Chapter 19: First Day
The sun shone brightly over Konoha as Chen prepared for his first day at the Ninja Academy.
It had been a month since he acquired his new abilities, and the progress he had made during that time was remarkable, especially in the art of swordsmanship.
Chen paused in front of the mirror in his room, observing his reflection with satisfaction.
The basic swordsmanship skills he had acquired through the system had become the foundation of a unique and personal style.
After countless hours of practice (thanks to his clones), Chen had adapted the classic swordsmanship movements to his own combat form.
"Simple, direct, and effective," Chen murmured. His style was neither elegant nor flowery; it was characterized by its speed and brute strength. Each move was designed to cut through everything while minimizing the opponent's counterattack opportunities.
It was a style that perfectly reflected Chen's personality: practical and without unnecessary embellishments.
Satisfied with his progress, Chen dressed for his first day at the Academy. He chose a black outfit that elegantly contrasted with his fair appearance. The ensemble gave him an air of maturity and distinction beyond his years.
With one last glance at the mirror, Chen left his house and headed to the Academy.
The streets of Konoha were bustling with life, with parents accompanying their children on their first day of classes. The air was filled with excitement and nervousness.
As he walked, Chen couldn't help but notice the attention he was attracting. Several acquaintances greeted him enthusiastically.
"Chen-kun! You look so handsome today!" exclaimed an elderly woman, smiling broadly.
"Thank you, Yamada-san," Chen replied with a polite bow.
"Look how much you've grown!" commented another neighbor. "I'm sure you'll be an excellent ninja."
Chen gracefully accepted the compliments, knowing this was just the beginning.
Upon arriving at the Academy, the courtyard was crowded with people.
Proud parents hugged their children, giving last-minute advice and words of encouragement. Chen, arriving alone, made his way through the crowd, looking for a quiet spot.
Eyes followed him wherever he went. Chen was used to the attention from the opposite sex, but today it seemed particularly intense.
He found an empty space in the training field and sat down, observing the scene unfolding around him.
"This will be a good memory in the future," Chen thought, mentally recording the excited and nervous faces of his future classmates.
It wasn't long before he noticed the different types of looks he was receiving.
The girls watched him with bright eyes and blushing cheeks, some even daring to greet him shyly. On the other hand, several boys frowned at him, clearly jealous of the attention he was getting.
Chen couldn't help but smile wryly. "Eyes of infatuation and eyes of jealousy," he murmured to himself. "Tsk tsk."
He was sitting quietly when he suddenly felt a familiar presence behind him.
Knowing who it was, a hand gently rested on his shoulder.
"Chen-kun!" exclaimed a feminine voice he recognized instantly.
Unfazed, Chen turned slowly to face Tsunade.
The kunoichi looked at him with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Well, well," Tsunade said, raising an eyebrow. "It seems nothing surprises you, huh? Did you know I was behind you?"
Chen flashed an enigmatic smile. "Of course, Tsunade-sama. I'm always aware of my surroundings."
Tsunade laughed heartily. "You're an interesting boy, Chen-kun."
Chen took the opportunity to express his gratitude. "Tsunade, I wanted to thank you again for the ninjutsu you gave me. They've been a great help in my training."
As he spoke, Chen pulled out a scroll from his bag and offered it to Tsunade. "I'd like to give you this as a token of my appreciation."
Tsunade took the scroll with curiosity and began reading it. Her eyes widened in amazement as she continued. The manuscript contained techniques from Rokushiki, Observation Haki, and the method for practicing Armament Haki.
"Chen-kun, this is…" Tsunade paused, her expression turning solemn and somewhat doubtful. "These techniques are incredibly advanced… You must keep this knowledge very carefully."
Chen shook his head. "No, Tsunade. This is my gift to you. I want you to have it and use it as you see fit."
Tsunade seemed to struggle internally. On one hand, she was fascinated by what Chen was offering her. On the other hand, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the maturity emanating from someone so young.
"Returning virtue with virtue is my style, Tsunade," Chen said with a warm smile.
Tsunade was momentarily speechless, captivated by Chen's beautiful smile and his firm, confident gaze. For an instant, she felt the impulse to hug him tightly and take him home, but she managed to resist the urge.
"Sigh… Chen-kun, I…" Tsunade swallowed hard, visibly moved. "I accept your gift. I promise I won't show it to anyone else. Thank you, I really appreciate this."
Chen nodded, satisfied. "Just remember, Tsunade, that learning these physical abilities requires enduring great hardships. It won't be an easy path."
Tsunade straightened up, a spark of determination shining in her eyes. "I accept the challenge, Chen-kun! Thank you again for entrusting me with this."
Just when it seemed the moment couldn't be more perfect, a high-pitched scream broke the atmosphere.
"Nee-chan! I've been looking for you everywhere!"
Chen and Tsunade turned to see a boy running towards them. Chen recognized him instantly: Senju Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother. His vitality and energy were immense.
Tsunade frowned. "Nawaki, don't shout like that! I was having an important conversation with Chen-kun."
Nawaki looked at Chen curiously and then at his sister, a mischievous smile forming on his lips. "Oh, I see. Did I interrupt something, old cow? I didn't know you liked them so young."
Tsunade's face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and anger. Without a word, she raised her fist and hit Nawaki on the head, partially burying him in the ground.
"Nawaki, you disrespectful brat!" Tsunade yelled, her face still flushed.
Chen watched the scene with amusement. 'What a pair of siblings,' he thought, laughing internally.
Nawaki, with half his body still buried, began to complain. "Nee-chan! You shouldn't hit me on the head like that! What if I turn stupid?"
Chen couldn't help but think, 'I'm afraid you're already pretty stupid, Nawaki. You're just like a certain blonde with whiskers from the future.'
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