Genin (2)

Asuma didn't only work on Nature Transformation with me, he also began honing my taijutsu and kenjutsu skills. Although the jounin did not wield a blade as his primary weapon, he had plenty of experience dealing with enemies who did, thus he could correct my kenjutsu forms and help me integrate the theory into practical combat application.

Of course, the man didn't only focus on myself. He also trained Shino and Hinata as well, though Asuma had admitted that because of their reliance on their exclusive clan techniques, he could hardly teach anything at the advanced level without requiring the two clan genins to compromise the time they spent on their clan techniques.

However, the jounin could still firm up their foundational skills as well as coach them on more advanced chakra control exercises along with practical combat techniques. There was also a focus on teamwork exercises and a more theorical exploration on how the three of us could synergize our respective skill sets.

From the get-go, Asuma established the fundamental roles each of us took on in the team. Both Hinata and Shino functioned primarily as the team's tracking and capture specialists. Do not underestimate the common shinobi's reliance on chakra, Asuma espoused. Most shinobi had such a deeply ingrained dependence on the miracles of chakra that once one could deprive them access to that chakra, be it through the Gentle Fist of the Hyuuga clan or chakra absorption traits of the Aburame's kikaichuu, they would have nearly nothing else to fall back on. Making them an easy target to subdue once they were denied access from their chakra.

Of course he also warned them to never be complacent even if the target could not use their chakra. There existed many esoteric and unorthodox shinobi who possessed alternative methods to take a life.

As for myself, I was the obvious heavy hitter in the trio. A combination of deadly close range capabilities with my kenjutsu and taijutsu as well as mid to long range versatility in my ninjutsu made me an all-round competent heavy assault combatant.

Added to that my undisclosed Sharingan that came with it an arsenal of eye-based genjutsu alongside my proficiency in medical ninjutsu meant that unless I was exceedingly outclassed, I would be a match for any opponent.

It was with this team composition that Asuma adjusted our training regime. He was helping Hinata with the issue of closing the distance to land her Gentle Fist strikes or figuring out a way to circumvent the need for getting up close and personal with the enemy; with Shino he provided some strategies to utilize his kikaichuu in more creative ways that would not risk the lives of his nest.

And finally with me, he emphasized combat ability and developed me as the trio's protector cum attack dog – able to go on the defensive to act as a shield for my teammates as easily as striking out offensively against our enemies. It was a role not often prescribed to normal teams as it required for the individual to take on far too many responsibilities for one to perform effectively. However, Asuma deemed me as being competent enough to take on these duties and flexible enough to engage both offensively and/or defensively at will.

It was a flattering assessment, though I did somewhat worry if Asuma was evaluating me with an over-exaggeration of my abilities. There was a certain modicum of pressure that started to seep in as the man highlighted the importance of my role in the team as well as the confidence he had that I could perform said role with ease. I wouldn't say that I thrived under pressure, but at the same time, I did enjoy a challenge.

Additionally, a day after our graduation exams, Sasuke told me about the test Kakashi had given them, before expressing an interest to learn Naruto's Shadow Clone technique. I had realized then and there that it was the perfect opportunity to accomplish a couple of my goals – namely, training Naruto, developing his and Sasuke's bond, and to openly 'learn' the Shadow Clone.

Thus, I gave Sasuke my suggestion, and though he was slightly reluctant in the beginning, the trust and confidence he had in me ultimately won over his initial hesitance.

We then approached Naruto and offered to train him in exchange for him teaching us his Kage Bunshin technique. I even dangled ninjutsu as a metaphorical carrot to sweeten the deal.

Naruto was initially hesitant, since he had been warned by the Hokage not to teach the technique to just anyone willy-nilly, and that it was a dangerous technique for anyone who used it recklessly. However, I managed to convince him that the Shadow Clone technique wasn't dangerous on its own, it was only the mass version of the technique that would be dangerous in the hands of someone who lacked the chakra reserves the blonde did.

Once again, my oratory and persuasive skills were a sight, or rather a sound, to behold and he conceded. Though I had to also assume that what should be my massive REP score with the boy as well as my relatively high CHA stat had to have played a part as well.

As a result, Naruto agreed to teach Sasuke and I his Kage Bunshin jutsu, and in return we would train him. Using the exchange of techniques as an excuse, I then extended the invitation to train together to the rest of our teams, and subsequently established regular inter-team training sessions for all of us to train together.

Being able to openly use the Kage Bunshin without receiving suspicion on where I had picked it up from would greatly expand the versatility of my skillset. After some experimentation in privacy, I had found out a few key features the technique introduced upon coming into contact with my Gamer System.

First off, shadow clones were not able to access the game system, period. At least, not like I could. The inventory and status pages could not be called up by a clone; so there would be no such thing like pulling out thousands of explosion tags from the inventory for a kamikaze suicide bombing by a clone, nor could a clone pump in all the free stat points accumulated for a temporary boost in strength.

The exception to that was the doppelganger from when I used [Summon Doppelganger]. Although the doppelganger could not use the free stat points in my status page, it had access to the inventory. Something that would definitely come in handy in the future. Additionally, I retained the memories of the doppelganger when it disappeared, similar to how shadow clones functioned.

Secondly, quests completed by clones netted me the same amount of EXP or other rewards as if I was the one who completed it. Which meant that theoretically if I had a thousand clones running around completing simple quests that rewarded even merely 10 EXP per piece, it would be an insane rate of return. Not that I could even create a thousand clones nor generate a thousand quests in the first place, but it was good to know that it was a possibility if I did.

Right now, with my max CP of 7535, I could comfortably make ten shadow clones – which also meant multiplying my skill growth rate by 1000%. I could make maybe one or two more, but reducing my CP further would greatly hamper their individual effectiveness. This as because of the shadow clone's weakness.

The one weakness being that each clone would only possess a max CP of 753 (the system rounded down it seemed), and they could not naturally regenerate CP like I could. Meaning, they were stuck with the amount of CP distributed when I created the clones originally. However, I had also discovered that the clones could recover CP when they meditated, so there was one silver lining at least.

This made it so that the clones could theoretically operate indefinitely if it continuously meditated to recover CP, although its efficiency would be lacklustre to say the least. Regardless, my skill growth rate rocketed upwards tremendously despite the disadvantages. Not only skills, even my stats could increase with the help of the Shadow Clones.

INT wasn't a physical stat that relied on physical exertion and conditioning to improve. It was all about mental exercises or acquiring new knowledge, not to mention the INT stat gains when I practiced Nature Transformation. The shadow clones were more than capable of reading new books or exercising their brainpower through puzzles or games like shogi and go, as well as practicing Nature Transformation. The experiences of which would be received by the original me when they were dismissed.

As a result, my INT stat once more soared past my other physical stats.

The training sessions usually went as such: A focused 1-on-1 mentoring with Naruto; A taijutsu spar involving either Sasuke or I fighting in a 1v2 against two others or Sasuke and I teaming up to fight 2v4. Sometimes, if I felt cocky enough, I would take on three or even four of them at the same time.

These taijutsu spars were mainly meant for Sasuke to hone his edge against multiple opponents concurrently, and for our teammates to gain experience working together with others. As for me, well, I rarely benefitted from these sessions. I didn't mind, however, as making sure Sasuke and Naruto became stronger would ultimately be beneficial in the bigger picture.

"Dammit, stop throwing Hinata at me, Shinji!" Naruto angrily exclaimed as he picked himself up while gingerly helping Hinata up as well.

I shook my head in a faux condescension, "Tsk, tsk. If you complained less, then I wouldn't have to throw Hinata at you so often." The girl in question didn't look as affected as I thought she would be, only casually separating herself from Naruto without any sputtering or crimson flushes.

The blonde growled, "That does it! Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Two clones materialized next to him, both in combat ready stances.

Sighing, a surge of chakra coursed through my chakra pathways and exited the soles of my feet as I used [Flash Step] to instantly cross the distance between us. "For the last time, no ninjutsu during a taijutsu spar, Naruto."

A fist and a kick flashed out and destroyed the clones before I moved forward to catch Naruto in a headlock. "Your punishment for breaking the rules – ten seconds noogie." I declared and grinded my knuckle against the top of his head.

"AGH! I give, I give!" Naruto yelped in pain as he struggled to get out of the headlock.

I refused to relent and only released the boy after the ten seconds were up.

The blonde fell back, rubbing the top of his head, pouting. "No fair, I can't beat you with just taijutsu alone!"

"That's why you need to practice and improve your taijutsu so that one day you can beat me with just taijutsu." I snapped back immediately, slightly tired of his attitude. This wasn't the first time we had such a conversation, and knowing the boy, it wasn't going to be the last.

"Damnit, why can't my shadow clones learn taijutsu as well?" He whined.

I rolled my eyes at his question. A question that had already been answered multiple times. "I already told you, your shadow clones, while extremely useful in learning theory, can't help you with the practical application of your taijutsu knowledge. You have to develop muscle memory, instinct, reflexes and hone your combat sense – and there is only one way to do all that."

"I know, I know. Getting my butt kicked. Repeatedly." Naruto sullenly replied.

"That's right. Imagine every single one of your clones being a taijutsu master, being able to avoid attacks and land their own at the same time. The effectiveness of your clones would amplify exponentially."

The blonde grumbled, but ultimately accepted my words.

"Alright, enough taijutsu for today, they should be about done too." I looked over at the other fight that was similarly wrapping up with Sasuke slipping into his opponent's guard while delivering a finishing and crushing right hook that landed with deadly accuracy on Shino's side where his liver was. The impact of the blow coupled sent the Aburame collapsing to the ground groaning in pain.

Shikamaru, on the other hand, was already on his back. Whether he was too exhausted to move or just couldn't bother doing so, I couldn't tell.

Sasuke formed a fist and placed it square on the fallen Aburame's temple, "Yield?"

Shino silently nodded and the Uchiha withdrew his fist before extending a hand to help the other genin up. It was heart-warming to see such a courteous conduct from the boy; a far cry from how I remembered him prior to my interference.

I beckoned Naruto and Hinata to follow me and went over to the others, momentarily stopping by Shikamaru to nudge with my foot, "Get up lazy bones, up next is the 3v3 team fight."

The Nara glanced at me and breathed out, "Remind me why I'm doing this again?"

"It's either this or a 1v1 spar between us. Totally your choice." I menacingly smiled.

Shikamaru unhurriedly got up, "Choosing between a knife or an ever bigger knife is no choice at all."

"It all depends on your perspective, Shika-chan. A small knife in your eye is way worse than a big knife in your thigh."

The lazy genius gave me a strange look, "Yeah… I have three questions: one, have you ever killed a person before? Two, how many people have you killed? And three, please will you not kill me?"

I laughed and patted his shoulder to which he flinched at, "Oh so funny, Shika-chan. Now come on, let's get started."

As I turned to the rest, I heard him muttering behind me, "You didn't answer my question…"

"Right, moving on," I clapped my hands to get their attention, "we are now going to start the 3v3 team fight. As usual, it will be Team Seven versus Team Ten, no restrictions except anything that would leave a permanent injury or something my medical ninjutsu can't fix – I'm looking at you Sasuke. Oh don't give me that look, last week you were about to send a Great Fireball at my team if I hadn't stopped you."

The Uchiha tsk'ed but relented.

"And as always, the losing team has to pay for the losing team's dinner. Without further ado, take your positions."

My team and I moved to one end of the training ground while Team Seven went to the other before huddling together with Shikamaru looking like he was giving instructions to the other two. This wasn't our first team battle and both Naruto and Sasuke realized awhile back that listening to Shikamaru would more often than not leave them in a much better position.

The Nara could be described as the glue that held Team Seven together. Not spiritually, but tactically. Both Naruto and Sasuke possessed stubborn personalities that clashed often. At times they insisted on doing things their way and usually would pay the price for doing so. Shikamaru provided a voice of reason and his prodigious flair for strategy and keen insight had more than once caught my team and I by surprise.

Not that they would have been successful had I been taking the fights seriously. More often than not I took a backseat to this exchanges, allowing either Hinata or Shino to take the lead. These team exercises were more for the others' benefit than my own. Underneath my forehead protector I secretly wore the Berserker's Eyepatch to even the playing field between both teams; its effects kicked in even if it was not worn over my eye.

Not only that, but I also limited the skills I could use, namely [Chakra Enhancement], [Chakra Flow], [Flash Step], and naturally [Sharingan]. Even with Sasuke's own Sharingan activated however, we were still roughly on the same level. Because even though my stats were reduced by half, the amount of passive bonuses my skills granted me boosted my abilities a fair bit.

Team Ten similarly huddled together as Hinata shared her plan.

"…so Shinji-kun will take go ahead and take on Sasuke. Naruto will likely be using his shadow clone technique then, so I would have to trouble Shino-kun to use your kikaichuu to disperse then. We have seen before that even a single bite will pop the clones, so spread out your hive and take them out all at once. I will move in to dispatch the real Naruto but I will have to leave Shikamaru to Shinji-kun once he is done with Sasuke."

"His shadow jutsu always gets me before I can close the distance, but Shinji-kun is too fast for his shadow to keep up. Ah, and Shino-kun, keep an eye out on Shikamaru using your hive's shadow to extend his range. It caught you last time even though you spread out your hive pretty far apart. Uhm… that should be all, right?"

Shino lifted his head, "I don't think that we should-"

I cut him off with a hand on his shoulder.

"Today is Hinata's turn to come up with the strategy." I gently but firmly reminded him with an assertive look in my eye. Part of wargaming, or strategic planning, was the luxury to make mistakes in the safety of a controlled environment today. Mistakes weren't failures, as I had shared with them once; mistakes were opportunities to learn and grow. Depriving another of that opportunity was tantamount to sabotaging their chance to learn from those mistakes and improve.

Neither Hinata nor I had interrupted with any unnecessary comments or critiques when he was the one planning, so at the very least he should extend the same courtesy when it was someone else.

I wanted Shino and Hinata both to develop their own sense of tactics and strategies, rather than relying on any one person for instructions. It was useful in improving not just large scale strategic planning, but also smaller scale, moment to moment tactics during a fight. It would also allow them to think for themselves and in the future question whether an order given by a superior would make the most tactical sense.

Shino's next words were caught in his throat at my message as he gave a slight bow, "I understand. My apologies, Hinata-san."

Hinata reddened at the interaction, seeming to be flustered at what might be perceived as conflict between teammates for one less informed of the team's dynamics, "A-ah, it's okay Shino-kun. I didn't really mind… but thank you, Shinji-kun… y-you're always so kind. I-I mean, are we ready?"

Both Shino and I nodded, already used to the girl's more eccentric idiosyncrasies.

We turned to our opponents, who looked to have finished their planning at the same time as us.

"Ready?" I shouted across the field.

"Hell yeah! When we win, we're going to Ichiraku's, dattebayo! I'm going to get five, no six bowls of their Premium Kurobuta Tonkotsu!" A certain member of Team Seven yelled in response, while his raven-haired teammate rolled his eyes before they shifted from onyx black to a familiar crimson red.

I wish I had someone other than Sasuke to whom I could comment on the irony of said Uchiha using his Sharingan for a spar against me when a just few months back it was the other way round.

Shino's kikaichuu buzzed angrily as I sensed a large number of them already beginning to tunnel into the dirt beneath him.

The veins on the sides of Hinata's eyes bulged as a whispered "Byakugan" activated the Hyuuga clan's dojutsu. Unlike when she was still in the academy where she needed handseals to circulate the chakra to activate her Byakugan, it seemed that she was familiar enough with the process now that not even a single handseal was needed.

I smiled slightly at my teammates' preparation and eagerness to start the fight before drawing my wakizashi to accompany their battle-ready stance.

"Begin!"