KONOHAMARU SHIPPUDEN

(POV: Konohamaru)

Pulling a punch without destroying something was a constant struggle. That training dummy, riddled with cracks and splintered wood, had definitely seen better days..

I glanced around the training grounds, catching Shibi Aburame's gaze. He just…stared. It wasn't a mean stare, or even a particularly interested one. It was just…there.

Like he was observing me with more than just his eyes. I shivered slightly. It was creepy. I could almost feel the little bugs crawling under my skin just from looking at him. Ugh.

"Alright, class, gather 'round!" Kosubo-sensei's voice boomed across the training grounds, cutting through the general chatter and the chirping of cicadas in the nearby trees.

We all shuffled over, kicking up small clouds of dust as we moved, forming a loose semi-circle around her. I noticed Shibi didn't shuffle. He just…was there. Already in place, almost as if he'd teleported. Double ugh.

"Today," Kosubo-sensei announced, beaming, the sunlight glinting off her sweat-dampened forehead, "we begin our ninjutsu training! We'll start with the basics, two essential techniques that every shinobi must master: the Transformation Technique and the Body Replacement Technique! And lastly, tomorrow we will be learning the Clone technique."

This was a problem I'd been having since I first started trying to learn ninjutsu. I just couldn't seem to grasp it. Even my grandpa, the Third Hokage, didn't know why. He said it was probably something to do with my…well, "unknown kekkei genkai," as he called it. It was kind of sad, really. I just look and have a Strength of a monkey not a kekkei genkai at all.

We'd run countless tests at the Konoha Hospital, the sterile scent of disinfectant still lingering in my memory, and the only thing I could consistently do was the Transformation Technique, and even then, I didn't even need hand signs. I could transform with just my thoughts. Pretty OP, I thought.

Kosubo-sensei held up two fingers. "First, the Transformation Technique. This allows you to alter your appearance, taking on the form of another person or even an object. It's crucial for infiltration, disguises, and…well, let's just say it's very versatile."

She then demonstrated, weaving a quick series of hand seals – Boar, Dog, Ox, Rabbit – her movements precise and practiced. With a puff of smoke that smelled faintly of sulfur, she transformed into…a perfect replica of the Third Hokage. He even struck a signature pose, pointing at himself with a confident grin. "See? Simple!" she said, her voice now sounding exactly like the Hokage's, deep and resonant.

The other students gasped and giggled, some whispering excitedly to each other.

Then, with another puff of smoke, the scent of sulfur dissipating quickly in the warm air, Kosubo-sensei was back to normal. "Now, you try!"

One by one, the students attempted the transformation. There were varying degrees of success. Some managed a partial transformation, ending up with mismatched features or distorted limbs. Others couldn't even manage a puff of smoke. Udon transformed into himself, and it was a very wobbly silhouette, and a girl name Moegi was it? turned into a cat, but same as Udon.

When it was my turn, I decided to put on a bit of a show. I didn't actually need the hand signs, but I performed them anyway, just for the effect. Boar, Dog, Ox, Rabbit… I even added a little flourish at the end. First, I transformed into a puff of smoke, just to sell the illusion that I was actually doing the jutsu, then, with another mental flick, I solidified into…Kosubo-sensei!

"Not bad, Konohamaru!" she said, beaming. "Very good! Now, let's move on to the Body Replacement Technique," she continued. "This technique allows you to instantly replace yourself with an object, usually a log, to avoid an attack. It's a lifesaver, literally."

She demonstrated again, this time placing a log, rough and barky, a few feet away. She then performed a single hand seal, and in a blink of an eye, she was gone, replaced by the log. It was fast in the eye of the kid, they barely saw it happen. Dust motes swirled in the space where she had been. "This one requires precise timing and a good understanding of your chakra control," Kosubo-sensei explained. "The key is to replace yourself the instant before an attack connects."

We practiced the Body Replacement Technique for the rest of the training session. It was much harder than the Transformation Technique for the kids to learn. Getting the timing right was tricky, and several times, students ended up replacing themselves a split second too late, earning a light tap on the head from Kosubo-sensei's pointer.

As the training session ended, the sun beginning its descent in the sky, casting long shadows across the training grounds, everyone was exhausted except for me. I glanced over at Shibi again, who was calmly walking away, his kikaichū buzzing softly around him like a swarm of miniature bees. I shuddered. He was definitely weird. I just hoped I wouldn't have to team up with him anytime soon. That was the last thing I needed.