryu nodded, his mind racing. He recalled the original story he knew so well, remembering how only Shikamaru Nara had been promoted to Chunin among the main characters, while even the protagonist had failed. The realisation of just how steep the odds were struck him anew.

"But that doesn't really explain what you said about other paths," Ryu pressed, his curiosity piqued. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, his meal all but forgotten.

Dan smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "I'm getting there, my boy. You see, the Fire Daimyo has only given licences to two people in this country to train more than 100 ninja cadets at a time. One is the Hokage, and the other is Danzo Shimura, the commander of the ANBU Root Division."

The mention of Danzo caused Ryu's eyes to enlarge. Dan continued, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "If anyone else tries to form such an academy without the Daimyo's permission, they'd be hunted down faster than you can say 'jutsu'. The balance of power in our world is delicate, and no one wants to risk upsetting it."

"So, what options are there for those who don't make it into the main academy?" Ryu asked, his mind racing with possibilities.

Dan's expression grew serious, the lines on his face deepening. "Well, there are private academies in the Fire Capital for children of high-ranking nobility and officials. But they only have about 100 seats per year and are a bit costly. Even the Daimyo has his own private army and academy, larger than that of a small village."

Ryu's chopsticks clattered to the table. "An army that could rival a village? But wouldn't that be a threat to the ninja villages?"

Dan shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Not quite. While they are short in numbers, they make up for it with the quality of trained shinobi. It's like comparing many swords made of cheap wood to one forged from the finest steel. However," he added, leaning in conspiratorially, his voice barely above a whisper, "there are a few exceptionally strong individuals hidden among them. Strong enough to deter the strongest of the great ninja villages. Their sole purpose is to protect the Daimyo. They do not get involved in village matters."

"I see, So, money talks even in this world." Ryu murmured, processing this new information.

"And the other method to become Ninja?" Ryu prompted, sensing there was more to the story.

"Others apply to private academies in other cities affiliated with the Leaf. There are many," Dan continued, his tone tinged with disdain. "But the training quality is often poor. It's like trying to learn swordsmanship from someone who's only ever held a wooden practice sword. They only raise Genins and occasionally Chunins, and most of them are reserve ninja not on active duty, are only ninja in the name, and are only called in the event of the wars. There is also an option for private coaching for the rich."

"But why would someone choose this? I mean, become a part-time ninja only to be drafted in case of war," Ryu asked.

Dan replied, "To protect themselves in case of emergencies. Civilians are also casualties of Ninja wars."

As they continued their conversation, Ryu's mind whirled with the implications of these hidden paths to ninja training. The world of Shinobi was far more complex and nuanced than he had initially believed, a tapestry of power, politics, and hidden agendas.

"Thank you for sharing this with me, Grandfather," Ryu said earnestly, his eyes shining with newfound understanding. "I never realised how much there was to learn about the Ninja world beyond just jutsu and missions."

Dan reached across the table, placing a weathered hand on Ryu's shoulder. "Knowledge is power, my boy. In this world, understanding the landscape can be just as important as mastering a technique. Remember that as you continue your journey."

Ryu stood, giving his grandfather one last nod before starting his sit-ups. He could not help but feel that this conversation had shown him a completely different side of the ninja world.

With his mind racing, Ryu said, "So that is how the Daimyo stays in power. I always wondered how someone like them could rule over ninja villages when someone like the Fourth Raikage or Third Tsuchikage could crush him in seconds. But apparently, they are not to be underestimated."

He finished his morning exercise regimen while having those thoughts in mind, then went back home to get enough rest.

## Author's Note##

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