After the academic classes, we assembled in the backyard. There, Mizuki was waiting for us. He stood in front of the group and started talking, “Today we will do something different.” ‘What are we going to do? Cardio?’ At the same time, I was thinking a cacophony of voices fell on us like a blanket and drowned Mizuki’s voice. He tried to make himself heard but he failed spectacularly.

Luckily for Mizuki, Iruka came and used big head Jutsu and yelled the voice into submission. Then Iruka walked beside Mizuki and said, “Today we are going to do a tournament. And the winner will get to skip Taijutsu Classes for the rest of the year.” He finished looking at me. I just shook my head. He frowned and continued, “Winner will automatically get full marks on taijutsu at the end of the year. So if you don’t want to do the same thing for a whole year, do your best.”

Quest Alert!

Win the tournament.

Iruka announced that there will be a tournament. Win the tournament and gain the privilege to skip the taijutsu class.

Success

o +150 Experience.

o +10 Rep with Class 101.

o +1 Stat Point.

Failure

o +15 Experience

‘Free stat point is good but not good enough for me to forgo gaining 50 more max CP. I am pretty sure I can do better.’ While kids were talking amongst themselves, I made my way to Iruka. “Iruka-sensei.” He turned to me and raised an eyebrow, “I don’t want to fight in this tournament.”

Iruka sighed, “Why? I thought you would want to be exempt from the class since you keep forfeiting matches.”

I shook my head, “I don’t hate the lesson sensei, it’s just that I don’t see the point.” Iruka nodded thoughtfully. I continued, “I have another idea.”

Iruka frowned. “What it is?”

“I think it would be great if you thought me the rest of the katas today,” I said smiling.

“You don’t need to learn them yet. You are good enough already.” Iruka said, looking at Mizuki writing names on papers. He then turned back to me. “Why are you so intent on mastering Academy Style early?”

I shrugged, “You know I have a knack for precision and I don’t forget katas once I do them. So, why not do it slowly when you can do it fast.” I got closer and whispered conspiratorially, “I can even help you out by teaching other kids to reach the same level as me.”

Iruka sighed, “You know I don’t need your help and I like my job. So you teaching other kids more bad than good.” He said while shaking his head.

I nodded, “Maybe, but you can’t deny the effectiveness of my teaching. If you help me master the katas, I guarantee that the kids will master the Academy Style Taijutsu before this month ends. Except for Kiba, Hinata, and Sasuke that is. They don’t want my help.”

Iruka shook his head, “Mastering the katas is different than mastering taijutsu. I agree you are good at teaching forms but as much as I know, you don’t teach much else.”

I chuckled. “You are wrong Iruka-sensei. I teach them all kinds of things. You just never stayed enough to see me doing it.” I looked around. Some of the kids were listening to our talk intently. I turned back to Iruka and continued, “If you want proof then we can use this tournament so you can see yourself if my teaching method is good or not.”

“Fine. What do you have in mind?” Iruka said while rubbing his temples.

“We can pick a champion each and whose champion reaches higher, that one wins.” I noticed Mizuki walking towards me but didn’t say anything.

Mizuki reached us and said, “How about we pick Sasuke and the kid picks Naruto. I heard Arata teaching him from the beginning.” He looked at Naruto and scowled. He then noticed what he did and added, “I heard he was being a nuisance lately. When he loses, I am pretty sure he will learn his place.”

I frowned and looked at Iruka, who was looking at Mizuki with a frown of his own. Iruka cleared his throat and said, “Naruto is a diligent kid. His place isn’t far from where he stands.” Mizuki just raised his hand, gesturing he didn’t mean anything. Iruka then turned to me. “I agree. If you win, I will help you master katas but if I win, you will stop forfeiting matches.”

I nodded, “Fine but it’s effective tomorrow. I don’t intend to fight in the tournament.” I looked at Naruto and Sara then said, “Ah and my champion will be Naruto like Mizuki-san said.”

Iruka nodded back, “Then I pick Sasuke.”

Quest Alert!

Make Sure Naruto Wins the Tournament

You and Iruka made a bet on who would reach higher in the tournament. Naruto or Sasuke. Make sure to win the bet and learn the rest of the katas for Academy Style Taijutsu.

Success

o +5 Rep with Class 101.

o +1 Stat Point.

o +2 Level for Mentoring Skill.

o -5 Rep with Mizuki.

I smiled and started waiting for pairing. After counting everyone, Iruka told the kids to take a piece of paper from a box. I skipped every pairing except Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke got paired with a short girl named Hara and Naruto got paired with a boy named Himaru.

I walked beside Hara and said, “Hara, how are you?”

Hara sighed, “Of course I am bad. I picked Sasuke after all.”

“Don’t be too pessimistic. You know your taijutsu. If you work hard enough, I think you can take him down. Just work on his legs and keep the range short, so he can’t use his superior speed too much.”

Hara nodded, fire in her eyes, “If you say I can, then I can. I know it.” She said then she left to get in the taijutsu ring.

“What?” I was left standing there like an idiot. “Why did she said that now?” I sighed and shook my head. Then started watching.