This way, he'd still have a little breathing room. Shiki knew that leaving the village without officially becoming a Konoha genin would definitely raise suspicion among many people.
After all, carrying the identity of an orphaned heir from the Uzumaki Clan wasn't something easily shrugged off. Most people feared the power these great clans once wielded.
Wasn't that exactly why the Uzumaki Clan was eventually wiped out?
"Still, should I go to Mount Myoboku first? If I trained in Sage Mode there, could the enhanced regeneration granted by Sage Mode help restore my meridians?"
Shiki pondered. Although there were three great sacred places for training Sage Mode—Mount Myoboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryuchi Cave—if he chose Ryuchi Cave, he might very likely encounter Orochimaru. After careful consideration, he decided against it.
If only he could find Jiraiya! But tracking down someone as erratic and nomadic as him? That was no easy feat.
Moreover, Jiraiya probably wasn't even in Konoha right now. Thinking about this, Shiki figured that if absolutely necessary, he'd have to do just like his mentor did—set out himself to search for Mount Myoboku.
Sigh. If that's the case, he'd also need to convince his future team to take on missions near Mount Myoboku.
Thinking it through repeatedly, Shiki suddenly realized he had far too much to consider.
It seemed like ever since arriving in the Naruto world, he'd never truly had a moment's peace. He was always carrying heavy responsibilities.
Fated for nothing but toil since birth!
Shiki couldn't help but laugh at himself.
Around twelve o'clock, Shiki heard Sena-chan let out a long yawn.
Then shortly afterward came the sound of a door closing.
Senā had gone to sleep.
Shiki decided to stop thinking too, and drifted off.
All worries let him go once he entered dreams. That's why people often call sleep the best feeling in the world.
No matter what you're going through, you must succumb to sleep. And during dreams, those troubles from reality will disappear.
Except for nightmares, of course.
Anyway, when Shiki woke up again, he felt unusually refreshed.
After breakfast, he arrived early at the small grove for training. Though unable to use the Eight Gates Release technique, this habit was one he'd never abandoned.
*Cheng!*
A clean cut sliced through the air, splitting the training post in half. On Shiki's hand, chakra still flowed, refusing to dissipate entirely.
His [Scalpel] technique was becoming more and more stable. At least, it wouldn't vanish before even landing a hit anymore.
After finishing the cut, Shiki glanced at the weights strapped to his legs, pride swelling in his chest.
At his age, how many others could bear such heavy loads?
Ever since recovering from his leg injury, Shiki had placed extreme value on it.
Only while burdened by these heavy weights did he feel the strength surging within himself.
"Lee! It's time!" Shiki called out as he noticed the time drawing near.
*Thump! Thump! Thump!* The sound of fists meeting wood never stopped.
Looking quite pained, Lee said, "Shiki, do you know..."
"Now, if I leave, I will—"
Shiki Uzumaki had already consciously ignored what Lee was saying, knowing full well that what would follow were just Lee's so-called punitive measures again.
"Well then, I'm off!" Shiki declared, assuming a starting stance.
"Tch! Shiki, you actually tried to get ahead while I was training! Even so, I'll definitely beat you!"
As expected,
Seeing Lee charging toward him like a raging wind, Shiki knew trying to stop him through persuasion would be pointless.
The better choice was clear—to match Lee's speed head-on.
With that thought, Shiki began sprinting as well. His speed was so great it even created a gust of wind.
Without the opportunity to learn new ninjutsu, Shiki realized his Taijutsu skills were improving at a much faster rate.
Chapter 71: A Battle with Sasuke
Now quite a crowd had gathered at the Ninja Academy, making it slightly crowded since students from other classes had also been allowed to stay and observe today's final match.
These students had been granted permission to observe and learn from the match.
For kids their age, watching battles between stronger peers and gaining experience was an essential step toward becoming proper Genin.
Of course, the reason the Ninja Academy hadn't allowed this before was that most matches the previous day had been too basic, and students from other classes were also absent.
Only those who stood among the strongest were considered worthy examples for others' training and development.
Shiki Uzumaki stood in the crowd just like the rest of the children.
"Actually, Shiki, you don't have to push yourself too hard," Tenten advised once more.
"Don't worry, I promise I won't overdo it," Shiki replied, flashing his unusually bright smile.
Many girls at the school used to say, "Shiki-kun's smile could melt ice itself."
In reality, though, Shiki Uzumaki knew he was simply a man masking his pain and forcing out a grin.
Because as a man by birth, one should naturally endure what must be endured. As for negative emotions—even if he needed to cry alone in the dark—that was something he could never show.
"Puh-lease!" Tenten pouted. "I always feel like your heart isn't as warm as your smile makes it seem."
Tenten saw right through him. Shiki felt slightly embarrassed—he'd thought he'd hidden his true feelings better than that.
He chose silence instead; talking further with Tenten would only make things worse.
Soon enough, the scheduled time for the match arrived.
There was only one examiner today, someone Shiki didn't recognize at all.
Still, he found the examiner's stubbornly upright tuft of hair amusing.
Noticing the crowd around him, the examiner finally spoke, his stubbornly upright tuft of hair bobbing slightly as he turned. "The purpose of this exam is to help identify where each of you falls short of becoming a Genin. It will also allow you all to witness the level of skill some of your peers have already achieved. Hopefully, this motivates everyone to work harder on your journey toward becoming outstanding Genin!"
Maybe it was because of the examiner's deep, commanding voice, but after he finished speaking, a long silence fell over the crowd.
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