Naruto: Becoming a master taijutsu using martial arts.

It had been a year and two months since I started at Konoha's ninja academy, and let me tell you—it wasn't exactly the ninja dream I'd signed up for. Sure, I'd gotten stronger and smarter (probably), but the real highlight was finding out how much of a pain life can be when you're trying your best. 

After that chat with Jimei, I doubled down on my training. Mornings were for workouts, and afternoons? Hours of reading and writing. Ninja student life: 10% action, 90% studying and hoping for the best.

By the end-of-year exams, I managed to crank up my grades, snagging the top spot overall in our year. For a hot second, I thought this would mean skipping ahead a few classes. But then, I remembered what Jimei told me and, well, reality check. Back to square one.

So, there I was, back in the same old classroom, doing the leaf sticking exercise. This thing was finally being taught at the academy, but seriously, I'd been doing it for months already. Come on, catch up.

"Now that you can all keep the leaf on your foreheads for at least five minutes, I'll teach you your first ninjutsu." Bekkou-sensei announced, snapping most of the class out of their concentration.

Finally! Some real ninja action! Or so I thought.

Of course, Jimei was one of the few who stayed laser-focused. That kid sucked at taijutsu, but his chakra control? Annoyingly good. I'd even taught him some basic boxing moves—jab, hook, uppercut—but his footwork was trash, and he couldn't stand the idea of fighting up close.

Jimei didn't even blink. Kid was locked in, like the leaf had personally insulted his family. That guy sucks at taijutsu—I mean, really sucks—but give him a chakra control exercise, and suddenly he's the chosen one. Meanwhile, I was just praying for something useful, like the Transformation Jutsu.

Anyway, I wasn't gonna stress about that. Today was the day! Ninjutsu time! Finally! Access to jutsu in a ninja village is basically a state secret. Sure, there's a library, but it's useless. Want the Transformation Jutsu? Sorry, restricted. Want literally any cool move? Tough luck, kid. You'll get ninja rules and some random civilian books. Enjoy.

And no, I didn't know anyone who could teach me. Okay, I'd seen the legendary green beast of Konoha a few times, but what was I supposed to do? Run up to him and beg for lessons? Yeah, no thanks.

So, I'd been training and praying for this moment. Finally, it was happening.

"The jutsu we're learning today needs a volunteer. Who's in?" Bekkou-sensei asked. Immediately, a forest of hands shot up, including mine.

Guess who got picked? Yep, Jimei. Ugh. I was hyped, thinking we'd learn the Transformation Jutsu—because, let's face it, that's the most useful thing ever. But nope. Bekkou-sensei crushed my dreams with a single sentence.

"Today, we're learning the Nawanuke no Jutsu, the rope escape technique."

Great. Rope escape. Super exciting.

I groaned internally. Could've been something awesome, but no, let's learn how to untangle ourselves like discount magicians. Great.

Jimei rushed over like he'd just snorted three lines of pure caffeine. The kid was bouncing off the walls! Bekkou-sensei tossed him a rope, probably wondering what he was getting himself into. Miraculously, Jimei actually managed to tie Bekkou-sensei's wrists tight and proper. It was like watching a tornado accidentally do something right.

"First, focus your chakra to use the technique. Experienced ninjas can do it easily, but you can use the Tiger hand seal to help concentrate your chakra on your wrists." Bekkou-sensei explained, showing us the seal. "Channel the chakra into the rope. This is important because you're guiding your chakra through an object. This technique is also used to enhance weapons like kunai during battle."

He made it look ridiculously easy, undoing the knot in seconds.

"The key isn't brute strength." Bekkou-sensei explained while casually untying himself. "It's about finesse and chakra control. Pair up and practice. Oh, and don't strangle yourselves."

I sighed. Not exactly the ninjutsu debut I was hoping for, but hey, it was something. Jimei waved me over, looking like he'd downed three energy drinks. I walked over, already regretting my decision.

"Ken-kun! Want to go first?" he asked, grinning like an idiot.

"Sure." I said. "But you know how to tie a knot, right?"

"Of course! Remember the knot-tying lesson? I crushed it!"

Oh, I remembered, alright. During that lesson, Jimei somehow tied himself to a practice dummy. Took five minutes, a kunai, and a lot of patience to free him. Classic Jimei.

"Just don't tie yourself up again." I teased.

"That was a one-time thing! Trust me!" Jimei said, grabbing a rope. He worked on the knot like his life depended on it, tongue sticking out and everything. When he finished, he stepped back proudly, like he'd just painted the Sistine Chapel.

"Try getting out of that!" he challenged.

The knot looked decent, but nothing I couldn't handle. 

"Alright, my turn to shine." I said, forming the Tiger hand seal.

"Focus your chakra! Don't forget to send it into the rope!" Jimei whispered like my personal cheerleader.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Chakra control? No problem. Channeling it through an object? A whole new ballgame. I pictured the chakra flowing through the rope fibers, untying the knot like magic.

It was like trying to thread a needle while someone yells, "YOU CAN DO IT!" in your ear. Thanks for that, Jimei.

After a few seconds, I felt the knot loosen. 

"It's working!" Jimei shouted.

"Shut up, Jimei!" I snapped, trying to focus.

Finally, the knot came undone. I threw my hands up like I'd just won an Olympic gold medal.

"Boom! Nawanuke no Jutsu, baby!"

"Whoa, that was fast!" Jimei said, eyes wide.

"Of course it was. I'm the top student, remember?" I smirked, trying (and failing) to hide my pride. "Your turn, knot-master."

"Fine, but don't tie it too tight," Jimei said, already looking nervous.

"Oh, don't worry," I said, already planning to make it extra annoying.

I tied the knot carefully, making sure it was secure but not impossible. 

"Alright, show me what you've got."

Jimei closed his eyes, formed the Tiger hand seal, and started concentrating like he was defusing a bomb. To my surprise, he nailed it. The knot fell apart in record time.

"I did it! Nawanuke no Jutsu!" Jimei cheered, grinning like a kid with candy.

"Not bad." I said, giving him a pat on the back. "But don't let it go to your head."

"Thanks, Ken-kun!"

I laughed, shaking my head. Sure, it wasn't the epic ninjutsu debut I dreamed of, and yeah, Jimei showed me up a little. But hey, at least we weren't just sitting around sticking leaves to our foreheads. Small wins, right?

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Hey guys, double chapter! I admit, this one is a bit of filler, but I promise we're almost done with the academy arc. The next chapters will also be double updates, coming on Sunday. Send your power stones and rate the story!