Chapter 30 – Training and Rapid Progress
It seemed that reporting to the Hokage had actually worked. For the following period, Taichi never encountered Danzo again, nor did he face any threats from Root.
Life appeared to return to its normal rhythm, but only Taichi knew things had changed. Feeling the lingering pressure, he pushed himself harder than ever, spending more hours in training and holding himself to stricter standards. Every practice session was driven by discipline: he never rested early, always swung his blade one more time if possible, and each night he drained nearly all his chakra before going to sleep.
Such high-intensity training didn't just affect him—it influenced his friends as well. Whether intentionally or not, everyone began following Taichi's pace, gradually increasing the intensity of their own exercises.
Finally, one day after school in the little forest, everyone collapsed from exhaustion after another grueling session. Even Guy, who usually focused solely on his training, noticed something unusual.
"Taichi… what's going on with you lately? Why are you pushing yourself so hard every single day? You've got my blood boiling too!" Guy panted between words, struggling to catch his breath.
"Yeah, yeah, I've been eating extra bowls at every meal lately—my grandma even asked if I was sick!" Obito chimed in from the side.
Taichi glanced at his friends, all looking at him with concerned expressions, waiting for an answer. Warmth spread through him—he was lucky to have such companions.
"It's nothing," Taichi replied casually. "I lost a fight recently… really badly. So I've been working hard to get back on my feet." Of course, he couldn't tell them the full truth—sharing such details would only cause unnecessary worry and gossip.
"Oh? You lost to someone and got beaten badly?!" Obito's eyes lit up. "Was it an upperclassman? Let's go beat them up together!"
Kakashi rolled his eyes. He knew Taichi's true strength. There were probably only a handful of students in the ninja academy who could even challenge him, and none who could defeat him that badly.
"Could it be a real ninja?" Rin chimed in thoughtfully, hitting close to the mark.
"Something like that," Taichi said calmly. "I just use it as motivation to train harder. After all, we want to become true ninjas, and strength is the foundation."
Seeing that Taichi didn't wish to elaborate, his friends didn't press further. The past days had been tough, but the progress everyone had made was undeniable.
After catching their breath, everyone resumed their individual training. Guy struck a tree stump, sending leaves fluttering from the half-meter-thick trunk. Kakashi practiced his sword techniques, slicing through the air with precision. Rin and Obito sparred in hand-to-hand combat, exchanging blows in rapid succession.
The little forest buzzed with the sound of effort, determination, and rapid growth—their collective resolve turning the training ground into a forge of skill.
Taichi continued training alone, focusing on basic taijutsu. Having used up too much chakra in his previous exercises, he no longer had any reserves. His body moved on instinct, while his attention was fixed on his status panel.
[Chakra Refinement Lv10 – Maxed]
New Trait: Instinct
Instinct: Chakra refinement is now integrated into your body's natural reflexes. You can extract maximum chakra with minimal physical and mental energy, with no loss. Effect: Chakra recovery rate doubled; daily maximum self-refined chakra doubled.
[Basic Taijutsu Lv10 – Maxed]
Constitution +2, Strength +1, Agility +1, Advanced Taijutsu Lv1 unlocked (0/1000 XP)
[Basic Meditation Lv10 – Maxed]
Spirit +2, Mental Resilience and Mental Resistance doubled, Advanced Meditation Lv1 unlocked (0/1000 XP)
[C-Rank Healing Technique Lv10 – Maxed]
Yang Attribute Experience +500
Name: Matsushita Taichi
Profession: Ninja Apprentice Lv9 (52/1600)
Talents: Diligence Compensates for Lack of Talent, Scholar
Age: 6
Constitution: 17
Strength: 18
Agility: 15
Spirit: 22
Chakra: 6000 (13500)
Attribute Points: 11
Skill Points: 12
Fire Attribute Lv4 (12/600)
Wind Attribute Lv4 (4/600)
Water Attribute Lv3 (376/400)
Yang Attribute Lv6 (324/1000)
Skills: Advanced Taijutsu Lv0 (0/1000), Advanced Meditation Lv0 (0/1000), Ninja Tool Throwing Lv9 (535/1600), Triple Body Technique Lv9 (231/1600), Hatake Kenjutsu Lv7 (534/1200)
Fire Techniques: Flame Bullet Lv8 (623/1400), Phoenix Sage Fire Lv9 (423/1600), Fire Dragon Flame Bullet Lv5 (13/800)
Wind Techniques: Great Breakthrough Lv8 (312/1400), Gale Palm Lv5 (23/800)
Water Techniques: Water Wall Formation Lv4 (589/600)
Medical Ninjutsu: Mystical Palm Technique Lv7 (23/1200), Delicate Illness Extraction Technique Lv6 (563/1000), Chakra Scalpel Lv5 (697/800)
Maxed Skills: Healing Technique, Chakra Refinement: Instinct
Evaluation: Chakra limitations have been largely overcome. You can afford to experiment, but don't get carried away.
Taichi was stunned by the changes in his panel, pausing his movements. He had expected some changes upon maxing skills, but not of this magnitude. After silently processing the experience points and new effects, he focused on understanding the changes in his body.
First was his physical body. The increase in strength was expected, but the feeling of vitality was overwhelming—he felt as if his previous self had been a frail old man. Seeing his daily maximum chakra extraction surpass 10,000, Taichi finally felt he no longer needed to micromanage his chakra usage.
Next were the taijutsu and meditation upgrades. According to the experience gains, the jump from Lv9 basic skills to Lv0 advanced skills was already within Chunin-level ability. Once he leveled advanced skills to Lv1, he would reach Jonin-level territory.
Taichi's earlier worries about his strength faded. A few skill upgrades alone had alleviated much of his anxiety. Steeling his mind, he began practicing the new Advanced Taijutsu, recalling the sequences from memory.
Advanced Taijutsu was far more complex than basic techniques, with significantly higher difficulty. Taichi deliberately slowed his movements, stumbling through his first full run. To his surprise, completing the sequence didn't grant a single experience point. Determined, he practiced again—same result.
He repeated the sequence tirelessly. Only after he could perform the entire routine smoothly did the system award +1 experience point. He trained several more times and discovered that even a momentary lapse or slight mistake meant no experience gain. Progress in Advanced Taijutsu demanded not just raw experience points but total physical and mental focus—a full coordination of body and mind.
No wonder Advanced Taijutsu Lv1 was considered Jonin-level.
His friends noticed something unusual. Obito was about to ask, but Kakashi stopped him. Facing Obito's confused look, Kakashi explained, "Taichi is practicing a new taijutsu. It seems he can't be interrupted—we just watch."
"Got it!"
The others spread out to four corners, continuing basic training while also preventing anyone from disturbing Taichi. Nearly an hour passed before he finally stopped, and his friends gathered around him again.
Pausing, Taichi looked at their positions and immediately understood their intent. Feeling touched, he still thanked them aloud, "Thanks, everyone. I gained some insights from taijutsu just now. Sorry to trouble you all."
His friends were delighted. Sudden insights like this were rare, and each one meant a significant leap in strength—definitely a cause for celebration.
"To thank you all, let's go have some barbecue today. I heard the Akimichi family's restaurant is the best in all of Konoha," Taichi invited.
"Sounds great! Let's go eat!" they all agreed enthusiastically.
The evening sky painted their silhouettes in warm reds, glowing like the fiery passion of the children themselves.
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