[4] – Cooperative Training with a Senior
[4] – Cooperative Training with a Senior
The evening air hung heavy with the scent of rain that had fallen earlier, leaving the streets slick and the atmosphere charged. Reiji’s modest apartment, nestled in the heart of the district, offered a quiet sanctuary from the bustling world outside. That night, after preparing a simple dinner of steamed rice and pickled vegetables—a far cry from the elaborate meals he was used too, but the best he could manage on his own—Reiji cleared away his dishes and prepared for the evening’s true work.
The ceramic bowl clinked softly against the sink as he washed it, his mind already drifting toward the scroll that waited for him.
After a quick shower that washed away the day’s sweat, Reiji settled onto his worn futon. The tatami mats beneath creaked slightly as he adjusted his position. He unrolled Nanako’s scroll carefully, spreading it out before him.
The illustrations captured his attention immediately—not ornate or artistic, but precise and functional. Stick figures with glowing nodes representing chakra points stood frozen in various poses, arrows indicating the flow of energy through the body. In the margins, notes were scrawled in a hand that was distinctly not Nanako’s—sharper, more angular, with a decisiveness that spoke of absolute certainty.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” Reiji murmured, settling into a cross-legged position.
The first exercise outlined a specific sequence for channeling chakra through different parts of his body. Starting from the fingertips and working inward, then outward again, the goal was to establish precise control over energy flow. Each part of the body needed to become a vessel, a conduit through which chakra could move seamlessly.
Precision before power, one of the margin notes read. A trickle directed properly accomplishes more than a flood aimed poorly.
Reiji closed his eyes, focusing first on his breathing as the scroll suggested. In through the nose, feeling the cool air fill his lungs. Out through the mouth, releasing tension with each exhale. With each breath, he turned his awareness inward, searching for that core of energy that represented his chakra.
Reiji felt his chakra as a steady, pulsing warmth—like holding a cup of hot tea on a cold day. He could feel it now, that familiar warmth at his center.
“Okay,” he whispered, voice barely audible even in the quiet room. “Let’s try this.”
He extended his awareness to his fingertips, imagining tendrils of energy flowing from his core down his arms and into his digits. For several long, frustrating minutes, nothing happened. His fingertips remained stubbornly ordinary, no different than they had been before. Doubt began to creep in—was he doing it wrong?
Then, so gradually he almost missed it, a tingling sensation began to build. It was like pins and needles, but pleasant rather than painful—a gentle warming that spread from the tips of his fingers inward. When he opened his eyes, he felt a faint energy surrounding his fingertips, inconsistent and flickering like a candle flame in a breeze, but undeniably there.
“Not bad,” he whispered, allowing himself a small smile of satisfaction.
Moving on to his palms proved more challenging. The energy seemed to resist, pooling in his wrists before reluctantly spreading further. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he concentrated, coaxing the chakra to flow smoothly.
“Come on,” he muttered, feeling the energy start to dissipate. “Stay with me.”
By the time he managed to suffuse his entire arms with chakra, his cotton shirt was damp with exertion, and his breathing had become labored. He could feel the strain in his muscles, not from physical exertion but from the mental effort of directing and maintaining the energy flow. It was like trying to hold water in cupped hands—possible, but requiring constant attention to prevent it from slipping away.
The second exercise focused on endurance, requiring him to maintain a steady chakra output for increasingly longer durations. This wasn’t about power but about consistency—developing both the stability to control the energy and the stamina to sustain it.
Reiji centered himself again, drawing on his reserves of determination. Each second felt like an eternity as he fought to keep the chakra flowing steadily. The energy surged through him in waves, sometimes threatening to overwhelm him, other times nearly dissipating entirely. Maintaining the balance required constant concentration with constant adjustment.
“Just a little longer,” he gritted through clenched teeth as fatigue began to set in. His temples throbbed with the beginnings of a headache, and his limbs felt heavy, as if gravity had somehow increased just for him. “Ten more seconds. Just ten.”
He counted down in his head, each number a battle against the growing urge to release the energy and collapse. Nine... eight... seven... By the time he reached zero, his entire body was trembling with effort. He released the chakra with a gasp, collapsing backward onto his futon. His chest heaved as he gulped in air, his body drenched in sweat as if he'd run for miles rather than sitting still in his apartment.
As his racing pulse began to slow, a notification blinked into existence before his eyes:
[Training Session Completed]
Rewards: +0.4% Chatora Control (4.75%), +5 XP (100/500), +1 Spirit (16/100)
The gains were modest—painfully so, considering the effort he’d expended. But they were gains nonetheless, small steps forward on what promised to be a very long journey.
Reiji reached for his status screen, curious to see how these small improvements had affected his overall attributes.
[Attributes]
Power (E-): 6/100 (Below Average)
Speed (E-): 8/100 (Below Average)
Spirit (D): 16/100 (Average)
Recovery (D-): 12/100 (Below Average)
Intelligence (A): 86/100 (Excellent)
Luck (?): Unknown
The improvements, though modest, were starting to add up. His Chakra Control had inched forward, his Spirit had gained a slight increase, and the XP continued to climb. But despite the progress, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated. At this pace, it’ll take forever to make any real impact, he thought.
Reiji sighed, reaching up to massage his aching temples. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting long shadows across his small room and highlighting the scroll that had now partially rolled closed. “There has to be a more efficient way to train”, he muttered to the empty room, his voice barely audible over the distant sounds of nighttime activity.
The small gains were nice, but they weren't enough. At this rate, it would take months, maybe years to reach a level where he could hold his own. And he didn’t have years—not if he wanted to survive just tomorrow.
As if responding to his frustration, a system prompt appeared:
[System Prompt]
[Would you like to copy the contents of the scroll into the system for future reference?]
[Yes][No]
Reiji blinked in surprise, then mentally pressed [Yes]. He’d never seen this option before; hadn’t even known it was possible. But if the system could help him understand these exercises better, he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity.
[System Prompt]
[Would you like to improve the content and make it viable for your body to use?]
[Yes][No]
This second prompt gave him pause. Improve the content? What did that mean? Was there something wrong with Nanako’s exercises? Or was this simply the system’s way of offering an optimization?
Curiosity won out over caution. He selected [Yes].
[Analysing the Scroll…]
.
.
.
[Analysation Complete]
The system’s display shifted, revealing a complex network of pathways that looked nothing like the illustrations in Nanako’s scroll. Where the original diagrams showed chakra radiating outward from central points like spokes from a wheel, these new pathways formed continuous loops throughout the body, connecting at three distinct Tenketsu points—one in the lower abdomen, one near the heart, and one at the center of the forehead.
“Strange,” Reiji whispered, leaning closer to study the display. “Is this the improvement?”
Chakra as shown in Nanako’s scroll flowed from the core outward, from the chakra points to the extremities—a linear movement designed to project energy. But the pathway system suggested a circular flow, as if the energy was meant to be retained and cycled within the body rather than expelled.
A closed system, self-sustaining and ever-renewing.
Curious, Reiji set the scroll aside and closed his eyes, settling back into his meditation posture. Instead of gathering chakra at his core as he had before, he focused on the lower abdominal point indicated in the system’s diagram.
At first, nothing happened. His chakra responded as it had earlier—warm and pulsing, ready to be directed outward. But as he continued to focus, something shifted. The warmth seemed to cool slightly, becoming more fluid, more subtle. It no longer pushed to escape his body but instead began to circulate, following a path remarkably similar to the one the system had shown.
The sensation was unlike anything he’d experienced before. It didn’t feel like the chaotic rushing of blood or the mechanical expansion of lungs. It was more like... like water flowing through a series of interconnected pools, each one feeding into the next in an endless cycle.
“What is this?” he whispered, his eyes still closed as he tracked the sensation. The energy moved up from his lower abdomen to his heart, then to his forehead, then back down again, forming a complete circuit. It felt more refined than the raw chakra he’d been manipulating before—more controlled, more intentional.
Minutes passed as he followed this strange circulation, guiding it carefully through his body. Unlike the earlier chakra exercises, which had left him drained and sweating, this practice seemed to build upon itself. The longer he maintained the circulation, the stronger it became, and the more refreshed he felt.
When he finally opened his eyes, a notification appeared:
[Unique Chatora Pathway]
You have discovered a unique Chatora circulation that enhances internal energy retention rather than external projection.
Rewards: +5% Chatora, 5% Chatora Control, +50 XP, +2 Spirit (18/100)
Reiji blinked in surprise, reading the notification twice to be sure he hadn’t misunderstood. The rewards were substantial—far more generous than those from the standard exercises. But more intriguing was the description.
“Isn’t this a bit much?” he wondered aloud, voice soft with disbelief. Five percent improvement in both Chatora reserves and control was significant, especially compared to the fractional gains from his earlier efforts.
Was this still chakra, then? Or something more fundamental? He navigated to his Chatora tab, curiosity burning.
[Efficiency is differentiated for each Chatora.]
The notification appeared as the blue screen displayed the text, accompanied by a soft chime. Below it, his Chatora status was displayed:
[Chatora (0/4)]
Energy in all beings.
15.65% Chatora [No Attribute] (0.78/5) – Efficiency: 4.75%
5% Chatora [No Attribute] (0.25/5) – Efficiency: 5%
0% Chatora [No Attribute] (0/5)
0% Chatora [No Attribute] (0/5)
[Level: 1 (150/500 XP)]
Noticing the slight increase in the second entry, Reiji mentally clicked on it, revealing another tab he hadn’t noticed before:
[Internal circulation that builds foundation (Store, Refine, Strengthen)]
Reiji stared at the screen, mind racing with possibilities. A theory began to form—what if the standard chakra exercises were just the beginning? What if, by focusing on these internal pathways, he could build a stronger foundation?
It made sense, in a way. The common approach to chakra training emphasized external projection—using energy to affect the world around you. But what if that was just one aspect of a more complex system? What if the true potential lay in circulation rather than projection?
With renewed determination, Reiji closed his eyes again, focusing on the three Tenketsu points. This time, the energy responded more readily, flowing from one point to the next in a smooth, continuous loop. It felt like a river finding its natural course, the energy no longer fighting against him but working with him.
[Internal Circulation Established]
You have successfully established a basic internal Chatora cycle.
With continued practice, this may lead to enhanced physical attributes and energy reserves.
Rewards: +0.2% Chakra Control (5.2%), +30 XP (180/500), +1 Recovery (17/100)
Reiji smiled at the notification, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. The gains were still modest, but they felt more meaningful somehow—like he was no longer just following a prescribed path but discovering his own.
Outside his window, the moon had risen higher in the sky, bathing the room in silver light. The distant sounds of the city had quieted, replaced by the gentle rustle of nighttime breezes and the occasional distant barks.
As he prepared for sleep, Reiji rolled the scroll carefully, treating it with newfound respect.
The next morning, Reiji rose before dawn, his body stiff, but his mind already focused on creating a consistent training routine. Pale light filtered through his window as he stretched his sore muscles, trying to work out the kinks that had settled in overnight. As he rolled his shoulders, a familiar notification flickered into view, reminding him of his daily tasks.
[Daily Quests]
- Morning Training: Complete 20 push-ups, 20 sit-ups, and run 1.75 km
Reward: +0.5 Power, +0.5 Speed, +10 XP
- Chakra Meditation: Meditate for 45 minutes
Reward: +0.5% Chatora Control, +25 XP
- Leaf Concentration: Maintain for 5 minutes continuously
Reward: +0.5% Chatora Control, +15 XP
The difficulty had risen slightly compared to yesterday, though the rewards felt somewhat underwhelming. It was a mix of encouragement paired with diminishing returns, a sign that the system had adjusted based on his current progress. Still, any improvement was better than none.
Reiji splashed cold water on his face from the small basin in his room, the shock of it banishing the last vestiges of sleep. Outside, the grounds were quiet, most people still wrapped in their dreams. Perfect for some uninterrupted training.
After changing into his training clothes—simple cotton pants and a t-shirt with the Konoha symbol—he grabbed a small towel and headed out. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-covered grass and distant pine. The training grounds stretched before him, empty and waiting.
After a quick breakfast of rice balls he’d saved from dinner, Reiji dove into his physical training. The push-ups and sit-ups were grueling, but he managed to complete them in sets, taking short breaks in between. His muscles burned with each repetition, but there was a strange satisfaction in pushing through the discomfort.
“Sixteen... seventeen...” he counted under his breath, arms trembling as he pushed himself up once more. “Eighteen... nineteen... twenty!”
He collapsed onto the grass, chest heaving, giving himself just a moment’s rest before moving on to the sit-ups. By the time he finished those, a few other early risers had appeared, claiming their spots on the training field.
The run, however, was where he really felt his limits tested. Setting out on a path that looped around the academy grounds, his muscles burned as he pushed through, striving to maintain his pace. The morning sun had risen fully now, casting long shadows across the path and warming his back as he ran.
Halfway through, he passed a group of older students practicing throwing techniques, their movements fluid and precise. One girl, her hair tied in a high ponytail, landed three kunai in perfect alignment on a distant target. Reiji couldn’t help but slow slightly, watching in admiration before forcing himself to pick up the pace again.
Gasping for air, he finally completed the run, his legs wobbling as he slowed to a walk. Just as he reached a water fountain to quench his thirst, the notification flashed again:
[Quest Completed: Morning Training]
Reward: +0.5 Power (6.5/100), +2 Speed (8.5/100), +10 XP (190/500)
However, a new message appeared, followed by a monotonous voice:
Your body is experiencing strain from training beyond its current capabilities.
Recovery time increased by 20%.
Reiji grimaced at the warning as he splashed water on his face. The effort had taken its toll, and the system’s message was a stark reminder that overexertion had consequences. It was something he would need to balance carefully moving forward. His body in this world was that of a six-year-old, regardless of how his mind might think of himself.
Finding a quiet spot beneath a sprawling oak tree, Reiji sat down to rest, watching as more students filtered onto the training grounds. They moved with purpose, some practicing Taijutsu forms, others working on chakra exercises. A few instructors had emerged as well, offering guidance to those who needed it.
After resting, Reiji began his chakra meditation. Crossing his legs and straightening his back against the tree trunk, he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Guided by the instructions from Nanako’s scroll, he focused on clearing his mind, allowing his energy to flow naturally.
The distant sounds of training—the thud of kunai hitting targets, the controlled exhalations of students practicing forms, and the occasional instruction from a teacher—created a background rhythm that was oddly soothing. Instead of forcing the chakra flow, he let the energy move through him, guiding it with a light touch. It responded better than before, and the resistance lessened as the energy found its path more easily.
When he finally opened his eyes, nearly an hour had passed, and the notification confirmed his progress:
[Quest Completed: Chakra Meditation]
Reward: +0.5% Chatora Control (5.25%), +25 XP (215/500)
Next came the leaf concentration exercise. Reiji plucked a leaf from the oak tree above him, running his fingers over its smooth surface before placing it on his forehead. Focusing on his chakra, he attempted to maintain it in place without using his hands. His first few attempts were short-lived, the leaf fluttering to the ground after just seconds.
Thin layer, even distribution.
On his fifth attempt, he managed to keep the leaf in place for nearly three minutes before his concentration wavered, and the leaf slipped, floating down to rest on his knee.
[Quest Partially (60%) Completed: Leaf Concentration
Reward: +0.2% Chatora Control (5.45%), +10 XP (225/500)
While it wasn’t a full success, it was still progress. But he couldn’t help but feel frustrated—it wasn’t enough. He was improving, yes, but at a pace that felt agonizingly slow. Yet, he knew that every small step counted, especially in a world where every advantage mattered.
Well, this is handy. The academy bell rang in the distance, signaling the approaching lunchtime. Students began to drift toward the cafeteria, their morning training sessions complete. Reiji gathered his things, his stomach reminding him that physical exertion required proper fuel, and he headed back to his apartment.
...
After lunch, Reiji returned to the Academy library. He focused on books about chakra control exercises, seeking any insight that might accelerate his progress. One passage particularly caught his attention: “Consistent, moderate training yields better results than sporadic intensity. The body and chakra system adapt gradually, building stronger foundations for advanced techniques.”
The words resonated with him, aligning with the warning he had received from the system earlier. Quality over quantity—it was clear now that a steady approach would yield more lasting results than overloading himself with intense bursts of effort.
“Think of chakra development as tending a garden. Overwatering drowns the roots; too little water causes withering. The wise gardener provides consistent care, adjusted to the needs of each plant, and watches patiently as growth occurs naturally.”
That afternoon, Reiji practiced the exercises from Nanako’s scroll once more, but with a new approach. This time, he focused on precision rather than pushing through for sheer duration. He paid attention to the quality of his chakra flow, making small adjustments when he felt resistance or imbalance. As he refined his technique, the rewards quickly followed:
[Training Session Completed]
Reward: +0.6% Chatora Control (6.05%), +20 XP (245/500), +1 Spirit (19/100)
Days passed in a familiar rhythm: morning physical training, chakra exercises around lunch, study sessions in the library, and evening practice with System’s ‘Internal Chatora Circulation’. With each passing day, his progress remained steady, each task sharpening his skills a little more.
By the fifth day, Reiji could see noticeable improvements in his stats:
[Attributes]
Power (E): 12/100 (Poor)
Speed (E): 15/100 (Poor)
Spirit (D+): 22/100 (Average)
Recovery (D): 17/100 (Below Average)
Intelligence (A): 86/100 (Excellent)
Luck (?): Unknown
[Chatora (0/4)]
Energy in all beings.
15.65% Chatora [No Attribute] (0.78/5) – Efficiency: 6.15%
5.05% Chatora [No Attribute] (0.2525/5) – Efficiency: 5%
0% Chatora [No Attribute] (0/5)
0% Chatora [No Attribute] (0/5)
[Level: 1 (290/500 XP)]
Despite his steady progress, one issue continued to linger in the back of Reiji’s mind—his experience points seemed to be crawling. Even with daily quests, constant training, and consistent effort, he had yet to break 300 XP. At this pace, reaching Level 2, which required 500 XP, felt like it could take weeks.
Frustration simmered, but he knew he had to keep pushing forward.
Then, on the sixth day, something unexpected happened.
While training in the nearby forest, Reiji stumbled across another student—an older girl with brown hair tied into twin buns. She was effortlessly throwing kunai, each one striking its target with precision against a wooden post. The rhythmic thud of the kunai hitting the wood was almost hypnotic.
She moved with confidence, her form perfect as she spun, released, and followed through. Each kunai landed exactly where intended, forming a perfect circle on the target. It was clear she had spent countless hours perfecting this skill.
Reiji paused, watching from behind a tree, not wanting to interrupt but fascinated by her technique. He was attempting to remain hidden when his foot crunched on a fallen twig.
Instantly, a kunai thudded into the tree beside his head.
“I can sense you,” the girl called out, already holding another kunai. “Come out.”
Reiji stepped out from behind the tree, hands raised to show he meant no harm. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to spy. I was just looking for a place to practice, and, well... you’re really good.”
Noticing him, the girl paused, lowering her arm. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed him—small, young, clearly a first-year student. “You’re practicing, huh? Who are you?” she asked, her tone casual but with an underlying wariness. “I’m Sachiko.”
Reiji hesitated for a moment, still adjusting to his new identity. It was strange how sometimes he had to remind himself of his name. “Reiji,” he replied, dropping his hands slowly.
Sachiko gave him a smirk, retrieving the kunai from the tree with a quick tug. “Nice name.” She turned back to her practice but glanced at him again, curiosity replacing her initial suspicion. “So, what are you working on?”
“Basic chakra control,” Reiji admitted, holding up the leaf he had been using. “I can’t seem to keep it in place for more than three minutes. It’s... frustrating.”
Sachiko studied him for a moment before stepping closer; her head tilted slightly. “You’re trying too hard. Watch.”
Without another word, she plucked a leaf from a nearby tree and placed it on her forehead. She closed her eyes, and the leaf stayed in place even as she tilted her head from side to side, completely unaffected by gravity. More impressively, she continued to walk around, bend down to pick up a kunai, and even jump lightly—all without the leaf so much as trembling.
“See?” she said, opening her eyes and removing the leaf with a casual flick. “It’s not about forcing chakra out—it’s about maintaining a thin, even layer. The chakra needs to be like an adhesive, not a pushing force.” She handed the leaf back to him. “Try again, but this time, think of it like that.”
Reiji took the advice to heart. Closing his eyes, he visualized the chakra not as a force to be pushed out but as a subtle, sticky layer gently holding the leaf in place. To his surprise, the leaf stayed on his forehead with much more ease, its grip stable for the first time.
“It’s working!” he exclaimed, his voice full of excitement. Three minutes passed, and the leaf remained in place without slipping. Four minutes, and it was still there. “This is the longest I’ve ever managed.”
Sachiko nodded approvingly. “You learn quick. Want to try something more challenging?”
For the next hour, Sachiko introduced him to variations of the leaf exercise—balancing multiple leaves, rotating them with chakra, and even sticking them to his fingertips. Each new variation challenged Reiji, but with Sachiko’s guidance, he was able to keep up.
“Try two at once,” she suggested, demonstrating by placing leaves on both palms and making them spin in opposite directions. “It’s all about dividing your focus without losing clarity.”
Reiji attempted it, managing to make both leaves wobble before one flew off. “Harder than it looks,” he admitted with a rueful smile.
“Everything worthwhile is,” Sachiko replied, retrieving the errant leaf and handing it back. “Try again.”
As the session continued, Reiji found himself enjoying the company. Despite being two years older and more experienced, Sachiko didn’t treat him like a novice. She explained things clearly, encouraged him when he struggled, and celebrated his small wins with a nod or a quick “Not bad.”.
“Why are you helping me?” he asked eventually, his curiosity getting the best of him as she gathered her kunai, preparing to leave. The question had been bothering him—in this competitive environment, why would she take time to help a stranger?
Sachiko shrugged nonchalantly. “Someone helped me when I started. Plus, not being from a clan means we have to work twice as hard to keep up. Might as well help each other, right?”
Reiji nodded thoughtfully. In a world where powerful clans and inherited abilities ruled, those without such advantages often had to work harder to keep up. Sachiko’s words resonated with him—he wasn’t alone in this. Though technically he had discovered he was from the Senju clan, for all practical purposes, he had none of the advantages of clan children—no family techniques, no specialized training from relatives, no generations of knowledge to draw upon.
“That makes sense,” he said, helping her collect the last of her training equipment. “Thanks for today. I learned more in an hour with you than I have all week on my own.”
Their training session wrapped up as the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees. As they walked back toward the academy buildings, a notification appeared that both surprised and delighted Reiji:
[Cooperative Training Completed]
Rewards: +2% Chatora Control (8.15%), +100 XP (410/500), +2 Spirit (24/100)
The XP gain and Chakra Control increase were significant, far surpassing what he had earned from solo training. It was clear—training with others brought its own set of benefits, not just in terms of system rewards but in practical knowledge and technique.
“Same time tomorrow?” Sachiko asked as they reached the dormitory area, her question casual but her eyes watchful.
“Count on it,” Reiji replied with a genuine smile, feeling more optimistic than he had all week. “And... thanks, Sachiko-san. Really.”