The class dragged on like a slow-motion car crash. Raido-sensei was now lecturing on the "Glorious History of the Village," a subject Ryan found to be 10% history and 90% "Will of Fire" propaganda.
Sacrifice yourself for the collective, be a tool for the state, blah blah blah, Ryan thought, resting his chin on his hand. Scientific fact: A dead ninja is zero percent useful to the advancement of knowledge.
To kill the boredom, he turned his attention to Hana. She was focused, her pen scratching furiously across her parchment.
"You know, Hana-chan," Ryan whispered, leaning in just enough to catch the scent of her lavender hair. "If you focus that hard, you might actually set the paper on fire. And since I'm the only one here with 'Ice' in my name, I'd hate to have to put you out."
Hana's hand jerked, leaving a long ink streak across her notes. She turned, her face a bright shade of crimson. "Ryan-kun! I'm trying to study the First Hokage's wood style! It's important!"
"Wood style is impressive," Ryan said with a smooth, half-lidded gaze. "But growth is better. For example, the way your blush grows every time I talk to you is far more interesting than a history lesson."
Hana hid her face behind her hair, stuttering, while Genma, on Ryan's left, let out a pained groan. "Ryan, please. My stomach already hurts from being tired. Don't make me nauseous with your flirting too."
Ryan chuckled. "Fine. Genma, after school, the jungle behind the orphanage. Don't be late, or the medicine loses its potency."
The Forest Clinic
An hour after the final bell, Genma stumbled into the humid thicket behind the orphanage. He waited, leaning against a mossy rock, his breathing heavy just from the walk.
"I'm here," Ryan's voice drifted from the shadows. He stepped out, carrying a small stone bowl filled with a steaming, pungent green paste. "Sit. Strip your shirt. We're doing a localized dermal absorption and chakra infusion."
Genma didn't ask questions; he was too desperate. As Ryan applied the herbs, he began to channel a very specific, low-vibration chakra into Genma's neck, targeting the thyroid gland.
"Your body was stuck in a low-metabolic loop," Ryan explained, his eyes glowing with a faint blue light as he worked. "Think of it as a clogged pipe. These herbs act as a solvent, and my chakra is the pressure to clear the blockage."
As the energy surged, Genma's eyes snapped open. For the first time in his life, the "fog" in his limbs cleared. A rush of heat spread through his chest. He stood up, and for once, his legs didn't feel like they were made of lead.
"I... I feel like I can actually jump," Genma whispered, stunned. He looked at Ryan, then knelt down. "My clan isn't big, but we have some secrets. The Body Flicker and a specific Wind-Needle technique. Since I'm following you, my father's techniques are yours."
Ryan nodded, accepting the "payment." Subordinate 1: Optimized. Tactical arsenal: Expanded.
The Finals: Ice vs. Fire
A month of intensive training flew by. Ryan didn't just study; he practiced the Wind-Needle until he could fire it with the precision of a sniper. The Academy tournament arrived, and Ryan tore through the bracket. He didn't use his Ice. He used his superior physics-based Taijutsu and Genma's D-rank Wind techniques to humiliate the clan heirs.
Then came the final: Ryan vs. Tekka Uchiha.
The training ground was packed. The civilian students were cheering for Ryan, while the Uchiha clan members stood in a silent, arrogant block.
"Begin!" Raido-sensei shouted.
Tekka didn't wait. He moved with a speed that spoke of Uchiha drills. Clang! Clang! Clang! Their training kunai sparked against each other.
"You've been lucky, orphan!" Tekka hissed, his eyes wide and manic. "But lucky ends here!"
Tekka jumped back, his chest swelling. His hands blurred through signs. Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive sphere of flame roared toward Ryan. The heat was intense, singing the grass. The crowd gasped—a first-year using a C-rank fireball was unheard of.
I can't dodge this without revealing my speed, and I can't block it with Wind, Ryan calculated in a millisecond. Fine. The secret is out.
Ryan planted his feet. He didn't use hand signs. He simply exhaled a breath that was visibly blue.
"Ice Style: Glacial Blast!"
A wave of absolute zero energy erupted from his palms. The fire didn't just stop; it shattered. The collision of heat and cold created a massive explosion of steam, blinding the audience.
Through the mist, Ryan moved. He felt the Ice Chakra singing in his veins. He pointed a finger at the ground where Tekka was standing.
"Ice Spike."
SHING!
A jagged pillar of ice erupted from the dirt directly under Tekka's chin.
"Enough!" Raido-sensei appeared in a flicker, his hand catching the ice spike just before it impaled Tekka's throat. The instructor's glove instantly frosted over.
The steam cleared. Tekka was shaking, the tip of an ice spear inches from his heart, his face pale with terror. Ryan stood ten feet away, a light frost covering his shoulders, looking completely bored.
"Winner: Ryan Kinji!" Raido announced, his voice trembling slightly. He looked at the ice. Ice release? In a civilian? This changes everything.
Ryan turned to the crowd, caught Hana's shocked gaze, and gave her a small wink. Then he looked at the Uchiha.
"Next time, Tekka," Ryan said, his voice carrying through the silent field, "bring a bigger match."