As someone who had traveled from another world, Tom possessed one priceless advantage—he already knew how the future would unfold.
Now that both Naruto and the other rookie classmates were enrolled in the Ninja Academy, Tom could roughly estimate how close the timeline was to the major events of the Naruto world. The First Ninja War was long gone, and the Fourth hadn't started yet. But the threat of Orochimaru, the Akatsuki, and eventually the Fourth Great Ninja War loomed just over the horizon.
With all of that in mind, how could he continue learning at the slow pace of the Academy like a clueless student?
The answer was obvious: he couldn't.
"Tom, you're late again," Iruka said, his eyes narrowed in irritation.
"Ah, Mr. Iruka! I didn't expect you here this early," Tom said with a sheepish smile, scratching his head. "I over-trained this morning... lost track of time."
He spoke casually, as if being late was nothing new for him—which, to be fair, it wasn't.
"As a ninja, lacking a sense of time can get you and your comrades killed. Don't take this lightly." Though Iruka's words were strict, his tone remained warm and sincere.
"I understand, teacher. I'll correct myself," Tom replied with his usual respectful attitude.
"Since you've made a mistake, you must accept the consequences."
Iruka then formed a hand seal. Poof! A clone appeared beside him.
"The Shadow Clone Technique," Iruka's clone explained. "Not to be confused with the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, which is a forbidden technique due to the massive chakra it consumes. A standard shadow clone divides your chakra evenly between your original body and the clone. Whatever the clone learns or experiences will be transferred back to you once it disperses. It's an extremely useful technique."
The clone cracked its knuckles. "Now, as punishment—20 laps around the schoolyard. You have 15 minutes. If you don't finish in time, you'll be copying the Ninja Handbook 100 times."
"I'm so pitiful," Tom moaned dramatically as he started running.
Thirteen minutes later, he was gasping on the ground, drenched in sweat. But as soon as he spotted Iruka's clone, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Sensei... could you teach me the Shadow Clone Technique?"
He stood up quickly, putting on the most polite and eager face he could manage, practically bouncing with energy as he massaged the clone's shoulders.
"Absolutely not," the clone said flatly. "Ninjutsu must be learned gradually. Rushing into advanced techniques can backfire."
"But I've already learned all the basic jutsu from your textbook!" Tom pleaded.
"I said no," Iruka's clone repeated with finality.
"Ah~! Mr. Iruka," Tom groaned, dragging out his voice like a soap opera actress.
Even the clone looked uncomfortable.
Later that night, under a pale moon hanging silently in the sky, the grounds of the Ninja Academy were deserted. The wind rustled the leaves of the trees, creating a soft, eerie brushing sound.
From the shadows of the woods, a small figure emerged.
"Even though the school library doesn't have high-level ninjutsu scrolls, there are still plenty of valuable resources," Tom whispered to himself.
With the agility of a monkey, he slipped into the library undetected.
His eyes gleamed as he read the spines of the books stacked along the shelves.
"General History of the Ninja Continent," "Biography of the Sage of Six Paths," "Beginner's Guide to Illusions," "Introduction to Medicinal Herbs," "Detailed Human Meridian Charts," "Foundations of Sealing Jutsu."
Tom grinned.
"As expected... every library is a treasure trove of experience for the protagonist."
Because of his association with Naruto, Tom had already sensed the quiet attention of ANBU watching him from time to time. That meant he didn't have the freedom to seek out teachers like other kids might. If he wanted to grow stronger faster, his best shot was to graduate early.
That meant absorbing all the knowledge in this library.
And so, time passed.
Over a year later, Tom had already mastered all the material stored within the Academy's library. He had refined his chakra to an exquisite level, surpassing nearly every other student.
He had also secretly completed training in tree walking and water walking, both of which were exercises in chakra control. Mastering those techniques early gave him an overwhelming advantage.
But there was one more thing he had set his sights on.
Something most students wouldn't dare to touch.
The Eight Gates Technique—Eight Inner Gates.
Thanks to his regeneration ability, which constantly refreshed his cells and repaired damage, this forbidden technique was practically custom-designed for him. Most who attempted it faced permanent damage—or death. But Tom's healing factor drastically reduced that risk.
Using the meridian diagrams he had memorized from "Detailed Human Meridian Charts," he began studying the positions of the Eight Gates in the body.
In his past life, he had read everything available about the Eight Gates. He remembered it all.
---
The Eight Gates (Bamen Dunjia):
Gate of Opening (Kai Mon): Unlocks the brain's limiters to push physical ability to 100%, boosting speed and strength at the cost of massive energy drain. Grants access to Front Lotus.
Gate of Healing (Kyū Mon): Releases the body's fatigue limit. Restores physical stamina by forcibly burning reserves.
Gate of Life (Sei Mon): Enhances strength and speed further. Muscles swell, and skin turns red. Considered the last "safe" gate. Body emits green energy.
Gate of Pain (Shō Mon): Greatly boosts power, but begins to damage muscles and organs. Entry into the truly dangerous zone.
Gate of Limit (Tomon): Movement speed can generate shockwaves strong enough to lift the earth. Chakra begins warping air around the body.
Gate of View (Keimon): A temporary buffer state where energy builds silently. Maintains the green aura without outward signs of damage. Allows Morning Peacock.
Gate of Wonder (Kyōmon): Releases blue steam from sweat evaporation. The pain becomes overwhelming, yet when reactivated, pain temporarily vanishes. Grants Daytime Tiger.
Gate of Death (Shimon): The final gate. Upon activation, emits red steam from blood vapor. Grants power rivaling—or even surpassing—the Five Kage. Once opened, death is inevitable. Allows Evening Elephant and the ultimate, Night Guy.
---
Tom sat in the woods late into the night, legs folded, fingers pressed to his body's pressure points. Slowly and carefully, he guided his chakra through his meridians, tracing the path to the Gate of Opening.
Each attempt sent a wave of chakra crashing back at him, and sweat poured down his forehead. Even with his powerful mind and fine control, the precision required was exhausting.
This is harder than I thought, he admitted inwardly.
Still, he pressed on.
He shaped his chakra into a narrow, concentrated spike—a sharp cone—and rammed it against the gate location over and over again.
Again.
Again.
"Now!" he growled, gritting his teeth.
With a final surge, he unleashed a tenfold stronger chakra spike into the gate's pressure point.
BOOM.
It was as if something burst inside him.
A rush of heat and power surged through his limbs. His muscles twitched and flexed involuntarily. His vision flickered green for a second.
He had done it.
The Gate of Opening—unlocked.
Tom collapsed onto the grass, breathing hard, but smiling. He had taken his first step into the domain of forbidden taijutsu, the kind of power that only monsters like Might Guy could master.
And now, he was one of them.
---
Author's Note: The library isn't just a quiet corner of the school. It's a treasure trove for anyone with the brains to exploit it. In a world where information is power, Tom just became very dangerous.