Chapter 8

The training continued. Genjutsu turned out to be a tough nut to crack. The first difficulty was that the effects of genjutsu are rarely visible in the real world and rarely noticeable to the person who used it on their opponent. It's not some kind of mind magic where you can enter another person's mind and "mess things up" there. No... most genjutsu don't work that way. In this ninja art, there are many variables.

For example, the legendary Sharingan, which obliterated any genjutsu master. It was a terrifying weapon. Fortunately, almost all the Uchiha, who were the bearers of the Sharingan, died a few years ago, leaving behind a single official heir—Uchiha Sasuke.

There are also other clans associated with genjutsu, like the Yamanaka. But they have their own clan techniques based on their physical traits that are not found in ordinary shinobi.

Ordinary shinobi, if they want to use genjutsu, must train a lot and have excellent live training mannequins. Non-living mannequins are not suitable because they cannot demonstrate the effects, unlike live ones.

A genjutsu master can only be considered someone who has learned to cast illusions on themselves. There are very few such people in the village. I don't know if I will be able to reach such mastery, but with proper training and development... it might be possible. Maybe.

Creating genjutsu requires several things at once. You need to catch the opponent's gaze to transfer the chakra for immersing them in the genjutsu. This piece of chakra must be specially programmed to take effect. The technique is needed for this—to program it correctly.

It wasn't a simple action because the correct algorithm had to be memorized. There was no visual demonstration. Everything had to be perceived mechanically and intuitively. But such a challenging path and conditions provided an excellent opportunity for quickly improving chakra control and usage. Only in the fifth week and a few days before the end of the training was I able to properly immerse Ichigo-sensei in genjutsu. Of course, he immediately broke out of it, but it was a big progress in my skills.

"Not bad," he said with a satisfied smile on his face. "What do you think?"

"I've achieved a lot," I replied calmly. "Over this year, I've become much better than I was last year."

"That's true," he chuckled. "It's like a training demon possessed you. And that's very good because excellent personal skills provide a chance to survive in our world and ensure a good life for our children."

"That's right," I agreed.

"Then I'll give you some advice," he said. "Rest for the next few days, review the material. Even if you don't have questions about the theory, it's still better to do it."

"Thank you, sensei," I replied and made a deep bow, showing my respect. Of course, I did. This is an incredibly important part of the local culture, which I have already studied and accepted quite well.

"Alright, Suzuki," he said, placing his hand on my head and ruffling my hair a bit. A kind and pleasant smile appeared on the teacher's face. "We'll meet at your exam."

"Yes, sensei," I replied.

He turned away and simply waved his hand before disappearing through the doors of the Academy. I stood there for a while, then headed home. Having gained some experience in movement techniques, I now reached the Academy using the so-called upper routes.

Moving a bit to the side, I jumped onto a tree and then hopped across trees, houses, and sometimes the ground toward my home. My father and mother were very pleased when they found out that I could already move this way. For them, it was the best proof that the Academy was indeed teaching me something and that I wasn't just sitting there doing nothing.

The few days off before the graduation exam could be spent in various ways. Some rested, some prepared and trained. I decided to follow the teacher's advice and review the theoretical material, as well as work on my chakra control.

A dozen leaves fluttered over my body, sometimes jumping and flying upwards. Besides being a good training exercise, it was also quite entertaining if there was nothing else to do. Two useful things accomplished with one action... what could be better?

When the exam day arrived, I didn't feel any anxiety or even fear. The morning started just like any other. Breakfast, a little chat with my parents, and then heading to the Academy. Today, I didn't bring my bag or even lunch because there was no need. We would only have the exam, and that's it.

"Good luck!" my mother wished me as I was leaving the house.

It was sunny outside. The beginning of summer always brings beautiful, warm weather, pleasant smells, and sometimes a fresh, cool breeze. Students from my class were gathering in small groups, animatedly discussing how our exam would proceed. Everyone was excited because they could only speculate about how we would be tested. There were all sorts of rumors... Some said we would be sparring with experienced shinobi, while others claimed we would be taken into the forest and left there to survive.

I wasn't particularly worried about how it would go, so I relaxed calmly at my desk.

"Are you ready for the exam?" Ayamane Nara asked me.

After I started beating her in every sparring match, her attitude, like that of many others, changed significantly. She turned out to be smart and friendly. The boy from the Nara clan she used to pester all the time sighed with relief because her talking to me meant he had more opportunities to sit with his eyes closed and even sleep.

"I think so," I replied. "What about you?"

"I'm ready too," Nara nodded confidently. "But I'm a bit nervous."

"It'll be fine," I chuckled. "I know you're prepared."

"Yes," she nodded. "I am prepared... and I should stay confident, but this uncertainty about the future is killing me."

"Oh, come on," I chuckled. "Think about this. How have the exams been conducted in all the past years? Were there any differences or something similar?"

"I don't think so," she replied after a short reflection. "If I'm not mistaken, the graduation exam hasn't changed much since the end of the last war."

"Exactly," I nodded. "So, there's nothing to worry about."

And that was indeed true. In the final year of the last war, the standard for graduates was lowered, which hadn't changed recently. Previously, you needed to know some combat technique, preferably an elemental one. But since "the Will of Fire burns in the hearts of the students," as the book said, the requirement to know a technique was removed.

I understand well that it wasn't the mythical Will of Fire that caused the lowering of the standard. No... It was because the war took many lives, and the village simply didn't have enough shinobi to respond in time. That war would have ended in Konoha's defeat if not for the talents of the highest caliber.

Understanding this made me not abandon my training halfway. It was just another motivation that combined well with other motivations and interests.

At that moment, the teacher entered the classroom. The students immediately took their seats and waited for him to address us.

"Good morning, class," he said.

"Good morning, sensei," we all responded in unison.

"Today is your last day at the Shinobi Academy," Ichigo-sensei began. "The day you take your graduation exam, which will determine your future path in life. The day you all become adults with all the responsibilities and privileges."

He paused for a moment, then allowed a smile to appear on his face.

"You have gone through a lot and learned a lot, but this is not the end of your journey," he continued. "It's just the beginning... Ahead of you are many other, more challenging trials. Today is the first one. The graduation exam will proceed as follows: you will enter the hall one by one, where you will demonstrate your achievements, and a special commission will make a decision. There will be a list at the entrance indicating the order. After you finish your exam, you will exit through another door. Any questions?"

There were no questions. The students quietly took note of what the sensei said and prepared to demonstrate their techniques. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, inhaled and exhaled. Alright, let's see what Ichigo-sensei has to say.

"Then let's all go to the hall."

The students stood up, quickly formed lines out of habit, and followed the teacher. Everyone knew where the hall was, but they still tried to stay in a group. The door to the hall was open. Through it, you could see a long table with shinobi sitting behind it. As I walked by, I couldn't make out who was sitting there.

"The list is on the door," Ichigo-sensei pointed to the large door. On it hung a sheet of paper with our names. "I'll be inside. I hope we won't have to wait long for the first person. You'll know when it's your turn to go in."

The first thing I noticed was that the list was compiled in an inexplicable order. For some reason, I was first, followed by Neji. No, I'm not afraid to go first, it was just unexpected because I'm not first in the class list.

"You're first," Nara noted. "Good luck."

"Thanks, Ayamane," I nodded to the girl. "Good luck to you too."

"Ah," she waved her hand. Being tenth on the list, she wasn't too worried at the moment. Although I'm sure that when her turn comes, she'll be very nervous. And then it's better not to argue with her because the temperament of Nara women will be in full swing.

Entering through the door, I blinked from the blinding glare reflected off the floor. Four shinobi sat behind the long table. Among them were Ichigo-sensei, Iruka-sensei, the assistant principal Taichiro-sensei, and another shinobi unknown to me. The latter looked the most battle-ready.

"Student Suzuki present," I announced myself.

"Student, you already know that you are here to take the Academy graduation exam," Ichigo began. "We will be your commission. Any questions?"

"No questions," I replied.

"Then you may begin demonstrating your techniques," the teacher nodded. "Choose the one you want to start with. The order doesn't matter."

"Understood," I nodded. I looked around the hall and noticed several wooden logs that were perfect for the first technique.

"Substitution Technique!"

Chakra flared around me, and then I switched places with the log I had chosen. But even improving my control did not make me understand what exactly the Substitution Technique was and how it worked. When I asked the sensei about it, he just shrugged and said nothing. He himself doesn't know how it works and why it works the way it does.

When I returned, I realized they had already graded my performance and were attentively waiting for my next technique. The next one would be the Illusionary Clone Technique.

"Illusionary Clone Technique!"

Chakra started working again, and in a moment, five illusionary clones appeared around me, mimicking everything I did. All movements and even emotions. I smiled, and they smiled. I jumped, and they jumped. Relaxing my chakra, I allowed the clones to dissipate in an illusionary mist and dissolve into the air.

Now it was time for the final technique.

"Transformation Technique!"

I chose to transform into Ichigo-sensei. Chakra flared around me, enveloping me in a dense cocoon. I grew slightly taller, and my shoulders broadened. Folding my hands as the sensei liked to do, I then smiled.

"That's all," I said in a voice as close to his as possible.

The technique dissipated, and I looked at the examiners. Although they were sitting right in front of me, I couldn't hear anything. The unknown shinobi, after listening to the senseis, then took out a piece of paper. I immediately heard the rustling sound. It was my record. A small stamp appeared in his hand. He dipped it and then stamped it, leaving a single word: "GENIN."

"Congratulations," said Ichigo-sensei. "You passed. Tomorrow, go to the Hokage Administration for registration. The day after tomorrow, come to the Academy for team assignments. And now... your headband."

"Thank you," I said and bowed. "Thank you for the training."

I didn't immediately put on the headband with the Konoha symbol. The fabric was sturdy and dark blue.

"All the best," Ichigo-sensei wished me and pointed towards the exit.

Without looking back, I stepped outside and stopped to take a breath of fresh air. That's it... my training at the Hidden Leaf Village Shinobi Academy was over. Stashing the headband in my pocket, I quickened my pace.

No one was home, so I went to my room. Looking in the mirror, I noticed my clothes were getting a bit small. I had grown a bit, and now that I was a genin, it wouldn't hurt to update my wardrobe.

Leaving the headband on my forehead, I grabbed the pocket money I had saved and headed to one of the village's shopping districts.

Navigating the village is both simple and complicated. If you live here long enough, the logic of some streets and alleys becomes clear. Newcomers, however, can quickly get lost. It's important to know a few things. All streets lead to the main ANBU headquarters. ANBU is something like a special forces unit from my past world with very broad intelligence and counterintelligence powers. The village planner prioritized security first. After that, convenience for shinobi, and only then for everyone else.

That's why there isn't one big market in the village, like there might be in ordinary towns. There are many small markets, each located in a clan area or close to clan territories. The largest market is in the Sarutobi clan territory, and you can buy anything your heart desires there.

That's where I headed.

There weren't too many people around, but not too few either. They walked around, looking at new goods brought by caravans from various trading companies. Some trading companies sold everything, while others specialized in specific items. For example, medicinal herbs are sold by a trading company whose shareholders include the Nara and Yamanaka clans. Others can try to enter this market, but they can't compete in terms of price, quality, quantity, and assortment. When you own the land where rare medicinal herbs grow, it's hard to fail in the trade.

Or, for example, the Akimichi clan, which owns extensive pig, chicken, and cattle farms.

I needed to buy some shinobi clothing and a few other items that might be useful. Passing by a store with books and scrolls, I decided to pop in and see what interesting things they had.

"How can I help you, young man?" asked a tall man with white eyes and a strange headband. A Hyuga.

"Yes, I want to see what you have for a newly minted genin," I replied.

"Oh," the man said. "So you recently became a genin? Congratulations, congratulations."

The veins around his eyes briefly bulged, indicating the activation of his dojutsu. Then it all disappeared, and he wobbled a bit. Regaining his balance, he waved his hand, inviting me to walk past the shelves.

"Can you recommend something?"

"I have a few things that I believe should be in the library of any starting genin," he replied. "For example, the book 'Renegades and Enemies of the Village.' The latest ANBU edition. One thousand ryo."

"Wow," I nodded. "What else?"

"I can recommend the book 'Basic Fuinjutsu,' published by Jiraiya the Toad Sage. Two thousand ryo," he said. "In addition to the text and diagrams, it also contains spatial explanations of the fuinjutsu theory."

"I'll take it," I said immediately.

At the Academy, we were just beginning to familiarize ourselves with fuinjutsu but didn't delve into the details of how they worked. We were shown how to activate explosive tags, how to optimally place them, and other basic techniques. However, no one explained how to create them from scratch. The Academy does have a small library, but it unfortunately lacks such in-depth information.

Handing over two thousand ryo and becoming noticeably poorer, I decided I wouldn't spend any more money in this place. After saying goodbye to the friendly vendor, whose eyes sparkled with interest and curiosity, I set off to buy the items I really needed. Strolling through the narrow streets, observing the various passersby and the occasional shinobi, I visited different shops, picking out the necessary things.

Sometimes, shinobi would fly overhead, rushing off on their errands. Ordinary townspeople usually only saw a fleeting shadow. But thanks to my training, I could already distinguish some details: facial features, clothing, or even unique movements. In the future, I'm sure I'll be able to track almost anyone.

Returning home, I proudly showed my purchases to my parents, who had just returned from their own errands. My mother and father were thrilled because becoming a genin was always considered a special celebration for every family in our village.