Over a year had passed since Shin arrived in Konoha.

  Iraining ground of Tsunade's small courtyard, Shin practiced his Swordsmanship, his Katana fshing in the sunlight.

  Not many in the Shinobi world specialized isu. Most relied on Ninjutsu; it was the primary focus of their training.

  The most skilled swordsman in Konoha robably Sakumo Hatake, though it seemed he hadn't earhe moniker "Konoha's White Fang" yet.

  Shin hadn't even heard the name Sakumo Hatake before. He robably still retively unknown.

  Masterisu required not just hard work, but also finding your own path.

  From the beginning, Shin had known ath he wao take: ohat Maximized His Strengths.

  And his strengths were? His [Perfect Sage Body], granting him monstrous Strength and Speed. His Kenjutsu would be one of overwhelming power and swiftness.

  "Three-Step Ssh!"

  Shin unleashed three sshes in the blink of an eye, effortlessly slig the wooden training dummy into four pieces.

  Three sshes per sed were child's py for him now. His limit was five.

  Five sshes in a single sed, a True Testament to his speed.

  Even ae Jōnin, caught off guard, wouldn't be able to withstand su assault.

  "If I could bihis with Space-Time Ninjutsu... I already imagine myself rag up kills otlefield."

  Unfortunately, he didn't know any Space-Time Ninjutsu. He was eager to learn, though. Such Jutsu were incredibly versatile, invaluable for both offense and defense.

  "Shin, breakfast is ready! We have that test today, so we o leave early," Kushina called out.

  Shihed his katana and headed inside. Kushina had already prepared breakfast.

  It was a simple meal of bread and milk. Shin had baked the bread; Kushina had only set the table.

  He didn't dare let Kushina cook. She was a master of creating ary abominations. The oime he had tried her cooking, he had spent the entire m throwing up.

  From then on, he had banned her from the kit.

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  After breakfast. Shin packed their lunches and they headed out.

  Tsunade wasn't home. As ae Jōnin, she was always on missions.

  At the Academy, the was filled with a mix of ay aement.

  Those with good grades were eager to show off, while those whled dreaded the test.

  "Mikoto, I'm ting on you for the written exam."

  Shin said as he sat down.

  The m was dedicated to the writte. Shin had no i in studying those theoretical cepts, and the questions were often bizarre. Cheating was his only option.

  But he had to choose his source wisely. Most of the css were hopeless. Thankfully, Mikoto student, sistently sg first in the written exams.

  "Just don't get caught," Mikoto said with a smile.

  "Don't worry, I won't," Shin assured her.

  Mikoto gave him a dubious look.

  "That's what you said st time, ah ended up getting punished."

  "Ahem, that was an act."

  Shin ged, remembering the time he got caught cheating. But that was a fluke; it wouldn't happen again.

  The m passed, and the writte cluded. Shin had copied Mikoto's answers; he was fident he'd done well.

  He had also helped Kushina and Nawaki cheat. They were both terrible at academics.

  After the writte, they had a break for lunch. Shin, Kushina, and Mikoto found a quiet spot to eat their lunch.

  Over the past year, they had bee close friends.

  "We have the practical test this afternoon. Are you nervous?" Mikoto asked.

  "Why would we be nervous? We've dohis so many times already," Shin said nontly.

  The Academy held tests every month.

  "These test scores don't even matter. They don't affect graduation," Shin added.

  "Then why did you cheat?"

  Mikoto's question almost made Shin choke on his food.

  "Ahem, I just don't want to be at the bottom of the css."

  "Yeah, me her," Kushina chimed in.

  After lunch, they had a short break before the practical test. Tanaka-sensei led the css to the training grounds.

  "The results for the writte are in. Uchiha Mikoto scored a perfect score, pg first in the css," Tanaka-sensei announced.

  No one seemed surprised. Mikoto was always at the top.

  "Also, Uzumaki Shin, Senju Nawaki, did you two cheat? Who copied from whom? You have the same score, and you even got the same questions wrong."

  Tanaka-sensei gred at them. Nawaki avoided his gaze, while Shin remained calm.

  Inwardly, however, Shin was cursing Nawaki's stupidity. He had helped him cheat, but did he have to copy everything?

  When Shin copied from Mikoto, he had deliberately answered a few questions incorrectly. Kushina had dohe same when she copied from him.

  But Nawaki had copied everything, including the wrong answers. It was no wohey got caught.

  'Nawaki, sorry buddy, but it's time to ditch the dead weight,' Shin thought ruthlessly.

  "Tanaka-sensei, Nawaki copied from me. I know it was wrong, but he threateo beat me up if I didn't let him. I didn't have a choice."

  Shin put on an Oscar-worthy performance, as if he had truly been threatened.

  Nawaki gaped at him. He had begged Shin to help him cheat, but he had hreatened him!

  "Nawaki, I 't believe you'd do that! I'm telling Grandma Mito! Well, maybe if you fess, I might resider..."

  Kushina said "Angrily."

  Shially gave Kushina a thumbs-up. He decided he wouldn't help Nawaki cheat anymore. This guy was a liability.

  Nawaki felt a wave of despair. Kushina's words were a clear threat. She was f him to fess. Shin and Kushina were so mean!

  "I'm sorry, Tanaka-sensei. I copied," Nawaki fessed, hanging his head.

  "Copy the questions from this test a huimes. You have three days," Tanaka-sensei said without a trace of sympathy.

  Nawaki felt like he had been struck by lightning. Copying the questions a huimes? He'd be dead from exhaustion! And he only had three days! He wao cry.

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