The Academy bell couldn't ring fast enough.
Jin had managed to avoid being called on during the transformation practice, staying in the back and blending in while his thoughts raced.
As soon as Iruka-sensei dismissed them for morning lunch, he was the first one out the door.
His feet carried him away from the main Academy building, past the outdoor training posts and toward the forest edge where he'd be less likely to run into classmates.
The quest notification pulsed insistently in his peripheral vision, and with a mental command, he expanded it to see the full details.
[Daily Quest: Strength Training]
[0/100 Push-ups]
[0/100 Sit-ups]
[0/100 Squats]
[0/10km Run]
[Time Remaining: 22:15:43]
Jin studied the numbers with determination. Yesterday's quest had been brutal—he'd barely scraped through to completion, collapsing multiple times during exercises and struggling through that nightmarish ten-kilometre run. But he'd learned something important: this borrowed body had muscle memory that would activate once he pushed past the initial resistance.
Today would be different.
He found a secluded clearing tucked behind a cluster of oak trees, similar to where he'd trained yesterday but closer to the Academy. The morning light filtered through the canopy, dappling the soft earth covered in fallen leaves.
Jin settled into position for his first push-up, this time focusing on the technique he remembered from yesterday's brief success.
One. Two. Three.
The rhythm felt more natural this time. Where yesterday he'd struggled with basic form, today his body seemed to remember the proper alignment. His elbows stayed close to his sides, his back remained straight, and his breathing found a steady pattern.
Twenty push-ups passed without the trembling that had plagued his first attempt. At thirty—where he'd collapsed yesterday—Jin felt fatigue building but pushed through. The borrowed muscle memory was stronger now, guiding him through movements that felt increasingly automatic.
Forty. Forty-five. Fifty.
Finally, his arms gave out, and he lowered himself to the ground in a controlled descent rather than the face-first collapse of yesterday.
Much better, he thought, rolling his shoulders.
The improvement was noticeable—both in endurance and technique.
After a brief rest, he tackled his second set. His form held better this time, and though fatigue set in faster, he managed another twenty-five push-ups before his muscles refused to cooperate.
[75/100 Push-ups]
Progress, Jin thought, smiling grimly. The daily training was actually working.
The sit-ups came next, and here too he felt the difference. His core strength had improved overnight—or perhaps he was simply better at accessing what this body already knew. The movements flowed smoother, his breathing synchronised with each repetition.
He knocked out fifty in his first set, paused to catch his breath, then managed another thirty before the burn became too intense.
[80/100 Sit-ups]
For squats, Jin felt genuinely confident. Yesterday had shown him this was his strongest exercise, and now he understood why. The borrowed muscle memory was strongest here, guiding him through perfect form—feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, descent controlled.
He powered through sixty repetitions in his first set, feeling the satisfying burn in his thighs and glutes. This body was built for this kind of training; he just needed to learn how to use it properly.
But as he prepared for his second set of squats, footsteps crunched through the underbrush behind him.
"Oi, Jin! What are you doing all the way out here?"
Jin spun around to find Chouji approaching, an empty chip bag crumpled in his hand.
Behind him came Shikamaru, looking distinctly annoyed at having to walk this far.
"Just... getting some air," Jin said, trying to control his breathing. Sweat dripped down his face, and his Academy uniform clung to his back.
"Getting air?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've been wrestling a bear. Troublesome."
"The lunch break's almost over," Chouji added helpfully. "Iruka-sensei wants everyone back for sparring practice."
Jin's heart sank. He glanced at his quest progress—still needed twenty squats, twenty sit-ups, twenty-five push-ups, and the entire ten-kilometre run. Despite his improved performance, there was no way he could finish before class resumed.
"Right," he said, patting away dirt. "Let's head back."
I'll have to try again after Academy, he thought, following his classmates back toward the main building. At least I'm making real progress this time.
*****
The sparring ring felt smaller than usual with the entire class gathered around its perimeter. Iruka stood in the centre, consulting a clipboard as he called out match-ups.
"Sasuke and Naruto," he announced, and the two boys stepped forward with very different expressions—Sasuke's cool confidence versus Naruto's burning enthusiasm.
Jin tried to blend into the crowd, hoping to be paired with someone manageable. His muscles still ached from his training session, though less than yesterday. The quest notification continued to pulse annoyingly in his vision.
"Next up," Iruka called after Sasuke's predictable victory, "Jin Kohinata and Kiba Inuzuka."
Of course.
Kiba grinned as he entered the ring, cracking his knuckles. "This should be easy! You ready for this, Jin?"
Jin stepped forward on unsteady legs, bowing formally despite his nerves. Kiba was one of the more aggressive fighters in their class—fast, instinctive, and utterly fearless.
This borrowed body might know taijutsu forms, but did Jin have the reflexes to use them?
As Jin settled into his fighting stance, a new notification appeared in his vision:
[Side Quest: Defeat Kiba Inuzuka]
[Win a sparring match against Kiba.]
[Reward: +3 Stats]
[Accept? Y/n]
Jin's eyes widened slightly. The system was offering him a quest?
Without hesitation, he mentally selected 'Yes.' If he was going to get beaten up anyway, he might as well have something to gain from it.
"Hajime!" Iruka called out.
Kiba immediately charged forward, leading with a straight punch aimed at Jin's face. Jin's body moved before his mind could process the attack—a quick step to the side and a deflecting block that sent Kiba's fist harmlessly past his ear.
How did I do that?
But Kiba recovered quickly, spinning into a low kick that caught Jin behind the knee. Jin stumbled, his guard dropping, and Kiba's follow-up punch connected solidly with his ribs.
Pain exploded through his side, and Jin staggered backward, gasping. The borrowed muscle memory had guided his first defence, but it couldn't overcome his lack of fighting instinct.
Kiba pressed his advantage, launching a flurry of punches and kicks that forced Jin to give ground. Most of the attacks Jin managed to block or deflect—this body's training taking over—but enough connected to leave him battered and struggling.
A particularly vicious hook caught him in the stomach, doubling him over. Kiba grinned and prepared to finish with an uppercut.
Jin's vision filled with translucent text:
[Skill: 'Resilience Lvl 1' has been obtained]