Chapter 3 The fun begins

Standing up in formation outside in one of the academy school grounds where a group of kids eager to start their training. Well most were, some looked to be almost falling from sleep.

"Listen up runts today you will be with me, we will getting your bodies ready for action starting with a few laps around the village!" Yuto ordered and was answered with groans all around.

Damn! A few laps around the village?! That's crazy, I guess this is how those ninja able to never tire, still though. This is the first day and already we have this much work. Damn. Imagine what we will have in later years. Thought toru and boy did he not expect what came the following years.

Arriving at the academy after only one lap around the village at 0745 most students were ready to faint from the training. "I'm surprised you all managed to keep up even if it was only one lap, good! I won't be having to lecture any of you. At least for now. Go ahead and get some rest after that head to the mess hall. You all will need it today." Yuto said as he entered the building.

"Man was that hard and yet some of you guys aren't even tired!" Said a boy collapsed on the ground.

"Tch weaklings" Sneered the pale-eyed boy.

I wonder what his problem is, we just started. It's insane he could even keep up. I'm going to have to up Naruto's training but I wonder if he even needs it. He's a bright blur of energy. I have to find a shop willing to sell me something besides an orange jumpsuit for him. Man, enough about him I seriously need to go eat, crawl if need be. I'm already running on empty. Thought Toru as he wobbled his way into the academy.

After a Healthy filling of food, he headed to the classroom and waited for Iruka to show up. Again deciding to sit next to the sleeping boy. He has the right idea. Shame I'm too tired for a nap, I'll probably not wake up until dinner time if I drop. Toru though as he stretched in his seat.

After a few minutes, the doors slid open and in entered Iruka holding a bag while saying " All right students settle down. Next, we will conduct a test on your chakra control. But before we begin, can any of you explain what chakra is?".

Finally! Some concrete information. Toru thought as he straightened himself up to listen more intently. A hand shot up and Iruka nodded for the bun-haired girl to continue.

"Chakra is the energy a ninja posses and is essential to even the most basic technique. Through various methods, the most common of which is hand seals, chakra can be controlled and manipulated to create an effect that would not be possible otherwise, such as a power boost, exhaling fire, or creating illusions" said the girl smiling.

"That is correct, that is why today we will be testing your ability to control said energy. For this, you will need to concentrate on this here leaf. Using your chakra you will need to balance the leaf on your forehead. Now each of you will come with me and grab a few leaves as well as get a demonstration on how chakra feels like with me so you have a better idea on how to summon it." Iruka said.

They each passed one by one to grab a handful of leaves and feel this energy. Toru was tapping the ground with much excitement as he waited for his turn. Finally, he was told to close his eyes and meditate on the feeling he would have.

Closing his eyes and feeling a hand over his own Toru concentrated on what would happen next. Suddenly he began to feel something that made his body feel buzzing. So this is what this feeling I've had until now is. Chakra. I can feel it all around me and within me. That weird feeling I always had around people was just the chakra they possess. Huh. I guess that's how I know where Naruto Is at always, I'm just too used to his sensation.

This boy! Uzumaki. Its true, they really are chakra powerhouses, he has nearly the same amount of chakra as a fresh chunin and he's barely 8 years old. Iruka thought as he conducted his part of the evaluation, sensing each student's chakra reserves.

After a while, everybody had their own pile of leaves and were instructed to use just enough chakra to keep the leaf on their head. Too much and it would be damaged, too little and it would fly off. They would be timed in groups near the end of the class. They would, however, not need to worry about grades since this was meant to gauge their skills nothing more.

This is way harder than it seems. Every time I try the damn leaf just flies off from my head. Thought Toru as he scrambled for another leaf. Looking at his left he could see the sleepy boy seemingly bored balancing his leaf. Well, I lose nothing by asking. Thought Toru before waiting for his leaf to fall off and ask " Hey, Sarutobi was it? How can you keep the leaf on you for so long? Every time I try it just folds itself and flies off".

"Hey, Toru was it?" Asked Kyosuke. Seeing the boy nod he continued. "It's easy really, they make us do this at our clan compounds as a game. You see the trick is to imagine and concentrate on the whole shape of the leaf instead of just chakra itself. You can start by using your hands, it's easier that way. My name is Kyosuke by the way, nice to meet ya".

"I see! Thanks, Kyosuke. Let's see if this makes a difference." smiled Toru as he gathered chakra in his hand and watched as the leaf he placed began to inflate. Guess I placed too much of the stuff. Let's try again. This time I'll imagine a faucet and let it flow slowly.

The exercise continued for half an hour until they were told to gather up front for a time measurement. Sadly Toru did not rank all that well having one of the worst chakra control out of his class. Damn, Bottom five. I'll need to teach Naruto this "game" so he won't be grouped in the bottom. I'll make it up in the next round. Genjutsu and Info gathering is up next. I wonder what the test will be.

The next exam was easier, it consisted of an hour of mental exercises as well as some pop quizzes on basic math from time to time forcing a multi-tasking. The last exam was writing down a passage from one of the first mental exercises as best they could remember. Explaining that remembering information could mean success or death in missions. Here Toru shined placing second, just behind Tenten the bun-haired girl.

As soon as they finished Mizuki entered the room stating to follow him to the training ground. The last exam would consist of a round of fights between the students.

All right another opportunity to shine, if only I wasn't tired from that lap around the village. Still, I wonder how my previous martial arts experience holds up here. Pondered Toru as he marched in a file outside. This will be fun.