Stepping into the hallowed halls of the Konoha Ninja Academy felt like entering a different world compared to the muted grey reality of the orphanage. The air hummed with a chaotic energy – the excited chatter of dozens of children, the sharp clack of wooden sandals on polished floors, the faint scent of chalk dust and old paper mingling with the outside freshness drifting through open windows. Bright banners depicting the Leaf symbol hung sporadically, attempting to instill village pride. For Ren, however, the noise and energy were just data streams, filtered and sorted by Gamer's Mind. He found an unobtrusive seat near the back, his senses automatically cataloging his new environment and classmates.
The first few weeks were an informational deluge disguised as lessons. History class, taught by a well-meaning but dry Chunin instructor named Daichi-sensei, presented a sanitized version of Konoha's past. Ren listened passively, mentally cross-referencing the official narrative with his own, more complete and brutal, knowledge of events like the Uchiha Massacre's true background (implied, not stated outright) or the complexities surrounding the First Hokage's legacy. Gamer's Mind prevented outrage or cynical commentary, instead filing away discrepancies under [Propaganda Analysis].
Then came the practical sessions, the true meat of the Academy curriculum. Iruka Umino took the lead for many of these, radiating a genuine passion for teaching that Observe tagged as [Dedication (High)]. He drilled them on basic Taijutsu stances – horse stance, fighting stance – emphasizing balance and form.
"Lower! Bend your knees! Feel your center!" Iruka would correct patiently.
Ren followed instructions meticulously. His physical stats (STR/DEX) were still average, maybe slightly enhanced by the CON boost from unlocking his chakra, but Gamer's Body allowed him to hold uncomfortable stances longer without debilitating muscle burn, merely registering [Muscle Fatigue: Increasing] and [Stance Stability: Moderate]. More importantly, the System recognized the patterns.
[New Skill Acquired: [Academy Taijutsu] Lv. 1 (0.0%)]
- Effect: Basic knowledge of Konoha Academy standard hand-to-hand combat forms and principles. Passively improves balance and coordination slightly.
- Proficiency increases through practice and sparring.
Throwing practice followed. Lines of students took turns hurling wooden kunai and shuriken at straw targets. Ren's initial attempts were clumsy. His arm strength was lacking, and translating mental calculation into physical motion took adjustment.
Clang. A kunai bounced harmlessly off the wooden post.
[Missed Target. Recalibrate trajectory estimate.]
He focused, visualized the arc, adjusted his grip, channeled the tiniest filament of chakra for stability (a trick Basic Chakra Control Lv. 6 allowed, though inefficiently), and threw again. Thwack. Closer.
[New Skill Acquired: [Throwing Accuracy] Lv. 1 (0.0%)]
- Effect: Governs precision with thrown weapons (Kunai, Shuriken, Senbon, etc.). Higher levels improve accuracy and allow for trick shots/curve throws.
- Proficiency increases through successful hits and varied distance practice.
The real test began with the infamous "Academy Three" Jutsu. Iruka started with the Transformation Jutsu (Henge). "The Henge allows a ninja to alter their appearance," Iruka explained, demonstrating by flawlessly becoming the Third Hokage. "It requires precise chakra control to mould your form and sustain the illusion. Focus on the image in your mind!"
Ren closed his eyes, picturing Iruka-sensei in detail – the scar across his nose, the standard Chunin vest, the precise height and build. He drew on his now more substantial CP pool (currently 80 points), pouring energy into the mental blueprint. The sensation was bizarre, like reshaping clay from the inside out. A puff of smoke, thicker than intended, enveloped him. When it cleared, he felt… different. Shorter, perhaps? He risked a glance at his hands – still his own small ones. Failed.
[Attempted [Transformation Jutsu]: Failed. Insufficient Detail/Chakra Fluctuation Detected.]
He tried again, focusing harder on the feeling of the transformation, not just the visual. Smoother chakra flow this time. Poof! He looked down. The hands looked vaguely like Iruka's, the clothes felt different. He risked glancing at a nearby reflective window. A passable, slightly blurry version of Iruka stared back.
[New Skill Acquired: [Transformation Jutsu] Lv. 1 (0.0%)]
- Effect: Allows user to physically alter their form to resemble another person, animal, or object.
- Illusion stability and detail depend on Skill Level and Chakra Control. Higher levels reduce CP cost.
- Cost: Initial transformation cost + sustained upkeep.
[[Transformation Jutsu] Level Up! Lv. 1 -> 2] (From successful application after focused effort)
[Improved stability, reduced Chakra cost slightly.]
Next came the Substitution Jutsu (Kawarimi). "Timing and speed are everything!" Iruka shouted, demonstrating by instantly replacing himself with a log just as another instructor threw a chalk eraser. "Feel the incoming attack, channel chakra, and switch places with a nearby object in that split second!"
This felt more instinctive to Ren. Danger perception was a primal survival skill his reincarnated soul understood. During drills, where instructors threw soft balls, Ren practiced feeling the moment of impending impact, focusing his chakra (Substitution Jutsu Lv. 1 requires 5 CP), and swapping with a pre-designated practice log. The disorientation of suddenly being where the log was, feeling the faint thump of the ball hitting wood instead of flesh, was jarring but exhilarating.
[New Skill Acquired: [Substitution Jutsu] Lv. 1 (0.0%)]
- Effect: Instantly replace body with a nearby object (log, etc.) upon perceiving an imminent attack.
- Speed and success rate depend on Skill Level, DEX, and reaction time. Higher levels decrease CP cost and allow substitution with less ideal objects.
- Cost: 5 CP per use.
Finally, the basic Clone Jutsu (Bunshin). "Remember, these are illusions," Iruka emphasized. "They have no substance. Good for distractions, diversions, but they can't attack. It takes very little chakra, but requires finesse to make them look real."
This one was the easiest, chakra-wise. Ren pushed out the required energy (Clone Jutsu Lv. 1 costs 2 CP). A shimmering, transparent duplicate of himself flickered beside him. Not very convincing. He focused on visual fidelity, channeling the chakra more smoothly. The next clone looked solid, identical to him, though it wavered slightly if he didn't concentrate.
[New Skill Acquired: [Clone Jutsu] Lv. 1 (0.0%)]
- Effect: Create intangible, illusory duplicates of the user.
- Clone stability, realism, and number possible depend on Skill Level and Chakra Control. Cannot interact physically.
- Cost: 2 CP per clone + minor upkeep.
Between formal lessons, Ren used his saved Skill Point. The Mizuki situation and the general need for information tipped the scales. Invest 1 SP into [Observe].
[Skill Level Up! [Observe] Lv. 3 -> 4!]
- Increased Information Yield: Can now detect basic Elemental Affinities, rudimentary Skill Levels (Novice, Adept etc. for low-level skills), and stronger emotional states/intentions.
- Cost: 1 CP per use.
The upgrade immediately proved its worth. Scanning classmates became more informative.
Observe: Sakura Haruno. Affinity: None Detected (Potential Earth/Water Latency). Skills: Chakra Control (Adept - Potential +++), Academics (Adept). Traits: Intelligent, Determined, Emotionally Focused (Sasuke). Intention: Impress Sasuke, Excel in class.
Observe: Shikamaru Nara. Affinity: Yin Release (Clan). Skills: Strategy (Adept - Latent+++), Shadow Jutsu (Locked/Clan). Traits: Genius (Lazy), Observant. Intention: Avoid work, Take a nap.
Observe: Ino Yamanaka. Affinity: Yin Release (Clan). Skills: Mind Jutsu (Locked/Clan), Social Manipulation (Novice). Traits: Confident, Competitive (Sakura). Intention: Get Sasuke's attention, Outdo Sakura.
He continued his observations on Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, noting their nascent skills and latent potentials. His enhanced Observe also subtly picked up on Mizuki's interactions. The white-haired Chunin often offered encouraging words to struggling students, but Observe now tagged it with [Deceptive Intent: Low Level Manipulation] or [False Encouragement]. When Mizuki looked at Naruto, especially after a failure, Observe flared with [Target Marked: Future Use] and a distinct undertone of Malice. It confirmed Ren's paranoia wasn't unfounded; Mizuki was actively assessing Naruto as a potential pawn. The need for stealth skills became even more apparent.
During Taijutsu sparring, Ren adopted a strategy of 'competent defense'. He used Observe to analyze his opponent's simple Academy patterns (Opponent telegraphs right hook, Weakness: Poor balance during kicks), focused on dodging and blocking using the basic forms (Academy Taijutsu Lv. 2 - Improved defense), and let Gamer's Body absorb the inevitable hits without showing pain. He rarely won, but rarely lost decisively either, always yielding before things escalated. He needed passing grades, not a reputation as a fighting prodigy.
[[Academy Taijutsu] Proficiency Increased: +0.15% (Sparring Data Acquired)]
His interactions with classmates remained minimal. He politely deflected Kiba's boisterous challenges, ignored Sakura and Ino's rivalry over Sasuke, and offered Shikamaru nods of understanding when the lazy genius complained about 'troublesome' exercises. The brief exchange with Naruto over the stray shuriken hadn't been repeated. Naruto seemed wary, perhaps confused by Ren's neutrality, occasionally glancing his way but keeping his distance. It suited Ren perfectly. Attachments were liabilities he couldn't afford yet.
His true focus remained hidden. The grind continued – mastering the Academy basics to maintain his cover, leveling Basic Chakra Control towards the water-walking threshold, slowly increasing Observe proficiency, and spending precious evening hours under a flickering oil lamp in the orphanage, deciphering the tattered [Foundations of Sealing Script] scroll and practicing the infuriatingly precise strokes required for [Seal Script Calligraphy]. Every tiny gain felt like forging another piece of armor against the future he knew was coming. The Academy was merely phase one of the long game.