Chapter 19: The Chakra Exercises—Before and After

Haruto stood near the old tree by the orphanage, his gaze fixed on the familiar stone wall. Everything had changed since his sixth birthday and the system's golden reward. Though it had only been a few days, he could feel a subtle but significant shift in his abilities. The Academy was just a month away, and for the first time, Haruto felt like he was ready to face it.

The system had pushed him over the edge, granting him a refinement in his chakra control that had taken him years to build. He was no stranger to hard work, and his progress had always been slow and steady, but now… now it felt like the pieces were starting to fall into place.

He had struggled with the wall-walking exercise for years. The technique was simple in theory: gather chakra at the soles of your feet, control the flow, and use it to climb vertical surfaces. But no matter how many times he practiced, it had never felt stable. His chakra control had always been just slightly off, his steps shaky and unsteady. More often than not, he ended up flat on his back, staring up at the sky in frustration.

But today was different.

Before: The Frustration of Control

In the early years, every attempt at wall-walking had been a battle. Haruto could barely gather enough chakra to his feet, and even when he managed, it was never enough to hold his weight for more than a step or two. His feet would lose contact with the wall, and he'd fall back down, bruised and frustrated.

It wasn't that he lacked determination—he had always pushed himself to the limit—but his chakra control had never been good enough. Every time he attempted to balance his chakra, it felt like trying to juggle sand in his hands: unstable, slipping through his fingers the moment he thought he had a grip on it.

The physical strain of falling repeatedly didn't bother him. It was the sense of failure, of knowing that his body wasn't responding the way he wanted it to. But Haruto had learned to be patient. He knew progress wasn't always immediate, and he had persisted, slowly improving, step by painful step.

After: The Shift in Control

Today, after the golden reward had enhanced his ninjutsu control, things were different. The system had given him a boost in understanding and manipulating his chakra, and it showed. Haruto stepped up to the wall, feeling more confident than he had in years. He placed his hand against the cool stone surface, his fingers tracing the cracks between the bricks.

He took a deep breath, gathering chakra into the soles of his feet. Already, he could feel the difference. His chakra wasn't fighting him anymore—it flowed naturally, responding to his will without the constant strain of forcing it into place.

Haruto pressed his foot against the wall, testing the chakra's grip. It held, steady and firm. He lifted his second foot and placed it against the wall, his chakra flowing smoothly from one point of contact to the next. This was the point where things usually started to go wrong, where his control would waver, and he'd lose balance. But now, it felt… easier. More natural.

He took his first step upward, then another. Each movement was deliberate, careful. His chakra held firm, maintaining the connection between his feet and the wall. It wasn't perfect—there were still moments where he felt a slight tremor, the chakra faltering for a split second—but he recovered quickly, adjusting his control with ease.

By the time Haruto reached the midpoint of the wall, a grin spread across his face. He had never made it this far before without slipping. The golden reward had pushed him over the edge, giving him the precision and control he had been lacking. It wasn't just about power—it was about balance, about understanding the flow of chakra and letting it guide his movements.

Looking Ahead: One Month to the Academy

As Haruto climbed down from the wall and his feet touched the ground again, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He had been working toward this for years, and now, with the Academy only a month away, he felt more ready than ever.

The golden reward had given him what he needed—an edge. But more than that, it had reinforced what he already knew: that hard work, persistence, and careful planning were what would ultimately set him apart from the others. The Academy would be filled with children from powerful clans, many of whom already had access to advanced training and bloodline abilities. Haruto didn't have that. But he had something else—his system, his discipline, and now, a much deeper connection to his chakra.

He wasn't finished yet. There was still much to learn, and his chakra control, while improved, still had room for refinement. But with the Academy looming just a month away, Haruto knew he was well on his way to becoming the kind of shinobi he had always envisioned.

With the wall conquered, Haruto turned his focus to the future. He would continue to practice, honing his skills in secret until the day he entered the Academy. And when that day came, he would be ready.

This was only the beginning.