Reincarnation into the world of Naruto with the system

And here I am, trying to master the Imitation technique once again. And once again, it's not working. What am I doing wrong? I've learned so much already… Wait!

I doubt that all shinobi thoroughly study even their own techniques. Just looking at Kiba is enough to understand that. He never even thought about the questions I asked! And yet, he performs the technique with ease.

Damn, the meticulousness of a 21st-century person from my world has played a cruel joke on me. It seems that for most people here, the approach is simple—"It works, so don't touch it, just do it!" Only by the time they become jonin do shinobi start thinking about their techniques and their nature.

After all, shinobi are fighters and killers first, not scholars. They don't need complicated theories. It's only jonin who grow enough to start understanding and analyzing these things.

Meanwhile, I had tried to do something akin to reading "War and Peace" without knowing the alphabet. Good job, me. But I'll have to forget about all that for the next ten years.

Letting my chakra pulse freely, I allowed it to move on its own through my body, forming the technique. And in the end…

"Baaah!"

… I headbutted the wall.

Something's definitely wrong with my Imitation technique. Or does the status of a ram overshadow even the Fox inside me?

In any case, that was progress. But maybe I shouldn't be doing this while I'm barely awake. I get it—realization is realization, and impatience is natural, but this is just too much.

So, I decided to start my usual workout, which would help wake me up after yet another dream.

Yeah, I had another dream about Li Shuwen's past.

---

Dream Sequence

I was returning to my home province.

I missed my father and mother so much!

I hoped they would be happy—I had earned enough money for them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

All those tournaments had been surprisingly easy. So was escorting a couple of nobles. But the money they brought in was substantial. Mother would be thrilled.

With such bright thoughts, I approached my home village.

But… something was wrong.

The familiar harmony was disturbed.

I picked up my pace, quickly reaching a hill, from where I saw…

Burnt-down buildings.

So, it was true.

Our Xunfu (the provincial governor and imperial representative in ancient China) had resorted to terror to increase taxes.

There was no point in grieving the past or blaming myself for not being there—what's done is done.

I would kill him and his men.

But not for revenge—revenge only poisons and destroys a person from within.

I would cut off the rotting branch so it wouldn't infect the rest.

Yes.

I would kill him for the future, to ensure this never happened again.

Silently, I walked toward my former village.

First, I had to honor my ancestors, so that my fellow villagers could rest in peace.

Haste is for the weak.

By acting calmly, I would get further than others.

It would be foolish to rush at the Xunfu immediately, but I couldn't delay too long either.

---

That dream was different.

Completely unlike the others.

No new skills, but Li Shuwen's philosophy had shaken me to my core.

Could I give up on revenge like he did?

I didn't think so.

That was his true strength.

He mourned his parents, but didn't waste energy looking for someone to blame or wallowing in guilt.

Was it a Chinese philosophy thing? I didn't know.

---

Still deep in thought, I went through my training routine, cooked breakfast, and, on autopilot, greeted my caretakers.

One of whom was burning holes through me and Hitomi with her suspicious gaze.

What's wrong now, Yugao?

No, I completely understood that she knew where Hitomi had been instead of in her own room.

But she should also know that nothing had happened—in every sense.

Breakfast passed in a very strange atmosphere:

Yugao, suspicious for no reason.

Hitomi, floating in the clouds.

Me, still processing my recent dream.

What a combo.

---

After that, I headed to the Academy.

Today was Mizuki-sensei's class, so I needed to hurry to not be late.

Strangely enough, the future traitor was actually a good teacher.

He explained things clearly, breaking down even complex topics so that kids could understand.

He didn't favor clan children or play favorites.

Honestly?

He was the ideal teacher—one that other instructors couldn't even compare to.

To be completely honest, I would genuinely feel bad if such a good teacher got crushed by the wheel of canon.

---

And once again, Mizuki delivered a great lesson.

Then, he shocked us a little.

Starting this academic year, our group was finally beginning taijutsu training.

We still had a year to go before we started ninjutsu—that wouldn't come until third year.

And to properly assess us and to act as the main instructor, today's class would be led by…

A jonin specialized in taijutsu.

Just hearing that gave me chills.

And then Mizuki, still just as cheerful, announced:

"The best test is a sparring match—only sparring can truly assess your skills!"

And at that moment…

My ass started signaling incoming trouble.

"Skill acquired: 'Gluteal Nerv— Intuition – Level 1'."

System! I already got the message you were trying to send!

As I suspected, the taijutsu expert turned out to be Gai.

So, we finally meet, Green Beast!

And then, I nearly killed myself twice.

First, the fight between Ino and Sakura, which strangely reminded me of their canonical clash during the Chunin Exams—minus the personal drama. But it ended the same way—a draw.

Then came a much more impressive and intense match between Sai and Ai, which also… ended in a draw.

Next was Sasuke, who took down Choji.

Not without difficulty, though—twice, the Uchiha was nearly caught off guard. Akimichi had a decent reach and plenty of strength, but then Sasuke actually used his brain and changed tactics.

First, he targeted Choji's legs, weakening his stance. Then, he pinned him down with relentless kicks.

Repeat three times, and Choji is done.

Not bad. Unlike in canon, this Sasuke actually thinks in battle.

---

Then, it was my turn against Kiba.

"Begin!" Gai commanded, looking at us with excitement.

"Heh-heh, this will be inter—"

Kiba never got to finish his sentence.

I expected him to attack immediately, so I countered at the same time.

But instead of striking, he started talking.

Now I feel bad…

I had closed the distance effortlessly, my movements flowing seamlessly in my personal style.

A single open-palm tap to his chest—no chakra, just pure technique—and my friend went flying backward out of the ring.

"Sorry!" I genuinely meant it.

---

"What speed! What power! And what technique!"

Something about Gai's excited expression really worried me.

"Lee! Come out here, I've found you a sparring partner!"

Under the shocked gazes of everyone present, Gai's voice boomed across the training grounds.

Then, glass shattered from one of the Academy windows, and out jumped a very familiar figure.

Huh, this isn't canon. I thought Gai only took him as a student after he graduated from the Academy.

"Yes, Gai-sensei!"

Ignoring everything, including the fact that he had just jumped from the second floor of the Academy (which had high ceilings), the young terminator stood up and marched toward us.

"Fight!"

"Yes, Gai-sensei!"

You've got to be kidding me!

---

I smoothly stepped back, dodging his high kick aimed at my head…

Hey! That could kill someone!

Immediately, I struck his supporting leg, aiming just below the knee.

A perfect follow-through.

He twisted in mid-air and struck, but…

I was already gone from that spot.

One—I hit his overextended arm, blocking the joint near the elbow.

Two—I used "No Second Strike" in a softer form, sending Lee toward the edge of the ring.

But that monster jumped back up like nothing happened!

"For the Power of Youth!"

And after shouting that, he could still move his arm?!

Damn monster!

---

A flurry of Infinite Slaps completely ruined his once flawless technique, but…

I couldn't push him out of the ring.

Worse, I actually took a few hits myself.

Damn! I was countering his attacks, using a technique that should have caused him excruciating pain, and yet—

This parasite still finished his strikes!

What abyss did you crawl out of?!

---

"Lee, you may remove them!"

"Yes, Gai-sensei!"

Does he know anything else besides "Yes, Gai-sensei" and Power of Youth?!

And what does he mean by "remove them"?

No way he has those monstrous weights from canon.

He's too young for that level of training.

I should be able to handle something lighter…

And then—

The world went dark.

---

I opened my eyes, lying in a hospital bed.

You have GOT to be kidding me!

---

No, this is now a matter of principle.

I'm going to personally take that bastard down during the second stage of the Chunin Exams.

In the forest… where no one can see!

I'll tear him apart!

---

But for now…

I should at least check what this humiliating defeat has given me…