Ninja Academy, library.
Although students in third grade and above can come to read by themselves.
But this place is still sparsely populated.
It is the nature of children of this age to be lively and active, and few are able to calm down and read.
Many students don't even have a good grasp of what they've been taught in class, let alone extra studying.
Some students who yearn for strength also spend more time practicing the few jutsu they know, or training their physical abilities, tools, etc.
In their minds, only bookworms would spend all day with their noses in books.
Of course, no one dared to say this to Shikamaru in front of him, who else could be the top student of this year!
In front of a row of bookshelves.
Shikamaru squinted at Shikamaru, his gaze slightly raised, his expression a bit unhappy.
“Cut it out~!”
A year younger than him, they were the same height last semester.
How come, after a vacation, he is half a head taller than me?!
Shikamaru was looking at a book in his hand that described the common sense of the ninja world.
Noticing Shikamaru's little mood, he asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"
How could Shikamaru admit his thoughts, he pretended to sigh.
"Nothing, just that recently I've been learning about intelligence code, decryption, and such, it's kind of annoying."
Shikamaru said in surprise: "For someone as smart as you, it should be a piece of cake, right?"
Shikamaru sighed: "Ino and I are fine, the main problem is that Choji is learning too slowly."
Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, and Nara Shikamaru, the "Pig-Deer-Butterfly" trio of Konoha's generation.
They are currently all in the third grade of the Jonin School.
Through Shikamaru's relationship, Shikamaru has also met the other two, Akimichi Choji, a pretty good-natured and cute little fat guy, who currently cares most about his companions and food.
Shikamaru offered a suggestion: "Maybe you can use food to motivate Choji."
"For example, if he learns a certain amount within a certain time, you can take him out to eat."
Shikamaru looked terrified: "Do you know how much Choji eats?"
"If we go out to eat, half of my monthly allowance will be gone!~"
Shikamaru said: "Food is about quality, not quantity."
Shikamaru said: "Choji has been to every restaurant in Konoha that sells food."
Shikamaru shrugged: "Then I can't help you."
The two chatted while reading, and as they chatted, they talked about the current influential figures in the Ninja Academy.
Shikamaru encouraged Shikamaru, saying: "Speaking of which, since the two brothers from your Hyuga family graduated, the upper grades of the Ninja Academy have been under the control of the Uchiha..."
"Fourth grader Uchiha Ichiha, fifth grader Uchiha Inchiha, sixth grader Uchiha Mikoto..."
"They swept away all the top student seats in their respective grades..."
"What, you, the top student of the second grade, don't want to challenge them...?
"I know you're already as strong as some official genin..."
Shikamaru didn't refute, but looked at him strangely:
"Why should I challenge them?"
"There's no benefit to it, it's better to train well on your own."
Shikamaru looked helpless and emphasized: "Reputation! Reputation!"
"If you win, you might even be able to graduate early!"
Shikamaru's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why should I graduate early?"
"I think it's pretty good in the Ninja Academy, I don't have to go on missions, I can train peacefully and improve my skills..."
"Besides, why would I want that kind of genius reputation? Isn't it troublesome?"
"Speaking of which, are you really Shikamaru?"
"Shikamaru hates this kind of trouble the most."
"You wouldn't be someone using a Transformation Technique to impersonate him, would you?"
This was just a joke.
Shikamaru looked at Shikamaru with a meaningful look and said: "Sometimes, even if you don't provoke trouble, trouble will come to you..."
Shikamaru's heart moved, he looked at Shikamaru.
"You mean...?"
Shikamaru didn't say it clearly, but said: "Shikamaru, sometimes don't just focus on training, pay attention to other aspects, for example, outside the Ninja Academy..."
Shikamaru pondered.
Guessing from Shikamaru's sudden suggestion, could it be that...something happened between the Hyuga and the Uchiha recently, something that might affect him??
…………
Classroom.
Watanabe Shinichi is explaining the Twelve Hand Seals on the podium.
"Hand seals are the prerequisite for using jutsu, we are now learning twelve basic hand seals."
"Watch closely, this is the “子” seal..."
Watanabe Shinichi overlapped his thumbs, with his right thumb on top.
Then his right hand is horizontal and his left hand is vertical and they intersect.
"This is the “丑” seal..."
Then he paused for three seconds before changing his hand gesture again, while introducing at the same time.
"This is the “寅” seal, “卯” seal, “辰” seal, “巳” seal..."
"Thumb extended upwards and overlapped, with the left thumb on top, this is the "未" seal..."
"...When making the “酉” seal, pay attention to the angle of the thumbs and the front and back of the fingers of both hands, don't get them mixed up..."
Watanabe Shinichi emphasized loudly.
Soon, he demonstrated all twelve hand seals.
"Did everyone remember?"
Sparse answers came from below.
"Teacher, I only remember four hand seals..." someone answered softly.
"No way, Shinichi-sensei, this movement is too difficult, my fingers can't bend..."
A short, fat boy extended both elbows, struggling to bend his fingers, his forehead was sweating, but he still couldn't make the index fingers of both hands form a triangle.
This immediately caused a wave of snickering.
Except for some students with relatively flexible fingers, others actually couldn't make the hand seals very standard.
Some even stumble, taking several seconds to complete a seal.
Of course, there are also some with good memories, who have already memorized all twelve hand seals, for example, Yakushi Yuno.
Watanabe Shinichi looked around at everyone, taking in the situation of the students.
He had anticipated this situation.
"Now, quiet down, listen up..."
"What I want to say is that the key to forming hand seals..."