Murakami's POV
I adjusted my stance, shaking out the lingering tension from the taijutsu bout. That was... mildly entertaining.
Ryota had gone all out, which I expected, but I still had to hold back. The last thing I wanted was to draw too much attention.
Still, Matsuda-sensei's sharp eyes hadn't missed much. I could tell he noticed, though thankfully, he didn't seem particularly bothered, just curious.
And for now, that was fine.
With the taijutsu test wrapped up, our class was ushered toward the next phase: shuriken-jutsu.
For this test, we lined up in front of the target range, wooden boards lined with bullseyes set at various distances.
The test was simple, land as many accurate hits as possible with shuriken and kunai. Points were awarded based on precision.
One by one, students stepped up to the line, took their shots, and either walked away pleased or frustrated. I leaned against a post, casually observing the results.
Kaito had solid form but lacked consistency, his first few throws were decent, but the last two wobbled midair, barely grazing the target. Rika, unsurprisingly, was precise to a fault, taking her time to aim and landing most of her throws near the center.
Daisuke... Well, he nearly hit Matsuda-sensei by accident. I stifled a laugh when the man smoothly sidestepped, his expression stoic.
When my turn came, I strode up, exhaling as I weighed a shuriken in my palm.
I wasn't aiming for perfection. That defeats my purpose of laying low.
I adjusted my grip, flicking my wrist and letting the first shuriken fly. It landed a little off-center, good enough to pass but not enough to draw interest.
My next few throws followed a similar pattern. Each landed in a way that showed I was competent but far from the best in class.
Somewhere behind me, Rika clicked her tongue, muttering, "You could've done better."
I just shrugged and walked off.
And soon, we were done and were led to the training post where the agility test would be held.
There was an obstacle course that had been set up and we were expected to sprint, climb, dodge, and maneuver through a timed track. Speed and efficiency mattered.
The moment we arrived, I noticed another class wrapping up their turn. Some of their students had already finished and were watching us with disinterest, or in some cases, mild amusement.
Upperclassmen.
Even at a glance, it was clear they were on a different level.
While our class was still dealing with basic fundamentals, the older students were already incorporating ninjutsu into their spars.
I caught glimpses of them weaving hand seals, releasing bursts of flame, water, and lightning in controlled exchanges.
Interesting.
I Can't wait to become a mage soon.
There were some D-Rank ninjutsus in the library but those were unaccessible to students of lower grade. Only the 5th and 6th years were allowed.
Now I wasn't a clan kid and my parents didn't particularly leave me an inheritance of jutsus…hmm? Maybe they did but I'm not yet of the right age to claim them?
Not that it matters though. I never had any room for such things after all. If I needed to acquire jutsu scrolls, I could always acquire them myself.
Matsuda-sensei's voice pulled me back. "Next group, get ready."
Looks like it's my turn.
I stepped forward, scanning the obstacle course ahead. The setup was simple, but that didn't make it easy.
A row of hurdles stood at the start, spaced just enough to throw off anyone with bad timing.
Past that, a set of wooden dummies swung back and forth on ropes, meant to simulate attacks. Some moved in predictable patterns, while others were set at odd intervals, making it harder to judge their movement.
Further in, a series of narrow beams stretched across a shallow pit.
Fall, and you'd have to climb back up, wasting precious time. Then came the rope climb, a vertical ascent up a thick, frayed rope leading to a platform.
From there, a final sprint through a winding path of low-hanging wooden poles, forcing us to duck, weave, and slide, before crossing the finish line.
As Matsuda-sensei signaled the start, I moved.
The first hurdle came fast, I leapt, landing smoothly and pushing into the next. My pace stayed steady as I cleared the row, hitting the ground in stride.
The swinging dummies were next. I slowed just slightly, watching their movements. One came from the right, I twisted left, barely missing it. Another swung low, I hopped over it, rolling as I landed.
Someone ahead of me fumbled. A boy named Genji got clipped in the shoulder causing him to stumble sideways. He recovered quickly, but the hesitation cost him.
Then came the beams.
I hopped onto the first one, keeping my steps light.
The wood creaked beneath me, and a slight breeze threatened to throw off my balance. I bent my knees as I shifted my weight with each step I took. A sudden yell from behind made me glance back, Kaito wobbled, arms flailing.
He barely managed to stay on.
I turned forward, stepping off the final beam and reaching the rope climb. Without pausing, I grabbed hold, locking my feet against the rough surface. The rope scratched against my palms, but I moved quickly, scaling the height in a few pulls.
At the top, I exhaled, eyes on the last stretch, a winding path lined with low-hanging poles.
I ducked under the first, rolled beneath another, then sidestepped the last.
The finish line came into view.
By the time I crossed the finish line, I wasn't the first, but I wasn't dead last either.
Perfect.
As I stood to the side, catching my breath, I let my gaze drift across the field again.
Everywhere I looked, students were pushing themselves.
Other classes were running through similar tests, each instructor evaluating their students. Some kids looked ready to pass out from exhaustion, while others seemed eager for more.
And then there were the upperclassmen.
They were the real eye-catchers.
Even from a distance, I could see how sharp their movements were, years ahead of us.
Watching them train was like watching actual shinobi in action. I could barely follow their movements. It was a stark reminder of just how far I still had to go.
If I wanted to survive this world, I had to be patient, and most of all, careful.
For now, I'd stick to my pace, make more money and learn everything I could.
…
Matsuda-sensei finally called the group together, his expression unreadable as he glanced over us.
"That concludes your practical exams. Your results will be posted tomorrow. Dismissed."
Just like that, it was over.
I let out a quiet breath, stretching as the other students murmured amongst themselves.
One term test down. Many more still to go.
…
The academy grounds felt lighter after Matsuda-sensei dismissed us as the tension from the practical exams finally eased, and for the first time in weeks, the air wasn't filled with nervous whispers about tests or last-minute practice duels.
Instead, a new energy buzzed among my classmates. Excitement.
Three weeks.
That was how long we had before we had to return to this grueling cycle of training and lectures. Of course, we still had to come in tomorrow to check our results, but after that, we were free.
I stifled a yawn, rolling my shoulders as I made my way down the academy path, only for a sudden weight to land on my back.
"Murakami, you absolute sloth," Kaito groaned, draping himself over me dramatically. "You weren't even trying today, were you? I swear you barely looked winded after the agility course!"
I twisted slightly, shaking him off with little effort. "I don't know what you're talking about. I was just being efficient."
"Efficient, my foot," Rika muttered, walking beside us with her arms crossed. "You're weirdly good at things but never seem to care. It's annoying."
I smirked. "Annoying enough to make you care?"
"Shut up."
A few of our other classmates caught up, and before I knew it, we were walking together, the conversation spiraling into complaints about the tests.
"I still can't feel my arms," Genji groaned, stretching them out dramatically. "That rope climb was unfair. Some of us don't have monkey limbs like Murakami."
"I almost fell off the beams," Kaito admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't know how you balanced so well, Murakami."
I shrugged. "I just kept my weight centered."
"That doesn't help!" he cried but I ignored him.
Daisuke snorted. "At least you didn't almost take out Matsuda-sensei with a shuriken."
We all turned to look at him.
"I said almost!" he huffed, cheeks flushing. "He dodged it! He was fine! No harm done!"
"That's not the point," Rika sighed, shaking her head.
I chuckled, enjoying the casual banter. It was rare for us to talk like this, without the looming pressure of training or studies.
"Anyway," Kaito piped up, "the break starts tomorrow! Finally, some freedom! No more drills, no more lectures, no more terrifying Matsuda-sensei staring into our souls."
"Seriously," Genji nodded. "I'm going to sleep in so much."
Rika scoffed. "You mean waste all your time doing nothing?"
"Exactly."
"What about you, Rika?" I asked, curious.
She sighed, glancing up at the sky. "My parents will probably make me train. Again. It's always the same—'Rika, you need to improve your form.' 'Rika, you should start chakra control exercises.' 'Rika, why aren't you already a chunin?' hmm? No, that one is for my elder sister."
Daisuke winced. "Oof. That sounds rough."
True. "It is rough." I said in sympathy.
Kaito, however, grinned. "Well, I'm going to eat until I explode. My parents promised we'd go to that new sweets shop in the west district."
Genji gasped. "The one with the honey cakes?!"
"Yes!"
Daisuke clutched his chest. "Invite me."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
Genji pouted. "Some friend you are."
How dull can children be? If I were any other orphan right now, I'd probably be all droopy hearing all this.
I snorted, shaking my head. "Sounds like you all have plans."
"What about you, Murakami?" Rika asked, tilting her head. "What are you doing during the break?"
I hesitated for a split second before shrugging. "Just the usual."
That was vague enough to be the truth without actually telling them anything.
No one questioned it. I wasn't exactly known for being open about my personal life, so they moved on, their conversation shifting toward how to spend the rest of today.
Eventually, we reached the point where our paths split, everyone heading home in different directions.
"See you tomorrow!" Kaito called out, waving lazily.
I nodded, watching them leave before turning away myself.
Now that I was alone, I let out a slow breath.
This kind of carefree atmosphere wasn't bad. But it wasn't something I could afford to get used to.
Shaking the thought away, I adjusted my pace and made my way toward the East Market District, toward my store.
…
The East Market was as lively as ever.
Merchants called out their deals, their voices blending with the chatter of customers haggling for better prices. The scent of fresh-baked bread, grilled skewers, and spices filled the air, mixing with the faint but ever-present smell of ink and parchment from the stationery stalls.
I navigated the crowd with ease, slipping through the bustling streets until I reached the familiar sight of my general store.
The store had originally belonged to Ishida-san, but after striking a deal with the old man, I had taken over its operations.
A small bell chimed as I stepped inside.
The interior was modest, wooden shelves lined with various supplies, from foodstuffs and daily necessities to the occasional trinkets that travelers brought in to trade.
And there, behind the counter, was the familiar figure of Hina.
She glanced up as I entered, her short brown hair tied back in a loose ponytail. "You're late."
I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't know I was expected."
She scoffed, wiping her hands on her apron. "After those academy tests, I figured you'd come by. How'd it go?"
I leaned against the counter. "I passed."
"That's all you're giving me?"
"That's all that matters."
Hina rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
I smirked. "And yet, you keep working here."
She huffed but didn't deny it.
I glanced around the store, noting that everything was still in order. Business had been steady, and even though I couldn't always be here, Hina kept things running smoothly in my absence.
"Any trouble while I was gone?" I asked.
"Nothing major," she said, tapping her fingers against the counter. "A few rowdy kids tried to steal some candy, but I scared them off."
"By doing what?"
"Glared at them."
I chuckled. "Terrifying."
"You know it."
The store was calm, a contrast to the lively streets outside. It was a welcome change of pace, a place where I could focus on things other than shinobi training, tests, and keeping up appearances.
For now, this was my real work.
And I had three weeks to make the most of it.