Naruto: Beyond The Cage

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Chapter 11 - The Ninja Academy Library

The school day had finally come to an end. My classmates were leaving in groups, excited for whatever they were going to do after the routine was over. I, however, did not share the same enthusiasm. My body was that of a child, but my mind was that of an adult, and with that came a more pragmatic perception of the world around me. There was no time to waste on distractions or unnecessary things.

Without much hurry, I decided to explore the Academy, and my steps took me to the library. The atmosphere was silent and peaceful, ideal for someone like me, who did not mind unnecessary socializing. The shelves full of books and scrolls caught my attention immediately. I knew that there I could find something that would be useful to me.

I looked through the shelves, observing the titles, until something caught my eye. A simple scroll, with an old cover, with the title written discreetly: "Transformation Technique: Henge no Jutsu". It wasn't anything special for an advanced ninja, but to me, at that moment, it seemed like exactly what I needed. I had thought of countless ways to use this technique in my past life. The possibilities were endless. It might be simple, but if applied well, it could be an extremely useful tool. For disguises, espionage, or even escaping from dangerous situations. The fact that it was a basic technique didn't diminish its value.

I pulled the scroll from the shelf with almost unthinking speed, feeling a slight excitement. I hadn't seen this kind of excitement in a long time. But to an experienced mind like mine, a simple technique could become a great asset.

I unrolled the scroll on a secluded table in the library and began to analyze the instructions. It didn't take long for me to understand the basic concepts. The transformation jutsu was straightforward and practical. The biggest challenge would be concentration and precision when molding the desired appearance. I was eager to try it out right away, but I knew I had to make sure I could study the technique at home, at my own pace, without rushing.

I looked around and saw the librarian sitting at a table far away, organizing some books. I stood up and approached her with a calm demeanor.

"Excuse me, can I take this scroll home to study with?" I asked directly, without beating around the bush.

She looked up from her papers and studied me for a moment. I could see the look of distrust she had, as if she were evaluating my ability to use the scroll correctly. But when she noticed my serious and determined posture, she finally nodded.

"Of course, as long as you return it by the end of the week. We can't leave the scrolls lying around, you know how valuable they are," she said with a slight warning, but also with a certain sympathy.

I didn't care about the formality of the situation, and simply thanked him politely before taking the scroll and heading to the Academy courtyard.

The feeling of having the scroll in my hands was like a small victory. One step closer to becoming a ninja capable of using all the tools at my disposal. Now, I had the time I needed to practice at my own pace, without rushing, without distractions. The transformation technique would be the first, but certainly not the last, skill I would master.

In the courtyard, I prepared to perform the technique. I had already thought about it in my past life, so now it was just a matter of applying what I already knew. I concentrated, visualized the form I wanted to assume, and with a simple movement of chakra, my appearance began to change. It was a strange sensation, but at the same time fascinating. I was becoming someone else, even if only temporarily.

The transformation wasn't perfect on the first try, but it was already good enough for me to know I was on the right track. It was just a matter of time and practice. Every little detail could be tweaked until the technique was perfectly convincing. This excited me more than I had ever imagined.

Now, with the scroll in hand and the determination in mind, I knew I was in control of my own destiny. A simple technique, but full of potential. I could use it in so many ways. And with it, I was one step closer to achieving my goals.