Over the next couple of days, I've been heading to the training field to practice my fan technique. The Academy does help us improve but thanks to the extra training in the dungeon, I've been getting ahead of my peers and don't like the thought of slowing down just for them.

My quick improvements are also beginning to get me in trouble with the older students. Ever since I widened the gap in stats with my classmates, I've been dealing with bullies trying to put me in my place.

Since I'm six, studying every after school course and getting top grades, I'm obviously setting the standard way too high. Teachers have been using me as an example of a perfect student and ridicule anyone who doesn't try as hard.

Being popular is a pain in the ass...especially with those two still following me.

Despite my warning, Temari and Kankuro continue to watch me. Today they brought a one year old Gaara, carried by the eldest in a baby pouch. I wonder if Rasa sent them to spy on me, nah he's got Becky for that.

Pakura : "Hey Kazuki"

Kazuki : "Hmm? Oh Pakura, back from another mission?"

Pakura : "Just returned from guarding your stand in author. Honestly I don't understand why you didn't ask for money, not a lot of missions come around here and its difficult to make a living"

Kazuki : "Eh I've got my own source of income"

Pakura : "Ho? And what's that?"

Kazuki : "Gambling"

Pakura : "Aren't you a little young for that?"

Kazuki : "If you got a fat stack of cash people don't care what age you are. Besides, I use my age as an advantage, people always think I'm an easy target"

Big mistake because I've been extremely lucky as of lately. I started with 10,000 came out with 42,000 in a matter of hours. Fufufu.

Pakura : "I didn't peg you for a gambler"

Kazuki : "I don't do it too much, just when I need money for supplies-"

*low growl*

I look at Pakura and she turns away from me, clearly trying to hide her red face. Judging by the sound she hasn't eaten for at least half a day. I should probably grab something too, been out here a while and don't wanna look like I'm starving myself.

Kazuki : "How about we go get something to eat? My treat"

Pakura : "That's fine, I'll just go home and eat something there-"

*louder growl*

Kazuki : "Sounds like you won't last the trip, don't be stubborn and just accept my offer"

I put the fan on my back and head to the nearest restaurant with Pakura close behind. I sense the siblings following us, judging by the look on Pakura's face she knows and doesn't seem bothered by it.

I grab a bowl of seasoned rice and two rice balls with cooked beef meat as filling. Pakura had the same but with a green tea drink. We exchange details about our lives during the past month. I told Pakura about the duel with Chiyo while she told me about my stand in author.

Apparently the guy is getting a big head for writing 2 top sellers. Might need to teach this guy to calm down, don't want someone like that associated with my work.

Kazuki : "I'll bring it up with the Kazekage when I have the chance, if he won't do anything I'll just deal with the guy myself"

Pakura : "That would be wise. *stands up* Thank you for the meal, I'll return the favor someday"

Kazuki : "Okay then, oh uh wait. Where are you in Fullmetal Alchemist anyway?"

Pakura : "I'm on the part where Edward and Alphonse meet Shou Tucker and his daugther"

....oh no.

Kazuki : "Hey Pakura, we're friends right?"

Pakura : "Why of course, what makes you ask that?"

Kazuki : "Just wanted to know"

I just know she's gonna say something after that chapter. She leaves and I head home before Becky beats my ass for staying out so late. The siblings must've gone home right before Pakura left because I couldn't sense them after that.

I practice [Calligraphy] until morning then head straight to school. It was a pretty basic day until chakra control studies came up.

Nagisa : "Alright everyone, today we'll be learning a very important skill. [Wall Climbing], an ability that allows you to walk up vertical surfaces using only your feet. This is essential for any shinobi and one of the necessary requirements to graduate the Academy"

He throws a couple of hand seals and slaps his open palm into the ground to summon a large rock wall in front of us.

Nagisa : "Some of you may be asking why this is so important, well [Wall Climbing] helps train you in chakra control. By maintaining a certain level of control, you'll be able to waste less chakra when performing jutsu and fight for longer periods of time. Now, any volunteers?"

No one raised their hands. Am I really the only one who practiced this? Sensei isn't even gonna show us an example, guess he wants to see if anyone can do it at all. Ah what the hell...

Nagisa : "Ah Kazuki, could you please demonstrate?"

I approach the wall and channel chakra to the soles of my feet. I take a step on the wall and climb up it without difficulty. I'm up a good 15ft/4.5m until sensei asks me to come down.

Nagisa : "Excellent work Kazuki, I see someone's been practicing"

Kazuki : "I was told at a young age that good chakra control is important, so I decided to take an early start"

Nagisa : "Well it's definitely showing"

Shiru : "Sensei! I want to try too!"

Gusto : "Me too!"

Nagisa : "You're welcome to try"

The boys takes a few steps back and rush the stone wall. Their feet connect to the stony surface, but both of them immediately slip off and fall on their faces. A couple more students follow their example and fail the trial.

After a while it just got sad.

Nagisa : "Don't expect to learn this in one day, controlling a certain amount of chakra in a specific part of the human body is incredibly difficult"

Abaru : "Not for everyone apparently"

Everyone stares at me, angry that I once again upstaged them.

Kazuki : "Not my fault you guys don't try hard enough"

Oh ho ho, everyone's rep dropped immediately by 10. They are pissed. After free period, sparing was next and I was against Abaru.

Nagisa : "Ready. Go!"

My dark skinned classmate approaches me and swings a left hook, I backstep and avoid it. I've fought beasts with faster reflexes. Every step forward he takes I back up, every straight he throws I avoid. That grinding in the dungeon is really showing.

I go for a kick to his stomach and he tanks it, only letting out a grunt from the impact. We trade blows for a while, neither of us are able to land a clean hit. Though he's trying to put on a show by taking everything I throw his way. He ain't even trying to dodge.

Some of the kids are even cheering him on, wanting a repeat of our first day of ninja studies. Not this time...

I pour 3 points into strength, getting it to 100 and earning a perk.

Greater Strength - Double damage from any physical attacks for the next hour. Cooldown is 1 use per day.

I activate the perk and a golden aura surrounds my entire body. Looks like it's only visible to me because nobody reacted or said anything. I rush my classmate and he holds up his arms to block. Good...

-217 Damage

Abaru's eyes widen from the sudden change in power. He jumps away and finds his left forearm already purple and bruised. Can't let him rest. I dash at him and unleash a volley of heavy punches his way, which he of course blocks all of them.

When his arms give way, I go in for a strike to the face.

[Critical Hit!]
-651 Damage

His head snaps to the side as my fist connects with his cheek. He falls to the floor and lies down on his side, breathing heavily and spitting up blood.

Nagisa : "Kazuki is the winner"

[You have defeated your classmate!]
+100 EXP

A couple of the big kids carry Abaru to the nurse's office and I stand among the crowd, watching my classmates fight each other. I clearly showed my physical strength today, nobody will try to mess with me now.

One of the big kids demanded I spar with him, since the effect hadn't died down yet I agreed. He went down hard. I was so much faster than him, he couldn't dodge any of my attacks so he could only afford to block.

After his humiliating defeat, he tried to jump me and before Nagisa could intervene I throw a ram seal, half a rat and boar and thrust an open palm at the bully.

Kazuki : '[Force Release : Force Palm]!'

Concentrated air pressure strikes the bully in the stomach, sending him flying into the Academy walls. He falls down and remains on his stomach, groaning and twitching in pain.

Force Release : Force Palm
Dam : 1000 + (100 for every 200 Cp added) | Cp Cost : 1000
- Channel chakra into the palm of your hand and fire it off towards your enemy to unleash an invisible blast of powerful concentrated air pressure.

Sure I don't have complete control, but I have enough chakra to waste. Everyone looks at me, clearly surprised at what I just did. I simply stare at them, getting them all to turn away out of fear. Good.

Nagisa : "Someone take Gusto to the nurse's office, next match is Madoka and Popera"

I wasn't praised or lectured for using a jutsu on a fellow classmate, guess Nagisa saw it as self defense and I didn't kill him so I'm good.

3rd POV

Back at the Kazekage's office, Nagisa had come with the monthly report on Kazuki. He hands the written forms to Rasa and after a few minutes of reading, his eyes narrow.

Rasa : "What is this incident with an Academy student?"

Nagisa : "During a sparing session, Kazuki was challenged by Gusto who was quickly defeated, out of anger he tried to attack Kazuki who retaliated with an invisible blast from his palm and knocked the boy out"

Rasa : "Was it a wind related jutsu?"

Nagisa : "I'm not really sure. Kazuki simply threw hand seals and thrusted an open palm at Gusto"

Rasa : "An open palm..."

Nagisa : "Lord Fourth?"

Rasa : "Nagisa, what would you think about letting Kazuki take the graduation exam?"

Nagisa : "B-but Lord Rasa-"

Rasa : "*raises hand to stop him* Put aside any respect you have for Jojoa, tell me what you think of him as a student only"

Nagisa : "Yes! Well, he's certainly proven to be far above his peers for someone his age. He has the respect of most of the Academy staff, top grades in the entire course, excellent chakra control and an aptitude for learning new things"

Rasa : "I see.."

Nagisa : "But Lord Rasa, Kazuki is simply too young and inexperienced out in the field! He's just not ready"

That's when an idea suddenly came to the Kazekage, a way to prove Kazuki is capable and show his skills.

Rasa : "Then we'll give him a test, one that should set aside all your doubts"

Kazuki POV

It's 12am and I am wide awake. Numerous high chakra signatures are surrounding the building and waiting down below. I sense Becky approach my room and opens the door, releasing a ball of smoke inside.

Smoke leaks from the sphere and stings my eyes. I jump out a nearby window, pull out a ninja wire from my inventory and throw it towards my window. The hook manages to clutch to my dresser and I'm hanging from about 40 feet/12m.

The ninjas down below throw kunai and I counter with my own. Suddenly, a guy appears behind me and strikes my neck. Knocking me out...

By the time I woke up, I felt my hands and legs bound. I also had a sac over my head. I also feel war, and don't sense anyone nearby.

Was I kidnapped? Not the time, gotta get free.

I move my hands down and store the rope tying my legs together. Once those are free, I store my hand knots and rip the sac right off my head. What the fuck?

I'm in the middle of a desert!

Ping!

[Mission Alert!]
C-rank : Return to Sunagakure

Objective
Escape the desert and return to Sunagakure

Bonus Objective
Don't use anything from your inventory

Reward
+1000 EXP
Perk : Desert Specialist

Bonus Reward
+Black Lion Chest & Key

3rd POV

Observing from atop cliff and out of Kazuki's detection range, a group of Suna chūnin were tasked with giving the boy a surprise survival test. By the Kazekage's order, they are to dump him in the desert with no equipment and stop him from getting to Sunagakure.

When they notice the boy setting out, they go on the move and begin to surround him. Kazuki immediately senses the chakra signature closing in on him and digs underneath the sand to hide.

Unfortunately, one of the testing ninja was also a sensor and gave the boy's position away. With his cover blown, Kazuki pours his chakra into the sand and manipulates a massive wave to capture the pursuing ninja.

Kazuki : 'Thanks to the large reserve in chakra, I've been able to control more sand but I can't move it as quickly as Gaara could'

Some ninja avoid the oncoming sand wave while others get encased and held down. The ones that avoided getting captured throw kunai with paper bombs attached. The sand around Kazuki rises and creates a shield to protect him from the explosion.

Kazuki : "Who are you people!?!"

Suna Chūnin 1 : "Lord Kazekage has assigned you a survival mission! You are to return to Sunagakure with us hunting you down! We are allowed to beat you to near death and you're able to return the gesture"

Kazuki : "God dammit Rasa!"

Suna Chūnin 2 : "That's Lord Kazekage!"

Another storm of paper bombs fly and the sand shield continues to protect the boy. With authorization to defend himself, Kazuki throws a set of hand seals and drops the shield.

Kazuki : '[Force Release : Force Palm]!'

The invisible force of concentrated air pressure punches though any cover the jōnin attempted to hide behind. Knowing full well about the sensor, Kazuki ops to aim for him first. The sensor gets knocked out and Kazuki goes back underground to flee.

Kazuki : 'Why the hell is Rasa giving me a sudden survival exam? I already passed the test at the Academy so why-"

The sound of explosions cut him off, the ninjas on the surface are throwing kunai paper bombs right above his head. He curves to the right but the bombs follow him.

Kazuki : 'I took out the sensor, how are they tracking me?'

Shukaku : 'I didn't want to say anything but these explosions are starting to annoy me. You've got a seal on your leg'

Activating the [Kurofūgan] reveals kanji writing on his right hamstring.

Tracking Seal, C-rank

He attempts to rub out the black ink but it doesn't disappear. Instead he channels chakra into two fingers and presses them on the seal. He turns it clockwise and kanji spreads out of the seal all over his right leg.

Revealing Touch, Level - Max
- A technique used to breakdown a seal to its kanji formula. An essential skill for any sealing user.
Cost : 5 Cp/min

Reading over the formula, it shows the key to removing it. He throws a specific hand sign and the seal fades. The person who placed the seal, stops in his track and so do his teammates.

Suna Chūnin 3 : "What's wrong?"

Suna Chūnin 4 : "He removed the tracking seal, I don't know how he figured out the hand sign but we've got no way of locating him with the sensor down"

Suna Chūnin 3 : "Shit. Give us his last location and we'll track him from there"

Kazuki POV

I finally lost them. Gonna give Rasa a piece of my mind when I get home. I climb out of the sand and scan the surrounding area. 

Don't see anything that stands out around here...I could go to that canyon over there, but they'd be expecting that hmm...

I make my way towards the rocky terrain and inspect everything. I could use the cliff and [Earth Release : Tremor] to create a rock slide, but that might kill someone. I know I'm allowed to fight back but I think it's implied I'm not suppose to maim anyone.

Damn, if only I could use my inventory for this. As I'm standing still, I could feel the ninjas coming. Judging by their movements, they still don't know where I am and are moving northeast.

*snap* *snap*

I immediately jump in the air and avoid two giant claws. The source is a giant Rouge Scorpion, only found north of Sunagakure. So now I know where I am but I gotta deal with this fucking thing.

It extends its pincers in my direction and I throw the hand seals for [Wind Release : Air Blade]. I thrust my hand forward and cut through its exoskeleton like butter. The insect screeches in pain as I dodge another grab and cut the other claw off.

The screeches get even higher as the beast attempts to flee but I'm on it immediately. I jump on its back and drive the air blade straight through its body. The scorpion lets out one final screech and collapses on the ground, leaking out green yellowish juice.

Hmm, this corpse gives me an idea...

3rd POV

Instead of searching for the young boy, the chūnin settled with creating a perimeter separating Sunagakure and the boy. Should Kazuki attempt to travel straight to the ninja village, he'll be spotted. If he wishes to get around them, the jinchūriki would have to traverse through the desert for at least a day.

Instead...

Sensor : "Something coming!"

Looking into the desert, they see a dust storm form as something digs underneath the sand in front of them. They all prepare to fight when a giant scorpion pops out of the ground. The group look at the sensor, scolding him for making a rookie mistake.

Being cautious, one decides to approach the beast and finds it body filled with sand.

Suna Chūnin 5 : "Decoy!"

Inside the scorpion corpse was chakra infused sand, used to capture the attention of the sensor who didn't detect Kazuki floating through the air on a clump of sand.

One manages to see him and points him out, that's when they hear...

Kazuki : "SUCKERRRRRRRR!"

Suna Chūnin 2 : "Sign...that's not fair"

An hour later, Kazuki arrives at Sunagakure and finds Becky waiting for him.

Beketsu : "Hmph, expected you to be out longer"

Kazuki POV

[Mission Complete!]
C-rank : Return to Sunagakure

Rewards
+1000 EXP
+Perk : Desert Specialist
+Black Lion Chest & Key

Ping!

Name : Kazuki Inei
Level : 20
EXP : 4/7000
Age : 6 Years
Title(s) : Suna's Jinchūriki, Prodigy
HP - 10,450 (+4,180/min)
CP - 19,975.2 (+5,992.56/min)
Control - 100% Fire - 100% Wind - 100% Earth - 100% Lightning - 100% Magnet - 100% Scorch - 100% Force - 68%
STR - 100 (+10)
DEX - 84
VIT - 89 (+7)
AGI - 75 (+15)
INT - 126
WIS - 118
CC - 157
LCK - 89 (+5)

Points - 7
Ryo - 63,742

Well that's good. I was thinking of exploring the dungeon just to level up. Probably gonna push that back a week. Now then...

Kazuki : "What the hell is up with that surprise test?"

Beketsu : "Lord Kazekage wanted to prove that you're capable. He had to show Nagisa that you could take care of yourself and that you're ready to take the graduation exam"

Kazuki : "What makes you think I'm not ready?"

Nagisa : "I think you're not ready"

Sensei walks out of the shadows and approaches us.

Nagisa : "Well, I thought you weren't ready. But seeing as you managed to return here without equipment, I believe you're ready to take the graduation exam"

Yay! Early graduation!

Nagisa : "I'll need to fill out some paperwork so your test should be within the week or so"

Kazuki : "I'll be training hard til that day"

After he leaves, I head straight for the marketplace and meet with my ninja weapon seller. I walk into a square sand building with the words, 'Genbo's Armory,' in front of it. I approach the counter and a tubby bald man with a brown goatee greets me.

Genbo : "Ah Kazuki, coming in for your usual weapon set?"

Kazuki : "Hey Genbo, actually I'm gonna need to double my usual order"

Genbo : "Double? Something special going on?"

Kazuki : "Yeah, gonna take the graduation exam so I can become a genin, need all the practice I can get in before then"

Genbo : "Look who's turning heads, that's good to hear! For that, your order is free. No, no. I can't do that. I got caught up in moment. You pay me now"

I know most people wouldn't think to sell ninja weapons to a kid my age, but Becky put in a good word for me. I bought 50 kunai, 40 shuriken, 30 senbon, 50ft/15.24m of ninja wire 25 scrolls and a couple bottles of ink.

All in all, cost me about 1598 ryo. After leaving the shop, I go around a corner out of peering eyes and store everything inside my inventory. I then go home and just before entering the dungeon, I take a look at the chest and key earned from the quest.

Black Lion Chest, A-rank Item
- Requires a Black Lion Key to open. When opened, the chest randomly selects one of the items for sale and gives it for free.

Oh~

What do we have on the list today?

Shop Items [New items in 13:12:53]

Magnet Release : Iron Sand - 90,000 Ryo
Water Release - 20,000 Ryo
Mangekyo Sharingan : Tsukuyomi - 2,500,000 Ryo
Sealing Art : Jutsu Containment - 75,000 Ryo
Skill Book : Mystic Crafting - 20,000 Ryo
Water Release : Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave - 200,000 Ryo
Wind Release : Vacuum Blade - 50,000 Ryo
Talk No Jutsu - 400 Billion Ryo
50 Slot Bag - 10,000 Ryo

Pfft! Well, some of these are incredible but I shouldn't risk getting a lame item. Maybe I'll save it for later, but I'll buy Water release, Mystic Crafting and the inventory bag right now.

Control - 100% Fire - 100% Wind - 100% Earth - 100% Lightning - 100% Water - 0% Magnet - 100% Scorch - 100% Force - 68%

Now I have all five basic elements in my arsenal. Still got a long road ahead of me to reach the title of God of Shinobi. Now for the book.

Mystic Crafting, Level - 1 (0%)
- Allows user to craft and combine material to create special effects on weapons and armor.
+5% greater detail & effectiveness

Oh, maybe now I can create better weapons than basic metal ones. I take a peek at what I can craft and the options are immense. I can finally use the material I collected to make incredible weapons, like this ice dagger.

Ice Dagger, D-rank Weapon
Dam : 36.75 + (DEX)
Deals chilled debuff. [Reduces AGI by 20%]
Costs : 4x Corrupted Ice Shard (13) + 2x Monster Hide (44) + 1x Iron Ingot (15)

A/N : The numbers in parenthesis show how much Kazuki possesses.

The weapon is as I expected, the blade is completely made of ice and the hide is cut into thin strips that hold the handle and blade together. So the weapons are made with instant crafting, but material like iron ingots are made by hand.

I could also craft things like poison, though I need to grind a couple of things down to get the ingredients.

Rustic Blood, D-rank Poison
-6.4 HP/min for 4 hours. Undead are immune to this poison.
Cost : 1x Empty Bottle (4) + 1x Corrupted Iron Shavings (0) + 1x Corrupted Bone Dust (0) + 1x Deathweed (3)

If the enemy is left untreated for the maximum amount of time, that'll deal a total of 1,536 damage. I should really focus more on my [Toxicology] skill, now that I have the space I can collect a lot more material.

I swipe the screen away and open up the Zombie Dungeon option. The world gets covered in darkness and a foul odor assaults my nostrils. I look out my window and find the village streets littered with decaying bodies.

On the nearby rooftops, I see a couple of enemies patrolling a giant hill stacked with corpses.

Mezuki
Level - 21
HP - 4,725

Dark Dust Spirit
Level - 27
HP - 6,188

Goblin Zombie
Level - 16
HP - 2,520

If I'm going by signature readings, there are at lease 7 Goblin Zombies, 4 Mezuki and 2 Dark Dust Spirits standing near that pile. What the hell are they doing down there?

Maybe I can use this to attack them all at once, I won't take them all out but I should deal enough damage to finish them off.

I climb up the building using [Wall Climbing] and stand on the roof, prepping scrolls and hand seals. I create a small stone pillar using earth release and attach a couple of explosive tags on it. Throwing the ram seal activates the [Ethereal Transmission Jutsu], teleporting the explosive stone pillar in the center of the corpse pile.

Kazuki : "Boom baby..."

The explosion shakes the nearby area, sending rotten chunks and guts flying through the air. Glad I was high above the ground.

+2,240 EXP
+1,703 Ryo
3x Medium Corrupted Bone
1x Rusty Scimitar

That took care of all the goblin zombie and severely weakened the others. Judging by the screeching, they're all pissed. They scatter in an attempt to look for me. One weakened Mezuki climbed up my building but was was met with a fireball to the face.

+420 EXP
+190 Ryo

My attack alerted the others and I was surrounded in seconds. The smell of seared flesh was gut wrenching, need to buy a gas mask for this place. One Mezuki attempts to jump me and swings its axe towards my neck. I duck and go in for a stab in the leg with the ice blade.

[Mezuki is immune to Chilled!]

So this thing is an undead...how is it generating chakra then?

The warrior goes for another swing and I substitute myself with a nearby sand clone. I reappear standing against the building walls as the creature sounds confused at my disappearance. The red spirit howls and finds me immediately. Must be a sensor.

I activate [Wind Release : Air Blade] and attempt to slash at the undead but my hand goes right through. The spirit had transformed parts of its body into dust and reformed again to catch me. I go to use my other arm but the thing grabs it and goes in for a bite to the neck.

Thankfully the sand in my inventory poured out just in time and built a layer of armor around the bite area. Those teeth would've dealt massive damage if I wasn't fast enough. I pour out more sand and form multiple spheres the size of marbles.

Kazuki : '[Sand Bullet]!'

They punch numerous holes straight through the spirit's chest, causing it to howl and let me go. I catch it with sand and perform [Sand Burial], it didn't work as the spirit reverted to dust in an instant. Looks like I can only hurt it when its manifested and unaware.

I make a couple more sand bullets and wait for the others to appear. The remaining 3 Mezuki's attempt to rush me, only to be met with a hailstorm of sand bullets that drop them like flies.

+1,260 EXP
+570 Ryo

Sand Bullet
Dam : 62.5 | Cp Cost : 75
- Compresses sand into a hardened sphere that can be shot at high speed. Weak on heavily armored enemies.

After dealing with those guys, I hunt for the spirits who are now on the run. Screeching their heads off and just plain being annoying. I catch them both with sand bullets and go hunting for more enemies.

What I didn't realize right away was that I was close the village's entrance. I've always wondered what's out there so I go and check it out. It's nothing but black storm clouds and blue lightning in the distance.

Wonder if I can find anything out there. I take a single step and a warning screen pops up.

[WARNING! YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE THE DUNGEON AREA! TURN BACK NOW!]

Well now I'm more curious...

*loud rumbling*

[It has been awakened...]

The storms grow wild, as does the lightning and strikes the ground repeatedly. The shaking gets worse and I notice the ground opening up. What follows is a series of flashes of a giant entity climbing out of the ground. Holy shit...

Obelisk the Tormentor [Final Boss 1]
Level - 200
HP - 1,000,000